Chocolate Dipped Orange Smiles

This is one of the candies that we included on our family's Christmas goodie plates a couple of weeks ago.  I don't know if you can really call dipping something in chocolate a "recipe" but simple ideas like this are so helpful for busy baking times. 

This idea came from a Relief Society meeting several years ago.  A friend named Sheila shared this idea and it's become a family favorite.

Don't they look happy?

Chocolate Dipped Orange Smiles
jellied orange smile candies
dipping chocolate


Dip the orange smiles into the dipping chocolate until they are about 2/3 covered.  Tap off excess chocolate.  Place on a waxed paper lined baking sheet.  Chill.  Once the chocolate is set up you can remove the smiles to a container.  Store covered in a cool place.

For the dipping chocolate you can use a store-bought kind (like Candy Melts or a Ghirardelli dipping chocolate).  For these orange smiles I use a combination of chocolate chips and shortening.

Simple Dipping Chocolate
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup milk chocolate chips
2 Tablespoons shortening (do not use butter, margarine, or oil)

Melt carefully in the top pan of a double boiler or on reduced power in the microwave.  Stir and heat until it is just melted (be careful not to over heat or burn it).

Here is one version of our Christmas goodie plate:

Gingersnaps
Chocolate Mint Brownies
Chocolate Dipped Orange Smiles
Spritz cookies
As Good as Reese's Peanut Butter Balls