Homemade Chocolate Tootsie Rolls Recipe

Recipe provided by Gale Gand

• Difficulty: Easy
• Yield: 75 pieces
• Nutritional Information Per Serving (1 of 75): Calories 28, Total Fat 1 g, Saturated Fat 1 g, Carbohydrates 5 g, Dietary Fiber 0 g, Sugar 4 g, Protein 0 g, Cholesterol 0 mg, Sodium 2 mg
• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Preparation: 15 minutes
• Cooking: 10 minutes

Relive the magic of classic Tootsie Rolls with this easy homemade versionchewy, chocolatey bites infused with a hint of orange that will transport you back to childhood treasures. Perfect as friend-makers, bribes, or elegant treats wrapped in shimmering foil on a silver tray, this pliable modeling chocolate is a pastry chef's secret for crafting roses, letters, or any fun shape imaginable. Whip it up in just 25 minutes and inspire sweet adventures in your kitchen!

Ingredients

• 12 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
• 1/2 cup light corn syrup
• 3/4 teaspoon warm water
• 1 1/2 teaspoons orange extract

Special equipment:

Approximately 75 squares of colored foil or cellophane for wrapping (optional)

Instructions

1. Prepare a 13 by 17-inch cookie sheet with sides by lining it with plastic wrap.
2. Gently melt the chocolate. Stir in the corn syrup, warm water, and orange extract, mixing thoroughly. Pour the mixture into the lined pan; it should be about one inch thick, so it will not completely fill the pan. Cover and allow it to set at room temperature overnight. The candy will become firm yet pliable.
3. Once set, invert the candy onto a flat surface and remove the plastic wrap. Cut the candy into strips about 3/4 inch wide. Use your hands to gently "scrunch" each strip into logs. Then roll the logs between your hands or on the surface to thin them out to about 1/2 inch in diameter. Cut these into pieces roughly 1 inch long. Let them rest briefly to firm up before wrapping or serving, as they will soften with handling.
4. Wrap each piece in a square of colored foil or cellophane, twisting the ends to secure. Alternatively, shape the modeling chocolate into decorative elements such as leaves, roses, ropes for initials, or animals.