Soft Christmas Peppermints, also called Butter Mints, are sweet little treats that melt right in your mouth. Made with simple ingredients, these creamy candies bring that perfect holiday flavor to your Christmas table.
Why You Must Try This Recipe
These mints taste just like the ones from childhood holidays. They're soft, smooth, and full of peppermint flavor. You can make them with stuff you already have in your kitchen. The red and white stripes make them look like tiny candy canes - perfect for gifts or cookie plates.
What You Need
- Butter: Use unsalted. Makes everything smooth and rich
- Powdered Sugar: Makes the mints sweet and smooth
- Heavy Cream: Gives that creamy texture
- Peppermint Extract: For that minty taste
- Red Food Coloring: To make the stripes
Steps to Make It
- Get ready:
- Cover your counter with wax paper. Keep powdered sugar nearby for sticky hands.
- Soften butter:
- Leave butter out until soft. Beat it in a big bowl until it looks fluffy and light.
- Mix wet stuff:
- Pour in the heavy cream slowly while mixing. Add peppermint extract drop by drop - you can always add more later if needed.
- Add sugar:
- Mix in powdered sugar bit by bit. Keep mixing until it feels like play dough. If it's too sticky, add more sugar.
- Split dough:
- Take out about 1/4 of the dough for the red part. Leave the rest white.
- Make red dough:
- Add red food coloring to the small piece. Mix until the color is even. Add more if you want it brighter.
- Roll ropes:
- Make a thin rope from red dough and a thicker one from white dough. Put them side by side.
- Twist them:
- Gently twist the ropes together like a candy cane. Don't squish them.
- Shape mints:
- Cut small pieces off the twisted rope. Roll each one between your hands to make it smooth.
- First dry:
- Put the mints on wax paper. Let them sit for 2 hours until they're not sticky.
- Cut them:
- Use a pizza cutter to slice the ropes into small pieces. Make them about the size of a penny.
- Final dry:
- Leave the mints out for a full day. This makes them melt in your mouth just right.
- Store:
- Put them in a container with a tight lid. They'll stay good for weeks in a cool, dry spot.
What Makes Butter Mints Special
These little candies have been around for years, making people smile at parties and holidays. They're soft and buttery, with just the right amount of mint flavor. Made with simple stuff like butter, sugar, cream, and mint, they slowly melt away in your mouth, leaving a fresh taste.
Our Holiday Version
We gave these mints a Christmas look with red and white stripes, just like candy canes. While you can find other colors in stores, these holiday colors make them perfect for Christmas plates. The strong mint flavor makes them taste just like winter treats should.
Making Your Mints
Making these mints is easy and fun. Put down some wax paper first to catch any mess. Mix soft butter with cream and sugar, then add mint flavor. Split the mix in two, make one part red, then twist the colors together like a candy cane. Let them dry before cutting into bite-size pieces.
Keeping Them Fresh
After your mints are dry and cut, put them in a container that seals tight. They stay fresh without going in the fridge. The colors stay bright and the taste stays strong, so you can enjoy them all through the holidays.
Try New Flavors
Want to mix things up? Try almond flavor for weddings or cinnamon for a spicy kick. Lemon, maple, or vanilla work great too. Press them into candy molds to make pretty shapes. Each new flavor makes these mints special in their own way.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I make them more or less minty?
Yes! Start with just a tiny bit of mint extract - maybe 1/8 spoon. Taste the mix. Add more drops until you like it. Remember, the mint gets stronger as the candy dries. Most folks like between 1/4 to 1/2 spoon for a whole batch. If you love strong mint, you can go up to 3/4 spoon.
- What if I only have regular food color?
Regular food color from the store works just fine. Start with 2-3 drops and mix well. Add more drops until you get the color you want. Liquid colors might make your mix a bit softer - if this happens, just add a little more powder sugar until it feels right. Red, green, pink, or blue - any color looks nice for your party!
- How do I keep them fresh?
Put them in a box with a tight lid once they're fully dry. If your kitchen is warm, keep them in the fridge - they'll stay fresh for 2 weeks. At room temp, they last about a week. Want to keep them longer? Freeze them! They'll keep for 3 months frozen. Just let them warm up a bit before eating.
- Can I make them without dairy?
Yes, but you'll need to adjust the mix a bit. Use plant butter (the stick kind, not tub) and coconut cream instead of heavy cream. The mix might feel different - add powder sugar slowly until it feels like soft dough. They might take an extra day to dry right, but they'll still be yummy. Some folks say almond milk works too, but it makes softer mints.
- How long till they're ready?
They need a full day (24 hours) to dry completely. After 2 hours, you can cut and shape them. But for that perfect melt-in-your-mouth feel, wait the whole day. In damp weather, they might need an extra day. Don't rush - slow-dried mints turn out best. Good candy takes patience!
Some More Ideas
- Cream Cheese Mints: Mix cream cheese, sugar, and mint for sweet bites
- Butter Cookies: Simple cookies that melt in your mouth
- Christmas Bark: White chocolate with crushed mints on top