Sassy Sweets: Chocolate Mice For the first half of February (through February 14th), I'm sharing a variety of Valentine's recipes that I think would be great for the classroom or office parties (or even, for that special someone).  I've said it many times on this blog, even if you don't have a special someone to share with (and this year, my special someone is far away), its still a good reminder to thank others for their love, and remember that loving yourself is so important.  I wouldn't be here in New York if my parents and Awa hadn't encouraged and enabled me to make this move.  I'm hoping that by February 14th, everyone I love will remember how much I care.
These, I think are perfect for a classroom visit or office party.  Mom refused to make them though, unless we had the "right" black licorice.  I don't know if you've ever looked but finding black shoestring licorice is hard to do!  Now that I work in NYC, some of these harder ingredients become my job as I scavenge unfamiliar streets, subways, and stores to find the perfect thing.  The licorice was no different.  I went to three candy stores the first week looking for this string licorice.  After three swings, three misses and striking out, the second week I immediately visited the holy grail of candy.

Dylan's Candy Bar in NYC is pretty famous for its vast array of the sugary confections.  But when I walked in and made a beeline to the licorice display, I was floored.  There was no black shoestring licorice.  At that moment, it looked like NYC had defeated me yet one more time.  Until I found a very helpful employee who informed me they have lots of stock in the back and went to check for himself.  Ta-da!  Black shoestring licorice had been found--I didn't need much either, just 6-7 strands.  So, $1.37 later, off I went, flush with the victory of capturing my elusive licorice. Chocolate Mice (adapted from here)
Serves:  10 (20 mice)
40 chocolate wafers
2/3 cups chocolate chips
1/3 cup sour cream
1/4 cup slice almonds
40 sprinkles
20 black shoestring licorice strands (2-inches each)

Crush the chocolate wafers into crumbs (about 2 cups).  Set aside.  In a microwave, melt chocolate chips (about 1 1/2 minutes on 50% power).  Stir until smooth.  Stir in one cup of chocolate crumbs and sour cream.  Cover and refrigerate for at least an hour (until easy to handle).  For each mouse, roll about 1 tablespoon of the sour cream mixture into a ball and taper one end to resemble a mouse.  Roll in remaining chocolate crumbs to coat.  Position almond slices for ears and same-colored sprinkles for eyes.  Press a licorice strand into the back of each mouse for a tail.  Refrigerate until serving.  Serve two matching mice to each person.

Enjoy my two weeks of Valentine's Day posts!  And, the conclusion of Valentine's Day signals that we are almost through winter.  I dread winter like I dread the dentist.  Inevitable, but inconvenient all the same.  I can't wait to start us off with some spring recipes soon.
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