Homemade Conversation Hearts

January 4, 2012

Homemade Conversation Hearts
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    Why buy run-of-the-mill conversation hearts when you can make personalized candies at home? With a few supplies, you’ll have unique treats that can be tailored to fit any occasion or season. Try the recipe, then use our thought starters to begin your candy conversation gifting.

Homemade Conversation Hearts
Prep time: 20 minutes
Dry time: 24 hours

INGREDIENTS
1 packet or 2 teaspoons unflavored gelatin
2 teaspoons light corn syrup
1/2 cup water
2 pounds powdered sugar, plus additional for dusting
Food coloring, assorted colors
Flavoring extracts (mint, lemon, vanilla, orange)
Plastic, disposable gloves
Rolling pin
Heart-shaped cookie cutters*
Parchment paper
Food coloring markers**

*Tip: Make these classic candies any time of year! Try other seasonal versions with cookie cutters shaped like eggs, bunnies, trees, bells, wreaths or snowmen.

**Tip: Don’t have food-coloring markers on hand? Dip the end of a toothpick in food coloring to write messages on your candies.

INSTRUCTIONS
  1. Place gelatin, corn syrup and water in a small microwaveable bowl and stir until incorporated. Microwave for 30 seconds, then stir to dissolve the gelatin.
  2. Pour mixture into the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, or a large mixing bowl if using a hand mixer. Add 1 cup of powdered sugar and mix on low until the sugar is incorporated.
  3. Continue adding powdered sugar to the bowl in 1-cup increments, allowing it to mix in between each. Stop and scrape the sides of the bowl periodically during the process, continuing until a soft dough is formed.
  4. Dust your work surface and the dough with powdered sugar, then knead with the heels of your hand. Dust with powdered sugar as often as necessary to prevent stickiness. The dough will become silky and pliable.
  5. Divide dough into the amount of different colors you would like to create, then form them into balls.
  6. Wearing gloves, take a ball, flatten it into a small pancake and add a few drops of food coloring and flavoring extract in the center.
  7. Fold the pancake in half and knead until the color is evenly distributed. Repeat the process with remaining balls until all the candy is colored and flavored.
  8. Dust your work surface and rolling pin with powdered sugar. Roll a candy ball to desired thickness. Small store-bought conversation hearts are approximately 1/4” thick.
  9. Use cookie cutters to cut shapes out of the rolled candy, then transfer to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
  10. Continue rolling and cutting until the ball is gone and repeat with the remaining colors.
  11. Allow the shapes to air-dry for 24 hours before writing on them, otherwise the ink will run. After drying, use the markers to write messages or draw pictures.
  12. Store the candies in an airtight container at room temperature.

Quick Tip

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