iconLog In  |  Register

Grandma Maizie’s Peppermint Candy

Thumbnail image for DSC_0032.JPG

(Originally posted on December 21, 2007 — it is an annual tradition at Smile Politely to repost this article. Enjoy!)

Last year on Dec. 22, I relayed a basic recipe for peppermint bark that was created by my paternal grandmother Maizie. For years, I told myself that I would learn how to do make peppermint bark by going over to her place and having her show me how, step by step. I wanted to make sure that even if she were to pass away, the recipe would live on, and could be enjoyed by my family for generations to come.

On January 13 of this year, less than a month after I published her recipe, Grandma Maizie went into the night, with a smile on her face. I miss her now especially, as she was a fixture unlike any other during the holidays: her presence, her paper-thin skin and most definitely, her peppermint candy.

This year I decided to carry on the tradition by hosting a little gathering for our family at my house to make some of it for all the kids. And that includes me. Afterward, I thought to myself that it would be nice to post this annually, in honor of my father’s mother, and as a way to pass along her candy recipe to you all, the readers. Your numbers have grown by more than 600% in our first year, so I anticipate that this treat will be on even more table spreads on Christmas Eve in the years to come.

Here is the original post, updated to include a few things that I learned this year. I’ve also tagged it in the “Celebrity Recipes” section, because for what she went through, Grandma Maizie will always be a celebrity to me.

 

 

Come Christmas time, I know what my Grandma Maizie is up to. My mouth salivates at the prospect of wolfing down as much of her peppermint bark as possible, despite the fact that we are generally relegated to a mere two ounces or so. This year, I decided that her measly portions were simply not enough, and I tasked her to show Smile Politely the recipe, and better yet, let me watch her make it. She agreed, and I was off to her new digs on East Colorado Drive in Urbana.
Thumbnail image for DSC_0009.JPG

This recipe is so simple. The key is to infuse the peppermint into the melted candy pieces. I have never been a fan of white chocolate, and I always wondered why I never cringe when I eat this tasty winter treat.

Tools:

  • Double boiler
  • Cookie sheets
  • Rubber scraper
  • Roll of aluminum foil
  • MalletPlastic bags

Ingredients:

  • 2 – 14-ounce bags of Wilton’s white Vanilla melts (find at Michael’s art supply)
  • 1 – Joy-Brite peppermint candy stick (find at Walgreen’s)

Here’s how to do it:

Lay out aluminum foil on cookie sheets. Bring water in the double boiler to a low heat, and start to melt the white candy pieces down. Meanwhile, bash the hell out of the peppermint stick inside of a bag. Make sure there are some bigger chunks of peppermint as well as some pieces that have been pulverized. You’ll need both. Separate the two different sizes of peppermint to create two bags: one of pulverized tiny sand-like pieces, and one of bigger chunks. Thumbnail image for DSC_0015.JPGWhen the chocolate is fully melted, infuse the pulverized peppermint into the hot, melted chocolate and mix it in thoroughly. After it is fully infused, pour the mixture onto the aluminum foil in the center of the pan and spread it around so that it is a thin layer. That is very important. If it is too thick, it will not be pleasurable to eat; too thick and it will lose flavor.

After spreading it well, place the bigger chunks of peppermint candy on top of the mixture, equally distributing it around the layer. Pop it into the freezer for about 15–25 minutes, or until it is frozen through. Take the candy out and gently tear it away from the foil; it should come off easily. Take the mallet and use a knife to act as a wedge and bash it into bite-sized pieces.

Best peppermint candy in the league. Thanks Grandma!

Photos by Justine Bursoni

Add A Comment

A note about our commenting policy.


Comment
  1.  captcha arrow

Most Recent Food Comments

Timbo avatar

I like Kaiyo A LOT, but at Sushi Kame (next to the art theatre) you can get an absolute shitload of good sushi, plus miso, and a bit of noodles in a vineagar cucumber salad for $21, and you know it was made just for you. I…

{username}

Nice article, Emily! When I get to the CU area, I’ll be sure to give this place a try.

{username}

Sorry about the lack of address and hours. All I can say is duuuh

{username}

“...who aren’t so savvy with the google…“  You know, the way I’m not so savvy with the typing.  That page I linked is one of the best things I’ve seen on the internet, though.

