The Magic of Soft Christmas Peppermints Recipe
These Soft Christmas Peppermints offer a delightful melt-in-your-mouth texture combined with a creamy, velvety peppermint flavor. Perfectly swirled with festive red and white colors, these homemade mints are an easy and charming holiday treat that will impress family and friends with their smooth sweetness and delicate texture.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 0 mins
- Total Time: 24 hours 15 mins
- Yield: About 60 small mints 1x
- Category: Candy/Sweets
- Method: No-bake mixing and shaping
- Cuisine: American Holiday
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- ½ cup butter, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp heavy whipping cream
- ¼ tsp peppermint extract
Coloring
- Red gel food coloring, as needed
Instructions
- Beat the Butter: Start by beating the softened butter in a mixing bowl with a hand mixer or stand mixer until it becomes light and fluffy. This step incorporates air which gives the mints their delicate, creamy texture.
- Mix in the Rest: Gradually add the heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar, and peppermint extract to the butter. Continue beating until the dough is firm and smooth, striking a balance between softness and firmness for easy shaping without sticking.
- Divide and Color: Divide the dough into two portions, keeping about ¾ white and coloring the remaining ¼ with red gel food coloring. Adjust the amount of coloring to achieve the desired vibrancy.
- Roll and Twist: Roll small portions of the white and red dough into thin ropes. Twist one red rope and one white rope together to create the classic peppermint swirl. Pinch off small sections to form individual mints.
- Dry and Set: Let the shaped mints air dry for 1-2 hours to firm slightly. After shaping, cut into bite-sized pieces if needed. For best texture, allow the mints to dry for a full 24 hours before serving to achieve a firm exterior and soft, creamy interior.
Notes
- Ensure the butter is fully softened to room temperature for easy mixing and the best texture.
- Use powdered sugar to get a smooth, creamy consistency that’s essential for soft mints.
- Adjust peppermint extract amount to control minty intensity based on preference.
- Red gel food coloring is preferred for vivid color without affecting texture.
- Allow full 24-hour drying time for optimal firmness and softness balance.
- Store mints in an airtight container to maintain freshness and texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 pieces (about 15g)
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 15mg
- Fat: 3g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 0.2g
- Cholesterol: 8mg
Keywords: soft peppermint mints, Christmas candy recipe, homemade peppermint candy, melt-in-mouth mints, holiday treats, peppermint twists
