How to Make Butter Mints

Traditionally a staple of bridal showers, baby showers and wedding receptions, butter mints are tiny bursts of tasty, breath-freshening delight. There's a myriad of colors and flavors available, offering many possibilities. With some creative coloring, these buttery little candies can adorn your buffet any time of year.

Things You'll Need

• 1/4 cup softened butter 1/3 cup sweetened condensed milk 1/2 tsp. salt 4 cups confectioner's sugar 1 tsp. wintergreen or peppermint extract Food coloring (your choice) Sanding sugar (clear or colored) Rubber mint molds

Instructions

1. 

   Combine butter, sweetened condensed milk and salt in a large bowl. Set your electric mixer on low and beat the mixture until it is soft and creamy.

2. 

   Add 4 cups confectioner's sugar, 1 cup at a time. In between each added cup, beat the mixture with your electric mixer on low speed. Continue to beat the mixture until it is thick and well-blended.

3. Remove the mixture from the bowl and knead well. By now the mixture should be very doughlike and thick enough to roll into firm little balls. If it is too thin, add a bit more confectioner's sugar until it is thickened.

4. Add wintergreen or peppermint extract and a few drops of the food coloring of your choice. Begin by adding just a few drops of color. If you need more you can add it, but once it's in there you can't take it out.

5. 

   Break off a small piece of dough and roll it into a ball. Press one side of the ball into sanding sugar and press the ball, sugared-side down, into your rubber mint mold. Remove the molded mint immediately and place it, sugared-side up, in an airtight container lined with parchment paper.

6. Repeat Step 5 until all the dough has been molded. You can stack the mints inside your container by placing pieces of parchment paper between each layer.

7. 

   Seal your container well and place it in the refrigerator until you are ready to serve your mints. The mints will keep for up to one week.