Starlight Mint platters and bowls

I saw an idea on Pinterest to make serving platters using starlight mints. It looked so cool...and easy!

Well, it was...and wasn't.

It was easy to do and they turned out pretty neat, but not like the pictures online.  They are definitely one of a kind, though.  Unique.  I still like them and am a bit obsessed with getting them perfect.  I'll have to raid the after-Christmas sales to stock up on starlight mints for next year.

So, preheat your oven to 350 and arrange the mints on parchment paper (on a cookie sheet) in whatever shape you want them to slightly resemble , I mean, look like when finished.  Bake for 6-8 minutes, depending on your oven and how melted you want the candies.  Warning:  They can go from almost ready to oops, in just a matter of seconds, so you just have to experiment with the time.  I let them cool for about 5 minutes on the pan and then slid the parchment onto my counter for a few more minutes.  Carefully peel the parchment away and voila, your candy platter.

This is my first attempt 

First one finished - not bad.  Kinda groovy on the edges.  

Second attempt

First and second finished

I tried some smaller versions, which were okay, but the ones I made larger worked out better.  

When you take the mints out of the oven, they are liquefied.  As it cools, it becomes moldable, so Michael and I got the bright idea that we wanted to try and make a bowl.  So, we brainstormed and decided to spray a small metal mixing bowl with some vegetable oil and while the mints are still warm, flip the parchment over and form it around the bowl.  Peel the paper away and let it cool completely and then carefully remove the mint bowl from the metal bowl.  

It worked...pretty much  :-)  

I can't wait to work on this some more next year.  I need to look and see if there is an acrylic sealant on the market that is food safe.  If you know of one, please comment and tell me all about it!

Oh, Pinterest, how do I love thee...

*I was going to do a post about the horrific events in Newtown last week and how it affected me both as a former public school teacher and more importantly, as a mom - they were all Julianna's age, but I've decided not to.  I refuse to read or watch any more news reports.  I just pray that God continues to wraps his arms around all those involved in this tragedy:  parents, staff, students, emergency workers, the community...and our nation. sigh*

If you've talked to me for longer than five minutes, you have heard me say "Oh, I saw this thing on Pinterest..."  I love, love, love Pinterest.  

Love.
I wanted to share with you some of my favorite pins for this Christmas.

Starlight Mint serving tray
(I will be posting separately about making these...and my unique creations. They are one of a kind.)

In a Pikle bags

(How neat, huh?  Everything thing you might need in a cute little bag.)

Gumbo Dip

(Yum and double yum!  Was sooooo goooood!)

Merry Christmas Paper Plate-ing Game

(You draw a Christmas scene (when given specific instructions) on the bottom of a paper plate.  This was a lot of fun...and the pictures turned out pretty good!) 

Make a Snowman game

(I had this planned to do at our Sunday School Christmas party and we ran out of time.  So bummed! Looks like fun.)

Let's Go on a Date

(I hope the hubby doesn't see this before Christmas.  This is sort of his "big" gift. Now to figure out the date nights...)

I'm sure there's more, so we might have a part 2 to this post, but someone is bugging me to feed her breakfast.  As if!  Lol  

Merry Christmas, Friends!