Blooming Rose - A Fruity Valentines (Plus bonus Rosebud version)

Do you ever stop and think, dang, every "special day" is celebrated with cheap, not so tasty candy? If you are a mother, you know your child is going to come home wired from all the sugar at thier class valentines day party.

It's too much!

Here is a valentines day treat which the kids just love (I've done it for my classroom the past two years, and the children's eyes just light up). And it is a little more health conscious than kisses and dumdums.

I have two versions, the Blooming Rose, and the Rosebud. Both are fairly easy, but the Rosebud just a smidge easier, and a little safer for the younger ones.


**Important** If you are giving these to kids, be sure to remind them that there are pointy bits of wood, and to be careful!***

Step 1: Materials

Blooming Rose Materials
Strawberries
New pencils
Twice as many toothpicks as strawberries
Tiny rubber bands
Paper
Pen
Sticky tape
Vase (or one of those crystal lite cylinders)
Scissors
Leaf template



 

Comments

[bcmummy]

Way cool! My boyfriend's on a diet and I'm on a budget, so I knew candy was pretty much a no-go for this year's Valentine's day. But we both love strawberries.

I wonder if a spritz of lemon juice and keeping the rosebuds in an airtight container until they're just a few minutes from being presented would help with the oxidation issue. I really want to present him with a whole bouquet!

[canida]

These are awesome!

[bluedragonlotus]

I have to say, these are absolutely beautiful. I may have to try my hand at them sometime soon.

Have you tried dripping white chocolate on these or maybe dipping them? I was wondering if the petals kept their shape enough to dip.

[rtrueblood]

maybe try "drizzling" the chocolate as opposed to "dipping" this may work out a little better as it wont be so heavy on the petals. :o) As far as using sugar - doesn't this make the strawberries get really juicy really quick? I thought that is how you made the strawberries juicy for shortcakes...............Or, I just thought of this and don't know if it would work or not but it was just a thought. How about injecting a surprise dollop of chocolate into the top part of the rose. Or making a small hole in the top, filling with white or dark chocolate and then putting the piece back in and letting it flow over onto the other petals. And last perhaps after you finished carving them if you froze them first the dipping would then work out perfectly for the delicate petals. Hope one of these ideas helps out. I am going to try my hand at even making them and then I'll post pic when I am able to get some chocolate on them one way or another. :0)

[opcp]

I dont think they would - they are pretty delicate. You can however sprinkle sugar on them and make the glittery.

[domestic_engineer]

you are my hero. I have to have a healthy snack for my girls preschool party.
I think I'm just going to try to do them on a plate, with no sticks.
Must buy strawberries tomorrow!
thank you!!!!!!!!!!!
I'll post a pic if they come out good.

[domestic_engineer]

They came out great. Thank you. I also made carrot flowers, with this carrot pencil sharpener that I have.

[GlitterH]

They look brill!

[starshipminivan]

These look fun to make!  Thanks for sharing.  You have my vote!

[Cylvre]

I know it kinda defeats the more nutritious nature of the project... but I really want to make these and then dip in chocolate.  Best chocolate covered strawberry ever!

[opcp]

It would be awesome, but Follard is right, the chocolate wouldn't stick to the strawberries :(
Also, the petals are really delicate, and the weight of the chocolate would probably break them.

If you wanted to negate the whole nutritious thing though, you could dust them with sugar, and make sparkle roses. It would help a little with the oxidation, but you would need to use kid gloves, due to the delicacy issue.

[Cylvre]

I did worry about the delicacy issue.  I think I could get around the moisture issue with a dusting of corn starch, powered or granulated sugar, or maybe give them a sugar crust like the grapes in this recipe: www.cooks.com/rec/view/0,193,148182-251192,00.html.

Something to think on while I practice my petal carving skills!

[RaNDoMLeiGH]

My mom made grapes like that one ~hot~ summer day when I was little, but without the cinnamon. 35 years later I still remember them as one of the best snacks I ever had. Cool, now I can make them too.

Great instructable, these are super cute! it would be fun to do for a fondue party.

[frollard]

That might work, but chocolate is really anti-water.  You can dip whole strawberries because they are dry; cut into these and you'll let a bunch of water out, and the chocolate will not only not wanna stick, but it'll gum up.  :(  It WOULD be AWESOME!

[kcli]

Beautiful!  You got my vote!

These are special for any occassion and I can't wait to present a dozen of these to my mom on Mother's Day!!!