It’s the beginning of a wonderful season- a season of great Food! Great dinners, treats, soups, etc… I love baking and the cooler weather lends itself nicely to great food! The beginning? Homemade andes mints (or any other flavor you like!).
Aren’t they pretty? And the best part you can do it in any color and flavor. Start with high quality chocolate and use whatever extra flavoring you’d like and this creates a terrific treat! Whatever you do DON’T skimp on the quality of the candy melts. I prefer working with Merkens, they taste great and they melt well. You can use dark or milk chocolate and then make sure your colored melts are the basic vanilla.
Supplies? Start with a jelly roll pan (I grew up thinking these were brownie pans, because that’s what we always made in these pans, I’ve never once made a jelly roll!), wax paper, a spatula, a sharp knife, flavoring and of course the chocolate. You’ll use 10 to 10.5 oz for EACH layer. For flavoring I’m a peppermint lover, but orange, almond, cherry, amaretto, etc. It all works. In fact I have a ton of fun candy flavors that my kids like, like marshmallow, cotton candy, caramel, butterscotch, Cinnamon etc… Just make sure it’s a flavor you’d like with chocolate!
You want to cute the wax paper to fit the length of the pan as well as come up the sides a bit, but you DON’T want them to come up the sides too far of it will fold over and fall into the chocolate. We don’t want the wax paper moving around so you want to take some of the melted chocolate (see more info on that below) in each corner to hold the wax paper in place. Make sure your wax paper is pulled tight across, we don’t want any bubbles, bumps or wrinkles in the paper, it will show in the chocolate.
Melting the Chocolate: Get 3 oven safe bowls. Put the chocolate for each layer in a different bowl. Put them all in the oven on Warm for 20 mins. Then turn off the oven and pull out the first layer (leave the other two bowls in the oven to keep warm). Stir it until smooth and add your flavoring. Make sure you use candy flavoring, it’s oil based and works best with the candy melts. If you use extracts you’ll be in trouble, Extracts are water based and water and chocolate don’t mix well. You can add the same flavor to every layer or mix and match different flavors. I did one layer in almond and the other two as peppermint. 7 drops seems to be the just right amount for me for each layer. But you can do more or less depending on what you like.
Now QUICKLY spread the chocolate into the pan. You don’t want to overwork the chocolate so I start on the outer edges working in a circle then spreading into the center.
The reason you want to work quickly is because you want the chocolate to still be warm when you done. BECAUSE we want to smooth it out. To do this I grab the side and shake/knock it on the table. After a bit of shaking/knocking the chocolate will smooth itself out and go from that mess up there to this smooth beauty down here.
The key to the next layer is to know when to pour it on! If you pour to soon you’ll risk mixing the layers together, they’ll still taste great, but not be as pretty. AND if you wait too long the layers won’t stick together! Luckily it’s actually really easy. Just go wash out bowl (easier to keep clean while cooking, right) and when you get back you’ll notice that your layer is going from glossy to matte!
When the whole layer is matte you’l know it’s time! Grab your colored candy melts out of the oven, add your oils (7 drops) and stir it together!
spread it over the chocolate layer…
Shake/knock it smooth and let it cool until it’s also matte!
And the last layer, now no pressure but this is the top, the one that’s actually SEEN So you want it to be the prettiest so work fast, spread and shake keep it smooth!
Now the key to cutting it is the same as spreading the next layer! If you go to soon you mix your layers, if you wait too long you’ll shatter it! So once it’s matte take your Sharp knife and cut away! I like to cute the rounded edges off (and my husband likes to eat those small edges) and then cut the rest into 2 1/4 inch squares!
Yum! Yours look so nice and pretty. I am afraid mine wouldn’t look as good
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Ashlee Reply:
November 11th, 2010 at 5:45 pm
It’s really quite easy! Not really hard at all. Warm, spread, shake… Repeat. And even if it’s not perfectly smooth you end up cutting them up and it’s hard to tell!
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Ooh! I love those! I’ll definitely be giving them a try this year.
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Ashlee Reply:
November 11th, 2010 at 5:46 pm
They are great! And they not only make a great addition to a goodie plate they are also great melted in hot chocolate!
