Description
These Soft Christmas Peppermints, also known as Old-Fashioned Butter Mints, are a delightful holiday treat featuring a smooth, creamy texture and a refreshing peppermint flavor. They combine the richness of butter and cream with the sweetness of powdered sugar, colored festively with red gel food coloring. Perfect for gifting or serving at holiday gatherings, these mints melt in your mouth and brighten any Christmas celebration.
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients
- ½ cup butter, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp heavy whipping cream
- ¼ tsp peppermint extract (adjust to taste)
- Red gel food coloring
Instructions
- Beat the butter: In a mixing bowl, beat the softened butter until it becomes fluffy and light in texture, which usually takes a few minutes with an electric mixer.
- Mix in remaining ingredients: Gradually add the heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar, and peppermint extract to the butter. Continue beating until the mixture forms a firm, smooth dough that can be shaped.
- Divide and color dough: Split the dough into two portions; keep approximately three-quarters of the dough white. Add red gel food coloring to the remaining quarter and knead until the color is evenly distributed.
- Form twisted ropes: Roll out small amounts of each colored dough into thin ropes. Twist a white rope and a red rope together gently to create a candy cane effect. Pinch off small sections from the twisted ropes to form individual mints.
- Air dry and cut: Lay the twisted ropes flat and let them air dry for 1 to 2 hours to firm up slightly. Then cut them into bite-sized pieces.
- Final drying: Arrange the cut mints on a tray and allow them to dry uncovered for 24 hours so they firm up to the perfect soft consistency before serving.
Notes
- Adjust peppermint extract according to your taste preference, starting with less if preferred milder flavor.
- Use gel food coloring to avoid adding extra liquid to the dough, which can affect consistency.
- Allowing full drying time is critical to achieving the traditional soft, yet set texture of these butter mints.
- Store finished mints in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain freshness.
- If you prefer a firmer texture, extend drying time slightly but avoid drying out completely.
