Homemade Conversation Hearts

I wanted something cute and fun for a Valentine's Day craft for Miss Mia.  Don't let the long length of the instructions frighten you, this is actually a very simple craft!

This was a perfect fit as she loves using her cookie cutters on her homemade play dough.  I would suggest the smaller heart cookie cutters, but I'm just a traditionalist like that!  Make certain you like sweets before making the hearts too big!

Miss Mia loves these hearts - then again, what toddler wouldn't as they are pure sugar!

Homemade Conversation Hearts
~ adapted from about.com

1 packet (1/4 oz) unflavored gelatin
1/2 cup water
2 tsp light corn syrup
2 lbs powdered sugar (I highly suggest 2 lbs plus another 1 lb reserve)
flavor extract(s)
food coloring(s)
heart shaped cutter(s)

Place the corn syrup, gelatin, and water in a small microwave-safe bowl. Stir until the gelatin is well-distributed.  Microwave the mixture for 30 seconds, so the gelatin dissolves, and stir well.


Pour the gelatin mixture into the bowl of a large stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment.  Add 1 cup of powdered sugar and turn the mixer to low, mixing until the sugar is incorporated. Once the sugar is mixed in, add another cup of sugar, again mixing on low until it liquefies. Continue to add the remaining powdered sugar, one cup at a time, pausing in between additions to allow the sugar to mix in, until the full two pounds of powdered sugar is added. Periodically, stop the mixer and scrape down the bottom and sides of the bowl. The candy will progress from a thin, watery liquid to a very stiff dough.  (Be careful - your mixer motor may get a little unhappy on low when the candy turns into the very stiff dough!)

Once all of the sugar is incorporated, dust a work surface (counter or large cutting board) with powdered sugar and scrape the candy out onto the work surface. The candy will be very sticky and stiff.  (This is a FANTASTIC workout - the candy will come out of the bowl, just be prepared to work for that outcome!)!

Generously dust the top of the ball of candy with powdered sugar, and begin to knead the candy like bread dough: fold the ball of dough over onto itself, then use the heel of your hand to push it down. Give the candy a quarter-turn, and repeat the process, dusting it with more powdered sugar as often as necessary to prevent it from sticking to the board or your hands.  (I used a LOT of powdered sugar during this process; this is why I would suggest an additional pound of powdered sugar).  

Knead until the candy is satiny and not sticky. Once finished, your candy should be entirely smooth.(Honestly, this doesn't take long and your hands will not be an overly gooey, sticky mess.)   


Decide how many colors/flavors of conversation hearts you want to make, and divide the candy dough into that many portions. To flavor and color the candy, take one of the balls and flatten it into a palm-sized disc. Add a few drops of food coloring and flavoring extract to the center of the disc.  Fold the disc over on itself, enclosing the coloring and flavoring in the center. It is a good idea to wear disposable plastic gloves during this step to keep your hands free of colors and odors.  (Or, just get to it as it'll take awhile to get that color throughout . . .  although the tie dye look is also really pretty!  Honestly, I didn't use gloves.  The food coloring washed right off after each disc was colored and flavored).

Knead the dough ball, just as you did before, until the color is evenly dispersed throughout the candy, and all streaks have disappeared.  Repeat this process with remaining candy balls and colors/flavors, until all of your candy is colored and flavored. 

Dust your work surface and a rolling pin with powdered sugar, and roll out one of the candy balls to

1/4" or a little thicker.  (Ensure your dough does not dry out by covering remaining balls in plastic wrap while rolling and cutting out your hearts).

Use heart-shaped cutters to cut hearts out of the rolled candy, and transfer the hearts to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Once you have cut out your hearts, you can re-roll the scraps to get more shapes out of the candy.  (As dough will start to dry out, be certain to move your cut out hearts immediately to the parchment paper.  Do not go pick up your baby and have some cuddles while cut out hearts sit on your work surface!)

Repeat with remaining candy balls.  (We made some marbled ones at the end, by kneading the leftovers of the four colors we'd chosen.  Only do this if the flavors you've chosen are compatible.)

Let the hearts dry for at least 24 hours prior to decorating or be like us and just enjoy plain, undecorated hearts.

Store your conversation hearts in an airtight container at room temperature. While they technically last a very long time, their texture does get harder over time.