For each fruit you will need:
3-ounce package flavored gelatin in color and flavor to best match each fruit
1/2 cup pecans, finely ground
1/2 cup flaked coconut
1/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon sweetened condensed milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
Decorative sugar appropriate for fruit, see note
Toothpicks to shape the fruit
Green gumdrops for leaves
Whole cloves for fruit stems
Combine the gelatin, ground pecans, coconut, condensed milk and vanilla. Mix well. Chill for at least one hour.
Start with a small ball of dough the size of a quarter. Roll in decorative sugar in the color appropriate for the fruit color (cherry gelatin for apples, etc.).
To make the green leaves, role a green gumdrop between two pieces of waxed paper (we used a rolling pin). Use a knife to shape the leaves. Use a whole clove as the stem, piercing the gumdrop leaf.
For the peach, use a toothpick to make a line down the side. Add a stem and leaf, sticking the clove into "fruit." For limes or lemons, point the ends. For the plum, make a line down the side. Each recipe makes about 12 fruits.
Note: Look for the decorative sugars at any cake and candy supply store. We found ours at Sugar and Spice Candy and Cake Supplies, 5200 Clairton Blvd.
"Simply Christmas" by Carol Field Dahlstrom
Thursday, November 29, 2001
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