Soft Christmas Peppermints (Old-Fashioned Butter Mints)

Introduction

There’s something magical about the holidays, and a big part of that magic is the nostalgia that comes with the treats we associate with the season. One of those treats is Soft Christmas Peppermints, or as they’re often called, Old-Fashioned Butter Mints. These creamy, melt-in-your-mouth mints are a delightful addition to any holiday celebration. When I first made these, I was immediately taken back to my childhood—when the holidays were filled with sweet memories and delicious homemade candies. The buttery texture and refreshing mint flavor of these mints quickly became a family favorite, and I’ve been making them every year since. Not only are they a great treat to enjoy at home, but they also make perfect gifts for friends and loved ones. If you’re looking for a simple yet festive candy to add to your holiday spread, these Soft Christmas Peppermints are the way to go!

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/4 cup sweetened condensed milk
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 1 tsp peppermint extract
• A pinch of salt
• Red food coloring (optional)
• Granulated sugar (for coating)

Instructions

Make the Mint Dough:

1. Cream the Butter and Milk: In a large mixing bowl, begin by creaming together the softened butter and sweetened condensed milk. Use an electric mixer or a whisk to mix the ingredients until smooth and fluffy. This step ensures that the base of your mints is rich and creamy.
2. Add the Powdered Sugar: Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, mixing until well incorporated. The dough will begin to thicken and take shape as the powdered sugar is added.
3. Add the Peppermint Extract and Salt: Stir in the peppermint extract for that refreshing minty flavor, along with a pinch of salt to balance the sweetness.

Shape the Mints:

1. Divide the Dough: Divide the dough into two portions. If you want to create a festive two-tone effect, add a few drops of red food coloring to one portion of the dough and mix until you achieve your desired color. This adds a fun, holiday-inspired look to your mints.
2. Form the Mints: Roll the dough into small balls, about 1 teaspoon each. Then, gently press the balls into small discs using your fingers, or you can leave them as rounded shapes if you prefer. The discs or rounded shapes will give the mints their signature look.

Coat with Sugar:

1. Roll in Granulated Sugar: Roll each mint in granulated sugar to coat them lightly. This gives them a lovely shimmer and extra sweetness, making them look as festive as they taste.

Set the Mints:

1. Allow the Mints to Set: Place the mints on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and allow them to set at room temperature for about 1 hour, or until they firm up. This setting process ensures that the mints hold their shape and are easy to handle when storing.

Store and Serve:

1. Storage: Once the mints have set, transfer them to an airtight container for storage. These mints can be kept at room temperature for up to 1 week, making them a convenient treat to keep on hand for holiday gatherings or gifting.
2. Serve and Enjoy: These Soft Christmas Peppermints are ready to be enjoyed by friends, family, or even as a sweet treat for yourself during the festive season.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

• Servings: 24 mints
• Calories per serving: 45 kcal
• Fat: 2g
• Saturated Fat: 1g
• Unsaturated Fat: 1g
• Cholesterol: 5mg
• Sodium: 25mg
• Carbohydrates: 7g
• Fiber: 0g
• Sugar: 6g
• Protein: 0g

Preparation Time

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Set Time: 1 hour
• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

How to Serve

• As a holiday treat: These Soft Christmas Peppermints are perfect for holiday parties, family gatherings, or as a sweet addition to your dessert table.
• Giftable treats: Package these mints in festive tins or jars and give them as gifts. They’re a thoughtful and delicious gift for neighbors, friends, or coworkers.
• With hot cocoa: Serve these mints alongside a warm mug of hot chocolate for a cozy winter treat.
• As a snack: Enjoy them as a quick and refreshing snack during the holiday season.
• On a cookie tray: Add them to your holiday cookie tray for a delightful variety of treats that everyone will love.

