Jolly Christmas Peppermints Recipe: Sweet Holiday Magic

Festive baking with these christmas peppermints brings joy to every kitchen corner.

Sweet aromas will dance through your home as candy canes crush into delightful pieces.

Mint-chocolate lovers understand the magic behind these delectable treats.

Winter celebrations feel incomplete without something sparkly and sugar-coated.

Crisp peppermint flavors promise delightful moments of seasonal happiness.

Memories of childhood holidays inspire these simple yet elegant confections.

Gather ingredients and let magic begin with each delicate creation.

What Makes Christmas Peppermints Extra Special

• Turn this recipe into a festive family activity that brings everyone together in the kitchen during Christmas season. Kids love rolling colorful dough and creating cute peppermint shapes, making it a playful bonding experience.
• Skip complicated baking steps and enjoy a simple, stress-free dessert preparation that requires minimal technical skills. Anyone from beginners to experienced home cooks can successfully create these delightful treats without needing specialized equipment.
• Experiment with different food coloring combinations or add sparkly sugar coatings to personalize each peppermint. These adaptable candies allow personal expression while maintaining a classic holiday flavor profile.
• Prepare these peppermints in advance and store them easily, which reduces last-minute holiday cooking stress. They remain fresh for weeks, perfect for gifting or serving unexpected guests during the festive season.

What You’ll Need to Make Christmas Peppermints

Main Ingredients:

Cream Cheese: Soft base for creating a smooth and creamy peppermint candy texture. Full-fat cream cheese works best for a rich consistency.

Powdered Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps form the dough structure. Sifted powdered sugar ensures smooth mixing.

Flavoring and Coloring:

Peppermint Extract: Delivers classic cool and refreshing mint flavor. Pure extract gives the most authentic taste.

Red Food Coloring, Green Food Coloring: Creates festive holiday color variations. Gel food coloring provides more vibrant colors with less liquid.

Finishing Ingredients:

Granulated Sugar: Adds exterior crunch and sweet coating. White granulated sugar provides a classic finish.

Parchment Paper: Non-stick surface for drying and storing candies. Silicone baking mats can be used as an alternative.

How to Put Together Christmas Peppermints at Home

Step 1: Whip Up the Base

• softened cream cheese
• powdered sugar
• peppermint extract

Beat cream cheese until silky smooth in a spacious mixing bowl. Gradually fold in powdered sugar, stirring until a tender dough emerges. Splash in peppermint extract and blend thoroughly.

Step 2: Create Colorful Portions

• white food dough
• red food coloring
• green food coloring

Separate the dough into three identical sections. Keep one section pristine white. Massage red coloring into one portion and green into another until colors distribute evenly.

Step 3: Shape Delectable Treats

• powdered sugar for dusting

Roll out a clean working surface and dust lightly with powdered sugar. Transform each dough section into petite spheres, approximately half an inch wide. Gently press each ball with a fork, creating classic peppermint indentations.

Step 4: Add Sparkling Sugar Coating

• granulated sugar

Tumble each peppermint through granulated sugar, ensuring complete and uniform coverage.

Step 5: Allow Candies to Settle

Position candies on parchment-lined baking sheet. Let them air dry for two to three hours until they firm up completely.

Step 6: Store and Enjoy

Transfer peppermints to an airtight container. Keep at room temperature for one week or refrigerate up to two weeks for extended freshness.

Smart Tips for Perfecting Christmas Peppermints

• Soften Cream Cheese Perfectly: Bring cream cheese to room temperature for 30-45 minutes before mixing to ensure a smooth, lump-free texture.
• Control Color Intensity: Add food coloring gradually, using just a few drops at a time to achieve your desired red and green shades without oversaturating the dough.
• Prevent Sticking: Keep hands lightly dusted with powdered sugar when rolling balls to prevent the dough from clinging to your fingers.
• Create Uniform Candies: Use a small cookie scoop or measuring spoon to ensure consistent size and shape for professional-looking peppermints.
• Storage Pro Tip: Place a piece of parchment paper between candy layers when storing to prevent sticking and maintain their delicate texture.