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I love chocolate mint, so these sound awesome! How the heck do you cut the lines so straight?
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Ashlee Reply:
November 11th, 2010 at 5:46 pm
I’m just THAT good…. JK. I used a T Square! Works great!
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Ooh those look so good! The hubs loves mint.
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Ashlee Reply:
November 11th, 2010 at 5:46 pm
Who doesn’t!!! Mint and coconut, my favorite flavors (although not together!)
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Mindy Reply:
November 17th, 2010 at 7:16 am
@Ashlee, I’m with you on that–nothing better than mint and chocolate or coconut and chocolate! I can’t wait to try this recipe! http://im-in-the-loop.blogspot.com/
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Ashlee Reply:
November 18th, 2010 at 1:46 am
Ohhhh I also like Peanut butter and Chocolate! I hope you get to try the mints soon!
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Wow, those look a-mazing!
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Ashlee Reply:
November 11th, 2010 at 5:47 pm
Thanks! They taste even better!
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I would eat the whole pan. Dangerous! But a great tutorial!
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Ashlee Reply:
November 11th, 2010 at 7:14 pm
Your nursing, you can get away with it. My problem is I still eat like I’m nursing but I’m not!
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Those look wonderful! Thanks for the recipe!
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Ashlee Reply:
November 12th, 2010 at 1:23 am
I hope you enjoy them! They are great!
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Ashlee Reply:
November 16th, 2010 at 5:20 pm
I’m so glad you like them! I really love finding a fun quick and tasty recipe!
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Those look really good, I am totally trying this out. I always called those pans brownie pans, too. I had to call my mother and ask her what a jelly roll pan was the first time I came across it in a recipe.
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Ashlee Reply:
November 16th, 2010 at 5:21 pm
I’m so glad I wasn’t the only one! But I still aways use them for brownies. I’ve never made a jelly roll. I should probably try at some point for fun!
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Oh my! I’m so trying this…like, yesterday!
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Ashlee Reply:
November 16th, 2010 at 5:23 pm
Let me know when you try them what you think!
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I given you an award! Check it out at my blog, The Crafter’s Anonymous Club.
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Ashlee Reply:
November 16th, 2010 at 5:25 pm
Thank you so much! That is so SO sweet of you!
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I had so much enjoyment snatching piece after piece out of your baggie this weekend. So tasty. I’ll have to give them a try.
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Ashlee Reply:
November 16th, 2010 at 5:25 pm
It was fun sharing a ride! SO much better to road trip than to drive myself! Glad you could make it at the last min!
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Oh yummy! They look really great!
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Ashlee Reply:
November 16th, 2010 at 5:26 pm
They ARE really good. The better quality chocolate the more melt in the mouth delicious they become!
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I am pretty darn impressed on how straight of lines you got! Those look delicious.
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Ashlee Reply:
November 16th, 2010 at 5:26 pm
Thanks! The trick is to use a T-square!
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Yum! I think it might be too dangerous for me to make these- I know I’d want to eat all of them.
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Ashlee Reply:
November 16th, 2010 at 5:26 pm
Luckily for me my kiddo’s found them and ate most of them for me!
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Hi Ashlee! I have been a follower for a while and have been participating in Topsy Turvey–will you consider putting these mints in my new Tuesday Link Party? Won’t you share it over on Vintage Pollyanna on my Tell Me Tuesday link party? http://vintagepollyanna.blogspot.com/2010/11/join-me-on-tuesdays-for-new-link-party.html
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Ashlee Reply:
November 16th, 2010 at 5:41 pm
Sure! I’d love to link up! You have a new linky tool, different than I’ve seen before. Do you like it?
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I LOVE these! Putting them in the file so I can give these a whirl!
Ramona
http://create-with-joy.blogspot.com
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Ashlee Reply:
November 18th, 2010 at 1:45 am
They are quick, easy and tastes great! I hope you get around to making some!
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Those look DIVINE! I may have to give that recipe a try. It was great to meet you and put a real life face to a blog on Saturday at Boot Camp!
