Soft Christmas Peppermints (Old-Fashioned Butter Mints) Recipe
These Soft Christmas Peppermints, also known as Old-Fashioned Butter Mints, are a delightful holiday treat featuring a smooth, buttery texture with a refreshing peppermint flavor. Perfect for gifting or serving at festive gatherings, these mints are visually festive with classic red and white twists and are easy to make with simple ingredients.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 26 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 40-50 mints 1x
- Category: Confectionery
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Butter Mixture
- ½ cup butter, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp heavy whipping cream
- ¼ tsp peppermint extract (adjust to taste)
Coloring
- Red gel food coloring
Instructions
- Beat the Butter: In a mixing bowl, beat the softened butter until it becomes fluffy and light, which helps create a smooth texture for the mints.
- Add the Rest: Gradually mix in the heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar, and peppermint extract. Beat the mixture until it forms a firm, smooth dough that holds together well.
- Divide and Color: Separate the dough into two portions: keep three-quarters of it white, and color the remaining one-quarter with red gel food coloring to create an attractive peppermint look.
- Roll and Twist: Roll small portions of each colored dough into ropes. Twist the red and white ropes together to form the signature peppermint swirl. Pinch off small sections to shape individual mints.
- Dry and Set: Let the shaped mints air dry for 1-2 hours to firm up slightly. Then cut or pinch them into bite-sized pieces and allow them to dry for an additional 24 hours at room temperature so they set perfectly before serving.
Notes
- Adjust the peppermint extract according to your taste preference for a milder or stronger mint flavor.
- Use gel food coloring to maintain the dough’s consistency without making it too wet.
- Ensure the butter is softened but not melted for best texture in the dough.
- Allow sufficient drying time for the mints to firm up properly and avoid stickiness.
- Store mints in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks.
Keywords: Christmas peppermint mints, butter mints, old-fashioned mints, holiday candy, peppermint candy, no-bake peppermint mints
