ANNOUNCING: Change is part of life, and apparently, it's part of blogging, too. As of September 5, 2013, I'm merging The Virtual Goody Plate with Disco Mom Takes on the World and whatever else may henceforth spill from my fingertips (and kitchen), into one great new blog. I hope you'll join me there in exclaiming, "THIS IS AWESOMELAND."

Monday, December 21, 2009

Chocolate Orange Mint Patties (by Maren)

Wowzer. These came on a goody plate Maren gave me, and I was immediately ashamed I had ever given her a recipe to try. You might be surprised by these flavors, but they come together in a beautiful way.This comes from a cookbook called Who Wants Candy? by Jane Sharrock. It's a really good candy cookbook and includes recipes for all skill levels. It's an easy recipe that has never failed me. Makes about 100 mints, but easily halved.

Note: I've used part dark chocolate candy coating and part dark chocolate mint candy coating pieces with success. Also, I used Wilton food coloring to make the filling sort of peach-colored. I think it helps deliver the orange flavor, but it's optional.

Chocolate Orange Mint Patties
1/2 c soft butter
1 (14 oz) can of sweetened condensed milk
1 1/2 tsp pure orange extract
1/2 tsp mint extract
7 c powdered sugar
Food coloring, optional
18-20 oz dark chocolate candy coating (available at craft and candy supply stores)
4 to 6 oz semisweet baking chocolate

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the butter, milk, orange extract and mint extract with an electric mixer till smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar 2 cups at a time blending thoroughly after each addition. Blend in food coloring if using. Cover and refrigerate 4 hours till firm or wrap tightly in several long rolls and freeze till needed, up to 3 months. Thaw 20 minutes before using if frozen.

2. Lay down 2-3 large sheets of waxed paper. In the top pan of a double-boiler over hot but not boiling water, melt the chocolates together, stirring until smooth. Or, place chocolates in a microwave-safe bowl and melt at half power for about 3 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds.

3. Shape mints into patties (or slice off a previously frozen log) and dip in chocolate using 2 forks or a special dipping spoon. Place on waxed paper to set. Store in layers separated by waxed paper. These mints may be refrigerated or frozen.

A nice way to package these on a goody plate is to wrap in squares of wax or parchment paper, with a sticker label telling what they are.

3 comments:

kat said...

i was just checking out that book at amazon, and that recipe sounded cool. guess i'll move it up on the list!

kat said...

maren - is the rest of the book any good? i've been looking for some new candy ideas.

Kelsey Carreon said...

edric loves chocolate and orange together. the book sounds pretty cool too I will have to check it out.

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