Soft Christmas Peppermints are a delightful holiday treat that brings festive cheer with every bite. These melt-in-your-mouth candies are made with simple ingredients like powdered sugar, cream cheese, and peppermint extract, forming a creamy, smooth texture with a cool, refreshing flavor.
Often tinted in soft red, green, or white, they add a charming touch to cookie trays, dessert platters, or holiday gift boxes.
Easy to shape and customize, they require no baking, making them perfect for kids and adults to prepare together. Whether enjoyed after a meal or shared with friends, these classic peppermints are a sweet symbol of Christmas tradition.
Soft Christmas Peppermints are melt-in-your-mouth, creamy mints that bring a festive and nostalgic flavor to your holiday celebrations. These charming candies are easy to make with just a few ingredients and require no baking. Colored in cheerful holiday shades and flavored with cool peppermint extract, they’re perfect for gifting, party platters, or simply sharing with loved ones during the season.
Soft Christmas Peppermints (Old-Fashioned Butter Mints)
Description
Soft Christmas Peppermints are delicate, melt-in-your-mouth confections that bring sweet holiday nostalgia with every bite.
Made from simple ingredients like powdered sugar, cream, peppermint extract, and a touch of food coloring, these creamy mints are shaped into small discs or festive molds.
Their smooth texture and cool minty flavor make them perfect for holiday candy dishes, party favors, or edible gifts. Often tinted in soft red, green, or white, they add a charming, old-fashioned touch to Christmas celebrations.
Easy to prepare and no baking required, these delightful treats are ideal for making with kids or sharing during the festive season.
Ingredients
Instructions
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In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together using an electric mixer on medium speed until the mixture is smooth and fluffy. This should take about 2–3 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to ensure an even texture.
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Stir in the peppermint extract and a tiny pinch of salt. You can adjust the peppermint flavor to taste — start with ½ teaspoon and increase if you want a stronger minty kick. Be careful not to overdo it, as peppermint extract is potent.
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Gradually add the powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, mixing on low speed. The mixture will begin soft but gradually turn into a thick, dough-like consistency. Once it becomes too stiff for the mixer, switch to kneading it by hand (dust your hands with powdered sugar to prevent sticking). The final dough should be smooth, pliable, and not sticky.
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Divide the dough into portions, depending on how many colors you want. Traditionally, white, red, and green are used for Christmas. Add a drop or two of gel food coloring to each portion and knead until the color is fully incorporated. Use gloves or knead on parchment paper to avoid staining your hands.
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Dust a clean surface with powdered sugar. Roll each portion of dough into a rope about ½ inch thick, then cut into small bite-sized pieces (about ½ inch). For a more decorative look, you can roll each piece into a ball and press down slightly with a fork, giving them a criss-cross pattern. Alternatively, use small candy molds or cookie stamps for festive designs.
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Roll each shaped mint in granulated sugar to coat the outside. This adds a nice texture and prevents them from sticking together.
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Place the mints on a parchment-lined baking sheet in a single layer. Allow them to air dry for 12–24 hours, uncovered, at room temperature. They will develop a firm outer shell while staying soft inside.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 4
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 20kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Sodium 5mg1%
- Total Carbohydrate 5g2%
- Protein 5g10%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Note
Soft Christmas peppermints are a festive, melt-in-your-mouth treat that brings holiday charm to any dessert table.
These creamy, cool confections are made from simple ingredients like powdered sugar, cream cheese, peppermint extract, and sometimes a touch of food coloring.
Whether you’re gifting them, serving them at a party, or just enjoying them at home, here are some helpful tips, tricks, and serving suggestions to make them perfect every time.
Tips for Making the Perfect Soft Christmas Peppermints
- Use Room Temperature Ingredients
Always start with room temperature cream cheese and butter (if used). This ensures smooth blending and prevents lumps. Cold ingredients can make the dough harder to mix and affect the texture. - Sift the Powdered Sugar
Sifting the powdered sugar before adding it helps avoid clumps and results in a smoother, creamier peppermint dough. - Add Peppermint Extract Sparingly
Peppermint extract is strong—start with a small amount (¼ to ½ teaspoon), and taste the dough before adding more. Too much can make the candies overpowering or bitter. - Use Gel Food Coloring
If you want to tint your mints in holiday colors like red, green, or even pastel hues, use gel food coloring instead of liquid. Gel won’t alter the dough’s consistency, while liquid can make it too soft or sticky. - Chill the Dough
After mixing, chill the dough for 30 minutes to 1 hour. This makes it easier to roll and shape the mints without sticking. - Dust with Powdered Sugar for Easy Shaping
Lightly dust your hands and work surface with powdered sugar to prevent sticking while rolling the dough into balls or pressing them into molds. - Use Candy Molds or Forks for Texture
For a festive touch, press the dough into silicone candy molds or flatten the balls slightly with a fork to create the classic crisscross pattern. You can also use a small cookie stamp or the back of a spoon for decorative textures. - Let Them Dry Properly
Place the shaped mints on a parchment-lined tray and let them air dry uncovered at room temperature for at least 12 hours or overnight. This firms up the outside while keeping the inside soft and creamy. - Store Them Right
Once dried, store your soft peppermints in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers. Keep them in a cool, dry place for up to 2 weeks, or refrigerate for longer freshness.
