Make festive homemade butter mints... perfect for gift giving or to serve at your holiday gatherings.

• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 4 cups confectioner's sugar
• 1 T. whipping cream
• 8 drops peppermint extract or peppermint flavoring
• red and green food coloring

Preparation -
In a mixing bowl, beat the butter at medium speed with an electric mixer for about 2 minutes. Cream the butter and sugar together, beating at medium speed for about 2 more minutes. Add the cream and peppermint extract. Mix just until well blended. Divide the mixture into 3 equal portions. In a small bowl, add a few drops of red food coloring to one portion. In a separate small bowl, add a few drops of green food coloring to the second portion. Place the red tinted mixture in a cake decorating bag with a large tip. Pipe small shapes onto a waxed paper lined tray. Repeat with the green tinted mixture, then with the untinted mixture. Let the formed butter mints stand at room temperature for at least one hour before placing them in an airtight storage container. Store in a cool, dry place, rather than in the refrigerator.

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Winterwood by Pfaltzgraff, Covered Candy Dish Berry clusters and winter blooms adorn this pretty stoneware "gift box" all wrapped up with a festive red ribbon. It has a 1 qt. capacity.

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