Fiction-Food Café: Chocolate Caramel Stakes

Say hello to Mr. Pointy...s...? Misters Pointy?

In the spirit of Halloween and because Carrie and I recently did a "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" Fiction Kitchen Podcast episode (in which I talked about this recipe idea), I give you a super simple sweet treat for your next "Buffy" or other vampire-inclusive themed party!

Note: The strawberry syrup is totally optional. I mean, it could be argued that staking a vampire wouldn't produce blood, so feel free to not include it in your treat set up. It's mostly for aesthetic :).
Also, CandiQuick is a great melting chocolate, but if you can't find it you can totally use regular chocolate chips or morsels!

Buffy's Chocolate Caramel Stakes

Ingredients:
1/2 Package Mini Cow Tail Caramel Candies OR Caramel Cubes, unwrapped
1 (16 oz.) Package Chocolate CandiQuick (or other chocolate for melting)
Strawberry Syrup (optional)

Important Items:
Toothpicks
Parchment Paper
Kitchen Scissors

Directions:
1. Stretch & twist the caramel candies until they are about 2 1/2" long x at least 3/8" diameter (the cow tails are great because they are almost this size already). Stick a toothpick in one end of each of the pieces, leaving enough of the toothpick sticking out so you can hold on to it, & then place the candies on a large sheet of parchment paper.
2. Melt your CandiQuick according to package directions & pour it into a tall cup (or if using chocolate chips, melt in 30 second increments in the microwave, or in a double boiler on the stove). Holding the caramel candies by the toothpicks, dip one at a time into the melt, gently tapping it to let the excess fall into the cup, & then lay the candies back onto the parchment. After dipping a few, drag a toothpick diagonally across their surface several times to create a little bit of a wood look. Continue dipping & marking with the toothpick until all of your candies are on the parchment. Let them harden completely.
3. Pick up a coated candy by its toothpick & hold it out horizontally. Use the kitchen scissors to cut around the non-toothpick end at a diagonal, creating the look of the sharpened point of a stake. Also cut away any excess chocolate from the sides of the candy that may have spread out while it was on the parchment just after dipping. Place the completed candy stake onto your serving dish & remove the toothpick. Serve with optional strawberry syrup.