Serving Tricks and Creative Ideas
- Create a Peppermint Platter
Arrange your mints with other holiday sweets like chocolate truffles, sugar cookies, and fudge on a large platter. Add sprigs of rosemary or crushed candy canes for decoration. - Use as Cupcake Toppers
These small, colorful mints look beautiful atop frosted cupcakes. Try placing one on vanilla, chocolate, or peppermint-flavored cupcakes for a festive flair. - Pair with Hot Cocoa or Coffee
Serve soft peppermints with a hot drink bar at your party. They’re delicious when melted slightly into hot chocolate or paired with coffee for a minty-sweet aftertaste. - Gift in Mason Jars or Tins
Fill small jars or decorative tins with the mints, tie with a ribbon, and add a gift tag for a homemade holiday gift that’s both affordable and thoughtful. - Color-Coded Themes
Make batches in different colors (red, green, white, pastel blue) and serve them together for a visually appealing, candy-cane-inspired theme. Great for baby showers, weddings, or themed parties too. - Flavor Variations
Though peppermint is traditional, you can swap the extract for vanilla, almond, or lemon for variety. Add crushed candy cane pieces or mini chocolate chips for fun texture additions.
Tips for Best Results:
- Storage: Once dried, store the mints in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks, or in the fridge for longer freshness. Separate layers with wax or parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Freezing: These mints freeze well! Store in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Let them thaw at room temperature before serving.
- Flavor variations: You can substitute the peppermint extract with vanilla, almond, lemon, or maple extract for different flavors. Just keep the festive colors for the Christmas theme.
- Coloring tips: Use gel food coloring rather than liquid for more vibrant hues without altering the texture of the dough.
- Butter-free option: Some traditional recipes skip butter altogether for a purer peppermint flavor. You can experiment with both versions.
Serving Ideas:
- Holiday platters: Add to cookie trays or dessert boards for a pop of color and variety.
- Gift giving: Package the mints in decorative tins, jars, or cellophane bags tied with ribbon — a sweet homemade gift idea.
- Party treats: Serve in mini cupcake liners for a neat presentation at holiday gatherings or office parties.
- Table favors: Place a few mints in small pouches as table favors for Christmas dinner.
Why You'll Love These Soft Peppermints
- No-bake & easy to make: Great for beginners and kids to help with.
- Festive appearance: Bright colors and cute shapes make them holiday-ready.
- Customizable: Change up flavors, shapes, or colors to suit any occasion.
- Delicious texture: Creamy, cool, and soft — just like the ones Grandma used to make!
These Soft Christmas Peppermints are a delightful holiday tradition you can make in advance, share with others, and enjoy all season long. Whether it’s your first time making homemade candies or a yearly favorite, this recipe is sure to add sweetness to your celebrations.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are Soft Christmas Peppermints made of?
Soft Christmas Peppermints are typically made with a simple mixture of powdered sugar, cream cheese or sweetened condensed milk, peppermint extract, and sometimes a touch of butter. Food coloring—usually red, green, or white—is often added for festive flair.
The dough-like mixture is shaped into small mints, then allowed to dry and firm up slightly, creating a melt-in-your-mouth texture with a cool peppermint flavor.
Do they need to be refrigerated or baked?
No baking is required. These are no-bake candies that set at room temperature. However, it’s best to refrigerate them for 30–60 minutes before serving so they firm up properly. For longer storage, keep them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks, or freeze for up to 2 months. Let them come to room temperature before serving for the best texture.
Can I make them in advance for the holidays?
Yes! Soft Christmas Peppermints are ideal for make-ahead treats. They actually benefit from a little time to dry and develop flavor. Prepare them a week in advance and store them in the refrigerator or freezer. They're great for adding to holiday cookie trays, gift tins, or party platters, and they travel well.
Are there flavor variations beyond peppermint?
Absolutely! While peppermint is traditional, you can easily switch it up with extracts like vanilla, lemon, almond, or even cinnamon. Just be cautious with strong extracts—start with a few drops and adjust to taste. You can also experiment with different colors and shapes (like stars or trees) using small cookie cutters or molds to suit your holiday theme.
