Swirly Buttery Melty Mints

I have another fun and easy recipe to share with you today -

BUTTER MINTS! Those pretty little mints that you see at

Showers and Birthday Parties between the peanuts and 

the cucumber sandwiches!! Did you know that they are

crazy easy to make?? Let me show you how I made them!

Into the bowl of a mixer, place the sugar, butter, cream and

extract. Mix until it forms a ball. Easy peasy!! Then divide 

the dough into as many portions as you like and color each

portion. 

One word on the peppermint extract - start with a very small

amount, then increase to taste. The first time I made these I 

used just 1/4 teaspoon, but it was too strong for me. You want

these to be minty but not like Altoids! LOL!! Different brands

of extract will yield different results.

I decided to give my mints a marbled look. I did this using the

same technique as my Fairy Meringues.  Using a toothpick, I 

place lines of gel food coloring on top of one portion of the

dough and folded the dough in half. I kept folding and kneading

until it was pretty and marbled.

Next I rolled each portion of dough into a rope and cut the rope

into mint sized pieces with my dough scraper. Then I placed 

the mints on my parchment lined baking sheet and let them dry

uncovered overnight!

PEPPERMINT MELTY MINTS

4 1/2 cups confectioners sugar

1/2 cup butter, softened

2 tablespoons (half n half) cream

1/8 teaspoon peppermint extract

food coloring

Line a baking sheet with parchment. In a bowl

with a paddle attachment combine confectioners

sugar, butter, cream and peppermint extract. Mix

until it forms a ball.

Divide the dough into 3 or 4 portions and form each one 

into a ball. To color mixture add (one drop liquid food

coloring) or a tiny bit of gel color into one portion, 

kneading into dough evenly. Continue adding more

coloring until desired shade.  Repeat using a different color

for each remaining portion. To get the marbled effect,

flatten dough a bit then using a toothpick, place lines

of food coloring on dough. Then fold dough in half and

press down, then fold in half again and press down.

keep kneading until you get the desired effect.

Roll the dough into 1/2 to 1 inch diameter ropes. Cut

each rope into desired size pieces. Arrange the pieces

on the parchment paper and let sit uncovered overnight.

Once dry, store in air tight container. 

I couldn't believe how easy it was to make these buttery, melt 

in your mouth mints!! I also love that you can color coordinate 

them to the colors of your party! They're also great for favors!  

Your friends will be so impressed!! You've got

to try this!! xo!!