The Magic of Soft Christmas Peppermints Recipe
These Soft Christmas Peppermints are a delightful holiday treat featuring a creamy, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Made with butter, powdered sugar, heavy cream, and peppermint extract, they are beautifully swirled with festive red and white colors, perfect for gifting or enjoying at holiday gatherings.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 24 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: About 40-50 mints 1x
- Category: Candy
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Base Dough
- ½ cup butter, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp heavy whipping cream
- ¼ tsp peppermint extract
Coloring
- Red gel food coloring
Instructions
- Beat the Butter: Start by beating the softened butter in a mixing bowl using a hand or stand mixer until it becomes light and fluffy. This incorporates air, giving the mints a delicate and 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 becomes firm yet smooth, balancing softness and firmness for easy shaping.
- Divide and Color: Divide the dough into two parts, leaving ¾ of it white. Add red gel food coloring to the remaining ¼, mixing until the color is evenly distributed to your preferred vibrancy.
- Roll and Twist: Roll small portions of each dough color into thin ropes. Twist together one red and one white rope to create a swirled peppermint effect. Pinch off small sections to form individual mints, customizing shapes and sizes as desired.
- Dry and Set: Let the shaped mints air dry for 1–2 hours to firm up slightly. Cut into bite-sized pieces and then allow them to dry for a full 24 hours before serving. This drying step ensures a soft, creamy inside with a firm exterior.
Notes
- Use softened butter for easy mixing and best texture.
- Adjust peppermint extract to your taste preference for mintiness.
- Red gel food coloring helps achieve vibrant colors without altering the dough consistency.
- Allowing the mints to dry for a full 24 hours improves their texture dramatically.
- Store the finished mints in an airtight container to keep them fresh.
Keywords: Christmas peppermint mints, soft peppermint candy, holiday candy, festive peppermint, no-bake peppermint mints