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Ashlee Reply:
November 16th, 2010 at 5:44 pm
It was SUCH a treat for me! I still think of my blog as this tiny thing that nobody but my friends (whom I bribe) to look at! It was so much fun to meet In PERSON someone who “knows” me! I hope you weren’t TOO overwhelmed Sat. Lots of the choices (wordpress or blogger, etsy or not, more of this or that, changing names, domain, etc….) come about naturally as you find your path. Just make sure your having FUN and that’s it’s enjoyable, not one more “chore” in our busy lives and you’ll find the right answers for you!
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I know, I know… I will turn in my woman card after this confession – but I don’t like milk chocolate… or dark chocolate… you think white chocolate would work? a nice raspberry filling in the middle??? oh, shoot – all these yummy blog recipes on a day I’m trying to work off my Bloggy Boot Camp overindulgence is maybe not my best plan…
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Ashlee Reply:
November 16th, 2010 at 5:46 pm
No biggie, your not the only one. You don’t have to go with the chocolate flavored ones, you can pick any of the colored (or not colored- white) ones you want and the favors are compltely determined by which oils you use! So white chocolate and raspberry are totally acceptable!
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Looks awesome! I can’t wait to try making these!
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Ashlee Reply:
November 16th, 2010 at 5:46 pm
Let me know when you do! They really are fun and delicious!
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I’m inspired!
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Ashlee Reply:
November 16th, 2010 at 5:46 pm
I’m so glad! Now get baking/cooking/melting!
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Oh my! I love mint! I wish I could reach through the screen and take a handful of those. Yummy!
justenoughstyle.blogspot.com
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Ashlee Reply:
November 16th, 2010 at 5:47 pm
I agree. mine are all gone now and just looking at the pictures is making me hungry for them! Good thing I have stuff for another batch or two!
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These look delicious! I did a small feature on my blog, feel free to grab a button!
http://thecraftymamablog.blogspot.com/2010/11/weekend-highlights_15.html
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Ashlee Reply:
November 16th, 2010 at 5:48 pm
Thank you so much! I’m so glad you liked them, and I am up there with so many other wonderful crafts from this last week! I’m tickled!
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These look great! I love Andes mints.
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Ashlee Reply:
November 16th, 2010 at 5:52 pm
They taste even better! You’ve got to try them!
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Woah, those look perfect! I love Andes Candies. Not only do they taste great, but they remind me of my grandpa who always had a stash of them. Thanks for sharing this. I’m definitely adding these to my candy list this year.
~ The Speckled Dog
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Ashlee Reply:
November 16th, 2010 at 5:53 pm
What a fun memory! I always liked andes mints, but never actually bought them, so these are just a treat! I hope they turn out well for you!
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Those look fantastic. I never would thought to make these myself!
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Ashlee Reply:
November 16th, 2010 at 5:54 pm
well I didn’t! I was introduced to this at a church activity! This woman has been coming every year for 5 years teaching the ladies in my neighborhood! But I do like to mix and match my own flavors…
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wow, looks good. what a great gift these would make!
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Ashlee Reply:
November 16th, 2010 at 5:59 pm
That’s what I thought!!!! I do goodie plates every year, but some of these would make a great teachers gift and much less messy!
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This are totally going on my treat list this year… I can’t wait!
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Ashlee Reply:
November 16th, 2010 at 5:59 pm
RIGHT? They are so good, I think I might have to buy even more supplies than the 3 batches I have!
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OOOOO YUMMY! I cant wait to try these!!!
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Ashlee Reply:
November 16th, 2010 at 6:00 pm
They are SOOOO good!
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Thanks Ashlee for linking up! These look so yummy in my link party!!
http://vintagepollyanna.blogspot.com/2010/11/tell-me-tuesday-link-party-1.html
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Ashlee Reply:
November 18th, 2010 at 2:10 am
Thanks! And I have to say your button necklace is really fun!
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I really think the best part is that I can make them any size I want. Not tiny like the manufacter!!!
Thank you
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Ashlee Reply:
November 18th, 2010 at 2:07 am
That’s right! Mine are MUCH bigger. Those tiny ones are completely useless! Like half a bite!
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I cannot wait to try this!
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Ashlee Reply:
November 18th, 2010 at 2:05 am
Just make sure you get the GOOD candy melts. It makes all the difference!
