Buttercream mints

Spent the morning making buttercream mints for my daughter's bridal shower next weekend. It's really very easy and fun for those of us who enjoyed playing with play dough as children. I've listed the recipe below for anyone who has an occasion coming up or just wants to give something homemade as a gift for someone. I think homemade gifts are the best because it says you've taken the time to do something special for someone and I think our time is very precious indeed.  Plus there's just something 'earthy' about working dough whether it be for breads, pies, or mints. In today's busy world, something as basic as kneading dough makes us slow down and only after slowing down can we hear the wind chimes or notice the small stream of water dribbling down the rocks after last nights rain. It's so easy to get caught up in the 'big event's of life, weddings, graduations, births, that we ignore the the small, the simple, and the common. That's where our authenticity lies, in the everyday. So yes, I enjoyed my morning but more importantly, I'm enjoying my life now.  

Cream Cheese Mints In Candy Molds
CDKitchen http://www.cdkitchen.com

Category: Mints 
Serves/Makes: 6 dozen    |   Difficulty Level: 1    |   Ready In: > 2 hrs

Ingredients:

1 (3-oz) pkg. cream cheese (room temperature)
1/2 teaspoon flavoring (peppermint, butter, almond, wintergreen or whatever)
food coloring or colored sugared (optional)
3 cups confectioners' sugar (as needed)
granulated sugar

Directions:
Mix cheese in bowl until soft. Add coloring and flavoring (very
slowly -- on high humidity days, it will take less); gradually
add the sugar. Mix and knead until it is the consistency of pie
dough or putty. Roll into balls the size of a marble. Dip balls
in granulated sugar and press firmly into a candy mold. Unmold at
once onto waxed paper. Once firm, transfer onto a cake rack and
let dry for a few hours. They will keep a long time if you store
them in an air-tight container.