SF Chocolate Peppermints

[Rena]

http://renajjones.blogspot.com/2011/12/sf-chocolate-peppermints.html

SUGAR-FREE CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINTS

4 squares unsweetened baking chocolate
3/4 cup Xylitol
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract
sugar-free candy cane, crushed

Place sugar-free candy cane (or sugar-free Starlight mints) into a plastic baggie, and crush with a rolling pin or wooden spoon. In a double boiler, melt chocolate over medium heat until smooth. Stir in Xylitol and mix well. Add heavy whipping cream, and stir until chocolate is smooth. Remove from heat. Add peppermint extract to the mixture. Drop by teaspoon into mini baking cups. Top with crushed candy cane. Refrigerate two hours or until set. Keep refrigerated for best results. Makes about 22-24 candies.

I calculated these about 55 calories and 0.7 net carbs, but that is without the SF candy cane pieces on top. I used a pretty small SF candy cane, so it couldn't have added too much more. These turned out really good and would be perfect with a cup of SF hot cocoa.

[shawn116]

Oh Yumm!!   Two of my favorite things...  Nice recipe 

[joagain]

sounds very good rena & easy 

[Doug Varrieur]

Nice recipe Rena, I love peppermint and chocolate combined...good Christmas recipe.

[umpa]

really great recipe Rena

[Rena]

Thanks, everyone. I could have probably cut the Xylitol to 1/2 and still had the same results.

[mouseissue]

Sounds delightful, Rena!

Chocolate and peppermint are flavors of Christmas... YUM!!!

[shawn116]

I made these and they are really good.... coming from me though I love anything with peppermint and chocolate.  I really like that I can make something that won't mess with my tummy as bad as the store bought stuff    Mine kinda crystallized on me though.  I wonder if maybe I didn't get it hot enough??  It reminds me of fudge when the sugar doesn't melt.  Rena did you have that problem or were yours smooth?  Very rich and tasty though...LOL  You don't need too many of these to satisfy your chocolate sweet tooth!!  I will be making these again 

I wonder if you used the 0 carb cocoa powder and food grade cocoa butter if we could cut the carbs even more??  Hmmmm 

[umpa]

Dissolve your xylitol in liquid before using it. No crunchy candy.

[shawn116]

I thought I had done that Umpa...LOL  I'll give it a go again when I'm out of these.  Crunchy or not....it hasn't stopped me from eating them 

[Rena]

How would you dissolve the Xylitol -- in what?

Mine were a little crunchy, but the crushed sf peppermints kind of disguised it. I still haven't figured out a way to make it non-crunchy, as my PB Cups turn out the same way.

[Rena]

Thanks! Yes, that is very interesting. I don't know much about Xylitol.

[shawn116]

I had the same question Rena.  I didn't think I wanted to heat the heavy whipping cream up enough to dissolve the xylitol in.  I wondered if maybe I used the powdered kind in this recipe if that would help.  I have put some through a coffee grinder to use before in another recipe.... that might be the way to go with a first step.  The thing is.... when I tasted it before putting in the fridge it was melted.  I believe it crystallized back after setting up.  I still liked them and you are right the candy disguised the crunch....LOL   

The next time I place an order I'm going to order some cocoa butter to play around with.   I want to see if I can come up with a smooth and creamy 0 carb home made chocolate 


Marty here is an interesting read about xylito and our furry friends    http://www.xylitol.org/questions-about-xylitol  I never knew that they had a nose spray with it to...LOL  It does make sense though with the killing the bacteria and all.  Also it didn't occur to me that you couldn't use it with yeast.  Interesting 

[umpa]

I dissolve it in boiling water or for candy I use butter.It dissolves quickly in a saucepan.It is great for your teeth.I give my dogs a mouthwash that has xylitol in it.It small amounts it won't hurt them,but better be safe than sorry  and not feed them any treats!

[shawn116]

That worries me to    My little guy is big for his breed and maybe needs to be on FTS himself    but I worry that he will get sick  

What is it that you use for your pups Umpa?

I wonder if adding extra liquid to melt the xylitol in would make it runny or to soft ?