{username}

Yeah, I did a little googling and found it.  I’d forgotten that there was finally something going into the Boston’s space.  But when I was reading the article I was thinking that that kind of info would have been nice for the people who savvy with the google:  http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/facebook_wants_to_be_your_one_true_login.php#comments

{username}

Mike —   Here you are: http://champaign-taste.blogspot.com/2010/03/kaiyo-japanese-restaurant.html

Mica Swyers avatar

I am embarrassed to say that I gorged on sushi at Kaiyó over the weekend. (Who wants to eat one more grain of vinegar-scented rice? Not I!) In any event, if you’re looking for quantity over quality, Kaiyó is the place to go. ...if you’re looking for…

{username}

Some basic info like location and hours would be awesome for articles like this.

{username}

The sushi has been great everytime I have been there. The rest of the food varied. I hope the uneveness is just growning pains because when it is all good the resturant is amazing. For the price you can always find something to eat that is tasty.…

{username}

I find this very interesting, as I went there twice and definitely had a different experience. The first time I went the sushi was OK, the second time I went the sushi was terrible, the service was terrible, and the place didn’t seem clean. I will definitely…

Most Recent Comments

{username}

I didn’t know that the LED was created here. That’s awesome.

{username}

It’s a total shame this is only during working hours!  It sounds great, but I’m one of those who can’t slip away very readily during the 9-to-5.  Next time, a request: weekend events, please?  

{username}

After going over this composition I major in a lot on how to draft articles. As a graduate, I have neveraccomplishrd one natural paper and always use custom dissertation. What a shame! But now I have backbone in writing. Thank you.

{username}

Nuts. Sorry I saw this, um, 15 minutes before CULitFest (my term!) begins. However, one deficit - no beer. SP.com 1, UIUC 0. In all seriousness, hope it goes well!

Josh King avatar

This is federal money, yes. But it is money going to a network that is going to be owned by an inter-governmental of the two cities and the University, not by the federal government. If you’re worried about the local governments spying on us, that’s fine, but…

{username}

Prediction: Selection Sunday 2011, Illinois will be vying for a real #1 seed.

{username}

bhrama- thanks for the promo. it is true, crane and badger will be playing on friday at mike and mollys w/ the chemicals and tractor kings. we will be playing first. show starts at 10pm. come on out. rock will be had.

{username}

Heard there is a new rock band (Crane & Badger-2nd show) playing @ Mike’s this Friday night. Certified rock-styley.

Jeric avatar

Change is the only constant thing in this world. Change is just an indication that a particular place is improving or not. It is a good thing that there is a room for a change but it must be a change for the better. It is just…

{username}

Now that Olympian is probably a given, they’re going to have to rename the section between Willow and 45. Any suggestions? Now lets get onto Urbana’s next road to nowhere. Airport Rd., They want to extend it from Bartlow west to Lincoln thru 3 farm fields. One…

{username}

Good stuff as always! I like the theory Zelina presented…curious to see how it plays out with Sawyer, Jin/Sun, and Kate…

{username}

   I found that cake thing about a year ago.  It’s pretty amazing.  Happily, it didn’t stick as a habit ‘cause I *still* made a mess with the flour and cocoa and all that ...

{username}

Foreigner had Double Vision, now that’s vision.. It is interesting today how diverse people’s music taste has become. Take 107.1 for instance, depending on what time of you’re listening to it you can hear indie, top 40 alternative, hip hop, and alt country all in the same block of…

{username}

In case you think I’m crazy and Obama loves you - http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2010/03/us-declassifies-part-of-secret-cybersecurity-plan/

{username}

YOU PEOPLE

{username}

“Evaporated.“ Never said that but cool…. Yes, I do know. But people have wanted to be Elvis for 60 years. And I think what is hipper these days is the switch around. Ya know, how every one in the band “kind of” plays “everything” and switches around…

{username}

Make a mental note now - This is for federal control of the internet. It will be phased in. There is a cybersecurity bill in congress right now. just watch…

{username}

i just found this article, and am so happy about it! mark is a wonderful person!!

{username}
{username}

Cheesy Computers with evaporated Beats and Samples may not be your taste and I can appreciate that…but in some cases they are born out of necessity. Do you know how hard it is to find a drummer these days? Do you know how hard it is to find…

Log In



Auto-login on future visits

Forgot your password?