Mints - Altoid Style

Directions

1. 1
   Open bag of gum paste & add the peppermint (or other flavor of your choosing).
2. 2
   Close bag & knead until well incorporated.
3. 3
   Remove 1/2 of gum paste (cover & set aside).
4. 4
   Add food coloring to paste left in bag & knead to incorporate.
5. 5
   - From this point, you may want to wear some kitchen gloves (you know - thin, food handling type, so you don't end up with red hands. You may also want to work on parchment or a cutting board to keep your counter from possibly staining :) -.
6. 6
   Remove red paste from bag, finish kneading color in, if necessary.
7. 7
   Working fairly quickly, to avoid the candy drying out (you can use the powdered sugar to dust the surface you're working on).
8. 8
   Split red & white pastes in half & roll in to 4 long, thin ropes.
9. 9
   Place 4 ropes together & roll into one rope approximately 1/2 inch in diameter.
10. 10
    With a very sharp knife cut into 1/4 inch pieces.
11. 11
    If they squish a little, due to cutting, just press back in to round.
12. 12
    Toss in a 9 x 13 baking pan and air dry for 48 hours.
13. 13
    Package in little cellophane bags or little tins (washed), etc, from the craft store.
14. 14
    NOTE - Cooking time is drying time.
15. 15
    From Cheeky Kitchen 2011.