need to make a bunch of leaves to top cupcakes. i wanted to try something other than fondant/gumpaste as this is for kids and i thought they might not eat them. i experimented with modeling chocolate for the first time--tasted good but i wasn't crazy about how they looked. couldn't get a good "leafy green color' and they didn't dry to hold their shape like fondant/gumpaste does. wondered if any of you have experience with modeling chocolate. is this a common problem or is it me? color suggestions for realistic green leaves?

I just used melted chocolate for these leaves (white choc. for the colors) and milk chocolate for the brown. I just painted a real leaf (that I washed wth soap and water and let dry) with the chocolate and popped them in the freezer unti they hardened and then peeled them off.

If you're doing green leaves, get some white chocolate or candy melts (if you have a cake dec. store you could probably get some that are already dyed green), make the leaves and then get a darker green dusting powder and go over the edges and maybe where the veining is. If you use dusts you'll get a much more realistic look.

I did something similar.... I had a difficult time using maple leaves (the leaf kept sticking to the chocolate) so I used camellia leaves... thicker, waxier leaf. Washed and dried the leaves, then painted on the chocolates in various colors, then refrigerated until firm and peeled the leaf off. They were fun and not too difficult (only time consuming).

How did you make the acorns? They are great looking cupcakes. Thanks for sharing.

the acorns are just kraft caramel squares, take one and roll it in your hands (where gloves or they'll hold fingerprints)...but just roll it into the shape, dip the tip in melted chocolate and then into brown jimmies. Couldn't be simpler.

I love your acorns. Much cheaper than doing them with marzipan like I've done, and you already have the color right. I can't wait to try them out.