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Seriously? I am so making these! Thanks for the recipe!
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Ashlee Reply:
November 18th, 2010 at 2:05 am
They are terrific! In fact I’m craving them right now! Every time I get a comment on them I wish I had some of my own again!
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Ooh, I love Andes mints – I bet they are even better homemade!
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Ashlee Reply:
November 18th, 2010 at 2:03 am
They really are better! Good luck trying them out!
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Thanks so much for sharing! I found your link at tipjunkie!!! I would love it if you would stop by my blog, http://vintagewannabee.blogspot.com/! I’m doing a giveaway of a bag I made! I LOVE IT!
Mucho love!
-Nichelle
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Ashlee Reply:
November 18th, 2010 at 2:02 am
I LOVE your princess inspired head band flowers! They are GORGEOUS! I am SO going to have to make some sometime soon!
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Oh my… I NEED to make these! They look sooo good, and yours look perfect!! Thanks for this tutorial!!!
- Michelle @ Bunch of Craft
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Ashlee Reply:
November 18th, 2010 at 9:31 pm
You DOOO need to make them, I insist!
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oh man this looks awesome I definitely am going to try it out!
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Ashlee Reply:
November 19th, 2010 at 11:03 pm
You should. The great thing about them is they don’t have to be mint, you can make them in any flavor you want~
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I love this…so quick and easy even I can handle it!
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Ashlee Reply:
November 19th, 2010 at 11:05 pm
Exactally! I don’t think you could mess them up worse than just getting the chocolate a little swirly! And even they they still taste amazing.
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They look so beautiful and yummy! Great tutorial. I think I could do this one
.
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Ashlee Reply:
November 19th, 2010 at 11:14 pm
thanks! They do turn out really pretty and you can totally do this! There are lots of pictures and instructions, but they really are very easy!
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Love,love,love this!! I need to make some asap! Thanks for sharing.
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Ashlee Reply:
November 19th, 2010 at 11:53 pm
Yes you do (need to make them right away!). I’m so glad you liked them!
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these look like they came from a fancy chocolate shop. chocolate and mint is my fave combination. your tutorial is great too! found you through tatertots…so glad i did.
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Ashlee Reply:
November 19th, 2010 at 11:54 pm
Don’t they (look all fancy and stuff). And so easy, I love pretty and easy and tasty. The perfect combination!
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I love andies! Ooouuu I just may have to try these. I am bookmarking your ‘recipe’!
Great tutorial and I’ve never melted chocolate like you do….but LOVE that it’s EASY.
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Ashlee Reply:
November 29th, 2010 at 9:01 pm
Real chocolate you have to be careful with, of course, but this way would work great. I also like to use a double broiler, but for these smaller batches the oven works great. PLUS these are chocolate flavored candy melts, not normal chocolate, so they melt well almost anywhere! They would be hard to burn so even you microwave works!
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These look fantastic! My hubby would love them! (So would I!)
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Ashlee Reply:
November 29th, 2010 at 9:03 pm
My whole family loved them! I try to keep my more “adult” candy for myself, but my kids LOVED them! Next time we’re going to try some fun flavors that the kid’s pick out!
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mmm these look delicious and perfect for the holidays!
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Ashlee Reply:
November 29th, 2010 at 9:04 pm
They really are! Of course anything peppermint is perfect in my book!
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Quick question for you! Can you put these in a little plastic gift bag or will they get all soft and look bad? Are they better given on a plate? Thanks!!
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Ashlee Reply:
November 29th, 2010 at 9:07 pm
I’ve been thinking about this. I know you can give them away in gift boxes, all stacked nicely together, without issues. Since they are candy melts and not pure chocolate I think they would work in a bag just fine!
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These looks so yummy! Great recipe and tips
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Ashlee Reply:
November 29th, 2010 at 9:07 pm
Thanks! I hope you try them and like them!
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Mmmm. Will have to make these – I love me some mints! Thanks for linking to Craftastic Monday:)
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Ashlee Reply:
November 29th, 2010 at 9:08 pm
I know, right???? Mint is probably my 3rd favorite food, behind chocolate and coconut!
