Homemade Conversation Hearts

Conversation Hearts – you either love them, or you hate them.

My husband hates them. They are one of my favorite candies.

I actually really love the crunchy texture, that (if they aren’t stale, melts in your mouth).

I don’t eat conversation hearts much anymore (mostly because they are not available at the grocery stores I shop at), but I had a craving for them this year. And, instead of buying them (they are expensive!), I decided to make my own.

Keep in mind, this is not an “easy” recipe – while its relatively easy to throw together (especially with a stand mixer, which my husband got for me for Christmas), it’s time-intensive, and work-intensive – but the results are well worth it!

Homemade Conversation Hearts
SERVES: varies (depending on the size of the hearts)

Ingredients:
1/2c water, boiling
.25oz unfavored gelatin
1T honey
2 lb powdered sugar
3/4c tapioca starch

Various oils and flavorings, as desired.
Food coloring, as desired.

Instructions:
1. Add boiling water, gelatin, and honey to stand mixer with paddle attachment. Mix on low until gelatin and honey are completely dissolved.

2. Add in powdered sugar, 1c at a time, while mixing on low, until all sugar is completely incorporated.

3. Add tapioca starch, slowly, until incorporated. Remove bowl from stand and cover with plastic wrap.

4. coat large surface with tapioca starch. Take handful of mixture from bowl, and knead like bread dough until dough is no longer sticky, but still pliable. Add in desired flavoring and food coloring, and knead until incorporated.

5. Roll out dough (if needed, add more tapioca starch to your work space), and cut into hearts (either by hand or using a cutter).

6. Leave hearts out for 24 hours, flipping over after 12, or until completely dried out. Write messages using edible markers and serve!

Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone!