Instructions

1. Spray your hands and work the surface with a light layer of vegetable oil. This keeps the chocolate from sticking to both you and the surface.

2. Knead the amount of chocolate you need to make the animal, including its body, limbs, head and tail, until it is pliable and easy to shape.

3. Break off the amount you need to shape the body of the animal. Roll it between your hands until it becomes oblong. Shape it according to a photo; for example, give it a big belly and smaller shoulder region if creating a teddy bear, or a sleek, lean shape if creating a thoroughbred horse.

4. Pinch off four even sections to create four limbs. Roll them between your hands until they are log-shaped. Create them as skinny or as thick as you desire. If you want them to bend, gently press a knife to the middle of the limb and bend it in half, toward the mark.

5. Roll most of the remaining amount of clay into a head; the small excess can be used for extra details such as snout, tail and ears. Make it at least 1/3 of the body, if creating a more cartoon-like animal.

6. Attach the four limbs and head to the body by heating up the two areas you want to attach with your fingers and pressing them together.

7. Add any extra details, such as ears, and snouts by shaping them with your fingers. If using white chocolate, draw details such as whiskers, or using edible markers.