Creating Silver Wedding Mints: A Step-By-Step Guide

Silver wedding mints are a classic staple at weddings, and they are easy to make at home. You can make your own silver wedding mints with a few simple ingredients and a bit of time. The end result is a delicious treat that is firm on the outside and creamy on the inside.

Choosing your ingredients

The ingredients you choose for your silver wedding mints will depend on the flavour and texture you want to create. Most recipes for wedding mints include butter, cream cheese, or both. These will form the base of your mints and give them a creamy texture.

For a classic mint flavour, peppermint extract is a popular choice. You can also experiment with other extracts like almond, vanilla, cinnamon, or spearmint. If you want to enhance the mintiness of your mints, you can also add a few drops of peppermint oil. Keep in mind that a little bit of extract or oil goes a long way, so start with a small amount and adjust to your taste preferences.

Confectioner's sugar, also known as powdered sugar, is another key ingredient in wedding mints. It not only sweetens the mints but also helps to bind the other ingredients together and gives the mints their shape. You'll need quite a lot of confectioner's sugar, usually several cups, to create a stiff dough that can be rolled into balls or shaped with moulds.

Some recipes also call for a small amount of liquid, such as heavy cream, to add a bit of moisture to the mixture and enhance the creamy texture. A pinch of salt can also bring out the flavours and enhance the taste of your mints.

Finally, you can add food colouring to your mints to match your wedding colour scheme or theme. Gel food colouring or liquid food colouring can be used to create pastel shades or vibrant colours, respectively.

Mixing the dough

To make silver wedding mints, you'll need to start by mixing your ingredients to form a dough. The ingredients you'll need are: cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and flavouring (mint). You can also add food colouring if you want to make your mints a certain colour.

Begin by mixing the cream cheese and butter together in a large bowl. You can use an electric mixer to do this, or mix by hand. Mix until the cream cheese and butter are well combined and have a smooth and creamy texture.

Once you have a smooth mixture, add in the peppermint extract (or other flavouring) and mix until it is well incorporated. If you are using food colouring, add a small amount now and mix until the colour is even. You can always add more food colouring later if you need to.

Now it's time to add the powdered sugar. This part can get messy! Add the powdered sugar gradually, mixing as you go. You may need to add more or less powdered sugar than the recipe calls for, depending on the consistency of your dough. Keep mixing until you have a thick, stiff dough that is no longer sticky. If the dough is still sticky, simply add more powdered sugar until it reaches the desired consistency.

At this point, you can divide the dough into separate balls if you are using multiple colours. Add a small amount of gel food colouring to each ball and knead it in until the colour is evenly distributed.

Your dough is now ready to be shaped into mints!

Shaping the mints

Using a fork: This method is simple and effective. Take a small piece of dough and roll it into a ball, about 1/2 inch long and as thick as your thumb. Then, dip a fork into some powdered sugar and gently press the dough with the fork to create an imprint. This method gives your mints a pretty pattern and a bit of texture. Place the mints on a cookie sheet and allow them to dry.

Cutting into ropes: This method involves shaping the dough into ropes and then cutting them to the desired length. To do this, roll the dough between your hands to create a long rope, about as thick as your pinkie for smaller mints or your thumb for larger ones. Place the rope on a piece of parchment paper and cut it into the desired lengths. You can also shape and cut the dough directly on the parchment paper to avoid any mess.

Using candy molds: If you want to get more creative, you can use candy molds to shape your mints. Simply buy some candy molds online or from a craft or cooking store. Take small chunks of the dough and press them into the molds. Then, remove the mints from the molds and place them on a sheet pan. This method allows you to make mints in various shapes, such as hearts, flowers, or any other shape that suits your occasion.

Thumbprint method: If you don't have candy molds, you can use the basic thumbprint method. Take a small piece of dough, about a tablespoon, and roll it into a ball. Place the ball on a sheet pan and gently press it with the tines of a fork to flatten it and create a design. This method is simple and doesn't require any special tools.

No matter which method you choose, always remember to add a light dusting of powdered sugar to your hands and surfaces to prevent sticking. Additionally, allow your mints to dry completely before storing them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Enjoy shaping your silver wedding mints!

Drying the mints

Once you've shaped your mints, it's time to dry them. This is a crucial step in the mint-making process, as it will ensure your mints have the perfect texture. Here's a detailed guide on drying your silver wedding mints:

The drying process will depend on the method you've chosen to shape your mints. If you've chosen to shape your mints by hand, rolling them into ropes and cutting them into the desired lengths, you'll need to let them dry at room temperature for an extended period. Place your mints on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Leave them undisturbed for about 12 hours to allow proper drying. This lengthy drying time is essential to achieve the ideal texture for your mints.

On the other hand, if you've opted for the fork method to create the classic imprint on your mints, the drying process will be slightly different. After shaping and imprinting your mints, let them sit at room temperature for 4 hours. Then, carefully flip each mint over and allow them to dry for an additional 2 hours. This approach ensures that both sides of the mints are adequately dried.

For cream cheese mints, the drying process is similar. After shaping the mints with a fork, let them sit at room temperature for several hours until they are firm to the touch. This drying time allows the outside of the mints to harden while keeping the inside soft and creamy.

Regardless of the method you choose, it's important to note that the drying time may vary depending on the humidity levels in your environment. In more humid conditions, you may need to extend the drying time to ensure the mints are sufficiently dried.

Once the mints have dried at room temperature, they are not quite ready for serving yet. To maintain their freshness and texture, transfer the mints to an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator until you are ready to serve them. This final step ensures that your silver wedding mints retain their melt-in-your-mouth quality.

Storing the mints

After shaping and drying your mints, it's important to store them properly to maintain their freshness and flavour. Here are some tips for storing your silver wedding mints:

Container and Lining:

• Store the mints in an airtight container. This will prevent them from drying out or absorbing unwanted flavours or odours from the environment.
• Line the container with parchment or wax paper. This creates a barrier between the mints and the container, making it easier to remove them without damaging their shape.

Refrigeration or Freezing:

• Refrigerate the mints in the airtight container. This will help to firm them up and maintain their shape.
• You can also freeze the mints for longer-term storage. Frozen mints can last for several months.

Layering:

When storing the mints, separate each layer with parchment or waxed paper. This prevents the mints from sticking together and makes it easier to remove them individually.

Timing:

• Allow the mints to dry completely at room temperature before storing them. This usually takes around 12 hours or more, depending on the size of your mints.
• You can store the mints at room temperature for a day if you're preparing for a party. However, for longer storage, refrigeration or freezing is recommended.

Serving:

If you're serving the mints at a wedding or party, you can place them in small tins, bags, or circles of tulle. This makes for a cute presentation and individual servings for guests.

Longevity:

Properly stored mints can last for a few weeks in the refrigerator or several months in the freezer.

Experimentation:

Feel free to experiment with different storage methods and see what works best for you. For example, you can try freezing the mints before coating them in chocolate, as suggested in one source.

Remember, these storage instructions apply specifically to silver wedding mints, which are usually cream cheese or butter-based mints. Always refer to the specific recipe you're using for any special storage instructions or considerations.

Frequently asked questions