How to Make Roses Out of Tootsie Rolls

Tootsie Roll Rose

If you have trouble making roses out of buttercream, making roses out of Tootsie Rolls and other candy is a simpler alternative. Plus, it's one way to get rid of extra Halloween candy lying around the house.

Things You'll Need

• five or six small Tootsie Rolls or Starburst candies
• Shortening

Instructions

1. 

   Gather five or six small (bite size) Tootsie Rolls. Unwrap them and put them in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave them at 50 percent to 75 percent power for ten seconds. Check to see if they are soft and pliable in your hands. If not, microwave in ten-second increments until they are soft, but not too hot or completely melted.

2. 

   Grease your hands slightly with a little shortening to prevent stickiness. Take a small clump, about an inch around in size, from your soft Tootsie Rolls. Make a sort of cone shape, with a larger flat bottom and a slightly tapered/pointed top.

3. 

   Take a small piece of Tootsie Roll and flatten it between your fingers. Make it sort of rectangular shaped, and long enough to wrap around the cone/base of your rose. Wrap it around the cone.

4. 

   Take a slightly smaller piece of Tootsie Roll and flatten it between your fingers. Make this piece petal-shaped: slightly rounded on top. Place it against the side if your base, keeping the petal fairly "closed," meaning don't let the top curl out. Make two more petal shaped pieces. Take the second piece and slightly overlapping the first, put it on your base. Follow with the third piece. The three pieces should go all the way around the rose base.

5. 

   Make five more petals. Apply them as you did the inner petals, slightly overlapping each one. When five petals are attached, they should go all the way around the rose. Using your fingers, gently bend the tops of the petals outward, so the rose is more open.

Tips & Warnings

• Starburst candies can also be used for more variety in color.

• Keep the petals thin for a more realistic appearance, but not too thin or they may sag downwards.