Creamy Peppermint Butter Mints Recipe
Delightfully smooth and creamy Butter Mints made with butter, cream, and peppermint extract. These melt-in-your-mouth candies are perfect for sharing at holidays or special occasions, with a hint of refreshing mint and a beautiful pastel color thanks to food coloring.
- Author: Mary
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 8 hours (including drying time)
- Yield: Approximately 60 small mints 1x
- Category: Candy
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Butter Base
- 1 stick unsalted butter (113 grams)
- 1 tablespoon whipping cream
Flavoring and Sweetener
- 4 cups powdered sugar (divided, plus more for dusting)
- ½ teaspoon pure peppermint extract
Coloring
- 1–4 drops food coloring (optional, more for brighter color)
- Prepare Butter and Cream: Let the unsalted butter soften at room temperature until creamy. In a mixing bowl, combine the softened butter with 1 tablespoon of whipping cream and beat together until smooth and fluffy to create the base for the mints.
- Add Peppermint and Coloring: Stir in ½ teaspoon of pure peppermint extract to infuse the mixture with mint flavor. Add 1-4 drops of food coloring as desired to achieve a vibrant pastel shade. Mix well to evenly distribute the coloring.
- Incorporate Powdered Sugar: Gradually add 3 ½ cups of powdered sugar to the butter mixture, mixing continuously. The mixture will thicken as the sugar is worked in, forming a pliable dough-like consistency.
- Shape the Mints: Turn the dough out onto a surface dusted lightly with powdered sugar. Knead gently until smooth. Roll the mixture into small logs about ½ inch thick. Cut into 1-inch pieces or desired shapes.
- Finish and Dry: Lightly dust each mint with additional powdered sugar to prevent sticking. Place the mints on a parchment-lined tray and allow them to air dry at room temperature for several hours until they are set and firm to the touch, ideally overnight.
- Store and Serve: Once hardened, store the butter mints in an airtight container at room temperature. They can be enjoyed as a sweet, minty treat or given as charming homemade gifts.
Notes
- If the mixture is too sticky, add more powdered sugar a little at a time until manageable.
- Ensure butter is softened but not melted to maintain proper texture.
- For stronger mint flavor, add more peppermint extract incrementally to taste.
- These mints do not require cooking or baking, making preparation quick and easy.
- Store mints in a cool, dry place to prevent melting or stickiness.
Keywords: Butter Mints, Homemade Candy, Peppermint Candy, No Cook Candy, Holiday Treats, Mint Flavor