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How to Make Homemade Soft Christmas Peppermints
Making these soft, minty candies is surprisingly easy and fun! With just a few steps, you can have a batch of fresh, homemade Christmas Peppermints that will make your home smell like the holidays.
Step 1: Prepare Your Work Surface
- Dust your surface: Before starting, dust your work surface lightly with some powdered sugar. This will prevent the mints from sticking as you shape them later.
Step 2: Mix the Ingredients
- Combine the powdered sugar and sweetened condensed milk: In a large mixing bowl, add the powdered sugar and sweetened condensed milk. Stir them together until they begin to form a dough-like consistency. You can use your hands or a spoon to mix.
- Add peppermint extract: Once the sugar and milk are combined, add in the peppermint extract and butter. Mix until fully incorporated. The mixture should have a doughy consistency that’s easy to mold, but still soft and pliable.
- Add the corn syrup: Stir in the corn syrup to help the dough stay smooth and cohesive. This will also prevent the mints from becoming too dry once they set.
Step 3: Shape the Peppermints
- Form the mints: Take small amounts of the dough (about the size of a marble) and roll them between your hands to form smooth little balls. Then, gently flatten them with your fingers to create small, round discs. You can also use a cookie scoop for more uniform sizes.
- Add color: If you want to create the classic peppermint red swirl effect, divide the dough into two portions. Leave one portion white, and color the other with a few drops of red food coloring. Roll both doughs into long, thin logs and twist them together. Cut them into small pieces and shape them into discs as usual, creating a beautiful marbleized effect. (This step is optional but gives your mints a lovely festive look.)
Step 4: Let the Mints Set
- Dry the mints: Place the shaped mints onto a sheet of parchment paper or a clean surface dusted with powdered sugar. Let them sit at room temperature for 4–6 hours to firm up. If you’re short on time, you can place them in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes to 1 hour to speed up the process.
- Coat with powdered sugar: After the mints have set, dust them lightly with a little more powdered sugar to keep them from sticking together and to give them that soft, snowy look.
Step 5: Store and Serve
- Store properly: Once your mints are fully set, they are ready to be enjoyed! Store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll keep for about 2 weeks—though they’re likely to disappear much faster!
Tips for Perfect Homemade Soft Christmas Peppermints
- Add extra flavor: If you want a deeper peppermint flavor, you can add a drop or two of peppermint essential oil (make sure it’s food-grade). Just be careful not to overdo it, as peppermint extract is already quite potent.
- Make them in bulk: These mints are easy to scale up if you need to make a large batch for gifting. Just multiply the recipe ingredients by the number of servings you need.
- Shape them however you like: If you prefer shapes other than discs, you can roll the dough into small logs or even shape them into fun holiday-inspired forms like candy canes. Just be sure to adjust the drying time accordingly.
- Customize for different occasions: These mints aren’t just for Christmas! Change up the food coloring and shapes to create versions for other holidays like Valentine’s Day (with pink food coloring) or Easter (with pastel colors).
Why These Soft Peppermints Are Perfect for the Holidays
What makes these Homemade Soft Christmas Peppermints such a great addition to your holiday festivities is their blend of simplicity and flavor. They are a perfect example of a homemade treat that looks and tastes like you’ve spent hours in the kitchen, but is actually quick and easy to make. The combination of sweetened condensed milk, butter, and peppermint extract creates the ideal balance of flavor and texture, while the festive red swirls make them an eye-catching treat for any holiday gathering.
Plus, there’s just something so satisfying about giving (or receiving) homemade gifts. A jar or tin filled with these mints is a thoughtful and personal way to show your loved ones you care. Whether you’re looking to share them at a holiday party, use them as party favors, or simply enjoy them during cozy nights by the fire, these soft peppermints will surely bring a smile to your face.
Conclusion
This holiday season, skip the store-bought candy and treat yourself and your loved ones to the irresistible flavors of Homemade Soft Christmas Peppermints. With their smooth, creamy texture and festive red swirls, these little candies are sure to become a cherished part of your holiday traditions. They’re fun to make, delightful to eat, and perfect for sharing—making them the ideal treat for any celebration. So gather your ingredients, get into the holiday spirit, and whip up a batch of these soft, minty delights that are sure to make this Christmas even sweeter!
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