Soft Christmas Peppermints: 10 Amazing Holiday Delights

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Soft Christmas Peppermints have a magical way of transporting me right back to my childhood kitchen. I remember watching my mom, her hands dusted with powdered sugar, carefully shaping these sweet little jewels. The air would be thick with the comforting scent of peppermint, a smell that instantly signals the holidays are truly here. This easy soft peppermints recipe is so simple, you’ll be amazed at how quickly you can whip up a batch of these melt-in-your-mouth delights. Get ready to fill your home with festive cheer and delicious candy! Let’s get cooking!

Why You’ll Love This Easy Soft Peppermints Recipe

Get ready to fall in love with these delightful little candies!

They are incredibly quick and easy to make, perfect for busy holiday bakers.
The melt-in-your-mouth texture is simply irresistible.
You can customize the colors to match any holiday theme, making them perfect for homemade soft Christmas peppermints.
They require no baking, which saves precious oven space during the festive season.
These candies are a wonderful homemade gift that shows you care.
The classic peppermint flavor is a nostalgic taste of Christmas for many.
Creating these homemade soft Christmas peppermints is a fun activity the whole family can enjoy.
They add a beautiful, festive touch to any cookie platter or dessert spread.

Ingredients for Homemade Soft Christmas Peppermints

Gathering these simple ingredients is the first step in creating delightful soft peppermint candies that will wow your guests!

4 ounces cream cheese, softened – This is the secret to their wonderfully soft, chewy texture; make sure it’s at room temperature for smooth mixing.
4 cups powdered sugar, sifted – Sifting is key to avoiding lumps and achieving that perfect melt-in-your-mouth consistency for your soft peppermint candies.
1 teaspoon peppermint extract – Use a good quality extract for that classic, invigorating holiday flavor that makes these candies so special.
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional) – A touch of vanilla enhances the overall flavor profile without overpowering the peppermint.
Red food coloring – For vibrant, festive colors, opt for gel food coloring, which won’t water down your dough.
Green food coloring – To create beautiful, classic Christmas colors for your homemade soft Christmas peppermints.
Holiday sprinkles (optional) – Add a little sparkle and extra festive flair to your finished candies.

How to Make Soft Christmas Peppermints

Now that you have your ingredients ready, let’s dive into exactly how to make soft peppermints that will become a holiday staple. This process is surprisingly simple and incredibly rewarding!

Step 1: Begin by beating the softened cream cheese in a medium bowl with an electric mixer until it’s wonderfully smooth and creamy. This usually takes about 1-2 minutes.
Step 2: Gradually add the sifted powdered sugar, about a cup at a time, mixing well after each addition. Continue mixing until the entire amount of sugar is incorporated and the mixture starts to form a soft, pliable dough.
Step 3: Stir in the peppermint extract and the vanilla extract (if you’re using it). Mix until everything is just combined. The dough should feel soft and easy to handle, not sticky.
Step 4: If you want colorful mints, now’s the time to divide the dough. For classic red and green, split the dough into two equal portions. You can also divide it further for more colors.
Step 5: Knead a few drops of red food coloring into one portion of the dough until the color is evenly distributed and vibrant. Repeat with green food coloring for the other portion.
Step 6: Lightly dust your hands with a bit of powdered sugar to prevent sticking. Roll small portions of the colored dough into 1-inch balls. Alternatively, you can press the dough into festive silicone candy molds.
Step 7: For a traditional look on the rolled balls, gently press each one with the back of a fork to create a pretty crosshatch pattern. This is part of how to make soft peppermints look extra special.
Step 8: Arrange the shaped mints on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Make sure they aren’t touching too much if you want them to hold their individual shapes perfectly.
Step 9: Allow the mints to dry at room temperature for at least 2 hours. They should feel firm to the touch. This drying time is crucial for the candies to set.
Step 10: Once dried, carefully transfer your beautiful soft Christmas peppermints to an airtight container for storage. Enjoy these delightful treats!

Pro Tips for the Best Soft Peppermint Candies

Want to ensure your homemade holiday treats are absolutely perfect? These little tricks will elevate your soft peppermint game!

Always use gel food coloring for the most vibrant colors without making your dough too sticky.
Dust your hands lightly with powdered sugar when rolling the dough; it makes a world of difference in preventing sticking.
Be patient with the drying time! Letting them firm up at room temperature is essential for the perfect texture.
If you’re short on time, consider using festive silicone molds – they make shaping a breeze.

What’s the secret to perfect soft Christmas peppermints?

The magic lies in using softened cream cheese and sifted powdered sugar. This combination creates a pliable dough that results in truly melt in your mouth peppermints Christmas treats, unlike hard, brittle candies.

Can I make soft peppermint candies ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare these delightful candies up to a week in advance. Once fully dried, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They are perfect for making your holiday prep easier. For more holiday baking ideas, check out our recipes section.

