Remember the strips of colored candy dots on paper? You would strip the candy off with your teeth, and end up with just a little bit of paper in your mouth? If you had siblings, you just might nibble the paper into a small weapon? (I wouldn’t do that, of course, but SOMEONE might).
Well, that started me thinking. Wouldn’t it be cool to make candy buttons? Perfect for movie night.
I was lucky I had this idea when I had willing helpers (my beautiful and talented nieces Miranda and Monica). If you are lucky, you will find some willing helpers as well.
You don’t need a lot of ingredients. This picture features several food coloring and extract choices, but really I would think four colors would be fine. You will notice I have parchment paper on this picture. Do NOT use parchment, the dots will fall right off. I ultimately used computer paper from a fresh ream of paper.
Recipe: Candy Buttons
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp Meringue powder (or 2 egg whites)
- 6 tbsp Water
- 1/4 tsp Almond extract (use vanilla, lemon, peppermint, coconut for different flavors)
- 1 pound confectioners' sugar (1 pound = 7 cups)
- decorator bags or sandwich bags (1 for each color)
- food coloring I used gel, but any kind will do. Four colors is about right)
- paper cut into 2 3/4" by 10" strips.
Instructions
If you are using egg whites, separate the eggs.
- Perfect. Now you have some egg yolks for....how about lemon curd?
Whip together the confectioners' sugar and the egg whites (or meringue powder and water) on low speed for one minute.- If you have a stand mixer, this is the time to use it. Your arm will get tired with a hand mixer (although, if you switch hands, you might be able to count it as an exercise).
Add the flavoring and about 1/2 of the water. You may wish to add more water later to get this to the right consistency, but start out with a little less then you think you need. 
Whip mixture for 10 minutes on high speed. If the icing is too thick, think it out with drops of water until it is the consistency of sour cream. A drop should hold it's shape and slowly smooth out to create a smooth button.- While the mixer is whipping the icing, cut strips of paper into 2 3/4" by 10" strips.
- You may want to use a template for candy dots if you wish.
- If you are using gel paste, you don't need to use much. I used bamboo skewers to get just a dab of the food coloring.
- Isn't this pretty? Maybe that's why I used bamboo skewers, it just looks so pretty while I am mixing it.
- This just makes me feel good.
Divide the icing into small bowls. One bowl for each color. 
Pour each color into a decorator bag or sandwich bag and seal.
- Tip: Put the bag into a glass with the edges folded over the rim to easily fill with icing.
Cut a VERY small corner off of each bag.
Squeeze a drop of icing at a time onto the paper.
You might want to place the strip of paper on top of a template, so you can see where to place each drop evenly.
- This may seem tedious, but it is actually very satisfying. Very much like popping bubble wrap. Only sweeter.
- Doesn't this look wonderful? And the candy looks good too!! (Come on. I'm Dear Sweet Aunt Jill. I HAVE to be cheesy).
Place the strips on baking sheets in a cool dry place, uncovered, to dry overnight.
Once the candy has dried, you can place the strips in a zipper bag or airtight container.
You can store the leftover "icing" in the refrigerator in plastic bags.- This recipe makes a LOT, and it would sure be a shame to waste any of this....Right?
It is much easier to make these if you have a template underneath the paper. Here is the template I used.
Enjoy
Find me on Facebook.
Follow me on Twitter.
Subscribe to my RSS feed.
I love this! My sister and I used to LOVE these. I will have to make them. Have you tried to make candy corn? Way better than the store bought kind!
Be sure to use different flavorings for each color. I am particularly fond of the lemon. And don’t use parchment paper (I forgot to put that in the blog, but will update it in a minute) the candy comes off too easy. Use non toxic paper (I don’t think they actually sell toxic paper, but just in case) and then print out the dots (I will put a template up on the blog today). Don’t pipe the icing directly on the dots, either turn the paper over so the dots are on the bottom or lay the paper on top of the dots as a template.
Okay, missed the candy corn bit. NOW I MUST TRY IT!!
Wow, that’s quite the project. Turned out great and looks like a fun group activity.
Thanks. It was a lot of fun, and brought back a lot of memories of those candy-riddled buttons.
Oops. I meant paper riddled ….. yeesh
Nice Jill. You are amazing!!!
You’re just saying that ’cause you want some candy dots…..
So glad you had fun making candy buttons! Yours look fantastic!
Thanks, Jill. You were a great inspiration!! Love your site and will visit often. Thanks again….
Oh my goodness!!! I used to love love love these when I was little! (though I say that I’m only seventeen.
) Unfortunately it seems like stores (at leas the ones I go to) either don’t sell them or want to have all of my money (which isn’t all that much). But I do have some questions:
1. Just how much did you get out of this recipe?
2. How similar, taste wise, are these to the originals?
3. And I was going to use parchment before I read the comment up above, so what should I use now?
4.So you just let them sit out overnight and they dry and harden??