How to Store and Serve Christmas Peppermints Later

• Store Christmas Peppermints in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Seal tightly to maintain freshness and prevent moisture.
• Wrap individual peppermints in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze up to 3 months for extended storage.
• Remove frozen peppermints from freezer and let sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving. Avoid microwaving to preserve texture.
• If candies become slightly soft, place them in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to help them firm up and regain their original consistency.

What to Enjoy With Christmas Peppermints

• Pair Festive Peppermint Delights with Complementary Flavors
• The spicy, aromatic chai tea balances the cool peppermint sweetness, creating a cozy holiday taste experience that dances on your palate.
• Rich, intense dark chocolate provides a luxurious contrast to the light, minty candy, elevating the festive treat with deep, complex flavors.
• Creamy, smooth vanilla notes soften the peppermint's sharpness, blending into a harmonious holiday indulgence that feels like a warm winter hug.
• Nutty, buttery shortbread cookies add a delightful crunch and earthy undertone that complements the peppermint's bright, refreshing character.

Ways to Add a Twist to Christmas Peppermints

• Gluten-Free Peppermint Delight: Substitute powdered sugar with a gluten-free powdered sugar blend to make the recipe safe for those with gluten sensitivities.
• Dairy-Free Candy Cane Treats: Replace cream cheese with coconut cream or a vegan cream cheese alternative for a dairy-free version that maintains the creamy texture.
• Low-Sugar Christmas Mints: Use a sugar substitute like stevia or monk fruit sweetener to reduce overall sugar content while keeping the festive peppermint flavor.
• Vegan Festive Peppermints: Swap cream cheese for cashew cream or silken tofu, and use plant-based food coloring to create a completely vegan-friendly holiday treat.

Christmas Peppermints Recipe

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4.7 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 3 hours 20 minutes
• Yield: 30 1x

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Description

Festive Christmas Peppermints dance with holiday cheer, blending sweet nostalgia and delightful peppermint flavors. Crisp candy treats will bring joyful memories and spark winter celebration spirits for family gatherings.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 4 cups (500 grams) powdered sugar
• 4 ounces (115 grams) cream cheese, softened

Flavoring:

• ½ teaspoon peppermint extract

Decoration and Coating:

• Red food coloring
• Green food coloring
• Granulated sugar

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Instructions

1. Prepare the creamy base by whipping softened cream cheese until silky and uniform in a spacious mixing vessel.
2. Gradually incorporate powdered sugar, stirring consistently until a malleable, cohesive dough emerges with a smooth texture.
3. Enhance the mixture with peppermint extract, blending thoroughly to distribute the refreshing flavor throughout the dough.
4. Partition the dough into three identical segments, ensuring equal distribution for consistent coloration.
5. Designate one portion as the pristine white segment, while transforming the remaining two using vibrant red and verdant green food colorings.
6. Thoroughly knead each colored segment, working the pigment meticulously to achieve a uniform, saturated hue without streaking.
7. Lightly dust your workspace with powdered sugar to prevent adhesion and potential texture disruption.
8. Craft diminutive spheres approximately half an inch in diameter from each colored dough portion, maintaining consistent sizing.
9. Gently flatten each sphere using fork tines, creating a classic, traditional peppermint impression with delicate ridges.
10. Enrobe each compressed candy in granulated sugar, ensuring complete and even coverage for a sparkling, crystalline exterior.
11. Arrange the sugared confections on a parchment-lined baking sheet, allowing natural air drying for two to three hours until they achieve a firm, stable consistency.
12. Preserve the completed peppermints in a sealed container, maintaining optimal freshness at room temperature for one week or refrigerated for up to two weeks.

Notes

• Check cream cheese temperature by letting it sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes before mixing, ensuring smooth and lump-free dough.
• Use gel food coloring for more vibrant colors without altering dough consistency, creating festive Christmas peppermints.
• Prevent sticky dough by chilling mixture for 15-20 minutes before shaping, making rolling and handling easier.
• Customize flavors by substituting peppermint extract with vanilla, almond, or orange extract for unique holiday treats that suit different taste preferences.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 2-3 hours
• Category: Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 30
• Calories: 75
• Sugar: 16g
• Sodium: 30mg
• Fat: 2g
• Saturated Fat: 1g
• Unsaturated Fat: 1g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 17g
• Fiber: 0g
• Protein: 1g
• Cholesterol: 5mg