Additional Tips

1. Use high-quality butter: For the best flavor and texture, use good-quality unsalted butter in this recipe.
2. Be careful with food coloring: If you’re using food coloring, start with just a few drops and mix thoroughly. You can always add more if you want a deeper color, but be cautious to avoid over-coloring the dough.
3. Shape the mints to your liking: While this recipe calls for small discs, you can get creative with the shapes. Use cookie cutters to make fun holiday-themed shapes, such as stars or trees.
4. Chill the dough: If you find the dough too soft to handle, refrigerate it for 15-20 minutes to firm it up before rolling and shaping.
5. Experiment with flavors: While peppermint is classic, you can experiment with other flavor extracts such as vanilla or almond for a unique twist on this traditional holiday treat.

Recipe Variations

• Chocolate Peppermints: Add a few tablespoons of cocoa powder to the dough to create chocolate-flavored butter mints. These chocolate-peppermint mints would be a delicious alternative and an exciting variation for the holiday season.
• Colored Swirls: Instead of dividing the dough and coloring one half, you can swirl the colors together to create a marbled effect in your mints. Just knead both colors together lightly.
• Mint Chocolate Coated Mints: After shaping the mints, dip them in melted chocolate for a mint chocolate experience. Once dipped, let them cool on parchment paper before serving.

Serving Suggestions

• With a cup of tea or coffee: Pair these mints with your favorite holiday beverages for a delightful snack.
• As a garnish: Use these mints as a garnish for cakes, cupcakes, or even ice cream during the holiday season.
• On a dessert tray: Serve these alongside other holiday favorites like sugar cookies, gingerbread men, or chocolate truffles for a well-rounded holiday treat platter.
• With fruit: The refreshing mint flavor pairs wonderfully with fresh fruit, especially berries or citrus.

Freezing and Storage

• Freezing the Mints: If you want to make these mints in advance, they freeze wonderfully. Just place the mints in an airtight container or freezer-safe bag, separating layers with parchment paper. Freeze for up to 2 months. When ready to serve, let them thaw at room temperature for about 10-15 minutes.
• Storing: Keep the mints in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. This makes them perfect for preparing in advance and keeping them fresh for holiday parties or gifting.

FAQ Section

1. Can I use a different flavor extract instead of peppermint?
Yes, you can substitute peppermint extract with other flavors like vanilla, almond, or even orange for a different taste.

2. How long do the mints need to set?
The mints need to set for about 1 hour at room temperature until they firm up enough to handle.

3. Can I make these mints ahead of time?
Yes, these mints can be made up to a week in advance. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature until ready to serve.

4. Can I dip the mints in chocolate?
Absolutely! You can dip these mints in melted chocolate to add a rich, decadent coating.

5. How can I make the mints firmer?
If your mints are too soft, you can chill the dough for 10-15 minutes before shaping them. If they’re still too soft after shaping, refrigerate them for a few minutes to set.

6. Can I use powdered milk instead of sweetened condensed milk?
Sweetened condensed milk gives the mints their creaminess and sweetness. Powdered milk is not a suitable substitute in this case.

7. Can I use margarine instead of butter?
Margarine can be used, but it may affect the flavor slightly. For the best taste, stick to unsalted butter.

8. Can I shape these mints with cookie cutters?
Yes! If you want to make fun shapes, you can roll the dough and cut out holiday-themed shapes using cookie cutters.

9. Are these mints gluten-free?
Yes, this recipe is naturally gluten-free since it doesn’t contain any flour.

10. How can I make the mints more colorful?
You can use different colors of food coloring for a more vibrant, festive look. Just divide the dough and mix different food colors into each portion

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Conclusion

These Soft Christmas Peppermints are a perfect blend of buttery creaminess and refreshing mint flavor. With a few simple ingredients, you can create these nostalgic treats that will delight your friends and family during the holidays. Whether you make them to share, to give as gifts, or just to enjoy for yourself, these melt-in-your-mouth mints are bound to bring a touch of sweetness and festive cheer to your holiday season. Happy holidays, and enjoy these delightful little bites!

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