Red and White Wishes and Peppermint Dreams

First, thank you ,thank you to those of you who joined in the fun for Deck the Halls! I am overwhelmed and grateful for your response. If you participated, commented, or just lurked :), I am glad you came! In this busy season I hope Michael Lee West at Designs by Gollum and Beverly at How Sweet the Sound won’t mind if I “double dip” :) I am linking for Foodie Friday and Pink Saturday for a spin on pink. Thanks for hosting ladies! Peppermint is a favorite of mine and a tradition that takes many forms at our house. It may show up in a table setting or party favor.

It may show up as a snack for Santa in the family room.

It almost always appears as a theme in the packages under my tree. But one place, it always shows up is in the old fashioned hard candy I have been making for years.

It’s a real treat for us to eat or to package and give as Christmas “happies”. There are lots of flavors available and some are available in the grocery store or at Hobby Lobby. Our favorites are spearmint, peppermint, and lemon.

This year I even crushed it and used it as a garnish for this pound cake. It was festive and added a touch of flavor!

This was a new idea I tried this year. I rolled the edge of the cake stand in corn syrup and then in red and white sugar crystals for an easy presentation. Here’s the recipe for the hard candy…remember, it’s not just for Christmas! Click the FF button on the sidebar to visit Designs by Gollum for more recipes. Click here for Pink Saturday fun!

Old- Fashioned Hard Candy

2 cups sugar

1 cup water

2/3 cup light corn syrup

1 teaspoon oil flavoring

Food coloring

Powdered sugar

Heat sugar, water, and syrup in a large saucepan until sugar is dissolved. Bring to a boil over medium heat until 300 degrees is reached on a candy thermometer (hard ball stage). Add flavoring and food coloring. Stand back…the peppermint oil is potent! Pour onto a well greased cookie sheet that has been lightly dusted with powdered sugar. Allow to harden. When it is cool, the fun begins! Work out your holiday frustrations and break it into pieces with a rolling pin or meat cleaver!! Careful—the pieces may be sharp! Sprinkle with powdered sugar if desired.