Soft Christmas Peppermints (Old-Fashioned Butter Mints) Recipe

Grandma’s Melt-in-Your-Mouth Soft Christmas Peppermint Recipe

Christmas gatherings sparkle with these nostalgic soft peppermints that melt delicately on your tongue.

Memories of grandmother’s kitchen drift through every smooth, creamy bite.

Sweet traditions connect generations through simple, elegant confections.

Delicate mint flavor whispers comfort and celebration in each tiny morsel.

Crafting these classic butter mints requires minimal ingredients and zero complicated techniques.

Homemade candies like these create magical moments that linger long after the last piece dissolves.

Unwrap a piece of culinary history and savor pure, sugary delight.

Candy Tips for That Perfect Soft Bite

  • Butter Consistency Matters: Use room temperature butter for a creamy, smooth texture that blends easily with other ingredients.
  • Customize Color Creatively: Experiment with different food coloring options beyond traditional red and green for unique, personalized mint appearances.
  • Gentle Drying Technique: Allow mints to air-dry completely to achieve the perfect soft yet firm texture without using heat.
  • Moisture Control Trick: Add cream gradually to prevent dough from becoming too wet or sticky, ensuring ideal mint consistency.
  • Storage Smart Move: Keep mints in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain their delicate texture and prevent moisture buildup.

Storing Butter Mints to Keep Them Smooth and Sweet

  • Place mints in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Keeps fresh for up to 2 weeks.
  • Wrap mints tightly in plastic wrap, then store in a freezer-safe container. Maintains quality for 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
  • Keep in a sealed container away from direct sunlight and heat. Best consumed within 10 days for optimal texture and flavor.
  • Ensure mints are completely dry before storing to prevent softening. Add a small piece of paper towel in the container to absorb excess moisture.

What to Enjoy With These Holiday Candies

  • Rich hot chocolate with marshmallows creates a delightful winter companion that enhances the cool mint taste.
  • Bold espresso or strong black tea beautifully cuts through the sweetness, providing a sophisticated contrast to the delicate mint flavor.
  • Sweet dessert wines like Moscato or Port offer a luxurious pairing that highlights the mint's refreshing qualities and adds elegant complexity to the treat.
  • Creamy soft cheeses like brie or camembert provide a smooth, rich backdrop that balances the mint's sharp peppery notes and complements the butter's richness.

Minty Variations for Festive Cheer

  • Low-Sugar Mint Delight: Replace powdered sugar with a sugar-free alternative like stevia or monk fruit sweetener, maintaining the creamy texture while reducing overall sugar content.
  • Dairy-Free Mint Option: Swap butter and heavy cream with coconut oil and coconut cream, creating a vegan-friendly version that preserves the classic mint flavor.
  • Gluten-Free Festive Treats: Ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free, perfect for those with gluten sensitivities while keeping the traditional mint recipe intact.
  • Chocolate-Infused Mint Variation: Mix in unsweetened cocoa powder or dark chocolate chips for a rich, decadent flavor that complements the cool peppermint essence.

Why Soft Christmas Peppermints Melt in Your Mouth

  • Quick Homemade Holiday Treat that Delights
  • Requires minimal baking skills with straightforward steps anyone can master, making these mints perfect for kitchen beginners or experienced bakers alike.
  • Recreates traditional butter mint memories with a personal touch, bringing warmth and childhood joy to holiday gatherings through a classic sweet treat.
  • Easily adapt colors and flavors by adding different food coloring or experimenting with extract variations, allowing personal expression in each delightful batch.
  • Preparation takes just minutes, with simple air-drying technique eliminating complex baking processes, making these mints an ideal last-minute holiday gift or party contribution.

What You’ll Need to Make These Butter Mints

Base Ingredients:
  • Butter: Soft and creamy foundation that gives rich flavor and smooth texture to the mints.
  • Powdered Sugar: Sweet base that helps create the soft, melt-in-your-mouth mint consistency.
  • Heavy Cream: Adds moisture and helps bind the ingredients into a smooth dough.
  • Peppermint Extract: Provides the classic cool and refreshing mint flavor.
Coloring Ingredients:
  • Food Coloring (Red, Green): Optional ingredients for creating festive holiday color variations.
Preparation Accessories:
  • Parchment Paper: Helps prevent sticking and provides a clean surface for drying mints.
  • Fork: Used for creating decorative pattern on mint surfaces.

How to Whip Up Classic Holiday Peppermints

Step 1: Cream The Butter

Use an electric mixer to beat softened butter until smooth and fluffy.

