Soft Christmas Peppermints: 15-Minute Easy Recipe Joy

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Soft Christmas Peppermints have been a cherished part of my holiday traditions for as long as I can remember. They’re more than just a candy; they’re a little bite of pure festive joy that melts in your mouth, leaving behind that delightful tingle of peppermint. I fondly recall my grandmother’s kitchen, always filled with the sweet, airy scent of these homemade soft peppermints during December. Unlike the hard candies that can chip a tooth, these offer a wonderfully creamy, chewy texture that’s just perfect for sharing. They’re so easy to make, proving that you don’t need to be a candy-making expert to create something truly special. Let’s get these delightful chewy Christmas mints into your kitchen!

Why You’ll Love This Soft Christmas Peppermints

These aren’t just any holiday treats; they’re little bursts of festive cheer that are incredibly easy to whip up. Here’s why you’ll be making these chewy Christmas mints all season long:

Effortless Elegance: They look so sophisticated, but honestly, they’re a breeze to make.
Melt-in-Your-Mouth Texture: Forget hard, crunchy candies – these are delightfully soft and creamy.
Perfectly Portable: They’re ideal for adding to cookie tins or gifting to friends and family.
Vibrant Holiday Colors: Easily customize them with classic red and green for a festive pop.
Quick Prep Time: You can have them mixed and ready to shape in under 15 minutes!
Aromatic Delight: The fresh peppermint scent fills your home with holiday spirit.
Kid-Friendly Fun: Get the little ones involved in the rolling and shaping process for a fun activity.
Deliciously Refreshing: These soft peppermint candies offer a perfect, palate-cleansing finish to any holiday meal.

Ingredients for Soft Christmas Peppermints

Whipping up these delightful soft peppermint candies is surprisingly simple, requiring just a few pantry staples. The magic lies in how these ingredients come together to create that signature soft, chewy texture that makes them so special for the holidays.

4 ounces cream cheese, softened – This is the secret to our incredibly soft and creamy texture, making them way more approachable than hard candies. Make sure it’s at room temperature!
4 cups powdered sugar, sifted – Sifting is key here to ensure a smooth dough and prevent any lumps. This provides the sweetness and structure for our homemade soft peppermints.
1 teaspoon peppermint extract – For that classic, refreshing minty flavor that screams Christmas.
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional) – A little vanilla can round out the peppermint flavor, adding a touch of warmth.
Red food coloring – Use gel coloring for the most vibrant hues without affecting the dough’s consistency.
Green food coloring – For those festive red and green swirls or solid colors.
Holiday sprinkles (optional) – Add a festive sparkle to your Christmas soft mint drops, if desired.

How to Make Soft Christmas Peppermints

Creating these delightful chewy Christmas mints is a fun and easy process that will fill your home with a wonderful aroma. Forget about complicated candy-making techniques; this recipe is straightforward and yields perfectly soft, melt-in-your-mouth results every time. You’ll be amazed at how quickly these come together, making them a perfect addition to your holiday baking list.

Step 1: Cream Cheese Base
In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with an electric mixer until it’s completely smooth and creamy. This step is crucial for achieving that wonderfully airy texture in your finished candies. Make sure there are no lumps; it should look like a smooth, spreadable frosting.
Step 2: Incorporate Sweetness
Gradually add the sifted powdered sugar to the cream cheese mixture, about a cup at a time, mixing well after each addition. Continue mixing until all the sugar is incorporated and the mixture forms a soft, pliable dough. It will start to feel quite stiff, similar to play-dough.
Step 3: Flavor Infusion
Stir in the peppermint extract and the vanilla extract (if you’re using it). Mix until everything is just combined. You should immediately start to smell that classic, invigorating peppermint scent that makes these candies so festive. Don’t overmix at this stage.
Step 4: Coloring and Shaping
Divide the dough into portions if you want multiple colors. Add a few drops of gel food coloring to each portion and knead gently until the color is evenly distributed and vibrant. If you’re making Christmas peppermint drops, roll small portions of dough into 1-inch balls. For a quicker method, press small amounts of dough into holiday-themed silicone molds.
Creating the Classic Look
If you’re shaping the mints by hand, take a fork and gently press the top of each ball to create a classic crosshatch pattern. This gives them that traditional, charming appearance that’s so recognizable.
Step 5: Drying and Setting
Arrange the shaped or molded mints on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Let them air dry at room temperature for at least 2 hours, or until they feel firm to the touch. This drying process is essential for achieving the perfect chewy texture for your soft mints for Christmas baking. Once firm, transfer them to an airtight container.

Pro Tips for the Best Soft Christmas Peppermints

I’ve learned a few tricks over the years to make sure my homemade soft peppermints turn out perfectly every time. These simple tips make all the difference in achieving that ideal texture and flavor.

Always use gel food coloring. Liquid versions can add too much moisture, making your candies sticky.
Don’t skip sifting the powdered sugar; it’s crucial for that smooth, lump-free dough.
Ensure your cream cheese is truly softened to room temperature for the easiest mixing.
Let the mints air dry for the full recommended time. This is key to avoiding that dreaded sticky texture.

What’s the secret to perfect Soft Christmas Peppermints?

The secret to these delightful chewy Christmas mints is using softened cream cheese as the base. It creates an incredibly smooth, pliable dough that bakes up soft and creamy, unlike traditional hard candies. For more simple holiday recipes, check out these easy holiday recipes.

