June 29, 2012

Almond Star Candy Buttons

Are you hosting a family picnic for the Fourth?  Here's a fun recipe to share with all the kids.  Maybe even the grownups will like the nostalgia of this sweet candy!

Almond Star Candy Buttons
Almond Star Candy Buttons

1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 egg white
1/8 teaspoon almond extract
2 drops of red food coloring
2 drops of blue food coloring

Using non-toxic white computer paper, cut twelve 2" x 11" strips.  Or you can use waxed paper strips lightly sprayed.  Before getting started, keep in mind that this icing hardens so when not using keep covered with plastic wrap until ready to use.  Also, have your pastry bags all ready to go.

With an electric mixer, blend the powdered sugar, egg white and almond extract until combined.  Then beat on high for about 5 minutes until icing is thick and glossy.

Divide icing into three bowls.  In one bowl, add red food coloring and mix until blended in.  In another bowl, do the same with the blue food coloring.

Put the red icing into a pastry bag.  Using a small star tip, pipe single stars onto paper.  Do five rows of four on all strips.*  Next do the same with the white icing.  Then repeat with the blue icing.  (You should have a total of 15 rows with 4 stars across.)

Let the stars sit at room temperature, uncovered, until hardened which is about 12 hours or you can let them sit overnight.  Then store in a covered container or baggie.

*Note:  Since I used a small star tip, I actually did 6 rows of red and of blue each and 5 rows of white stars.  

My husband and son suggested that next time I should turn the strip sideways and make a flag -- blue stars in the corner with stripes of red and white stars.  I wish they had suggested it before I started making these because that's a great idea!

After I was finished, I let my 11 year old make some of his own.  Eating his work was half the fun!!

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