Yoda Brownies Food Diorama

Steps

• 1

  Preheat oven to 325° F. Line an 8 x 8-inch baking dish with parchment paper, creasing the paper at the four edges at the bottom of the dish and then trimming around the outer edge. Grease the paper with cooking spray. Blend the brownie mix, water, vegetable oil and eggs according to package directions, and pour into the prepared dish. Bake for 52 to 54 minutes (note longer baking times due to smaller pan size used), or until a toothpick inserted two-inches from the edge comes out clean. Let cool completely, 30 to 60 minutes. Transfer the brownies to a cake stand or plate.

  
• 2

  Meanwhile, prepare the pretzels. Line a baking tray with wax paper. Place the pretzels on the tray. Pour candy melts and vegetable shortening in a microwave-safe bowl. If a darker mossy-colored green is desired, add a drop or two of black candy coloring. Microwave for 90 seconds at 70 percent power. Stir and continue to microwave at 30-second, then 15-second intervals, until fully melted. Stir well, then use a small spoon to drizzle green candy melts onto the pretzels, covering as much or as little as desired. You may not use all of the melts; if desired, use leftover melted candy melts to dip extra pretzels to serve alongside your brownies.

  
• 3

  Let the pretzels set about 5 minutes and move them around a bit so they don’t stick together. Let the pretzels harden fully, about 30 minutes.
• 4

  Frost the brownies with chocolate frosting. Insert some of the prepared pretzel rods, sticks and twists randomly into the brownies at varying angles to look like a swampy forest. Lay some sticks and twists on the brownies for fallen logs. If you like, stack a few sticks and twists on the plate around the brownies.

  
• 5

  Just before serving, tuck tufts of cotton candy between the pretzel sticks to create fog on the ground. Place your Yoda figurine on the brownies. Serve within an hour so cotton candy remains fresh. (Add a few more tufts of cotton candy if needed just before serving.)