Soft Christmas Peppermints (Easy Butter Mints) Recipe
Introduction
Soft Christmas Peppermints, also known as Easy Butter Mints, are a delightful holiday treat that melts in your mouth. These colorful, creamy candies are perfect for gifting or enjoying at home. With simple ingredients and no baking required, they’re a fun project for the whole family.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
- 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract (more or less to taste)
- Red coloring gel or food coloring
Instructions
- Step 1: Prepare your work surface by laying down parchment paper, waxed paper, or a baking mat. Keep extra powdered sugar nearby for rolling.
- Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, beat the room temperature butter until it becomes light and fluffy.
- Step 3: Add the heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar, and peppermint extract to the butter.
- Step 4: Mix thoroughly until the dough reaches a firm consistency.
- Step 5: Divide the dough into two parts. Tint about 1/4 of it red using the coloring gel, and leave the remaining 3/4 white. Shape each color into a ball and set aside.
- Step 6: Roll small portions of each dough into ropes, placing a thinner red rope alongside a thicker white rope.
- Step 7: Twist the red and white ropes together gently.
- Step 8: Pinch sections off the twisted rope and roll each piece between your palms to smooth it out.
- Step 9: Lay the twisted ropes of candy on your prepared paper to dry.
- Step 10: After about one to two hours, when the candy is less sticky, cut the ropes into pieces using a pizza cutter.
- Step 11: Let the candy dry completely by leaving it out for 24 hours.
- Step 12: Once dry, transfer the candy to an airtight container for storage.
Tips & Variations
- Use a piping bag to create uniform ropes if you want perfectly shaped candies.
- Adjust the peppermint extract to your taste for a stronger or milder flavor.
- Try different food coloring combinations for a festive twist beyond the traditional red and white.
- If the dough feels too sticky to work with, sprinkle a little powdered sugar on your hands and workspace.
Storage
Store these mints in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks. Refrigeration is optional but can help keep them firm. When ready to serve, let refrigerated candies sit at room temperature for a few minutes to soften slightly.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use another flavor instead of peppermint?
Yes, you can substitute peppermint extract with other extracts like vanilla, almond, or lemon to create different flavor varieties.
Do I need to refrigerate the butter mints?
Refrigeration is not necessary, but you can refrigerate them if you prefer a firmer texture or if your kitchen is warm.
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Soft Christmas Peppermints (Easy Butter Mints) Recipe
- Total Time: 25 minutes prep + 24 hours drying
- Yield: Approximately 40–50 mints 1x
Description
Delight in these Soft Christmas Peppermints, also known as Easy Butter Mints, perfect for holiday gifting or festive treats. Creamy, buttery, and infused with refreshing peppermint flavor, these mints are easy to make with simple ingredients and require no baking. Their cheerful red and white twisted design adds a charming touch to your holiday table.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter, room temperature
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
- 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract (more or less to taste)
- Red coloring gel or food coloring
Instructions
- Prepare your workspace: Lay down parchment paper, waxed paper, or a baking mat to work on. Keep extra powdered sugar nearby for rolling the dough if it gets sticky.
- Beat the butter: Place the room temperature butter into a large mixing bowl and use a mixer to beat it until light and fluffy, making sure it’s smooth and creamy.
- Add remaining ingredients: Incorporate the heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar, and peppermint extract into the butter. Mix thoroughly until the dough forms a firm consistency.
- Divide and color the dough: Separate the dough into two portions. Color about 1/4 of the dough red with the coloring gel, leaving the remaining 3/4 white. Roll each portion into a ball and set aside.
- Form the peppermint ropes: Take small amounts from each colored ball and roll them into ropes—use a thinner rope for red and a thicker one for white.
- Twist together: Place a red rope alongside a white rope and twist them gently together to create the classic peppermint swirl look.
- Shape the candy pieces: Pinch off small sections of the twisted rope, then roll them between your palms to smooth out.
- Dry the twisted ropes: Lay the twisted ropes on the prepared wax paper and allow them to dry for about 1 to 2 hours. This helps reduce stickiness.
- Cut into pieces: After drying, use a pizza cutter to slice the ropes into bite-sized peppermint pieces. Waiting until the candy is less sticky makes cutting easier.
- Final drying: Leave the cut pieces out on the wax paper for 24 hours to fully dry and firm up.
- Store the mints: Once dried, place the candies in an airtight container. They do not require refrigeration but can be refrigerated if preferred for longer freshness.
Notes
- Room temperature butter is essential for achieving the right smooth and fluffy texture.
- Adjust peppermint extract quantity to your taste preference for stronger or milder flavor.
- If the dough is too sticky, add more powdered sugar gradually until firm enough to handle.
- Use gel food coloring for more vibrant colors without altering the dough’s consistency.
- Keep the candies in a cool, dry place to maintain their soft texture.
- You can experiment with different colors and flavors to personalize your butter mints.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Candy
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: butter mints, peppermint candy, soft peppermint, holiday candy, Christmas mints, easy butter mints, no bake candy
