Start Your Own Conversation!

There seems to be two types of people in this world: Those that like conversation hearts and those that don't! I am firmly in the DON'T camp. Not that I didn't like getting them in school for Valentine's Day - I just didn't like eating them!! They're gross!! But who wants to miss out on all the fun that comes with them? Certainly not me!

So I decided to take my aunt's recipe for butter mints (yum) and try making my own instead! And they are so stinkin' cute!! And the taste, well - just see for yourself!

Butter Mints are light and fluffy and so easy to make, even a girl scout daisy troop can do them - ha!  With only three ingredients and NO cooking or candy thermometers required - they are my kind of candy!!  Best of all, these mints (or just the dough) freezes beautifully, so you can make a BIG batch and then have fresh mints when you need them - perfect!

Big Andy's Butter Mints

1 stick butter, softened

2 Cups powdered sugar

1 tsp. peppermint extract (you can do more or less to taste)

several drops of food coloring

Small bowl of granulated sugar

Mix butter, extract and powdered sugar together.  I just use the tools God gave me for this but you could try your stand mixer.  The 'dough' will come together and be somewhat elastic.  Separate into several balls and add food coloring as you wish!  Add more powdered sugar if it gets sticky - this isn't rocket science so you don't have to be precise :o)

Choose your candy mold (I chose hearts for obvious reasons!)

Pinch a small piece of dough and form into a ball.  Roll in granulated sugar and then press into mold.  If you skip this step, your candy will stick inside the mold so don't forget!

Turn mold over and tap lightly to release candy.  Embellish using food markers for the wording.

Store in an airtight container in the freezer until ready to use, adding wax paper between layers of candy to prevent them from freezing together.  They will keep for months, but once you taste them, I guarantee they won't last that long!!!

Happy Valentine's Day Y'all!