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.