Christmas Eve Mice

I made some treats for my husband to take to his work Christmas party. These are the Christmas Eve Mice. Aren't they adorable! I've seen them made before and have wanted to try my hand at them. I thought it would be nice to make something other than the usual bars or cookies.

I also made Oreo Truffles. Both were a big hit! I made two other treats that I will post later.

I found this recipe in a 2006 copy of 'Taste of Home Best Holiday Recipes'.

Christmas Eve Mice

24 double-stuffed cream-filled chocolate sandwich cookies
1 cup (6 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips
2 teaspoons shortening
24 red maraschino cherries with stems, well drained
24 milk chocolate kisses
48 sliced almonds
1 small tube green decorator icing gel (optional) - if you're piping holly
1 small tube red decorator icing gel - for eyes

Carefully twist cookies apart; set aside the halves with cream filling. Save plain halves for another use. In a microwave or heavy saucepan, melt chocolate chips and shortening; stir until smooth. Holding each cherry by the stem, dip in melted chocolate, then press onto the bottom of a chocolate kiss. Place on the cream filling of cookie, with cherry stem extending beyond cookie edge.

For ears, place slivered almonds between the cherry and kiss. Refrigerate until set. With green gel, pipe holly leaves on the cream. With red gel, pipe holly berries between leaves and pipe eyes on each chocolate kiss. Store in air tight container at room temperature. Yield: 2 dozen.