I tweaked the amounts (somewhat accidentally) on this recipe and it turned out great anyway. I used 1 cup cream (omitting the milk), 2 cups baker's sugar, 1 T butter and 1/8 tsp cream of tartar. In addition to the peppermint oil I also added crushed candy canes. I will definitely make this again!
Peppermint Patties
The recipe for this fondant-centered candy is based on one in the Candy Cookbook by Mildred Brand (Ideals, 1979).
Photo: Penny De Los Santos
2 1⁄2 cups sugar
1⁄2 cup heavy cream
1⁄2 cup milk
2 tbsp. butter
1⁄4 tsp. cream of tartar
1⁄2 tsp. peppermint oil
6 drops green food coloring
2 1⁄2 cups semisweet chocolate chips,
melted in a bowl
1. Stir together sugar, cream, milk, butter, and cream of tartar in a medium pot. Bring to a boil, without stirring; reduce heat to medium. Attach a candy thermometer to inside edge of pot; cook, without stirring, until it registers 236° (the soft-ball stage; see Cooking Sugar), 12–14 minutes.
2. Pour sugar mixture onto a marble slab. Using 2 heatproof spatulas, scrape mixture back and forth to make a fondant, moving it across the marble quickly until it becomes thick and just cool enough to touch, 3–4 minutes. Toward the end, completely work in the oil and coloring.
3. Gather fondant into a ball; knead until it resembles smooth dough, 3–4 minutes. (If it becomes powdery, work in a few drops of water.) Shape fondant into thirty-six 1 1⁄2"-wide disks, each about 1⁄3" thick. (Keep unshaped fondant covered while you work.)
4. Working with one fondant disk at a time, dip them into chocolate using a fork; let excess drip off. Transfer to a wax paper–lined sheet pan. Let set in a cool spot. Serve immediately or store in an airtight container in a cool spot for up to a week.
MAKES 3 DOZEN
Ratings & Reviews (2)
I love to bake, but my candy making experience is limited. I had to try this recipe twice because the first batch burned while waiting for the correct temperature - it turned into an extremely sticky taffy-like mess. However, the second time I reduced the heat to medium-low and took it off a few degrees early because the bottom started to burn, but I was able to pour out most of it and it turned out better than expected!! The flavor is so good and the texture is that of fresh, store bought patties! I plan on making these again in the future! Maybe it's just me, but be careful to not burn the pot!
Peppermint Patties
5
5
2
2
