Milk & Dark Chocolate Easter Tree

I thought I was being clever last week when I created this very real looking faux chocolate Easter display while Husband was away on a business trip. (Yes, he tried to eat a wood bunny when he arrived home, and yes it was funny). Turns out, the joke's on me. I salivate every time I pass the living room, and usually end up helping myself to the leftover Valentine's chocolates I hid from myself last month. This chocolate-themed Easter display is going to be the death of me. If you're a masochist like I am, and need to gain five pounds before Easter, read on to find out how to make your own chocolate Easter display...

I tested a boat-load of painting techniques to get the most decadent milk and dark chocolate effect, and the best result also ended up being the easiest.

For milk chocolate effect:
1. Buy or make some papier-mâché eggs (I got the medium and small eggs from Hobby Lobby)
2. Spray paint with five or six layers of Krylon Leather Brown Gloss paint. Allow 30 minutes of drying time between layers.

For dark chocolate effect:
1. Mix black and brown paint until you get an almost-black hue. I used Folk Art Enamels Licorice paint and Ceramcoat Dark Brown acrylic paint.
2. Give your papier-mâché eggs two thick coats.
3. Spray or paint the finished eggs with a clear lacquer to get that satiny chocolate sheen that makes your mouth water. I used Minwax Clear Polycrylic Protective Finish in satin finish (gloss was too "shiny").

And finally:
Hot-glue fishing wire to the eggs, and hang on your Easter tree.

I purchased my easter tree from Save-On-Crafts.com, and the faux chocolate bunnies in-store at Gordmans. The cute cream-colored satin bows on the bunnies' necks are from the 1/4" satin ribbon collection at Walmart.

A very delicious Easter to you all!