Serve plain and simple cupcakes on a stand that will make your guests take notice… something they can eat perhaps? Everyone loves chocolate so why not make your dessert stand part of dessert. A chocolate cupcake stand.

You will need: white candy melts (or your choice of chocolate), 4″ round or patterned cookie cutter (top), 2″ round cookie cutter (base), hexagon ice cube tray, spoon, disposable icing bag (optional), wax paper, tray

Melt the candy according to directions and your microwave, stirring after each interval. Add a fingertip size amount of shortening to the melted candy and stir to increase fluidity.

Place a sheet of wax paper to cover your tray. Place cookie cutters and ice cube tray on top of wax paper. Make sure your tray will fit in your fridge. Add melted candy to disposable icing bag, twist and cut off tip. Fill up 3 hexagon cubes. Fill each cookie cutter about 1/4″ thick. Use your spoon to smooth the candy into all of the crevices and corners. Tap the tray lightly to smooth out ridges. Put tray in fridge to set, about 15 mins.

Once hardened, press each cookie cutter down to cut off the loose edges of leaked chocolate. Place finished pieces on a sheet of wax paper and return to the fridge. Any rough edges can be smoothed and lightly cut off with a knife or your finger. Repeat first few steps to make as many stands as you need. Each bag of melts will make about 3 stands.

To assemble: Set the top bottom (rough) side up on a sheet of wax paper. Using your melted candy in the icing bag, squirt a dollop of chocolate on the rough side of the hexagon piece. Press into the center of the top. Add another dollop to the bottom of the hexagon and add the base, rough side up, smooth side towards the hexagon. This will make sure that the parts that are seen, are only the smooth sides. Flip over carefully and check to make sure they are level. Place on a plate and put in the fridge until ready for serving.

Add cupcakes and voila. A stand that requires no cleanup and offers a daily dose of chocolate? This is my kind of party.

Styling and photos by Jenny Batt.