The Magic of Soft Christmas Peppermints Recipe
Soft Christmas Peppermints are melt-in-your-mouth buttery treats with a festive red and white swirl. These homemade butter mints combine smooth powdered sugar, rich butter, and refreshing peppermint extract to create a creamy, velvety candy perfect for the holiday season. Easy to make and beautifully decorative, they are ideal for gifting or enjoying during Christmas festivities.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 24 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 60 to 70 mints depending on size 1x
- Category: Candy
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
For the Peppermint Mints
- ½ cup butter, softened to room temperature
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp heavy whipping cream
- ¼ tsp peppermint extract
- Red gel food coloring, to desired vibrancy
Instructions
- Beat the Butter: Using a hand mixer or stand mixer, beat the softened butter in a mixing bowl until light and fluffy. Incorporate air to achieve a delicate, creamy texture essential for the mints.
- Mix in the Rest: Gradually add the heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar, and peppermint extract to the butter. Continue beating until the dough becomes firm, smooth, and easy to shape without sticking to your hands.
- Divide and Color: Split the dough into two portions, reserving about ¾ as white dough and coloring the remaining ¼ with red gel food coloring to your preferred shade.
- Roll and Twist: Roll small portions of the white and red dough into thin ropes. Twist a red and white rope together gently to form the classic peppermint swirl. Pinch off small sections to create individual mints in your desired size and shape.
- Dry and Set: Allow the shaped mints to air dry for 1-2 hours to firm up slightly. Cut into bite-sized pieces if needed. For optimal texture, let the mints dry uncovered for a full 24 hours so the outside firms while keeping the inside soft and creamy.
Notes
- Make sure the butter is softened to room temperature for easy mixing.
- Adjust the amount of peppermint extract to your taste preference.
- Use gel food coloring for vibrant colors without altering the dough consistency.
- Allowing the mints to dry fully for 24 hours is key to achieving the perfect texture.
- You can shape the mints into different sizes or shapes by twisting differently or using molds.
Keywords: Christmas peppermint mints, soft butter candies, holiday peppermint candy, homemade butter mints, festive peppermint treats