A charming owl-themed tray featuring cookies, marshmallow snacks, fruit skewers, and chocolate accents for gatherings.
# Components:
→ Owl Cookies
01 - 16 round chocolate sandwich cookies (e.g., Oreos)
02 - 32 candy eyes (store-bought or homemade)
03 - 16 yellow or orange chocolate candies (for beaks, e.g., M&Ms or Reese's Pieces)
→ Mini Owl Rice Krispie Treats
04 - 8 cups Rice Krispies cereal
05 - 3 cups mini marshmallows
06 - 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
07 - 16 mini pretzel twists (for wings)
08 - 16 small round chocolate chips (for eyes)
09 - 8 orange chocolate candies (for beaks)
→ Owl Fruit Skewers
10 - 2 bananas, sliced into 16 rounds
11 - 16 large strawberries, tops removed
12 - 32 blueberries
13 - 8 wooden skewers
→ Chocolate Bark Tree Branches
14 - 7 ounces dark chocolate
15 - 1.75 ounces slivered almonds
16 - 1.75 ounces dried cranberries
# Method:
01 - Twist open each chocolate sandwich cookie carefully. Place two candy eyes on one half, securing them with a dab of frosting or melted chocolate. Position a yellow or orange chocolate candy just below as the beak. Place the other cookie half underneath and gently press together.
02 - Melt butter in a saucepan over low heat. Add mini marshmallows and stir until fully melted. Remove from heat, then mix in Rice Krispies cereal. Using greased hands, shape into 8 small oval forms. While warm, press two mini pretzel twists into each side as wings. Add chocolate chips for eyes and a chocolate candy for the beak. Let cool completely.
03 - Thread one strawberry onto each wooden skewer, pointed end up, followed by a banana slice. Add two blueberries on top for eyes, securing with a small dab of honey if necessary. Arrange the skewers on a tray resembling owl faces.
04 - Melt dark chocolate in a microwave or double boiler until smooth. Stir in slivered almonds and dried cranberries. Spread the mixture onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, shaping into branch-like forms. Allow to set at room temperature or refrigerate until firm, then break into pieces.
05 - Artfully arrange all assembled components on a large serving tray, grouping owl cookies and treats together and placing chocolate bark pieces as decorative accents.
