Sunday, November 20, 2011

Pig Alert! Peppermint Pigs

Hey everyone! Have you heard of Peppermint Pigs for Christmas? The first Peppermint Pig was made over a century ago to symbolize the Victorian belief that the pig is a good luck charm.

I saw this little candy 3D pig that comes in a velvet pouch at Plow and Hearth and while it's cute,
it is expensive.

So I made my own version. It only takes candy canes, a pig shaped cookie cutter and some time!

Crush the candy canes and pour them inside the oiled cookie cutter, bake until it melts together.

Package it in a goodie bag (from AC Moore/Michaels, etc.) and tie it closed with ribbon.
 Add a fun tag that says:
"The pig is honored in Victorian holiday tradition as a symbol of good health, happiness and prosperity. After your holiday meal, crack the candy with a hammer and share with family and friends."
It's a cute, different gift and the kids (big and small) will have fun breaking it up!

Directions:
  1. Simply break up the candy cane into small pieces (approximately 1/4-1/2" pieces, and add the "dust" too). I used six candy canes for my 5" x 2 1/2" cutter. You could use more if you'd like. *Update: I unwrapped them and added them to a l gallon zip lock bag, 9 whacks down the candy cane on a steady surface is all it takes for perfectly broken pieces.
  2. Lightly oil the inside of the cookie cutter and place on a cookie sheet that's been lined with either parchment paper, Reynolds Release or a silicone liner. 
  3. Pour the crushed candy into it pushing to fill any small spaces like legs, etc.
  4. Bake at 325 degrees for about 10 minutes. You'll need to watch it, as soon as the candy begins to melt together but you can still see the red lines in it, it's ready to come out of the oven. 
  5. Let it cool completely in the cookie cutter. Gently pull the sides of the cutter away from the candy and store it in a plastic bag.
Notes:
  • Ok, I know you're wondering... where exactly does one find a pig cookie cutter... There is a great store on-line called Foose, you can get just about any cutter you want! Amazon has some and my son also gave me one he found at Sur La Table.
  • I put some vegetable oil on the tip of my finger and rub it on the inside of the cookie cutter.
  • Leave the candy canes in the plastic wrapper and break them with the handle of a butter knife or a hammer. Then you can pour the candy into the cookie cutter. Please do not use your food processor, it will just dull the blades. 
  • Melt the candy until you get a look you like. If you melt them further they'll get smooth and turn a pinkish color. 
  • If you know of a pig collector (as Susan mentioned her SIL), leave the candy in the cookie cutter and wrap it like that. Then she has the candy pig and the cookie cutter! 
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69 comments:

  1. melt some chocolate on it and It will be a muddy pig! This peppermint pig is cute

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  2. Great idea, Lynn! I have seen these in catalogs and they are quite expensive. Very cute!

    XO,
    Jane

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  3. O my goodness--I love it. How creative are you!!! What a cute gift it will be from you.
    Ann

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  4. Oh Lynn, how cute! I have never heard of pig shape candy and the story but it sure is cute. I like your version.

    hugs
    Sissie

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  5. Lynn,
    Yes, I've seen them, but I think I like your version best!
    And the idea of dipping in chocolate?! The possibilities are endless!
    Will you be having a Kitchen Gadget Party this year?

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  6. What a great solution! I think it is a great idea.

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  7. I saw those pepperment pigs in a catalog. I like you're idea much better!

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  8. My sister in law collects pigs...I think I will be surprising her with one of these...love it!

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  9. What a cute idea - and who doesn't like peppermint candy? This is now on my list of things to try

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  11. Hi Lynn! Oh, how cute! I love this idea! You're so creative and smart! Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  12. Oh my goodness, Lynn! What a very darling idea! I would love for you to share this with my readers ON THE MENU MONDAY. I am going to do this... probably not a pig, but I am making these just the same!
    Happy Thanksgiving, my friend!
    Yvonne

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  13. Amazing what you created!!! Awesome!!! Love it!!! Oink Oink...

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  14. Amazing idea! What a great job! Thanks for sharing these fun crafts.
    Hope to see you on my blog:)

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  15. You are TOO clever!! What a wonderful idea!!!!!

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  16. I love this idea! Thanks for the "recipe" and the sentiment for the tag.
    Jane

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  17. What a cute idea - this would be great in other shapes as well. Love it!

    :)
    ButterYum

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  18. Oh this is great! Thanks for the tutorial as we have cookie exchange for Christmas and I may take these candy instead of cookies, wow! You said you never made anything with fresh pumpkin...well, around here there's no pumpkin in a can and I made pumkin pies, breads, cookies, cakes, puddings and soups with fresh and this is what you do: Peal and cook in cubes, when done put it in a colander and let all the water just drip, maybe for 2 hours, mash it or put it your food processor, which is what I do...that's it. Happy Thanksgiving.
    FABBY

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  20. Adorable..and a great teacher gift idea I might add!

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  21. Oh goodness. You, my blog friend, are brilliant! I love things to do with crushed peppermint.

    Now, to find some pigs...

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  22. I love how you combined a history lesson, cooking and a gift all in one great and fun idea.
    Thanks and may you have a blessed Thanksgiving.

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  24. What a darling idea, especially with adding the cookie cutter as a gift~

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  25. Absolutely adorable. I love the Victorian tradition. Such a fun and easy idea and I love your little card too. Cute with a mini hammer if you could find them.

