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Valentine Candy Hearts

THESE SPECIAL SWEETS for February 14 are so simple to fix, you'll want to skip the store-bought kind for good...and make more batches on other occasions besides! To prepare their cute confections, the CT kitchen staff shaped melted candies with cookie cutters. Then they piped on royal icing in all sorts of fun designs. Are you planning a Valentine's Day party, wedding shower or other event

6 ServingsPrep: 25 min. + standing

Ingredients

1 package (7 ounces) watermelon-flavored hard candies
ROYAL ICING:
3/4 cup confectioners' sugar
4 teaspoons water
1-3/4 teaspoons meringue powder
1 yard of 1/8-inch-wide satin ribbon in white or the color of your choice
3 to 3-1/2-inch heart-shaped metal cookie cutter

Directions

Candy hearts: Place heart-shaped cookie cutters on a piece of foil,
leaving space above the top of each cookie cutter for placing the
ribbon hanger later. Coat the foil and cutters with cooking spray.
Cut the satin ribbon into six 6-in. lengths. Place the ends of one
ribbon piece together to form a loop. Position the ribbon loop at
the top of one cookie cutter so the ends are touching the foil and
the loop drapes over the top of the cookie cutter. In the same way,
position a ribbon loop on each remaining cookie cutter. Set aside.
Unwrap the hard candies and place in the large resealable heavy-duty
plastic bag. Crush the candies using a mallet or rolling pin.
Transfer the candies to the large heavy skillet. Cook over medium
heat until melted, stirring occasionally.

2 of 2

Valentine Candy Hearts (continued)

Directions (continued)

Fill each prepared cookie cutter with the melted candy to a 1/4-in.
thickness, covering the ends of each ribbon loop at the same time.
Let stand for 1-2 minutes. Carefully remove the cutters. Let stand
until set, about 1 hour.
Royal icing: In a small bowl, combine the confectioners' sugar, water
and meringue powder. Beat on high speed for 6-8 minutes or until
thickened.
Insert the pastry tip in one corner of pastry or plastic bag and cut
a hole in the bag. Place the icing in the bag. Pipe the desired
designs or Valentine phrases on each heart. Yield: 6 candy hearts.

Nutrition Facts: 1 serving (1 each) equals 189 calories, trace fat (trace saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 8 mg sodium, 46 g carbohydrate, 0 fiber, 1 g protein.