Hehe, love me the candy buttons! ^^ And the pictures make them look easy and yummy!
OH! Though of another question!! ^^
5. Did you just use lemon? Or are there other flavors that also will work?
Oh, yes. Use other flavors. Explore the baking aisle and get inspired!!!
Emily, so glad you are going to try this. You will get scads. That is to say hundreds if you want them, out of one recipe! The taste varies. I think the almond flavor is most similar, but I love the lemon. When I make these again, I will use a different extract for each color. Mint was good too, but you can get orange extract, etc.
Yeah, the parchment didn’t work well, the candies kept sliding off. I ended up using computer paper.
Yes, let them sit out and they harden.
Let me know how it works. Enjoy
cool idea to use the remaining icing!
This will truly delight my little girl. The colors are so vibrant and merry…Will have to make sure everyhing in the ingredients list is ready and start working. Thanks for sharing. You brought back memories of my sweet childhood…=)
I agree (re the colors). I think you’ll have fun making these….and eating them too!!
I have been looking for custom candy button colors to decorate a cake, this is perfect!! Are they sturdy enough once they’ve dried to to handle and press into icing?
Yes, once they are dry you will be able to use them to decorate . I will respond by email with a picture of a cake with the candy buttons. I always intended to do this…but….. I’d love to see your cake when you are done. Go to my Facebook page and post if you don’t mind sharing!!! Happy Holidays..
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SHARING THIS IDEA! I AM IN THE PROCESS OF PLANNING MY LITTLE GIRLS 4TH BIRTHDAY PARTY NOW AND ITS A CANDY THEME. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND THESE CANDY BUTTONS ANYWHERE!!!! NOW I CAN JUST MAKE THEM IN THE COLORS (PURPLE & HOT PINK) OF HER PARTY. IS THERE ANY WAY YOU CAN PLACE THE LINK FOR YOUR DOT TEMPLATE HERE? I’VE TRIED SEARCHING THE SITE, BUT I AM NOT HAVING ANY LUCK FINDING IT…. AND MY COMPUTER DOESNT HAVE WORD YET SO I CANT MAKE MY OWN… THANKS AGAIN FOR SHARING JILL!!!
You are so welcome. I love the idea that you are color coordinating for your daughter. I will reply to your email with the template (and also put it in the blog…completely forgot to put it in..thank you. Have fun!!! (Love to see the pics, go to my whatwillwedotoday Facebook page to share!!!)
Pingback: Homemade Candy Buttons Recipe | Best Friends For Frosting
Have you tried to do other shapes? I was thinking of trying to make maybe butterflies or flowers, something simple, to decorate cupcakes for my daughters birthday. Hoping it works
It’s funny you asked. Yesterday, I thought I would try to make snowflakes. It worked, but I would suggest using parchment paper so you can easily peel the flower or butterfly off the paper. You will also need to use a template under the parchment. Another thought, you might want to try some glitter or pixie dust (really fine edible glitter).
Do post pictures and let me know how it goes (go to my What will we do today fan page on Facebook).
Good luck and have fun!!!
My first batch came out great, but I made a 2nd batch and the dots didn’t seem to harden all the way. Well, they were hard/dry but almost turned to powder if squeezed just a little bit. Can’t figure out what was done differently. Any thoughts?
Also, how much water do you mix with meringue powder and how much is added later? The recipe just says 6tbsp total.
Thx!
Hmmmm. I am traveling now so have no access to my kitchen or kitcheny type things so not sure I will be of much help. As far as the water, I would only add 1/2 of the water to begin with and then add a little more as you need it (you don’t need to use all 6 Tbsp). That way you can control the consistency. For the hearts and butterflies, you will probably want less water so the final dried product will be a little more substantial. I hope this helps!!!
Can you use kitchen wrap instead of paper? i was going to wrap something flat and solid and drop candy icing on top so i can easily take the candy off later….. i don’t want to be eating the paper, and i thought i can just store them in a jar or something….. will that work? or will everything stick together? and can i make other shapes too? maybe bigger or flatter circles, stars, hearts, or maybe sticks? and thanks for sharing this!
Hi Kate, glad you are going to try these. Here’s my take on your question. If you use parchment paper or the glassy side of butcher or freezer paper, the buttons will just slide off. I haven’t tried the paper side of freezer paper, but you might have better luck with that as far as the paper sticking to the candy. I have made other shapes and another friend (below comments) also tried making shapes. I didn’t use quite as much date so that the candy held shape a little better. Good luck and have fun!!! If you get some finished, be sure to post pics on the Facebook fan page for what will we do today
Pingback: 20 DIY Candy Recipes | GIF Peanut Butter