Buttermint Twists

Directions

1. 1
   Place butter in bowl.
2. 2
   Beat at low speed, scraping bowl often, until creamy.
3. 3
   Add powdered sugar, whipping cream and peppermint extract.
4. 4
   Continue beating 2-5 minutes or until mixture forms a soft dough.
5. 5
   Divide dough in half.
6. 6
   Beat red food color into one-half of dough.
7. 7
   Continue beating until dough is pink.
8. 8
   Beat green food color into other half of dough; beat until dough is light green.
9. 9
   Place dough, 1 color at a time, on surface lightly sprinkled with powdered sugar; knead until smooth.
10. 10
    Cover with plastic food wrap to prevent drying out.
11. 11
    Roll 1 tablespoon of each tinted dough into 4-inch rope.
12. 12
    Gently twist green and pink ropes together.
13. 13
    Carefully continue rolling and twisting rope to a 10-inch rope.
14. 14
    Add more powdered sugar when rolling, if necessary.
15. 15
    Cut diagonally into 1-inch pieces.
16. 16
    Place twists onto waxed paper-lined baking sheet.
17. 17
    Repeat with remaining dough.
18. 18
    Let mints stand uncovered at room temperature 6-8 hours or until surface is dry.
19. 19
    To store, layer mints between sheets of waxed paper into container with tight-fitting lid.
20. 20
    Refrigerate up to 1 month.
21. 21
    For longer storage, store in freezer up to 2 months.
22. 22
    Variations: Snowmen: Omit food color.
23. 23
    Roll dough into 3/4 to 1 1/4-inch balls.
24. 24
    Stack 3 different sized balls together.
25. 25
    Decorate as desired.
26. 26
    Cut-Outs: Tint dough as desired.
27. 27
    Roll out on surface lightly sprinkled with powdered sugar to 1/4-inch thickness.
28. 28
    Cut with 1-inch cookie or canape cutters.
29. 29
    Candy Molds: Tint dough as desired.
30. 30
    Press into soft rubber candy molds; refrigerate 3-5 minutes.
31. 31
    Release.
32. 32
    Candy Canes: Tint dough as desired.
33. 33
    Roll 1 tablespoon of each tinted dough into 4-inch rope.
34. 34
    Gently twist ropes together.
35. 35
    Shape twisted rope into candy cane.
36. 36
    Marbled Mints: Tint dough as desired.
37. 37
    Press together 1/2 teaspoon of each dough.
38. 38
    Shape into rectangular, square or round candy shapes.