Description
These Soft Christmas Peppermints, also known as Easy Butter Mints, are a festive, melt-in-your-mouth treat perfect for holiday gatherings. Made with butter, powdered sugar, and peppermint extract, these buttery candies are subtly flavored with peppermint and colored red and white for a classic Christmas look. They require no baking and simply need to dry before serving, making them an easy and delightful homemade holiday candy.
Ingredients
Scale
Butter Mints Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter, room temperature
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
- 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract (adjust to taste)
- Red coloring gel or food coloring
Instructions
- Prepare workspace: Line a clean surface with parchment paper, waxed paper, or a baking mat. Keep extra powdered sugar nearby for rolling the dough.
- Cream the butter: Place the room temperature butter in a large mixing bowl and beat until light and fluffy, creating a smooth base for the mints.
- Add ingredients: Add the heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar, and peppermint extract to the butter. Mix well until the dough forms a firm consistency suitable for shaping.
- Divide and color dough: Split the dough into two portions. Color one quarter with red coloring gel; leave the remaining three quarters white. Form both into balls and set aside.
- Form ropes: Roll small portions of the red dough into thin ropes and the white dough into thicker ropes. Place a red rope alongside a white rope.
- Twist ropes: Twist the red and white ropes together to create a festive striped candy rope.
- Shape the mints: Pinch off smaller sections from the twisted rope. Roll each section between your palms to smooth and shape the candy.
- Dry the ropes: Lay the twisted ropes on wax paper and allow them to dry for 1–2 hours, so they aren’t too sticky for cutting.
- Cut into pieces: Using a pizza cutter, slice the ropes into bite-sized pieces once partially dried.
- Complete drying: Leave the cut pieces out at room temperature for 24 hours to fully dry and set.
- Store the candy: After drying, store the butter mints in an airtight container at room temperature. Refrigeration is optional but not necessary.
Notes
- Homemade butter mints store well and remain fresh for 2–3 weeks when kept in an airtight container at room temperature after fully drying.
- Allowing the candy to dry completely ensures the best firm texture; without drying, they can be sticky and soft.
- Adjust the peppermint extract amount to preferred strength for flavor.
- Use a pizza cutter for clean, even slices of the candy ropes.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece (approx. 3 g)
- Calories: 30
- Sugar: 4.5 g
- Sodium: 5 mg
- Fat: 1.3 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 4.7 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 0.1 g
- Cholesterol: 5 mg
