This recipe for Mint Meltaways is a copycat of the iconic Fannie May Mint Meltaways! These homemade candies are a rich dark chocolate peppermint filling coated in a pastel green chocolate. Made with organic ingredients and no artificial colors, feel good about indulging in these nostalgic candies.
If you love making homemade candy as much as I do, be sure to check out some of my other favorites like my Easy Mini Peanut Butter Cups, Pink Peppermint Ice, or my Chocolate Peanut Caramel Candies.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
Growing up in Chicago, one of our most beloved traditions was having Fannie May Candies for the holidays. But when the iconic Fannie May filed for Chapter 11 and decided to close it's doors in 2004, my mom went to every location within driving distance and purchased boxes of Mint Meltaways (among other things) and stashed them in the freezer so our tradition wouldn't have to stop.
If you want the full story, the Chicago Tribune had a great article, find it here. As the article said, Fannie May was a part of every Chicago natives Christmas, Valentine's Day, Easter, Thanksgiving and more. Yes, it was just candy, but it also wasn't just candy.
Upon the announcement of closing there was uproar in the entire Midwest, and people were lined up outside any Fannie May they could get to, and even going to multiple locations (such as my mom), and I believe someone took notice. Because a few months later, Fannie May was acquired. While they didn't reopen every single store, they did reopen some iconic stores and there was comfort in knowing that you could still order whatever you wanted online. I am positive my mom still had Mint Meltawways frozen in our freezer at this time as well, so no real harm was actually done besides the frantic panic.
But even though I will always be a fan, and Fannie May will hold a special place in my heart, the ingredients in their candies are not part of my lifestyle anymore. So, I have developed homemade recipe for Mint Meltaways, and I will say that this one rivals Fannie May and it's made with entirely organic ingredients!
If you've never had a Mint Meltaway – it is a mint chocolate center and they are either coated in milk chocolate or in a pastel green coating. Growing up, they also had pastel pink and pastel yellow coatings, but they don't make those colors anymore. But I always preferred the pastel green ones, I don't know why as they all taste the same. They are a simple treat, but simply say Christmas to me.
Ingredients for Mint Meltaways
Costco Kirkland Organic Cane Sugar
Organic Valley Heavy Whipping Cream
Florida Crystals Organic Powdered Sugar
NuNaturals Organic Dutch Cocoa Powder
Frontier Co-Op Organic Peppermint Flavor
Suncore Foods Organic Yellow Dye
Suncore Foods Organic Blue Dye
Why Organic
Why use organic ingredients in this recipe? You all know I’m a huge organic advocate, and I bet you may be thinking sometimes, Why would I even bother to use organic ingredients in something that is so sweet and indulgent? But, that is the exact reason why you should use organic ingredients! Sweet things need to have flavor in order to be good, otherwise they are just sweet and they don’t taste like much else. Organic ingredients are more pure than conventional ones, therefore they actually have more flavor than the non organic options. Say it with me, organic means more flavor! And not just more flavor but a more true and pure flavor. And organic ingredients are much healthier for you to eat in general as they do not contain GMOs or anything artificial. Plus, you are being environmentally friendly when you choose organic ingredients!
So, I highly recommend that you buy the best organic ingredients for this recipe! You can also shop my Amazon Storefront for all my favorite organic ingredients here. Tip – hover over each ingredient to see the name. And if you want to learn more about organic foods and the difference, read my post here on Food Labels and What They Mean.
Try making these nostalgic Christmas candies for your loved ones this year. I bet you will love them as much as I do, and I hope they become part of your holiday traditions!
Ingredients
113 grams (1/2 cup) organic cane sugar
1 cup organic heavy whipping cream
212 grams (1 1/2 cups) organic powdered sugar, sifted
1/4 cup (57 grams) organic salted butter
28 grams (1/3 cup) Dutch cocoa powder, sifted
1/2 teaspoon organic peppermint flavor (like Frontier Co-Op)
567 grams (20 ounces) white chocolate, finely chopped
1/4 teaspoon Suncore Foods Organic Yellow Food Dye
1/4 teaspoon Suncore Foods Organic Blue Food Dye
Directions
- In a medium pot, add the cane sugar and heavy whipping cream. Cook over medium/high heat until all the sugar has dissolved. Turn heat down to low and simmer while stirring with a high heat spatula until it has reduced by about half. Place in the fridge for 30 minutes or until hardened completely.
- Remove from fridge and add into a stand mixing bowl fitted with the paddle attachment. Add the powdered sugar, butter, cocoa, and peppermint flavor and whip on high until light and fluffy. Put back in the fridge for 15 to 20 minutes or until you can roll the mixture with your hands and it’s not too sticky.
- Line two baking sheets with parchment paper, and roll the mixture into balls, place in the freezer for about 10 to 15 minutes to harden a little bit. Remove from freezer and form them into the iconic square, by squishing each side together with your index finger and thumb. Place them back on the parchment paper and place the baking sheets in the freezer until the squares are very firm, at least 1 hour.
- In a double boiler, add 80% of the white chocolate. Melt until it reaches 100°F on a chocolate thermometer, remove from heat and add in the remaining 20%. Stir vigorously until it is completely combined. Add the yellow and blue food dye and stir to combine completely.
- Remove the sheets from the freezer and using a fork like a spoon, so the excess chocolate can drip off the candy, dip each square into the melted chocolate. Place back on the parchment paper and back into the freezer. Allow the chocolate to come down to 89°F before the second coating.
- Remove and dip again. Once all the squares have been coated in chocolate, transfer back to the freezer. Let sit again for about 5 minutes to harden, remove and drizzle the excess chocolate on top for a pretty finish.
- Store in the fridge for up to 1 week, or freeze them like all crazy candy ladies do.
Notes
- High Altitude – Follow the recipe as noted.
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Make sure to check out my Chocolate Peanut Caramel Candies recipe, which I'm sure you'll love too! And, share it with someone who you think may also like it!
Now that Christmas is approaching, I will try these sweet treats for sure! Thanks for sharing