Homemade Candy Buttons!

This blog post from Sandy Toes and Popsicles was way too cute to pass up!!

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Homemade Candy Buttons!

i have a thing for old fashioned candy.....especially colorful candy like swirly lollipops, gumballs, and these cute candy buttons. and guess what...i didn't buy these.....i made them!

candy buttons are sooooo simple and addicting to make. i love that you can make them any color scheme you'd like. since it's spring, i thought these pastel color were perfect. i just love how they turned out....and even more how they taste. much better than store bought.

and you don't have to make just dots, you can make little hearts, little eggs, little stars....anything. and don't keep the fun all to yourself....my kiddies love to make them too. of course, their dots weren't as perfect, but still were very tasty!

how to make your own

candy buttons

2 tablespoons meringue powder OR 2 egg whites

6 tablespoons water (if needed)

1/4 teaspoon almond extract or lemon juice

1 box (1 pound) confectioners' sugar

ziploc sandwich baggies

food coloring

artificial flavoring (optional)

1) Cut non-toxic computer paper into 2 3/4" x 10” strips.

2) Whip together confectioners sugar, meringue powder OR egg whites and lemon juice on low speed using a stand mixer for 1 minute.  (you may need to add water)  continue to whip for 10 minutes on high speed.

3) Divide “icing” into small bowls. Color each bowl different colors. If desired, add different flavorings to each.

4) If icing is too thick, thin out with drops of water, until it is the consistency of sour cream. A drop should hold its shape and slowly smooth out to create smooth button.

5) Pour each color into a sandwich bag and seal. (Placing the open baggie in a small cup and then pouring the icing in, is a great trick to keep things nice and clean). Then cut a VERY small corner off of each bag.

6) Squeeze a drop of icing at a time onto the paper. You can place the strip of paper on top of the template, you
will then see where to place each drop evenly.

7) Place on baking sheets in a cool dry place uncovered to dry overnight.

8) Candy will harden overnight. Store in a zipper bag or
airtight container.

here is a printable template to help you make your buttons line-up straight. the directions are also included.

click here to download template

so yummy!