Candy apple snowmen!

If bad weather’s got the kids boxed in, turn a dull day into a fun day with easy-to-make candy apples!

APPLES

6 (8") lollipop sticks

6 apples, at room temperature, stems removed, patted dry

2 pkgs. (12 oz. each) peanut butter candy melts, 4 cups

Oil

2 pkgs. (12 oz. each) bright white candy melts, 4 cups

White and pink pearl dust

DECORATIONS

Dark chocolate fudge stripes cookies, such as Keebler

Reese’s peanut butter cup miniatures

Black licorice wheels

Black and orange gumdrops

Light corn syrup

Black edible glitter

1 tube (4.25 oz.) black decorating icing, fitted with writing tip

Flower medley sprinkles

Pink mint lentils candy

Ribbon

● Apples: Line baking sheet with wax paper. Insert 1 lollipop stick into stem end of each apple. In microwave-safe bowl, microwave peanut butter candy melts according to package directions; stir in oil, 1 tsp. at a time, until candy flows smoothly. Dip 1 apple into candy, turning to coat if necessary; holding apple horizontally over bowl, let excess candy drip off. Using spoon or small spatula, scrape off excess from bottom (you want coating smooth on face side). Stand on baking sheet. Repeat with remaining apples and peanut butter candy melts. Refrigerate until dry, 10-15 minutes. Remove from refrigerator. Note: If apples get too cold, white candy coating will crack after dipping.

● Melt white candy melts according to package directions; reserve 1 Tbs. Re-dip apples in white candy, as shown. Stand on baking sheet and let dry. Brush dry dipped apples with white pearl dust.

● For each “melting” snowman, spread about 1 Tbs. melted white candy in 3" round on wax paper. Place white-dipped apple on wet candy round.

● Decoration: For chocolate hat, thread 1 cookie, flat side up, over stick on top of apple. Using skewer, poke hole in center of each peanut butter cup; thread onto stick over cookie. For licorice hat, thread licorice wheel over stick. Lightly brush black gumdrop with corn syrup; sprinkle with edible glitter. Using skewer, poke hole in center; thread over stick onto licorice wheel. For noses, cut small triangles from orange gumdrop; attach with dot of reserved melted candy. With black icing, pipe on eyes, eyebrows and mouth. For cheeks, using small brush, lightly brush on pink pearl dust. Attach sprinkles and lentils to hats with corn syrup. If desired, tie ribbon on apples without hats. Makes 6 apples.