The Bavarian Mints: A Sweet Mystery Unveiled

Bavarian mints are bite-sized chocolate squares with a mint flavour. They are creamy in taste and texture and are thicker and cube-shaped, unlike thin mints. The most popular Bavarian mints were manufactured by the House of Bauer, which was later sold and the original recipes were ditched. However, the mints are still in production and can be purchased online or in select stores.

The House of Bauer: Original Manufacturer of Bavarian Mints

Bavarian mints are bite-sized chocolate squares with a refreshing mint flavour. They are known for their soft, creamy texture and are often described as a cross between fudge and thin mints. While homemade recipes vary, the key ingredients include chocolate, sweetened condensed milk, peppermint flavouring, butter, and vanilla extract.

The House of Bauer, founded by Ray Bauer, was the original manufacturer of Bavarian Mints. Located in Lincoln, Nebraska, the company prided itself on its handcrafted, hand-dipped chocolates. The signature Bauer Bavarian Mint was a cube-shaped candy with a creamy milk chocolate and mint filling, coated in a thin layer of dark chocolate. The mints were carefully crafted, with each candy being handled, inspected, and trimmed by hand before packaging.

The House of Bauer gained popularity not only in Nebraska but throughout the Midwest. Their reputation extended beyond the region, as they sent boxes of their mints to the White House and received complimentary letters from several presidents.

However, the ownership of the company changed hands multiple times. Ray Bauer sold the business, and subsequent owners chose to automate the candy-making process, discarding the original recipes. Unfortunately, this venture was not successful, and the company eventually failed and ceased to exist.

Despite the demise of the original House of Bauer, the legacy of their Bavarian Mints lives on. The original recipe has been relaunched by Supreme Chocolatier, based in Staten Island, New York. Supreme Chocolatier, a family-owned business since 1911, has retained the classic combination of chocolate and mint that made the original Bauer mints so popular. The mints are now available in three flavours: Bavarian Mint Milk Chocolate Meltaways, Bavarian Mint Dark Chocolate Meltaways, and Bavarian Hazelnut Meltaways.

Homemade Bavarian Mints: Ingredients and Recipe

If you're a fan of the refreshing, sweet treat that is a Bavarian mint, you may have noticed that they seem to have disappeared from stores. But fear not! You can easily make your own homemade Bavarian mints. So, what exactly are Bavarian mints, and why have they seemingly vanished from existence?

Bavarian mints are a type of candy that originated in Germany. They are small, round mints with a smooth, creamy texture and a refreshing flavor. They are typically made with peppermint or spearmint and coated in a thin layer of chocolate. These mints were popular for their refreshing taste and were often enjoyed after a meal as a digestive aid or simply as a delicious treat. The disappearance of Bavarian mints seems to be a result of the company that produced them, Bavarian Mint Company, going out of business. However, the legacy of these mints lives on, and you can still enjoy them by making them yourself!

Now, let's get to the fun part: making your own homemade Bavarian mints! Here's what you'll need and a step-by-step guide to creating these delightful treats.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup (115g) butter, softened
• 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup (60ml) water
• 1/2 teaspoon peppermint or spearmint extract (adjust to your taste preference)
• 2 cups (240g) confectioners' sugar, sifted
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup (75g) all-purpose flour
• 4 ounces (115g) semi-sweet chocolate, melted

Optional:

• A few drops of green food coloring (for a traditional mint color)
• Additional confectioners' sugar for rolling the mints in

Instructions:

• In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This will form the base of your mint filling.
• Add the water and your chosen mint extract to the butter-sugar mixture, mixing until well combined. You can adjust the amount of mint extract to your taste, adding a little more or less to suit your preference.
• In a separate bowl, whisk together the confectioners' sugar, salt, and flour. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, blending until everything is well incorporated and you have a smooth, minty dough. If you'd like to add a few drops of green food coloring to achieve that iconic mint color, do so now and mix until the color is evenly distributed.
• Shape the dough into small balls, about 3/4 inch in diameter. You can use a small cookie scoop or teaspoon for this step. Place the balls onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving a little space between each mint as they will expand slightly during the next step.
• Place the tray of mints in the freezer for about 15 minutes to firm up. This will make them easier to handle when coating in chocolate.
• Melt your semi-sweet chocolate in the microwave or over a double boiler. Dip each mint into the melted chocolate, using a fork to turn them and allow the excess chocolate to drip back into the bowl. Place the chocolate-coated mints back onto the lined baking sheet.
• If desired, sprinkle the mints with a little confectioners' sugar while the chocolate is still wet, giving them that classic Bavarian mint look.
• Place the finished mints in the refrigerator to set completely, which should take about 30 minutes.
• Store your homemade Bavarian mints in an airtight container in the refrigerator, where they will keep for up to 2 weeks.

