Christmas is a time of joy, warmth, and sweet treats. One of the most beloved confections of the holiday season is the peppermint candy. Soft Christmas Peppermints, or Easy Butter Mints, bring that festive spirit right into your kitchen. These delightful little candies are not only easy to make but also delicious and fun to eat. Whether you are preparing for a holiday party, looking for a treat for yourself, or wanting to give a sweet gift, this recipe will surely delight you and those around you.
Making your own soft peppermint mints allows you to customize them to your taste. You can adjust the peppermint flavor, make them as colorful as you like, and enjoy the pride of creating something homemade. Plus, these mints are great for keeping your breath fresh during those festive gatherings full of rich food and holiday treats.
How to make Soft Christmas Peppermints
Making these Soft Christmas Peppermints is simple and straightforward. With just a few ingredients and a bit of time, you can create a wonderful batch of soft, melt-in-your-mouth mints that are sure to impress.
Ingredients :
½ cup butter, room temperature
4 cups powdered sugar
2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
¼ teaspoon peppermint extract (adjust to taste)
Red coloring gel or food coloring
Directions :
Set up a clean work area using parchment paper, waxed paper, or a baking mat to work on. Make sure to keep some extra powdered sugar handy for rolling.
Place the room temperature butter in a large mixing bowl. Beat it until it becomes light and fluffy, creating a smooth base for the candy dough.
Mix in the heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar, and peppermint extract thoroughly until you achieve a firm dough consistency.
Split the dough into two portions. Tint one-quarter of it with red coloring gel and leave the remaining three-quarters white.
Shape each portion into balls and set them aside, preparing for twisting.
Roll smaller ropes of red dough alongside thicker ropes of white dough. Twist the two ropes together gently to create a festive candy swirl.
Pinch off smaller pieces from the twisted ropes and roll them between your palms to smooth and shape each candy piece.
Lay the twisted ropes or shaped pieces on wax paper and let them dry for about 1 to 2 hours until they are less sticky.
Using a pizza cutter, slice the ropes into individual pieces. Cutting is best after the candy is less sticky, but you can do it immediately if preferred.
Allow the cut candies to dry at room temperature for 24 hours to harden completely.
Store the fully dried candies in an airtight container at room temperature. Refrigeration is optional but not necessary.
Nutrimed benefits
While these Soft Christmas Peppermints are a holiday treat, they offer a little more than simple sweetness. There are some benefits to the main ingredients:
Butter: Provides fat that contributes to the soft, creamy texture of the mints.
Powdered Sugar: While higher in carbohydrates, it offers a quick energy boost for festive gatherings.
Peppermint Extract: Not only gives flavor but also can aid digestion and provide a refreshing sensation.
Cream: Helps create a rich texture in the final product.
Enjoying these mints in moderation can be a nice treat that adds a bit of joy to your holiday festivities!
What to Serve With Soft Christmas Peppermints
These Soft Christmas Peppermints can be served in various ways. They go well with:
Coffee or Tea: Their minty flavor pairs wonderfully with warm drinks.
Dessert Platters: Include them in holiday dessert platters for a pop of color and flavor.
Gift Baskets: Wrap them up as a sweet gift for friends and family.
Holiday Parties: Serve them as a minty treat alongside richer desserts.
Why You’ll Love This
Simple Process: The recipe is straightforward, making it accessible for beginners.
Customizable Flavors: Adjust the peppermint flavor and colors to suit your taste.
Perfect for Gift-Giving: These candies look beautiful and make wonderful gifts.
Fun Family Activity: Making these mints can be a delightful family activity during the holiday season.
How to store Soft Christmas Peppermints
Storing your Soft Christmas Peppermints is easy. Once they have dried completely, place them in an airtight container at room temperature. This helps them maintain their soft, chewy texture.
If you prefer, you can also refrigerate them, but this is not necessary. Just make sure they do not come into contact with moisture to avoid stickiness.
Tips and mistakes to avoid
Use Room Temperature Butter: It’s important that your butter is at room temperature for easy mixing. Cold butter can make the dough difficult to blend.
Don’t Overmix: Overmixing can result in a different texture. Mix until just combined after adding the powdered sugar.
Extra Powdered Sugar: Keep extra powdered sugar handy when rolling the dough to prevent stickiness.
Experiment with Shapes: Feel free to get creative with the shapes and sizes of your mints.
Variation
You can experiment with different flavorings and colors if you want to mix things up! Consider trying:
Chocolate Mint: Add cocoa powder to the dough for a chocolatey twist.
Different Colors: Use different food colorings or even add sprinkles to the mints.
Flavor Mixes: Combine peppermint with vanilla or almond extract for a unique flavor.
FAQs
Can I use margarine instead of butter?
Yes, you can use margarine, but it may change the flavor slightly. Butter gives the best texture and flavor.
How long do the Soft Christmas Peppermints last?
When stored in an airtight container, these mints can last for several weeks. However, they are best enjoyed within 1-2 weeks for optimal freshness.
Can I freeze these mints?
While it’s not common to freeze these mints, you could freeze them if you want to preserve them longer. Just make sure they are in an airtight container to prevent freezer burn.
Can I make these without peppermint extract?
Absolutely! You can substitute with other flavor extracts, like vanilla, almond, or even citrus flavors. Just adjust to taste.
These Soft Christmas Peppermints are a delightful addition to your holiday traditions. They are a wonderful way to spread holiday cheer, share with loved ones, or enjoy all by yourself. So gather your ingredients, roll up your sleeves, and get ready to make this festive treat!
These Soft Christmas Peppermints, or Easy Butter Mints, are simple to make and perfect for holiday gifting or parties, offering a delightful and customizable treat.
Ingredients
Scale
½ cup butter, room temperature
4 cups powdered sugar
2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
¼ teaspoon peppermint extract (adjust to taste)
Red coloring gel or food coloring
Instructions
Set up a clean work area using parchment paper, waxed paper, or a baking mat. Keep extra powdered sugar handy for rolling.
Place the room temperature butter in a large mixing bowl and beat until light and fluffy.
Mix in heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar, and peppermint extract until you achieve a firm dough consistency.
Split the dough into two portions. Tint one-quarter of it with red coloring gel and leave the remaining three-quarters white.
Shape each portion into balls and set aside.
Roll smaller ropes of red dough alongside thicker ropes of white dough; twist them together to create a candy swirl.
Pinch off small pieces from the twisted ropes and roll them into smooth candy pieces.
Lay the twisted ropes or shaped pieces on wax paper and let them dry for about 1 to 2 hours.
Using a pizza cutter, slice the ropes into individual pieces, allowing them to dry at room temperature for 24 hours to harden completely.
Store the candies in an airtight container. Refrigeration is optional.
Notes
Use room temperature butter for easier mixing and avoid overmixing to maintain the desired texture.