Today’s science advent calendar activity is making Christmas Peppermint Creams! These are very simple to make and would make a lovely gift for family and friends.
I’m using these to demonstrate changes of state as the chocolate is melted and then sets again, but you could also experiment with different flavours.
How to make Peppermint Creams
Ingredients
350g Icing Sugar
1 tablespoon condensed milk
A few drops peppermint extract
55g plain chocolate melted
Instructions
Mix the icing sugar with the condensed milk and knead until you have a smooth consistency.
Roll out and use cookie cutters to shape.
Leave for about 3 hours to harden and then coat with the melted chocolate.
This experiment is a great way to demonstrate the process of changing state from solid to liquid and back again.
SOLID ––> LIQUID = MELTING
LIQUID ––> GAS = EVAPORATING/BOILING
GAS ––> LIQUID = CONDENSING
LIQUID ––> SOLID = COOLING/FREEZING
When the chocolate was heated it changed from solid to liquid, which is an example of melting and when we move back from a liquid into a solid it is an example of cooling/freezing.
The reason this happens is because when you provide heat the particles that make up the solid are given energy which cause them to vibrate and then break the bonds holding them together. As they cool they lose this energy and so forms bonds again but not in the same shape…this is why we can mould chocolate and other substances!
My children called these toothpaste sweets! I think they’d be a great gift wrapped in a little bag with a ribbon too.
For more Christmas ideas check out our 10 Christmas Science activities post.
maggy, red ted art
December 5, 2012 at 7:35 amOooh these look yummy and so festive!! Wonderful.
Maggy
maggy, red ted art
December 6, 2012 at 9:02 pmPS Thanks for sharing on Kids Get Crafty!
Maggy
Eddie - The Usual Mayhem
December 5, 2012 at 1:23 pmI think I know what our “science project” for this weekend is going to be! Thanks for sharing!
ScienceSparks
December 8, 2012 at 8:12 pmI’m glad you like it 🙂
Sophie
December 5, 2012 at 1:28 pmI can’t wait to create these with my daughter? Can anyone provide volumetric measurements? I do not have a kitchen scale.
ScienceSparks
December 8, 2012 at 8:13 pmI will look into it. x
jackie
December 5, 2012 at 2:08 pmOh, how simple are those!! And they look so good. Love that you put a scientific spin on your recipe!
ScienceSparks
December 8, 2012 at 8:14 pmThank you. x
peggy
December 5, 2012 at 2:52 pmthese look and sound so delicious and easy to make! I’ll for sure try them out.yum
ScienceSparks
December 8, 2012 at 8:16 pmThey were very yummy!
Nancy
December 5, 2012 at 3:14 pmHmm wounder if I can make these dairy free using coconut milk? Think I will try they look good.
Nancy
Jill @ A Mom With A Lesson Plan
December 5, 2012 at 5:54 pmThese will be prefect gifts for the neighbors! Is icing sugar the same as powdered sugar?
Cerys @ Rainy Day Mum
December 6, 2012 at 9:31 amYes as far as I know it’s powdered sugar – super fine was what my sister-in-law called it as well
gretchen
December 6, 2012 at 12:57 amCan someone provide customary measurements
ScienceSparks
December 8, 2012 at 8:16 pmI’m looking into it, sorry.
Cerys @ Rainy Day Mum
December 6, 2012 at 9:31 amOhhhh these bring back memories of my childhood – will have to try them with J and T this year for some gifts for friends
ScienceSparks
December 8, 2012 at 8:17 pmThey were so easy !
Susan Mann
December 6, 2012 at 10:59 amThese look great x
ScienceSparks
December 8, 2012 at 8:17 pmThanks lovely. x
Kim @ The Educators' Spin On It
December 6, 2012 at 7:47 pmWhat a fun way to learn about science afterschool this holiday break and share with friends. Can’t wait to make them with my daugthers and her friends!
ScienceSparks
December 7, 2012 at 2:35 pmThey are very yummy!
The Monko
December 6, 2012 at 10:28 pmthat is so weird. I was just thinking about making some peppermint creams. It must be the season
ScienceSparks
December 8, 2012 at 8:17 pmIt sure is 🙂
Coombemill - Fiona
December 9, 2012 at 1:11 amI used to make these as a child, thanks for the reminder!
ScienceSparks
December 9, 2012 at 6:04 pm🙂
Lauren
December 10, 2012 at 1:00 amThanks for the ingredients on how to make this. Looks like something fun to make.
Beth Armstrong Leahy
December 11, 2012 at 3:14 pmPlease….regular measurements for us slow Americans?!
Meg
December 11, 2012 at 10:46 pmI believe the measurements are 8 oz. confectioner’s sugar, 4 oz. condensed milk, and 2 oz. of melted chocolate. I’m not fond of mint, but my kids are. I can’t wait to make these with them.
ScienceSparks
December 12, 2012 at 10:44 pmFantastic, thank you. x
ScienceSparks
December 13, 2012 at 1:18 pmThanks for letting me know. How did they taste?