Description
These Soft Christmas Peppermints are old-fashioned butter mints, perfect for holiday gifting or festive treats. They feature a creamy, melt-in-your-mouth texture infused with refreshing peppermint flavor and can be colored in vibrant shades for a cheerful presentation.
Ingredients
Scale
Soft Christmas Peppermints Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream (plus more if needed)
- 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
- Food coloring (red, green, or any color you prefer)
- Granulated sugar (for rolling, optional)
Instructions
- Beat the Butter: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter until it turns smooth and creamy, which creates the perfect base for the mint dough.
- Add the Powdered Sugar: Gradually add the sifted powdered sugar to the butter, mixing on low speed to ensure the mixture combines well without becoming too airy.
- Mix in Cream and Extract: Stir in the heavy cream and peppermint extract until the dough becomes smooth and pliable; add more cream if the dough is too dry to achieve a soft consistency.
- Color the Dough: Divide the dough into portions and knead the desired food coloring into each portion evenly to create festive colors.
- Shape the Mints: Roll the dough into small balls or shape into logs, then cut them into bite-sized pieces for easy serving and gifting.
- Roll in Sugar (Optional): For added texture and sweetness, roll each mint piece in granulated sugar if preferred.
- Dry the Mints: Place the mints on a baking sheet and allow them to air-dry for 1-2 hours so they set properly and develop the classic buttery mint texture.
Notes
- Ensure the butter is softened to room temperature for easier beating and better consistency.
- Sifting the powdered sugar prevents lumps in the dough.
- Adjust the amount of heavy cream to achieve the right dough texture, which should be soft but not sticky.
- Use gloves or clean hands when kneading in food coloring to avoid staining fingers.
- Air-drying is essential to help the mints firm up and enhances their traditional texture.
- Store the finished mints in an airtight container at room temperature to keep them fresh.
