Soft Christmas Peppermints
Old-Fashioned Butter Mints
Celebrate the festive spirit with these homemade Soft Christmas Peppermints! A delightful, old-fashioned treat that melts in your mouth, perfect for holiday gifting or decorating your dessert table.
Ingredients:
½ cup butter, softened
3 cups powdered sugar
2 tbsp heavy whipping cream
¼ tsp peppermint extract (adjust to taste)
Red gel food coloring
Instructions:
Whip the Butter:
In a mixing bowl, whip the softened butter until light and fluffy to create a smooth base.
Mix Ingredients:
Gradually add heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar, and peppermint extract to the butter. Continue to beat until the mixture becomes firm, smooth, and manageable.
Color and Shape:
Divide the dough into two parts: three-quarters remain white, and one-quarter colored with red gel food coloring. Roll each part into long, thin ropes.
Twist the white and red ropes together to create a candy cane effect. Cut into small pieces or pinch off to form individual mints.
Dry and Set:
Allow the mints to air dry for 1-2 hours until the surface firms up. Cut into bite-sized pieces if needed and let them dry for an additional 24 hours to fully set.
Quick Facts:
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Servings: Makes about 40 mints
Calories: Approx. 60 kcal per mint
Serve these charming Soft Christmas Peppermints as a sweet finale to your holiday feast or package them beautifully for a thoughtful homemade gift.
Soft Christmas Peppermints are a nostalgic holiday candy that combines rich buttery texture with refreshing peppermint flavor. These treats stand out because they are soft and melt in your mouth, unlike the typical hard peppermint candies. Using simple ingredients such as softened butter, powdered sugar, heavy whipping cream, and peppermint extract, these mints are easy to prepare at home. To perfect your peppermint mints, start by whipping the butter until it's light and fluffy, which creates a smooth base for mixing. Gradually incorporate powdered sugar and heavy cream while adding peppermint extract to taste. The mixture should become firm yet pliable enough to shape. A festive touch comes from coloring a portion of the dough with red gel food coloring and then twisting it with the uncolored portion to mimic the appearance of candy canes. After shaping, letting the mints air dry is essential to develop the right texture — this drying phase usually takes about 24 hours for best results. Besides being a tasty treat, these mints make thoughtful homemade gifts packaged in decorative tins or boxes tied with holiday ribbons. They also add charm as edible decorations on dessert tables. When making peppermint mints, ensure the powdered sugar is well sifted to avoid graininess, and tweak peppermint extract quantity based on your preferred flavor intensity. Variations can include adding crushed peppermint candies on top or mixing in flavor extracts like vanilla or almond for unique twists. This recipe yields approximately 40 mints with an average of 60 calories each, making it a reasonable indulgence during holiday celebrations. Overall, these Soft Christmas Peppermints are an old-fashioned holiday delight that blends traditional sweetness with a cozy, homemade touch—a perfect way to celebrate the season with family and friends.