Soft Christmas Peppermints (Old-Fashioned Butter Mints) Recipe
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.
- 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
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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
