Dolci frutta Decorative Leaves
Several hours in advance, wash and dry non-toxic lemon leaves (available at florists) or rose leaves well, allowing to air-dry on paper towels until ready to coat. Generously paint underside with melted Dolci frutta. Do not allow the coating to overflow onto the front of the leaf. Set aside on waxed paper, allowing to cool until set. Starting at the stem, gently pull leaf away. Careful – if you do not tear the leaf, it can be reused! Keep the decorative leaves cool until needed. Use to garnish ice cream, berries, and fruit platters. When using leaves from your garden make certain they are non-toxic and have not been sprayed.*
Note
*NOTE: Although many leaves are harmless, any leaf can be potentially toxic if treated with sprayed or systemic insecticides. If in any doubt of a leaf’s safety, do not use it.
Some safe leaves: Rose, Lemon, Gardenia, Magnolia, Grape Ivy.
Some toxic leaves: Poinsettia, English Ivy, Lily of the Valley, Mistletoe, Dieffenbachia, Oleander, Delphinium (Larkspur), Laurel, Azalea, Caladium, Hydraegea, Amaryllis, Jonquil, Daffodil, Narcissus, Holly, Rhododendron, Poppy.
Dolci frutta Decorating Hints
Dolci Dazzle: To decorate frosted cakes or cream pies with fanciful shapes, spread melted Dolci frutta thinly onto waxed paper. After Dolci frutta has partially set, cut with assorted cookie or canape cutters. Allow to harden completely. Lift with spatula and transfer to dessert.
It’s a Pisa Cake: Drizzle melted Dolci frutta around top edge of frosted cake allowing it to run down the sides in pretty “ribbons”.
Cap Cakes: Dip chocolate cupcake tops in melted Dolci frutta.
Roll-y Cone-oli: Before adding ice cream, dip the top rim of an inverted ice cream cone in melted Dolci frutta for a fancy look.
Bona Fortuna: Dress up a fortune cookie by dipping half in delicious Dolci frutta.
Dolci frutta Garnishing Curls
It’s quick and simple to make fancy curls with a common kitchen tool—the potato peeler. On a large sheet of waxed paper, spread 1/3 cups melted Dolci frutta out in a 1/2” thick layer. Allow to set. When hardened, turn on its side, and shave off small curls using the peeler. Curls can be used to decorate puddings, mousse, cakes, and cream pies. Lift shavings carefully with a toothpick to transfer them to the dessert.
Dolci frutta Decorative Writing
Spoon melted Dolci frutta into a dry pastry bag or waxed paper cone with a 1/8” round tip. You can write directly onto whatever is being decorated. Alternatively, you can write on waxed paper, let the message cool, repeat with a second layer for added strength, and cool again. Handling with care, peel waxed paper from message and place upon cake. For an easy pattern, you may want to first write the message on plain paper and slip it under the waxed paper to use as a guide.
