Chocolate Covered Cherry Mice

Line two baking trays with parchment paper and set aside.

In a large bowl, mix the butter, corn syrup, and almond extract together until smooth and well combined.

Gradually add the powdered sugar into the bowl and knead together until a soft dough forms.

Pinch off ½ tablespoon sized pieces of dough, roll into a ball, then flatten the balls into discs.

Wrap each disc around a maraschino cherry, keeping the stems exposed. Use your hands to carefully roll each ball into shape. Be careful not to break the stems off as they will be the mouse tail. Repeat with the rest of the cherries and dough. Refrigerate for 2-4 hours, until firm.

Once firm, melt the milk chocolate wafers in a double boiler or candy melting pot over low heat. Stir occasionally to ensure it is heating evenly.

One at a time, gently hold each cherry by the stem and dip it into the melts. You can use a fork if needed to lift the cherry out without breaking the stem off.

Place the dipped cherry back onto the prepared baking tray and lay it on the side. The cherry stem will be the mouse tail.

Press the bottom of a Hershey’s Kiss onto the opposite side of the stem. This will be for the mouse head.

Stick two almond slices similar in size for mouse ears between the cherry body and the Hershey’s Kiss head. Repeat with the rest of the cherries.

Once the head, body, and ears are all attached, decorate the face. Using a toothpick or skewer, dab a tiny amount of melted chocolate onto the top part of the tip of the Hershey’s Kiss and place a red sugar pearl for the mouse nose. Hold it in place for a few seconds to ensure it does not fall off. Repeat with the rest of the candy mice.

For the eyes, dab two dots of black decorative icing onto the Hershey’s Kiss face. You can do practice rounds onto a piece of parchment paper or napkin to see how it comes out. If the icing is coming out of the tube too quickly, you can use a toothpick or skewer to dab a small amount where needed. Repeat with the rest of the mice and then refrigerate until ready to serve.