Make a Spectacular Holiday Cake Garnish

By Southern Living

Learn how to make a dazzling holiday cake garnish with delicate White Candy Leaves and store-bought almond coconut candy.

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Garnish with Gusto

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: White Candy Leaves

Whimsy meets elegance in this spectacular Red Velvet-White Chocolate Cheesecake. Follow these steps to create your own impressive holiday cake garnish.

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Step 1: Coat Leaves with Vanilla Candy

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Select nontoxic leaves, such as bay leaves. Thoroughly wash the leaves, and pat dry. Melt approximately 2-oz. vanilla candy coating in a saucepan over low heat until melted (about 3 minutes). Stir until smooth. Cool slightly. Working on parchment paper, spoon a 1/8-inch-thick layer of candy coating over backs of leaves, spreading to edges.

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Step 2: Peel Leaves from Candy Coating

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Transfer leaves gently, by their stems, to a clean sheet of parchment paper, resting them candy coating sides up; let stand until candy coating is firm (about 10 minutes). Gently grasp each leaf at stem end, and carefully peel the leaf away from the candy coating. Store candy leaves in a cold, dry place, such as an airtight container in the freezer, up to 1 week.

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Step 3: Arrange Leaves on Cake

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Handle leaves gently when garnishing or they'll break or melt. Arrange candy leaves around the base of the cake and store-bought coconut candies (such as Confetteria Raffaello Almond Coconut Treats) in the center of the cake. Accent the top of the cake with additional candy leaves. For candy pearls, simply roll any remaining candy coating into balls, and let stand until dry.

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