Soft Christmas Peppermints Candy

This soft Christmas peppermints recipe has become the easiest and most delightful way to bring my family together during the holiday season. When you are looking for homemade peppermint candy that takes just 15 minutes of hands on time, these creamy, melt-in-your-mouth treats deliver classic Christmas nostalgia and impressive results with minimal effort. Soft mints like these are perfect for gifting, holiday cookie trays, or a kid-friendly Christmas candy project, and require only an overnight air dry for the very best soft texture.

I first made these easy soft Christmas peppermints for a Christmas cookie exchange, and my platter was empty before the night ended. Now these mints are always on our holiday dessert table, and my kids love helping roll and twist them into fun shapes. The combination of creamy texture, nostalgic peppermint flavor, and festive color makes this recipe a standout at every family gathering and gift exchange.

Gather Your Ingredients

• Unsalted butter, softened: High-quality unsalted butter at room temperature is essential for a creamy, smooth texture. If using salted butter, you may want to skip any extra salt to avoid overwhelming the flavor. European-style butter offers even richer results.
• Powdered sugar: Gives the mints their signature silky sweetness and binds the dough. Sift the powdered sugar if clumpy for best results, and stick with confectioners’ sugar for the classic soft finish.
• Heavy whipping cream: Provides rich creaminess and helps the dough hold together with an ultra-soft bite. For a dairy free option, use canned coconut cream or a thick oat-based cream in equal amounts for a similar texture.
• Peppermint extract: Delivers a fresh, bold holiday mint flavor with just a few drops. Start with a modest amount and add more to taste, as peppermint can quickly overwhelm. Pure peppermint extract works best, but you can swap in spearmint for a subtler profile.
• Red gel food coloring: Creates the classic candy cane swirl. Gel food coloring keeps dough soft, while natural beet powder works as a plant-based alternative if desired. Skipping color is fine for all white mints.

How to Make Soft Christmas Peppermints

Beat the Butter for Creaminess:

Place softened butter in a large mixing bowl and use a hand or stand mixer on medium speed to whip for one to two minutes, until light and pillowy. Properly whipped butter introduces air, ensuring the candies will be extra delicate and soft once dried. Make sure no firm pieces remain for best uniformity.

Incorporate Cream and Sugar for the Dough:

Add heavy whipping cream to the bowl, then gradually beat in powdered sugar, about one half cup at a time, on low speed. Mix until smooth after each addition. Add peppermint extract and combine for another minute until dough holds together and looks thick but not crumbly. Adjust texture with a tablespoon or two more powdered sugar if sticky, aiming for a supple, moldable dough.

Divide and Color for Festive Flair:

Portion dough into two sections using a spatula. Leave about three quarters plain, and place the remaining quarter in a small bowl. Add a few drops of red gel food coloring, kneading until the color is evenly distributed. Add coloring gradually to achieve your desired shade without over-softening the dough.

Roll and Shape Holiday Mints:

Take teaspoon sized pieces of both white and red dough. Roll each into four inch ropes and twist one red and one white together, pinching the ends. Curve into candy cane shapes, roll into balls, or flatten slightly for disks. Arrange shapes on a parchment lined baking sheet for even drying.

Dry for Perfect Texture:

Allow shaped mints to air dry uncovered at room temperature for 24 hours. This step is key for setting the outside while keeping the centers soft. Do not refrigerate during this process, or the candies may become sticky. When fully set, they are ready for snacking, gifting, or tucking into cookie tins.

One Christmas, my daughter helped create heart shaped mints out of the dough, and her teachers adored them as gifts. Using European style butter adds a decadent richness we love, while high butter content means just two or three mints feel truly indulgent. The ability to shape, twist, and color these treats makes them a cherished family holiday tradition every year.

Smart Swaps and Variations

Soft Christmas peppermints are easy to adapt for dietary needs, budget, and flavor preferences. For a dairy free version, use vegan butter and coconut cream—the finished candies stay just as soft and creamy. To make this recipe lower in sugar or carb content, swap standard powdered sugar for powdered erythritol, keeping in mind the texture will be slightly different. Change up the extract flavor or use natural plant based coloring for seasonal variety, and consider adding crushed candy canes or sprinkles for festive flair.

How to Store and Reheat Soft Christmas Peppermints

Once your homemade soft Christmas peppermints have air dried for 24 hours, transfer them to an airtight container. Layer with parchment paper to prevent sticking, and keep at room temperature, away from moisture, for optimal freshness up to two weeks. For long term storage, freeze the mints in a single layer before placing in freezer bags for up to three months—thaw at room temperature to preserve their soft, creamy bite. Shaped but uncolored dough can be held in the fridge for up to one day, just bring to room temperature before rolling and drying.

What to Serve with Soft Christmas Peppermints

These soft Christmas peppermints shine on any holiday dessert table alongside cookies, brownies, or classic Christmas bark. Pair them with mugs of hot cocoa, spiced coffee, or herbal tea for a sweet finish to any party or dinner. For homemade gifts, combine them with classic sugar cookies, peanut brittle, or fudge to create a festive treat box everyone will love during Christmas celebrations.

Nutritional Benefits

Soft Christmas peppermints are a gluten free and vegetarian-friendly holiday candy, making them safe for most guests with dietary concerns. The combination of powdered sugar, butter, and cream provides a rich melt-in-your-mouth texture and quick energy. If you adapt with sugar substitutes, you can reduce the overall carb content for a lighter treat, but the classic recipe maintains the nostalgic, satisfying taste everyone remembers from childhood holiday celebrations.

Recipe Success Tips

Achieving the signature soft texture is all about balancing moisture and sugar. If the dough feels sticky, slowly add a little more powdered sugar, one tablespoon at a time, until you can easily roll and twist the mints. For dough that seems too dry, incorporate a teaspoon of cream until it becomes pliable but not sticky. Chilling hands with cool water or dusting them with powdered sugar helps prevent sticking while shaping, and using parchment paper keeps the candies tidy as they dry overnight.

These soft Christmas peppermints are the ultimate melt-in-your-mouth holiday candy that anyone can make in minutes. Treat your loved ones this season and experience just how quickly these festive homemade mints disappear from every dessert table.

Common Questions About This Recipe

→ What texture should the Christmas peppermints have?

The mints should be soft and creamy inside, with a slightly firm exterior after drying for 24 hours.

→ How do I achieve vibrant red coloring in my mints?

Use gel food coloring for deep color without making the dough sticky. Adjust intensity to your liking.

→ Can I increase the peppermint flavor?

Start with the recommended amount, then taste and add a few more drops if you want a stronger mint flavor.

→ Why does the butter need to be softened?

Softened butter blends smoothly with sugar and cream, creating a smooth, pliable dough for shaping the mints.

→ What is the best way to dry the mints?

Let the shaped mints air dry for a full 24 hours at room temperature for the ideal texture and finish.