Heart shaped ice cubes tray - gags discontinued by Cal Exotics - review by js250

Got a special day coming up? A special person needing a bit of extra love? Are you planning a party? In charge of snacks, drinks or dessert for your friend's party, a potluck or a group function? Don't panic! The Heart Shaped Ice Cube Tray is right at your fingertips.

They tray is pink, made out of firm but lightly flexible plastic and measures about 4" wide, 7" long and about 5/8"deep. There are twelve molds in the tray that are varying sizes, two 1 1/2" diameter, four 1 1/4" diameter and six 1" diameter hearts. There is no ridge or lip around the hearts, so I suggest under-filling them slightly to get a nice clean edge. You may also run dental floss over the tray after your product is partially set to cut an even, flat edge. If these get overfull, the edge gets messy and jagged.

When being used in the freezer, take care when flexing the tray as it does become a bit stiff and brittle. My first tray cracked due to over flexing in this state. When pouring warm mixtures the tray becomes very soft and bendable, so please take care to have it in place prior to pouring. You will have a runny mess everywhere if you plan on moving it before the mixture is set and the plastic has cooled and firmed back up.

You can either wash the tray by hand or in the dishwasher. I always place mine on the top and never use the auto dry feature. This prevents warping. Please dry the cups before storage. I also recommend purchasing two or three trays with your first purchase, since the hearts are fairly small and your basic mixtures or guest numbers will be a bit much for just one tray.

I have used these trays for almost every type of party or gathering I have hosted. I have also used them to make nice gifts for friends and relatives, children's toys and as a decorated gift.
Want some fresh ideas? Lets get creative.

When should they be used? Anniversaries, weddings, birthday parties, bridal showers, baby showers, Christmas, Valentines Day, cocktail parties, adult toy parties, and just to let someone know you care.

How should they be used, what to fill them with, you might wonder. Ice cubes, jello, rice krispy treats, craft soaps & candles, chocolates, jellied fruit sauces, cheesecake filling, pumpkin pie filling, beads, dips, and more!

When removing frozen products, submerge the base in hot water for about 3-5 seconds, place a flat baking tray on the top and invert onto a counter.
When removing a softer textured product, place in the freezer until freeze is lightly started and the mixture is stiff enough to hold its shape, cover with the flat tray and invert on a counter.
For removal of soaps, candles and other craft purposes, lightly rub a dab of cornstarch prior to pouring.
For chocolates, rice krispy treats and pie fillings use powdered sugar instead of cornstarch.
You will have to use some tray flexing and a bit of working with each method, but I have found these simple tricks to help greatly in reducing the damage to the product.

Recipies, Ideas and Fun-

1. For a fun, fruity cocktail, make ice from concentrated fruit juices, the more colors the better. Place vodka in the freezer until thick, remove ice from tray and let your guests make their own colorful and flavorful drinks.

2. Melt white, milk and dark chocolate in separate bowls, pour into molds and let set up. Remove and a. Frost with decorative icing, Put thickened jam on back, press another heart onto it and let it set up. b. Use as garnishes for desert. C. Add marmalade to dark chocolate, cherries to milk chocolate and cashews to white chocolate, gift wrap in nice tray or box or place on serving tray for party treats.

3. Red rice krispy candy hearts, looks great with red hot candies!

4. Form a nougat style candy or ice cream in hearts, let set up and make your own naughty heart messages for your anniversary, a bridal shower or adult party.

5. Make a cheesecake filing using: 1 pkg. cream cheese, 1/2 cup sugar, 1 tsp. vanilla, 1/2 small container cool whip. Blend all ingredients until smooth. Place mix into molds, smooth with a spatula. Refrigerate about 2 hours. Decorate!!

Any more ideas? I have a few, but I better save some for later...maybe the follow up review!

This tray is the most versatile one I have in my collection. A family member had a birthday a couple of days ago and I wanted to try an idea I came up with last Christmas, only personalized. I made my own concoction of a peanut butter cup and they went over very well!

1 cup peanut butter, 1/3 cup powdered sugar, 1 tsp vanilla, 1/2 regular brick cream cheese. Mix in blender, add more p. sugar until reasonably stiff. Mold in tray & refrigerate for 2 hours. Unmold. Melt 1 bag milk chocolate chips and 1 oz. parrafin wax in double broiler. Using a toothpick stuck in the top of the heart in the indentation, dip heart in chocolate until coated and place on waxed paper. When chocolate hardens, you may decorate with frostings, gels, etc. Or.. add mini m&m's sprinkles, etc. to soft chocolate for added decoration.