Peppermint drops (untested)

This recipe appears to be written in Grammy's handwriting (her handwriting looked different when she wrote in fountain pen). It is undated, but I suspect this recipe pre-dates 1941 (the year she got married).

What I like about this recipe is that is appears to be a great way to make homemade candies that could be used as breath-mints or lozenges.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup water
• 6 drops essence of peppermint [peppermint essential oil]*

Instructions:

1. In a saucepan, cook the water and sugar until it reaches thread stage (230°F-235°F)**. Do not stir while cooking
2. Remove from fire
3. Add peppermint and stir until candy thickens and looks cloudy
4. Drop immediately from a teaspoon onto waxed paper or a greased plate
5. If it becomes too hard to drop, warm by standing the saucepan over hot water for a moment

*Wintergreen may be substituted for peppermint [I imagine any flavor of essential oil could be substituted as well]

**If you aren't using a candy thermometer (which I highly recommend) you can test candy the old fashioned way using cold water. Click here to read all about testing candy using cold water.