Gold-Brushed Chocolate Leaves
- 8 ounces bittersweet (not unsweetened) or semisweet chocolate, chopped
- 15 fresh camellia or lemon leaves, wiped clean with moist paper towels, patted dry
- Small artist's brush*
- 1 2-gram container gold dust*
- *Artist's brush and gold dust, sold as Old Gold or Super Gold Luster Dust, are available at cake and candy supply stores.
- Line small baking sheet with foil.
- Stir chocolate in top of double boiler over barely simmering water until melted and smooth.
- Remove from over water.
- Using pastry brush, carefully coat heavily veined sides of camellia leaves with melted chocolate.
- Using fingertips, wipe away any chocolate overflow from edges.
- Place leaves on prepared baking sheet.
- Freeze leaves just until firm, about 10 minutes.
- Carefully peel camellia leaves from chocolate leaves.
- Return chocolate leaves to baking sheet; freeze at least 10 minutes.
- Dip artist's brush into gold dust; brush generously over some leaves.
- Cover and freeze.
- (Can be prepared 3 days ahead.)
- Arrange leaves decoratively on cake and serve.
bittersweet, lemon, gold dust, gold dust
Taken from www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/gold-brushed-chocolate-leaves-5873 (may not work)