Can I make Soft Christmas Peppermints ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare the dough for these holiday soft peppermint candies up to 24 hours in advance. Store it covered tightly in the refrigerator. Just let it soften slightly at room temperature before shaping and drying.

How do I avoid common mistakes with Soft Christmas Peppermints?

The most common pitfalls are making them too sticky or too hard. Ensure you use gel coloring and allow ample drying time. Over-mixing the dough can also lead to a tough texture, so mix just until combined. For more tips on candy making, you can refer to candy making tips.

Variations of Soft Christmas Peppermints You Can Try

While the classic red and green is always a hit, I love experimenting with different versions of these soft peppermint candies. It’s fun to put a personal spin on traditional holiday treats. Here are a few ideas to get your creative juices flowing for your next batch of Christmas soft mint drops.

Dietary Adaptations

For those with dietary needs, you can still enjoy these festive treats! To make them vegan, swap the cream cheese for a softened vegan cream cheese alternative and ensure your powdered sugar is vegan-friendly. For a sugar-free option, use a powdered sugar substitute designed for baking and a sugar-free peppermint extract. You can find more information on sugar substitutes to help with this.

Flavor Twists

Peppermint is classic, but why stop there? Try swapping half the peppermint extract for a different flavor like spearmint, wintergreen, or even a hint of cinnamon extract for a spicy kick. You could also gently fold in some mini chocolate chips after coloring the dough for a delightful chocolate-mint combination, creating a unique Christmas candy peppermint recipe. For other fun flavor ideas, explore these homemade soda recipes which often feature creative flavor pairings.

Shaping Ideas

Beyond the traditional ball and fork pattern, get creative with shaping! Use small holiday-themed silicone molds (like stars, trees, or bells) for perfectly formed shapes. You can also roll the dough thinly and use small cookie cutters. For an extra touch, try dipping the dried mints halfway into melted white chocolate for a truly decadent look.

Best Ways to Serve Soft Christmas Peppermints

These delightful soft mints for Christmas baking are incredibly versatile and add a festive touch to any holiday spread. They’re perfect for a little palate cleanser after a rich meal or as a sweet, refreshing bite alongside coffee or tea. I love arranging them on a holiday cookie platter alongside gingerbread and shortbread, letting their bright colors stand out. They also make a wonderful addition to a dessert charcuterie board, nestled amongst chocolates and fruit. For a truly special touch, pair these chewy red and white mints with a warm mug of hot chocolate or a festive chai latte. Consider trying some holiday spiced cafe au lait to complement these mints.

Nutrition Facts for Soft Christmas Peppermints

These delightful soft peppermint candies are a festive treat, perfect for enjoying during the holidays. While they’re a wonderful addition to any celebration, it’s always good to know what you’re indulging in. Here are the estimated nutritional values per serving of these chewy Christmas mints.

Serving Size: 2 mints
Calories: 110
Fat: 5g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Protein: 1g
Carbohydrates: 16g
Fiber: 0g
Sugar: 15g
Sodium: 25mg

Nutritional values are estimates and may vary based on specific ingredients used, especially if using sugar substitutes or different types of coloring.

How to Store and Reheat Soft Christmas Peppermints

Properly storing your delicious soft peppermint candies is key to keeping them fresh and preventing them from sticking together. Once your easy chewy Christmas mint recipe is complete and the mints have firmed up, allow them to cool completely at room temperature. This is super important to avoid condensation, which can make them gummy. Then, carefully transfer your Christmas soft mint drops into an airtight container. I like to place a piece of parchment paper between layers just to be extra safe. For more delicious recipes, visit the recipes section.

You can store these delightful chewy mint candies for holidays in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, though they are best enjoyed at room temperature. For longer storage, these homemade soft peppermints freeze beautifully for up to 3 months. Simply place the airtight container in your freezer. When you’re ready to enjoy them, thaw them slowly at room temperature for a few hours before opening the container to prevent any moisture buildup. No reheating is necessary; they are best enjoyed at ambient temperature!

Frequently Asked Questions About Soft Christmas Peppermints

What makes these Soft Christmas Peppermints chewy?

The secret to the wonderfully chewy texture of these soft peppermint candies lies in the combination of cream cheese and powdered sugar. The cream cheese provides a soft, pliable base that doesn’t bake hard like traditional hard candies. When combined with powdered sugar, it creates a dough that dries to a delightful, yielding consistency, making them perfect chewy Christmas mints.

Can I use different extracts in this recipe?

Absolutely! While peppermint is the classic choice for these Christmas peppermint drops, feel free to experiment with other flavors. You could try spearmint, wintergreen, or even a touch of vanilla bean paste for a different kind of sweetness. For a holiday twist, a little bit of orange or almond extract can also be lovely, creating unique holiday soft peppermint candies. If you enjoy experimenting with flavors, you might also like these watermelon lemonade ideas.

Why are my homemade soft peppermints sticky?

Sticky homemade soft peppermints usually stem from a couple of common issues. First, using liquid food coloring instead of gel can introduce too much moisture. Make sure your mints are fully dried at room temperature; rushing this step is a common mistake. Also, ensure they are completely cooled before storing them in an airtight container, as condensation can cause them to become gummy. Proper drying is key for these soft mints for Christmas baking.