Homemade Mints Food

HOMEMADE MINTS {ALTOIDS MINTS COPYCAT}

Steps:

• In a deep bowl, mix the gum paste with the flavoring, and water until it forms a very thick paste.
• Put parchment paper on a baking sheet, and dust with powdered sugar.
• Put the "dough" on the parchment, and dust with a bit more powdered sugar. Press it as thin as you can with the heel of your hand.
• Now at this point, you could make little balls, use a tiny mold to make these cute shapes, or even use a fat straw to punch out circles. That is a lot of work, so I recommend dusting a pizza cutter with powdered sugar and cut them into strips and pieces.
• Fill a lidded container with the pieces, and sprinkled a bit more powdered sugar in there. Shake it a few times to make sure that all the pieces are coated enough to not stick to each other.
• Spread the pieces back on the baking sheet with the parchment, and let dry at room temperature for at least 3 days. Your house will smell awesome, but please watch out for kiddos and pets. If you are using Xylitol it is especially dangerous for pets.
• Place finish mints in a mesh strainer and shake to remove the excess powdered sugar. Transfer to lidded containers and/or cute jars for giving as gifts.

HOMEMADE BUTTER MINTS

Steps:

• Taste the candy and add more mint extract if desired; different brands have different strengths, and it's better to start with less flavoring and add more if necessary.

CREAM CHEESE MINTS

Steps:

• In food processor, place cream cheese, butter and powdered sugar. Cover; process, using on-and-off pulses, until mixture comes together into a ball. Add mint extract; process just until incorporated.
• Place dough on work surface sprinkled with additional powdered sugar. Add a few drops food color to center of dough; knead until dough is evenly tinted. Roll dough into ropes; cut into small pieces. Roll each piece into a ball; place on waxed paper.
• Flatten each ball with a fork. Let stand 2 hours or until dry.

BUTTER MINTS

Steps:

• Combine butter and 2 cups sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Mix on low speed until sugar is moistened, then increase speed to medium-high and beat until well combined. Return mixer to low speed, add remaining 2 cups sugar, and mix until well combined, 1 minute. Increase speed to medium-high; beat until light and fluffy, 6 minutes more. Add peppermint extract, milk, and salt; beat until smooth.
• Lightly dust a clean work surface with confectioners' sugar and turn out "dough" onto it. Divide into 5 pieces; tint as desired with food coloring, leaving one piece white. (Keep covered with plastic wrap while working to prevent drying.)
• Roll "dough" into 1/2-inch-thick ropes, then cut into pieces slightly over 1/2 inch long with a paring knife or bench scraper. Transfer to a parchment-lined rimmed baking sheet. Let dry, uncovered, at least 12 hours. Mints can be refrigerated in an airtight container up to 2 weeks.

HOMEMADE MINTS

Steps:

• In a small bowl, beat cream cheese and mint extract until smooth. Gradually beat in as much confectioners' sugar as possible; knead in remaining confectioners' sugar. , Divide mixture into four portions. Tint one pink, one green and one yellow, leaving one portion white. For each color, shape into 1/2-in. balls. Dip one side of each ball into sugar. Press sugared side into small candy molds; unmold and place on waxed paper. Let stand 1 hour or until dry before storing in airtight containers; refrigerate. May be stored for up to 1 week before serving.

AFTER DINNER MINTS

Steps:

• Lightly spray baking sheet. Place sugar, water, corn syrup, butter and salt in a large saucepan. Cook over medium high heat, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes, or until it reaches 270 degrees F. (When a small amount is dropped in ice water it will form threads that will bend.) Take off heat, let stand until it stops bubbling.
• Pour the mixture onto prepared cookie sheet and let stand for 5 minutes, or until cool. Drizzle peppermint flavoring and food coloring over candy. Dip fingers in cornstarch and pull candy straight without twisting. Keep on folding and stretching until it looks creamy. Stretch candy into a 1/2 inch rope.Pour powdered sugar into the baking pan. Cut the candy into 1/2 inch pieces and toss in sugar to coat. let stand overnight.