chocolate leaves

as i was cleaning out my garden this week, i cut spearmint leaves from my herb bed.  after watching Martha for years demonstrating how to make chocolate leaves, i decided to give the technique a try on my own.

i washed the leaves and allowed them to dry on paper towels.  when dry, i simply melted 1/2 bag of ghiradelli dark chocolate bits within a double boiler on the stove top.

next, i placed the leaves on waxed paper and painted the leaves with a bristle brush dipped in the chocolate.

allow the leaves to dry for several hours and then use them for cake decorations.  i used my leaves this week on an angel food cake with great success.  the taste of the mint is so fresh and nothing like an artificial mint.  these chocolate mint leaves are refreshing and delicious.  i recommend them highly.