The addition of little details can turn an ordinary event into an amazing one...or an over-the-top event, which is my favorite kind. To help with one such festive gala, I was asked to make fondant dots...just typing the word fondant almost made me throw up a little in my mouth - it's like eating paste. Although I would think paste would taste better - not that I would know as I was NEVER a paste eater! Were you? If you were, don't tell me because the kids I knew who ate paste also ate boogers, and pencil erasers. I only ate food - however I did have a thing for salt dough but that's another story. So buying, making or using fondant in any form is repulsive to me - my apologies is you're a fan - it's just one of those things I cannot do. I explained this issue to the gal who asked me about making them and she said, "Well, do you have something better?" I replied, "Why Yes, Yes I do!"
Powdered Sugar Mints have been in my recipe box since I've had a recipe box. They can be made with any flavoring and into any shape by using small cookie cutters or pressing into a candy mold. I usually make them at Easter time in the shape of eggs - they just melt in your mouth - and a bag of them make a nice little gift, too!
Once the candy is made, you can divide it into pieces and add different food colorings to get just the color you want. I was asked to use orange, red, gold and green...and so I did...I always do what I'm told. Since these dots were going to be used to decorate cakes with white frosting, I flavored them with orange extract...so good! Mix, roll, cut and let sit to dry...that's it! It's a fun thing to do with kids, too, not too messy and no one is going to think less of them for eating CANDY unless they tell their dentist!
Powdered Sugar Mints - Pots and Pins
1 egg white
4 tablespoons cold water
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
2 lbs. powdered sugar (about 8 cups)
1 teaspoon flavoring
Food coloring (just a few drops until you get the desired color - paste colors work best)
If you are going to make all of the mints the same, then mix all ingredients together with a spoon and then knead with your hands until smooth and lump free. You want the candy-dough to be the consistency of Play-doh. If it's too stiff, add a teaspoon or two of water, but go slowly, you don't want it to be sticky.
If you want to make different flavors and colors, divide into different portions, and add different flavorings (if you divide into fourths then just add 1/4 teaspoon flavoring to each, if you divide into thirds, add 1/3 teaspoon, etc.) and different food coloring to each. Knead by hand until well mixed and smooth. (Put candy portions into plastic bags to keep them soft and smooth while you roll out the different portions.) Roll out candy between two sheets of parchment or waxed paper with a rolling pin. Cut into desired shapes with small cutters. Place on parchment or waxed paper to dry (when you can handle them without them sticking, about 30 minutes on both sides) then they will be ready to be boxed or bagged or placed into a candy dish for eating! Makes about 100, depending on the size of your cutter.
Those green dots look kind of pathetic!! I delivered the dots and they were used to decorate six cakes...I don't have a pic to show you but I heard they looked fabulous! Try these for Easter...use pastel colors and small egg-shaped cutter...or a small bunny cutter...so, so cute - and good! Let your imagination go crazy and you'll be making different colored/flavored mints for every holiday under the sun - and then some!