This recipe for Easy Soft Christmas Peppermints is a beloved holiday classic, creating the most wonderfully creamy, melt-in-your-mouth candies with a crisp, refreshing peppermint flavor. This simple, no-bake recipe is incredibly easy, requiring just a handful of ingredients to make a beautiful and delicious confection. Often tinted in festive pastel colors, these mints are a staple on holiday dessert platters.
The process is as simple as mixing a stiff, sweet dough, shaping it into small patties, and letting them air dry to create a delicate outer shell that gives way to a soft, creamy center. They are a timeless, elegant, and completely irresistible treat, perfect for gifting or enjoying after a holiday meal.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- No-Bake & Incredibly Easy: A foolproof recipe that comes together in minutes with no cooking required.
- Melt-in-Your-Mouth Texture: A wonderfully soft and creamy candy with a delicate exterior.
- Perfect for the Holidays: Easily customizable with festive colors, making them perfect for Christmas parties and gifting.
- Classic & Nostalgic: A beloved, old-fashioned treat that everyone loves.
Ingredients
- 4 oz Cream Cheese, softened to room temperature
- 2 tablespoons Unsalted Butter, softened to room temperature
- 1 teaspoon Peppermint Extract
- 4 cups (about 1 lb) Powdered Sugar, sifted
- Optional: Red or green gel food coloring
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Cream the Base: In a large bowl with an electric hand mixer or in the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until completely smooth and creamy.
- Add Flavor: Beat in the peppermint extract until well combined.
- Form the Dough: With the mixer on low speed, gradually add the sifted powdered sugar, one cup at a time. The mixture will become a very stiff, thick dough.
- Color the Dough (Optional): If you want to make different colors, divide the dough into separate bowls. Add a tiny drop of gel food coloring to each bowl and knead the dough until the color is uniform.
- Shape the Mints: Take about 1 teaspoon of dough and roll it into a smooth ball. Place the ball on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Gently press the tines of a sugar-dusted fork onto the top of each ball to create a classic patty shape with a pattern.
- Dry the Mints: Let the shaped mints sit out at room temperature, uncovered, for at least 2 hours, or until the exterior is dry to the touch.
- Store: Once dried, store the mints in an airtight container.
Tips & Variations
- Pro Tip: The dough should be very stiff and not sticky. If it feels too tacky to handle, knead in a little more powdered sugar until it’s smooth and pliable like clay.
- Different Shapes: For a festive touch, press the dough balls into small, silicone candy molds that have been lightly dusted with powdered sugar.
- Chocolate Dipped: After the mints have dried, dip them halfway into melted dark or white chocolate for an extra-special treat.
- Different Flavors: You can swap the peppermint extract for wintergreen, spearmint, or even vanilla extract for a different flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- How do I store homemade peppermints?
- Store them in an airtight container, with layers separated by parchment paper, in the refrigerator. They will last for up to 2 weeks. They can also be frozen for several months.
- Why are my mints so sticky?
- The dough is likely too wet, which can happen depending on the brand of cream cheese or even the humidity in the air. Simply knead in more powdered sugar until the dough is easy to handle.
- Do I have to let them dry?
- Yes, this is an important step. It allows the mints to develop a firm outer shell that makes them easy to handle and gives them their signature melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Serving Suggestions
- These soft peppermints are a classic addition to any Christmas cookie platter or dessert table. They are also perfect for packaging in festive tins or bags to give as a thoughtful homemade gift. They make a lovely after-dinner treat to serve with coffee or hot chocolate.
Soft Christmas Peppermints
These soft, melt-in-your-mouth Christmas Peppermints—also known as Butter Mints—are a classic holiday treat! Made with butter, powdered sugar, cream, and peppermint extract, they’re easy to make, beautifully festive, and irresistibly creamy.
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Prepare a workspace lined with parchment paper, wax paper, or a baking mat. Keep extra powdered sugar nearby for dusting.
- Place room-temperature butter in a large mixing bowl and beat until light and fluffy.
- Add cream, powdered sugar, and peppermint extract to the bowl. Mix well until a firm dough forms.
- Divide the dough into two portions. Tint 1/4 of the dough red with food coloring; leave the rest white.
- Roll small ropes of each color and twist them together. Pinch off smaller sections and roll between your palms to smooth.
- Lay twisted candy ropes on wax paper to dry for 1–2 hours before cutting.
- Cut ropes into bite-sized pieces using a pizza cutter once they are slightly dry but not sticky.
- Allow candy pieces to dry for 24 hours at room temperature, then store in an airtight container. Refrigeration is optional.
Notes
For colorful variations, divide the dough into smaller portions and use different food coloring. These mints can be made ahead and stored in an airtight container for up to two weeks. For an extra smooth texture, sift the powdered sugar before mixing.
