How cute are these leprechaun gnome treats? They make a great addition to your St. Patrick’s Day party table!
St. Patrick’s Day is just around the corner. All the kids are talking about leprechauns and finding that pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Speaking of leprechauns, have you had a chance to read How to Catch a Leprechaun to your kiddos? It’s a cute little story that may give your little ones ideas on how to capture the sneaky little man.
Leprechaun Gnome Treats
These little party snacks are just too cute and oh so festive. Kids will have fun making these because they involve sprinkles. You can do the heating while they do the decorating. Make these leprechaun snacks for a classroom party, or package them in little cellphone baggies as a treat kids can take home with them.
Why Are Leprechauns Part of St. Patrick’s Day?
According to Irish folklore, leprechauns are mischievous little mythical beings that mended shoes. They were paid for their work in gold coins, which they supposedly kept in large pots. The pots were stored at…you guessed it, the end of a rainbow.
To find their pot of gold, you must first catch the leprechaun. But, that is easier said than done because they are quick and sneaky. Leprechauns became more popular in association with St. Patrick’s Day in the USA when Darby O’Gill & the Little People, a cute Walt Disney film, was released in the late 1950’s.
Ingredients:
- ½ c orange candy melts
- ½ c light green candy melts
- Leprechaun Sprinkles
- 2 tbsp orange sugar sprinkles
- 2 tbsp orange confetti sprinkles
- 2 tbsp green sugar sprinkles
- 2 tbsp green jimmies sprinkles
- 6 jumbo marshmallows
- 6 green Sixlets chocolate candies (I found these bags with green mixed in at the Dollar Tree. They are also available on Amazon.
- 6 sugar ice cream cones
Tools/Materials:
- Heat safe glass bowls
- Parchment paper
- Spoons
- Small sharp pairing knife
Instructions:
Step 1: Heat the green candy melts in a heat safe glass bowl, per directions on bag. (I heat for 1 minute at 50% power, stir, and then heat for an additional 30 seconds at 50% power. Stir very well, as the majority of the candy will melt once stirred. If not, you can heat an additional 15 seconds)
Step 2: Dip the pointy end of the sugar cones into the melted green candy, and then immediately dip in either green sugar or jimmies sprinkles.
Step 3: Using a spoon, spread the green candy around the other end of the cone, approximately 1” up the cone.
Step 4: Immediately dip, or sprinkle the Lucky Leprechaun Sprinkle Mix onto the green candy. The green candy hardens quickly, so work quickly, or do the front first and then the back side of the cone. Place each dipped cone on parchment paper to set for approximately 1-2 minutes.
Step 5: Stuff a jumbo marshmallow into each cone. If you are having a hard time getting them to fit inside, using the handle of a spoon, push the sides until they fit into the cone.
Step 6: Heat the orange candy melts, following the same heating instructions in step 1.
Step 7: Using a spoon, spread the melted orange candy onto the marshmallow in the shape of a beard, leaving just enough of the marshmallow uncovered to be the face.
Step 8: Immediately sprinkle orange sugar sprinkles, and then orange confetti sprinkles onto the melted candy. Again, the candy hardens quickly, so add the sprinkles quickly, or work in sections.
Step 9: Reheat any of the remaining green candy melts in the microwave for an additional 30 seconds at 50% power.
Step 10: Using a sharp pairing knife, make a small hole for the nose.
Step 11: Dip the green Sixlets into the melted green candy, and then immediately place in the nose hole. Hold for a few seconds until it sets, so that the candy doesn’t fall out.
Your Leprechaun Gnomes Treats are ready to enjoy!
Leprechaun Gnome Treats for St. Patrick’s Day
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup orange candy melts
- 1/2 cup light green candy melts
- Leprechaun sprinkles
- 2 tablespoons orange sugar sprinkles
- 2 tablespoons orange confetti sprinkles
- 2 tablespoons green sugar sprinkles
- 2 tablespoons green jimmies sprinkles
- 6 jumbo marshmallows
- 6 green sixlets candies
- 6 sugar ice cream cones
Instructions
- Heat the green candy melts in a heat safe glass bowl, per directions on bag. (I heat for 1 minute at 50% power, stir, and then heat for an additional 30 seconds at 50% power. Stir very well, as the majority of the candy will melt once stirred. If not, you can heat an additional 15 seconds)
- Dip the pointy end of the sugar cones into the melted green candy, and then immediately dip in either green sugar or jimmies sprinkles.
- Using a spoon, spread the green candy around the other end of the cone, approximately 1” up the cone.
- Immediately dip, or sprinkle the Lucky Leprechaun Sprinkle Mix onto the green candy. The green candy hardens quickly, so work quickly, or do the front first and then the back side of the cone. Place each dipped cone on parchment paper to set for approximately 1-2 minutes.
- Stuff a jumbo marshmallow into each cone. If you are having a hard time getting them to fit inside, using the handle of a spoon, push the sides until they fit into the cone.
- Heat the orange candy melts, following the same heating instructions in step 1.
- Using a spoon, spread the melted orange candy onto the marshmallow in the shape of a beard, leaving just enough of the marshmallow uncovered to be the face.
- Immediately sprinkle orange sugar sprinkles, and then orange confetti sprinkles onto the melted candy. Again, the candy hardens quickly, so add the sprinkles quickly, or work in sections.
- Reheat any of the remaining green candy melts in the microwave for an additional 30 seconds at 50% power.
- Using a sharp pairing knife, make a small hole for the nose.
- Dip the green Sixlets into the melted green candy, and then immediately place in the nose hole. Hold for a few seconds until it sets, so that the candy doesn’t fall out.
This looks so good! What a great treat to make with kids!
Totally, it’s such a fun and tasty activity to do with the kiddos!
Thanks for sharing! Does it keep long?
They are best eaten immediately but otherwise they should keep well in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Enjoy!