UNCLE SAM PRETZEL CANDIES

10 ounces white chocolate baking squares or almond bark coating
24 thin pretzel sticks
24 dry roasted peanuts
12 large marshmallows, each cut in half vertically
24 mini marshmallows
1 (10-ounce) package candy-coated chocolate candies

Cover 2 cookie sheets with waxed paper, set aside.

Heat white chocolate or almond bark coating in a microwave safe bowl for 2 minutes on high or until melted. Stir until smooth.

Select 24 red candies and 48 blue candies. Set aside remaining candies for another use.

TO ASSEMBLE THE "UNCLE SAM" FACES:
Place a teaspoon of the melted white chocolate in an oval shape on the waxed paper. Press a marshmallow half on the top of the melted chocolate oval for a hat. Press a pretzel stick (horizontally) directly below it to make a hat brim. Then place 2 blue chocolate candies for eyes, a peanut for the nose and a red chocolate candy for the mouth. Press a mini marshmallow below the mouth for a goatee. Repeat with remaining ingredients to make 24 Uncle Sams. Allow to harden for a few minutes, then remove candies from waxed paper.

Makes 2 dozen cookies