Step 2: Build The Base

Gradually incorporate powdered sugar, mixing thoroughly until the mixture becomes crumbly.

Step 3: Create Smooth Dough

Add heavy cream and peppermint extract, beating until a soft, pliable dough forms. If the mixture feels too stiff, splash in extra cream one teaspoon at a time.

Step 4: Add Festive Colors

Separate dough into sections and introduce food coloring

  • Red for traditional Christmas look
  • Green for holiday spirit
  • White for classic presentation

Knead color gently until evenly distributed.

Step 5: Shape Delicate Mints

Roll small dough portions into tiny balls, approximately marble-sized.

Step 6: Create Decorative Texture

Place mint balls on parchment-lined baking sheet.

Gently press each ball with a fork to create delicate surface patterns.

Step 7: Dry And Set

Let mints air-dry at room temperature

  • Minimum drying time: 8 hours
  • Optimal setting: Overnight

Ensure mints feel firm before storing.

Step 8: Store And Enjoy

Transfer mints to airtight container.

Enjoy within two weeks for maximum freshness.

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Soft Christmas Peppermints (Old-Fashioned Butter Mints) Recipe

Soft Christmas Peppermints (Old-Fashioned Butter Mints) Recipe


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4.7 from 36 reviews

  • Total Time: 8 hours 15 minutes
  • Yield: 20 1x

Description

Homemade Christmas Peppermints melt with nostalgic charm, blending classic holiday sweetness and creamy butter. Festive treats bring family memories closer, inviting holiday cheer with each delicate, minty bite.


Ingredients

Scale

Soft Christmas Peppermints (Old-Fashioned Butter Mints)

Main Ingredients:

  • ½ cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, softened
  • 4 cups (454 grams) powdered sugar, sifted

Flavor and Liquid Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) heavy cream (plus extra if needed)
  • ½ teaspoon (2.5 milliliters) peppermint extract (adjust to taste)

Decorative Ingredients:

  • Food coloring (optional, red and green for festive colors)

Instructions

  1. Cream softened butter using an electric mixer until smooth and uniform in texture.
  2. Incorporate powdered sugar gradually, mixing thoroughly after each addition until the mixture becomes crumbly and granular.
  3. Introduce heavy cream and peppermint extract, blending until a cohesive, pliable dough emerges. Adjust consistency by adding minimal cream if the mixture feels too rigid.
  4. Separate dough into individual sections and infuse each with food coloring, massaging gently to distribute pigment evenly. Traditional colors include festive red and green, though white remains a classic option.
  5. Craft petite, uniform spheres approximately half an inch in diameter, positioning them carefully on a parchment-lined surface.
  6. Gently press each mint sphere with a fork’s tines, creating delicate textural impressions across the surface.
  7. Allow mints to air-dry naturally at ambient room temperature for a minimum of eight hours, ensuring they develop a firm, stable consistency.
  8. Once completely set, transfer mints into a hermetically sealed container to preserve freshness and maintain optimal texture.
  9. Consume within two weeks for peak flavor and quality.

Notes

  • Ensure butter is at room temperature for smooth, creamy texture without lumps.
  • Adjust cream quantities carefully to prevent dough from becoming too sticky or dry.
  • Use gel food coloring for vibrant colors that don’t alter dough consistency.
  • Experiment with mint extract intensity to personalize flavor profile, starting with less and adding gradually.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 8 hours
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Blending
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 20
  • Calories: 70
  • Sugar: 15g
  • Sodium: 0mg
  • Fat: 3.5g
  • Saturated Fat: 2g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 1.5g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 11g
  • Fiber: 0g
  • Protein: 0.1g
  • Cholesterol: 10mg
Dave Mitchell

Dave Mitchell

Founder & Chief Recipe Developer

Expertise

  • Grilling Techniques and Innovations​
  • Recipe Development and Testing
  • Culinary Education and Workshops​
  • Food Photography and Styling

Education

Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College
Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts
Focus: Comprehensive training in culinary techniques, kitchen management, and menu planning, with a special emphasis on grilling and outdoor cooking. ​


Dave Mitchell is the heart behind Daves Grill, a cook, writer, and lover of all things grilled. He studied Culinary Arts at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College and spent years cooking, testing, and sharing recipes that actually work.

Dave started Daves Grill to keep things simple: one great recipe at a time. His food is bold, easy to follow, and made for real people with regular kitchens. From juicy steaks to quick sides, Dave’s recipes bring the heat without the hassle.

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