Enjoy your homemade version of this classic treat, and impress your friends and family with your culinary skills!

Where to Buy Bavarian Mints: Online and In-Store

Bavarian mints are bite-sized chocolate squares with a refreshing mint flavour. They are soft and creamy, with a melt-in-your-mouth texture. You can either make them at home or buy them from a store.

If you want to buy Bavarian mints, you can find them at Walgreens. You can also try contacting the House of Bauer in Staten Island, New York, which is the original manufacturer of Bavarian mints. They may be able to provide information on where to purchase their product. Additionally, you can try searching for them in local candy stores or grocery stores, as some chocolate manufacturers produce Bavarian mints.

If you're feeling adventurous, you can make your own Bavarian mints at home! All you need are some simple ingredients and a bit of time. Here's a basic recipe to get you started:

Ingredients:

• Milk chocolate chips
• Unsweetened chocolate
• Butter
• Condensed milk
• Peppermint extract
• Vanilla extract

Method:

• Line an 8x8-inch baking dish with parchment paper or aluminium foil, leaving a bit of overhang for easy lifting.
• Grease the foil with butter.
• Melt the milk chocolate chips, unsweetened chocolate, and butter in a saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly.
• Turn off the heat and add the condensed milk, peppermint extract, and vanilla extract, stirring to combine.
• Beat the mixture with an electric mixer, starting at low speed and gradually increasing to high, for a total of 3 minutes.
• Chill the mixture in the refrigerator for 15 minutes, taking it out every 5 minutes to whisk by hand.
• Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it evenly.
• Refrigerate until firm, which will take about 2 hours.
• Lift the firm mixture out of the dish using the overhangs and cut it into 1/2-inch squares.

There you have it! Your very own homemade Bavarian mints to enjoy or gift to your loved ones.

The Sale of Bavarian Mints: Past and Present

Bavarian mints, a type of candy that melts in your mouth, are bite-sized chocolate squares with a mint taste. They are creamy in texture and taste, with a perfect balance of mint and chocolate flavouring. Manufactured Bavarian mints come in milk or dark chocolate varieties, while homemade recipes can include any variety of chocolate and generally call for the inclusion of sweetened condensed milk.

The House of Bauer, founded by Ray Bauer, was the original manufacturer of Bavarian mints. The company was first based in Lincoln, Nebraska, and later moved to Staten Island, New York. The mints were a favourite in Nebraska and the Midwest. They were so popular that boxes of the candies were sent to the White House every year, and the company received complimentary letters from many presidents.

In 1968, Ray Bauer sold the House of Bauer to someone whose family member posted about the sale on a forum in 2013. The new owner kept the original recipes and continued the tradition of handmade, hand-dipped chocolates, growing the business. However, when this owner sold the business, the next owner did not keep the original recipes and turned the company into an automated candy manufacturing plant, which eventually failed.

Despite this setback, the House of Bauer brand and its Bavarian mints are still in production today. Supreme Chocolatier, a family-owned business in operation since 1911, has re-launched the product with the original recipe. The mints are now manufactured under the House of Bauer brand name and can be purchased on the Supreme Chocolatier website.

The Texture and Taste of Bavarian Mints

Bavarian mints are bite-sized chocolate squares with a minty flavour. They are thicker than thin mints and usually cube-shaped. They are creamy in texture and taste, and melt in your mouth. The chocolate and mint flavours are well-balanced, with the mint being distinct but not overpowering.

Manufactured Bavarian mints typically come in milk or dark chocolate varieties, while homemade recipes can vary. The most consistent ingredients in Bavarian mints are chocolate, sweetened condensed milk, peppermint flavouring, butter, and vanilla extract. The process of making Bavarian mints involves melting the ingredients in a double boiler and then pouring the mixture into a pan to cool and set before cutting it into small squares.

The House of Bauer, founded by Emmanuel Katsoris, is known for its original Bavarian Mint Meltaways. These mints have a rich, smooth, creamy centre and are surrounded by milk or dark chocolate. The House of Bauer's mints have a soft, subtle texture that melts in your mouth.

Bavarian mints can also be made at home, with recipes available online and in cookbooks. Homemade mints can be customised to individual taste preferences, such as using different types of chocolate or adding extra ingredients like mini chocolate chips or crushed peppermint candies. The most challenging part of making Bavarian mints at home is waiting for the mixture to set before enjoying the soft, creamy, melt-in-your-mouth treats.

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