2008_12_10-DIYPeppermintPatty.jpgWhether you're planning on making candy for the holidays or want to make your own candy in general, it's a great idea. Candymaking is both economical and fun, and since you're choosing your own ingredients, you know exactly what's going into it. You can easily make your own organic, low-sugar candy without additives and preservatives. In this post, we'll share a recipe for making your own peppermint patties. You'll never buy them at a store again!

The preparation time is only thirty minutes.

Ingredients:
2 cups powdered sugar
1.5 tbsp softened butter
2 tsp peppermint extract
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
2 tbsp cream
8 ounces (about 1-1/3 cup) dark chocolate, chopped
1 tbsp vegetable shortening

Preparation:
Line a cookie sheet with wax paper or a silpat. In a blender, cream together the sugar, butter, extracts, and cream on low speed. After the ingredients are combined, raise the speed to medium-high and beat for an additional 1-2 minutes until mixture holds together very well and is creamy, not powdery.

Using a teaspoon, roll the candy into small balls and flatten them on the wax paper or silpat with the palm of your hand into patty shapes. When done, put them in the refrigerator to chill for 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, melt the chopped chocolate and the shortening in the microwave or over a double boiler.

Using dipping tools or two dinner forks, dip the patties into the chocolate one by one. Drag them across the lip of the bowl to remove any excess chocolate. Return them to the wax paper or silpat, and place back in the refrigerator to set the candies. They should be ready to eat in a few hours.

And that's it! Due to the dairy ingredient, these need to be kept in the refrigerator. Layer the patties between sheets of parchment in an airtight container. They'll last for a month.

If you plan to give these out as gifts, you can wrap them individually or put them in handmade candy gift bags.

(Image: Washington Post)