Homemade Soft Christmas Peppermints

Last December, I volunteered to help decorate the dessert table for my office holiday party. The brief was simple: “Make it festive but not complicated.” So, naturally, I went down a Pinterest rabbit hole, scrolling through dazzling cookies, elaborate cakes, and glossy chocolate bark. But somewhere between all that sugar and sparkle, I wanted something nostalgic, something that felt like Christmas, not just looked like it.

That’s when I remembered the little pastel peppermints my grandma used to keep in a crystal dish on her coffee table. They were soft, melt-in-your-mouth treats that disappeared faster than the wrapping paper on Christmas morning.

I didn’t have her recipe, but I knew it had to be simple: butter, sugar, cream, and peppermint. So, one chilly evening with carols playing and my cat determined to sit on the counter, I decided to recreate them. I added a touch of red gel coloring and started twisting stripes like candy canes. By the time they dried, the kitchen smelled like winter itself—cool, sweet, and buttery.

When I brought them to the party, they vanished within minutes, leaving only a few crumbs and a whole lot of compliments. It was then I realized that sometimes, the best holiday recipes aren’t baked at all, they’re mixed, shaped, and made with a little patience and a lot of love.

Short Description

Soft Christmas Peppermints are buttery, melt-in-your-mouth candies with a cool peppermint kick and a festive red-and-white twist. No baking needed—just mix, shape, and let them dry.

Key Ingredients

• ½ cup butter, softened
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 2 tbsp heavy whipping cream
• ¼ tsp peppermint extract
• Red gel food coloring

Tools Needed

• Mixing bowl
• Hand or stand mixer
• Rubber spatula
• Small knife or dough cutter
• Parchment paper

Cooking Instructions

Step 1: Beat the Butter
In a mixing bowl, beat softened butter with a hand or stand mixer until light and fluffy. This helps create the smooth, creamy texture that makes these mints so soft.

Step 2: Mix in the Rest
Add the heavy cream, powdered sugar, and peppermint extract gradually, beating after each addition. The dough should be firm but smooth—not sticky. If it’s too soft, add a little more powdered sugar; if it’s crumbly, splash in a bit more cream.

Step 3: Divide and Color
Separate the dough into two parts—keep about ¾ of it white and color the remaining ¼ with red gel food coloring. Mix until evenly tinted.

Step 4: Roll and Twist
Roll both colors into thin ropes on a clean surface. Twist a red rope and a white rope together, then pinch and cut into small, bite-sized pieces. It’s a bit like crafting candy canes but way easier.

Step 5: Dry and Set
Lay the mints on parchment paper and let them air-dry for 1–2 hours. Once slightly firm, cut into even pieces and let them dry another 24 hours to achieve that perfect soft-yet-solid texture.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

No Bake, No Fuss: Perfect for when you want a quick treat without turning on the oven.

Festive and Fun: The red-and-white swirl adds instant Christmas cheer.

Soft, Creamy Texture: These aren’t hard peppermints—they melt gently on your tongue.

Kid-Friendly: Easy to make and fun for little helpers to twist and shape.

Customizable: Add different extracts or colors for any season.

Mistakes to Avoid & Solutions

Dough too sticky? Add powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, until manageable.

Dough too dry or crumbly? Add a few drops of cream to bring it back together.

Overmixing the dough? Stop as soon as everything combines—overmixing can make it greasy.

Using too much extract? Peppermint can quickly overpower; measure carefully.

Not drying long enough? Give them at least 24 hours. If rushed, they’ll stay too soft.

Serving and Pairing Suggestions

Serve in a clear glass jar or candy dish for a pretty table accent.

Pair with hot cocoa, coffee, or tea for a refreshing finish.

Wrap individually in cellophane for homemade gifts.

Sprinkle crushed pieces over brownies or chocolate bark for a festive touch.

Storage and Reheating Tips

Storage: Keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.

Avoid Moisture: Store in a cool, dry spot to prevent them from turning sticky.

Freezing: Not recommended—moisture will alter the texture once thawed.

FAQs

1. Can I use food coloring drops instead of gel?
You can, but gel gives a richer color without making the dough too wet.

2. Can I make these vegan?
Yes—swap the butter for vegan butter and use coconut cream instead of heavy cream.

3. How long do they take to dry completely?
Around 24 hours at room temperature for the best soft, firm texture.

4. Can I shape them differently?
Absolutely—roll them into small balls or flatten slightly for a peppermint “coin.”

5. What if my mints crack while twisting?
The dough may be too cold or dry. Knead gently until pliable before twisting again.

Tips & Tricks

Work quickly when rolling and twisting; the dough firms up as it sits.

Dust your hands lightly with powdered sugar if the dough sticks.

For a uniform look, measure rope lengths before twisting.

Add a drop of vanilla extract for a subtle, creamy undertone.

Let kids help color and shape for a festive family activity.

Recipe Variations

Chocolate Peppermints: Replace 1 tablespoon of powdered sugar with cocoa powder and use mint extract instead of peppermint.

Coconut Snow Mints: Add ½ teaspoon of coconut extract and roll finished mints in shredded coconut before drying.

Pastel Spring Mints: Use pastel pink, yellow, and green colors for Easter or spring gatherings.

Candy Cane Hearts: Twist two short ropes into a heart shape before drying—adorable for gifting.

Spearmint Swirls: Swap peppermint for spearmint extract and tint with soft green.

Final Thoughts

Every holiday season, my kitchen becomes a mix of chaos and calm—flour on the counter, music in the background, and me chasing that little spark of joy that comes from creating something simple yet beautiful. These Soft Christmas Peppermints are exactly that: a reminder that not every holiday treat needs a timer or oven mitts. Sometimes, it’s just about color, texture, and a little patience.

Watching those tiny swirls dry on the counter feels oddly therapeutic, like crafting your own edible ornaments. And when you finally bite into one, that cool burst of mint followed by the gentle sweetness, it’s pure nostalgia in candy form. They might be small, but they bring a big dose of Christmas magic to any table.