How do I avoid common mistakes with homemade soft Christmas peppermints?

Ensure your cream cheese is fully softened to avoid lumps. Don’t overmix the dough once the sugar is added, as this can make them tough. Also, allow ample drying time at room temperature so they don’t stick together. This is a common issue when trying how to make soft peppermints, but easily fixed!

Best Ways to Serve Soft Christmas Peppermints

These delightful little candies are so versatile and add a festive touch wherever they go! They’re perfect for your holiday dessert table, acting as a sweet ending after a hearty meal. Imagine them nestled amongst cookies and other baked goods – a truly classic pairing. A particularly lovely way to enjoy them is alongside a warm mug of hot chocolate or a festive spiced cider; the peppermint flavor is just divine with warm drinks. They also make a charming addition to a cheese board or fruit platter, offering a sweet contrast. This Christmas treat soft peppermint is wonderful for sharing with friends and family! You can learn more about the history of peppermint candy here.

Nutrition Facts for Soft Christmas Peppermints

Here’s a look at the estimated nutritional information per serving for these delightful holiday treats. Remember, these are approximations per 2 mints.

Calories: 70
Fat: 3g
Saturated Fat: 1.5g
Protein: 1g
Carbohydrates: 11g
Fiber: 0g
Sugar: 10g
Sodium: 10mg

Nutritional values are estimates and may vary based on specific ingredients and portion sizes used.

How to Store and Reheat Soft Peppermint Candies

Proper storage is key to keeping your delicious soft candy peppermint Christmas treats tasting fresh and delightful. Once your homemade soft Christmas peppermints have completely cooled and firmed up, it’s time to think about storing them. For short-term enjoyment, an airtight container at room temperature works perfectly for up to two weeks. If you need to keep these festive delights longer, pop them in the refrigerator for up to a month, making sure to place parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. For the longest shelf life, you can freeze them for up to three months! Simply wrap them well and store them in an airtight container. Reheating isn’t typically necessary, as they are meant to be enjoyed at room temperature, but if they seem a bit too firm straight from the fridge or freezer, just let them sit out for about 15-20 minutes before serving. For more storage tips, visit our privacy policy page.

Frequently Asked Questions About Homemade Soft Christmas Peppermints

Can I use different extracts in this easy soft peppermints recipe?

Absolutely! While peppermint is classic, feel free to experiment. A little spearmint extract adds a different kind of cool freshness, or a touch of orange or lemon extract can give your soft Christmas peppermints a delightful citrus twist. Just be mindful that some extracts are stronger than others, so start with a smaller amount and add more to taste.

My soft Christmas peppermints are too sticky. What went wrong?

Stickiness usually happens for a couple of reasons. First, ensure your cream cheese was fully softened before beating; cold cream cheese makes it harder to incorporate the sugar smoothly. Second, try not to overmix the dough once the powdered sugar is added. Mix just until it comes together. Dusting your hands with powdered sugar while rolling also helps immensely. This is a common issue when trying how to make soft peppermints, but easily fixed!

Can I make these soft peppermint candies vegan?

Unfortunately, the cream cheese is pretty essential for the signature texture of these soft Christmas peppermints. While there are vegan cream cheese alternatives, their texture and moisture content can vary greatly, which might affect how the candies set. It would likely require some experimentation with different brands and potentially adjusting the sugar ratio.

How long do these homemade soft Christmas peppermints last?

When stored properly in an airtight container at room temperature, these delightful candies will stay fresh for about two weeks. If you need them to last longer, you can refrigerate them for up to a month, or freeze them for up to three months. Just be sure to place parchment paper between layers to prevent them from sticking together, especially if you’re using this easy soft peppermints recipe for holiday gifts. You can find more information about food storage here.

Variations of Soft Christmas Peppermints You Can Try

Once you’ve mastered the basic recipe, get creative with these fun twists on your favorite holiday treat! These variations are perfect for adding a unique touch to your dessert spread or for creating special gifts.

Flavor Twists: While peppermint is classic, why not try a blend? Mix in a little spearmint extract for a different kind of cool, or add a hint of orange or lemon extract for a bright, citrusy note. These flavor variations can make for delightful chewy Christmas peppermint drops.
Marbled Mints: For a visually stunning effect, lightly knead two different colored doughs together for just a few turns. Don’t overmix! This creates beautiful marbled patterns on your soft peppermint holiday sweets.
Chocolate Drizzle: After your mints have fully dried, dip the bottoms in melted white or dark chocolate. You can even add a drizzle of contrasting chocolate on top for an extra decadent touch. These become truly special chewy Christmas peppermint drops.
Spice it Up: For a warmer flavor profile, consider adding a tiny pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the dough. This creates a lovely spiced peppermint flavor profile that’s perfect for the holidays.