Soft Christmas Peppermints (Old-Fashioned Butter Mints) Recipe

Introduction

Soft Christmas Peppermints, also known as Old-Fashioned Butter Mints, are a sweet and creamy holiday treat that’s easy to make at home. These melt-in-your-mouth candies carry a refreshing peppermint flavor, perfect for gifting or enjoying with family and friends.

Ingredients

• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• ¼ cup sweetened condensed milk
• 4 cups powdered sugar (plus extra if needed)
• 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
• Pinch of salt
• Red food coloring (optional, for swirl or tint)
• Granulated sugar (for rolling)

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a mixing bowl, beat the softened butter until light and creamy.
2. Step 2: Add sweetened condensed milk, peppermint extract, and a pinch of salt. Mix well to combine.
3. Step 3: Gradually incorporate the powdered sugar, mixing until a soft, non-sticky dough forms. Add extra powdered sugar if the dough feels too sticky.
4. Step 4: If desired, divide the dough and add red food coloring to portions. Swirl the colored and plain doughs together gently for a festive look.
5. Step 5: Shape the dough into small balls or discs, then roll each piece in granulated sugar to give a sparkling finish.
6. Step 6: Place the mints on parchment paper and let them air dry for about 1 hour to firm up slightly. Store in an airtight container afterward.

Tips & Variations

• For a stronger peppermint flavor, add a little more peppermint extract to taste, but avoid overdoing it as it can become overpowering.
• Use gel food coloring for more vibrant colors without affecting the dough’s texture.
• Roll mints in colored sugar for a bright holiday twist.
• If the dough becomes too stiff, soften it slightly by kneading in a few drops of sweetened condensed milk.

Storage

Store these butter mints in an airtight container at room temperature. They will keep well for up to two weeks. To refresh the texture before serving, allow them to sit at room temperature for a few minutes if they feel too firm.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?

It’s best to use unsalted butter to control the salt level, but if you only have salted butter, reduce or omit the added pinch of salt to avoid making the mints too salty.

How do I make the peppermint mints festive with swirls?

Simply divide the dough, tint one portion with red food coloring, then gently combine them without fully mixing. This creates a pretty swirl effect once shaped.

Soft Christmas Peppermints (Old-Fashioned Butter Mints) Recipe

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This Soft Christmas Peppermints recipe, also known as Old-Fashioned Butter Mints, is a nostalgic and festive treat perfect for the holiday season. Made with creamy butter, sweetened condensed milk, and peppermint extract, these melt-in-your-mouth candies are easy to prepare and customizable with optional red food coloring for a classic Christmas look.

• Author: mia
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: About 60 small mints 1x
• Category: Candy
• Method: No-Cook
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Base Ingredients

• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• ¼ cup sweetened condensed milk
• 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
• Pinch of salt

Sweeteners and Flavorings

• 4 cups powdered sugar (plus extra if needed)
• Red food coloring (optional, for swirl or tint)
• Granulated sugar (for rolling)

Instructions

1. Beat Butter: In a mixing bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter until it becomes light and creamy, which provides the perfect base texture for the mints.
2. Add Wet Ingredients: Incorporate the sweetened condensed milk, peppermint extract, and a pinch of salt into the creamed butter, mixing well to combine all flavors evenly.
3. Mix in Sugar: Gradually add the powdered sugar to the mixture, stirring continuously until a soft, non-sticky dough forms. Add a little extra powdered sugar if the dough is too sticky to handle comfortably.
4. Add Color (Optional): If desired, divide the dough into portions and add red food coloring to one or more sections. Swirl them gently together for a festive two-tone peppermint effect.
5. Shape Mints: Roll the dough into small balls or flatten into discs. Then roll each piece in granulated sugar to give the mints a sparkling finish.
6. Dry Mints: Place the formed mints on parchment paper and allow them to air dry for 1 hour. This helps the surface to firm slightly, perfecting their texture.
7. Store: Keep the mints in an airtight container to maintain freshness and softness until ready to serve.

Notes

• If the dough feels too sticky, add powdered sugar gradually, but be careful not to add too much or the mints will become too dry.
• For variations, try adding a few drops of other food colorings or flavor extracts.
• Storing in a cool, dry place will help preserve the texture and flavor of the mints.
• This recipe does not require baking or cooking, making it a quick and easy homemade candy option.

Keywords: Christmas peppermint mints, butter mints, old-fashioned candy, no-bake peppermint candy, holiday sweets