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Thanks for sharing this yummy treat. Andes are my favorite. And…your tutorial was excellently done. I linked to this post on my blog.
http://somewhereincraftland.blogspot.com/2010/11/fun-holiday-treats-and-visiting.html
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Ashlee Reply:
December 1st, 2010 at 1:19 am
Thank you so much! I always love it when people think enough of something to link up! I hope you try them out!
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These look so good and easy. Andes mints are one of my favorite candies and these are perfect for the holidays!
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Ashlee Reply:
November 29th, 2010 at 9:08 pm
Also you can cut them MUCH smaller if you want, I guess my bites are a tad on the large size compared to andes mints!
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I LOVE Andes mints!!! This makes it seem so simple to make them… I had no idea! Thanks for sharing!
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Ashlee Reply:
November 29th, 2010 at 9:09 pm
they are SUPER easy!!! I hope you try them and love them as much as I do!
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These look amazing and very impressive to tell people you made your own Andes!! Thanks for the tutorial!
-heather
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Ashlee Reply:
December 6th, 2010 at 7:22 pm
Thanks! I hop you try them out and like them.
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What size jelly pan did you use and where did you find the candy flavoring? I cant seem to find them anywhere. Thanks
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Ashlee Reply:
December 6th, 2010 at 7:22 pm
Ummmm Normal size??? It’s the largest in a set, like 12×17… Anyone else? Is that right?
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I am speechless! I love Andes mints and I am so excited I found your recipe, I can’t wait to try it!!
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Ashlee Reply:
December 6th, 2010 at 7:18 pm
They are AMAZING! let me know what you think when you make them!
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Ooooo! Love! Where in Utah do you get your candy melts?
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Ashlee Reply:
December 6th, 2010 at 7:16 pm
Actually I got them from the woman who taught the class at our church. She sells them out of her house. I’ll try to remember to get her number! I need some more supplies anyway! Gygi’s on 300 E in Salt Lake has some, but they only have the pre-flavored colors, NASTY. But you could get the chocolate and whites and dye the white yourself!
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These look amazing! I am totally going to try these!
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Ashlee Reply:
December 6th, 2010 at 7:14 pm
Yes you TOTALLY need to! When your ready to get out and about again we need to have a GNO so Kara and I can squeeze that sweet baby of yours a bit!
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Yay! EVERYONE ♥’s Andes mints….I am going to give them a whirl! xo♥
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Ashlee Reply:
December 6th, 2010 at 7:11 pm
They are DELISH!
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Delicious! I want them NOW! I used to use Guittard Melt N Molds but haven’t stocked up in awhile, so maybe I need to try Merkens. I will NEVER buy Wilton or cheaper brands anymore. For those that mess up, just break it up into chunks and they will still be eaten. My family dives in before ever really paying attention to shapes, designs and colors when I make chocolate.
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Ashlee Reply:
December 16th, 2010 at 10:31 am
Isn’t that the truth!! You get what you pay for when it comes to chocolates! Totally worth getting the good stuff. You have to cut them while they are still soft if you want squares. If you don’t mind broken ones then shattering it when it’s cool works just as well. Like you said, who really cares about the shape!
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I love the recipe. Can you recommend a good place to buy flavor oils. I am in the middle of making cherry chocolate caramel popcorn when I realized that I have never flavored chocolate before. Your recipe answered the how. I just don’t know where I can buy the flavored oils. Thanks.
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Ashlee Reply:
July 2nd, 2011 at 1:16 pm
Ummmm I find them everywhere. Michaels and Joanns should have the Wilton brand, it’s candy flavoring, not icing flavoring. Any specialty cake/bakery supply shop will have some. And any online candy making places will have it. My favorite is https://www.candymoldcentral.com/scripts/prodList.asp?idCategory=1226
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Found you through Pinterest and I’m SO glad I did. This tutorial looks AWESOME!!! Andes mints are the best and I’m just floored at the idea of making them myself. YAY!!! Thanks so much for sharing.
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Ashlee Reply:
February 18th, 2012 at 11:28 am
Thanks! They are SUPER easy! Next time I make them I’m going to add crushed candy cane or peppermints to the middle layer for some texture! Mmmmm
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