Welcome June – and welcome National Candy Month!! A couple of years ago, my sister decided that she was going to go a whole year without buying or eating any store-bought candy. Anything made at home was fair game, but no picking up a Snickers bar at the checkout of the grocery store. I’ve thought about that a lot, and thought that it would be a fun challenge to undertake. Because really – who needs store-bought candy when you can make it at home??
These homemade Junior Mints were so much fun to make. Granted, they are a little bit more like miniature peppermint patties because they don’t have the melty center like Junior Mints have, but the flavor is so close to Junior Mints. But beware – they are dangerous to have in the house. It’s so easy to pop one in your mouth, before you know it, you’ll have eaten more than you should have!!
Have you tried making any of your favorite candies at home?
Homemade Junior Mints
makes about 94 candies
3 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
1/2 teaspoon mint extract
3 – 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
8 ounces semi-sweet chocolate
Beat the cream cheese until smooth and creamy. Beat in the mint extract. Add in the powdered sugar, 1/2 cup at a time, until the mixture is stiff. It may look crumbly, but you should be able to push it together with your hands. Roll mixture into small balls and flatten slightly.
Melt the chocolate in a double boiler, or at 50% in the microwave. Once melted and smooth, dip each mint center in the chocolate. Once covered, place on a piece of waxed paper. Once all the centers have been dipped, refrigerate until the chocolate has hardened.
Store in the refrigerator.
[...] with a homemade version of one of my favorite candies – Junior Mints! The recipe is over at Cafe Zupas [...]
These are too adorable! I love it.
Totally have to try this!
http://craftingintherain.blogspot.com
That looks so good.
OMG Made these tonight with my teen sons and they are amazing and addictive!
[...] Homemade Junior Mints-adapted from Zupas [...]