Not all food sculptures are edible and not all food sculptures are sculptures! For instance, when you use Styrofoam shapes to create Easter egg trees, they might not be edible, but they sure are beautiful! The trees can be made for other occasions, too, simply by changing the colors of candies you attach. For the Easter tree youll need Jordan almonds, which are available in pastel colors, like pink, blue, green and yellow. The almonds give an Easter theme to cone or ball-shaped Styrofoam pieces.
Although you can make the candy Easter egg tree most any size or shape you wish a six inch Styrofoam cone makes a small tree for a shelf, table or mantle. Purchase a four inch plastic or terra cotta pot for the cone tree. Paint the pot a pastel color for an Easter theme. Now paint the cone a pastel color of yellow, pink, blue or green. Make sure the paint you use is suitable for Styrofoam by checking the label or asking an assistant at the store.
Start at the top of the cone and glue one Jordan almond on it. The almond should stand upright on the very top of the cone. Hot glue works great for this craft but you can also use other adhesives that are suitable for Styrofoam. Begin gluing on more and more Jordan almonds, turning them this way and that, so that the almonds face many different directions. Position the almonds as close together as possible while working your way around and down the cone. When the cone is completely covered tie a satin ribbon around the top edge of the pot. Make an edible version by first covering the cone completely in frosting. Press the Jordan almonds into the icing, pushing them close together, and completely covering the cone. Allow to air dry for several hours but place a piece of plastic cling wrap over it to protect it. Kids and adults alike will enjoy pulling off the almonds and eating them. Create a large version and the Easter tree makes a fabulous table centerpiece. You can make the candy trees for other occasions besides Easter. Choose candies of certain colors or shapes to create trees for Valentines day, Independence Day, Christmas and more. Make trees of any color for anniversaries, birthdays and other occasions. Some candies that work well include M&Ms, Gummis, Jelly Bellys, red hots and lemon drops. Make a completely different kind of tree by using Styrofoam balls instead of a cone. Glue a half-ball into the bottom of the four inch pot. Use a six inch dowel to hold a whole Styrofoam ball. The dowel should be a mere quarter-inch in diameter and the whole ball should be a three inch one. Paint the dowel a pastel color, if making an Easter tree. You dont have to get out messy paints; just use a magic marker. Push the dowel into the Styrofoam wedge in the pot. Now slide the three inch ball onto the dowel. A dab of glue will hold it on the dowel to accommodate the weight of the candies. Glue the candies around the top of the pot ball so that the Styrofoam in the pot does not show and is completely covered in candies. Now glue the candies to the ball itself, covering it completely. After the ball is completely covered tie a satin ribbon onto the dowel, just below the ball. Use a longer dowel, and a second Styrofoam ball, to create a topiary-type candy tree. The trees are so beautiful, and so easy to make, youll enjoy creating one for every holiday and occasion. Make large ones, tiny ones, holiday ones and even birthday ones. Your kids will love helping with the candy trees but they might eat all the trees decor if you dont watch out! Spend an hour with your kids and make several different types of trees to display for Easter - or anytime!
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