I just finished making a batch of Soft Christmas Peppermints, and I’m still amazed at how beautifully they turned out! These little melt-in-your-mouth candies are buttery, creamy, and bursting with festive peppermint flavor. They remind me of the mints I used to find at weddings and holiday parties when I was younger.
Today, I decided to give my homemade version a Christmas twist, complete with classic red and white candy-cane stripes. It’s such a joy to recreate something so nostalgic and delicious. Trust me, you’ll love these colorful, sweet candies that are as fun to make as they are to eat!
Whether you’re preparing these mints for your holiday dessert table or gifting them in pretty jars, this recipe is sure to become a family favorite. Follow along as I walk you through the steps for making these delightful treats, along with helpful variations and tips to perfect your batch.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe?
1. Perfect for the Holidays
The combination of buttery sweetness and peppermint feels just right for Christmastime. These candies are not only festive in appearance but also packed with all the cozy holiday vibes. They’re bound to become a staple at your seasonal gatherings!
2. Simple and Fun to Make
With just a few ingredients and straightforward instructions, this recipe is wonderfully easy to follow. It’s a great activity to do with kids or as part of your holiday preparations. Rolling, twisting, and shaping the dough makes it a surprisingly enjoyable process.
3. Customizable to Your Preferences
Although this recipe focuses on peppermint, you can easily adapt it with other flavors, colors, and shapes to suit your personal taste or theme. Almond, vanilla, or even cinnamon mints would be a delightful twist.
4. Great for Gifting and Sharing
Pack these mints into decorative tins or jars, and you’ve got the perfect homemade gift. Their bite-sized nature also makes them great for sharing during family dinners or holiday parties. Everyone will be asking for the recipe!
5. Budget-Friendly Ingredients
You probably already have most of what you need in your kitchen. These candies use staples like butter, sugar, and cream, keeping the cost low while yielding an impressive result.
Cooking Time
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cooking Time: 0 minutes (no cooking required)
- Total Time: 30 minutes (+ drying time)
Ingredients
- Butter
- Powdered sugar
- Heavy whipping cream
- Peppermint extract
- Red gel food coloring
Variations
- Dairy-Free Version: Swap butter with a vegan butter substitute and use coconut cream instead of heavy whipping cream.
- Sugar-Free Version: Use powdered sweetener alternatives that work well in candies, such as erythritol.
- Flavor Enhancements:
- Almond, vanilla, or orange extract for a unique twist.
- Add a pinch of cinnamon or food-grade lavender for a more adventurous taste.
Equipment You’ll Need
- Mixing bowl (for combining ingredients).
- Hand mixer (for whipping butter and creating the dough).
- Parchment or wax paper (for rolling and drying the mints).
- Spatula (to scrape down the bowl).
- Rolling pin (optional, for flattening the dough).
- Knife or pizza cutter (for cutting the mints into pieces).
How to Make Soft Christmas Peppermints?
Here’s how you can create these festive, melt-in-your-mouth candies in a few simple steps! 🎄
Step 1: Prepare Your Workspace
Start by setting up a flat, clean surface for rolling the dough. Cover it with parchment paper or wax paper to avoid sticking. Keep some extra powdered sugar nearby in case the dough needs additional dusting during the process.
Step 2: Cream the Butter 🧈
Place room-temperature butter in a large mixing bowl. Using a hand mixer, beat the butter on low speed until it’s light and fluffy. This step ensures your mints will have that smooth, meltaway texture.
Step 3: Combine the Ingredients 🍭
Add powdered sugar, heavy whipping cream, and peppermint extract to the bowl. Mix well until all the ingredients come together into a firm, pliable dough. If needed, add more powdered sugar to reach the desired consistency. Be careful not to overdo the peppermint extract; it’s strong!
Step 4: Divide and Color the Dough 🌈
Split the dough into two portions. Keep one portion white, and add a few drops of red gel food coloring to the other. Knead each portion separately until the color is evenly distributed. Tip: Use gloves to avoid staining your hands with the red gel!
Step 5: Roll and Twist the Dough 🎨
Roll a small amount of the white dough into a rope-like shape. Do the same with a smaller portion of the red dough. Place them side-by-side and gently twist them together. Repeat this process with all the dough.
Step 6: Shape and Cut the Mints ✂️
Flatten the ropes slightly, then use a knife or pizza cutter to chop them into bite-sized pieces. Lay the pieces onto parchment or wax paper to begin drying.
Step 7: Dry the Mints 🌟
Leave the mints out for 24 hours to dry completely. This step is crucial to ensure they hold their shape and have a perfect texture. Once dry, use a scraper to loosen them from the paper if needed.
Tips for Making the Recipe
- Room-Temperature Butter: Make sure the butter is soft but not melted. Cold butter won’t mix well, and melted butter will ruin the consistency.
- Control the Sweetness: Taste the dough before shaping. If it’s too sweet for your liking, balance it with a minty kick by adding a drop more peppermint extract.
- Drying Is Essential: Don’t skip the 24-hour drying time. Allowing the mints to set ensures they won’t stick together when stored.
How to Serve Soft Christmas Peppermints?
Presentation is everything! Arrange your mints in a glass candy dish for a charming addition to your holiday dessert table. They also work beautifully as edible decorations when scattered around cookies or cakes. Garnish them with edible glitter or a dusting of powdered sugar for a frosty effect.
If you’re gifting them, pack the mints into decorative tins, cellophane bags, or Mason jars tied with a festive ribbon. Add a handwritten note to make the gift personal and memorable!
Make Ahead and Storage
One of the best things about these butter mints is how well they store!
- Place the dried candies in an airtight container to maintain freshness. No refrigeration is needed. Stored this way, they’ll last up to 2-3 weeks.
- If you want to prepare them ahead of time, ensure they’re completely dry before storage to avoid stickiness.
- Freezing options are not recommended, as the sugar’s texture may become grainy upon thawing.
Now that you know how to make these delightful Soft Christmas Peppermints from scratch, it’s time to roll up your sleeves and create some holiday magic in your own kitchen. Whether you make them as a tasty treat for your family or as special gifts for friends, these candies are sure to spread joy this season. Enjoy!