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  26. Oh my, you are a clever, clever, clever one! Looks great!

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  27. What a cute and clever idea. You are so resourceful to figure out how to make your own pig. Thanks for putting my party button on your sidebar! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving week.

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  28. No way! too cute. Only you would think of that.

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  29. That is brilliant! Brillioink? Have certainly seen peppermint pigs and thought of getting one but making one looks so much more Christmassy. Thanks.

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  30. I've never seen one before but this is so cute.
    xo bj

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  32. How cute it that! Who wouldn't love to get a little peppermint pig in their Christmas stocking?

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  33. Lynn,
    Hi! I love this idea. Happy Thanksgiving! Pat

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  34. Lynn, I love your peppermint pig. It is really festive and like Earl, it's got some bite! Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family too.

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  35. i LOVE your version of the peppermint pig!!! I am so going to make these!!

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  36. Saw your "Peppermint Pig" photo, in your comment on a blog. Came over to tell you a bit more about "Peppermint Pigs."

    Peppermint Pigs for Christmas began in our family owned corner Drug Store in Saratoga Spgs. NY. Our fair city is one, with great Victorian heritage. And Menges & Curtis still retains the Old Time Victorian Drug Store Look. :-)

    It was begun, just before the outbreak of the Civil War. It naturally went through more than one owner, but my husband ran it for over 40 years. Our son runs it now.

    It now does just compounding, and joined another compounding drug store, Fallon's Wellness. The name is now Fallon's but the Victorian Stained Glass window over the front of the store, still says Menges & Curtis. :-)

    Thank you for listening to my little Victorian tale. :-) Hmmm, guess I should do a post on this, at Holiday time. Thank you for the idea. :-))))

    Gentle hugs,
    "Music is a friend of labor for it lightens the task by refreshing the nerves and spirit of the worker." ~William Green

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  37. This peppermint pig is just sooooo cut. Great idea and tutorial. I'm glad you answered my question in your notes before I finished reading, the question of course, where do I fine a pig cookie cutter. Thanks for sharing.

    Happy Thanksgiving,
    ~Emily
    The French Hutch

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  38. I love, love, love that! You can do it with a lot of different cutters too. Sandie

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  39. These are awesome!!! How fun!

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  40. My mom bought us peppermint pigs for Christmas one year, with the little hammer. They were really tasty. I love this idea of making your own!

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  41. That is a really cute idea. We were gifted with one of the authentic Peppermint Pigs one year, but I have to say I really like your version better. So cute!
    CAS

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  42. Fantastic idea, Lynn. My nephews would love this.

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  43. Lynn this is ADORABLE! I love the idea of giving the cookie cutter with the peppermint inside!

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  45. What fun! They look great. Happy Thanksgiving!

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  46. It looks great! Now figure out a way to put a layer of chocolate underneath and it will be pig bark, or rather pig oink!
    Have a great Thanksgiving, Lynn!

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  47. What a wonderful idea! This will be a perfect stuffer for my "pig-loving" son's stocking. Thanks!!!
    Jane

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  48. No, I have not heard of these...oh so cute!!

    Thanks for sharing:))

    Kay Ellen

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  50. Lynn -- you (and Earl) are a clever as they come. I am thinking your peppermint pig may transform into my peppermint gingerbread boys :)

    Blessings!
    Gail

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  51. Oh...I think my friends will be getting a pink peppermint pig! What a great idea!

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  53. Love, love, love this idea! My daughter is partial to pigs...I'll have to start looking for a cookie cutter. Very cute and a great idea. Thanks!

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  54. I had never heard of this idea, which is interesting considering the history buffs I hang with.
    Thank you for such a fun and educational post. I am going to bookmark it.

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  56. PERFECT! Now I think this is something I can make as neighbor gifts without too much stressful issues involved!

    Once again you came through with a great dea for us !!! (the salmon err, ball thingys, well, not so much..*gulp* )

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  57. Wow, I've never seen anything like this before. Love it!

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  58. How in the world did I miss this post? This is so wonderful! I'm glad I saw it at Sweets for Saturday!

    I am hosting a candy cane link up as part of my 12 Days of Christmas series at my Christmas blog. I would be honoured if you could stop by and link up this wonderful idea/post, Lynne!

    Best Christmas wishes,
    Natasha.

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  59. REALLY REALLY cute! You are so clever to come up with this idea. I'm impressed!

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  61. Come to A Themed Baker's Sunday for this next week's theme: Christmas! Actually, this theme will continue until Christmas weekend! Hope to see you there!
    Cupcake Apothecary
    http://cupcakeapothecary.blogspot.com/2011/12/themed-bakers-sunday-16.html

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  62. Just saw this linked up at Mix It Up Monday -- LOVE IT!! Definitely going to Pin this for Christmas this year!

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  64. A cute and creative gift.

    Hopping over from the Christmas in July blog hop - #57.

    Fondly,
    Glenda

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  65. Lynn, I'm revisiting this clever peppermint post! I need to remember this this Christmas season :)

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  66. I'm definately going to make these. Adorable!

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  67. I've seen those expensive piggies and never thought to make my own! How sweet! Just found your blog on teh Christmas linky party! Following, A

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  68. So many wonderful ideas here Lynn. I think the pig is my favorite!

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  69. Hi Lynn, I don't think I would have the heart to smash that little piggy to bits! I wonder if the piggy bank idea is related to the "pig as good luck" idea? Linda

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