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There’s nothing quite like the magic of homemade holiday treats, is there? Every Christmas, my kitchen transforms into a peppermint wonderland with these Soft Christmas Peppermints – they’re my absolute favorite no-cook tradition! I’ll never forget my grandma teaching me this recipe when I was eight, her flour-dusted hands guiding mine as we rolled out the sticky dough. What I love most? You only need four simple ingredients (I always have them stocked for meal planning emergencies) and zero baking time! These festive little candies make perfect last-minute gifts when tucked into cellophane bags, or they steal the show on dessert boards next to fancier treats. That burst of cool peppermint with each bite? Pure holiday joy!
Why You’ll Love These Soft Christmas Peppermints
Oh my gosh, these candies are my December lifeline! Here’s why they’ll become your holiday MVP too:
- Zero baking required – Who wants to fuss with the oven when you’ve got presents to wrap? Just mix, shape, and let them dry while you tackle your holiday baking list.
- Four pantry staples – Sweetened condensed milk, powdered sugar, peppermint extract, and food coloring. That’s it! (I’ve even used leftover candy cane extract in a pinch.)
- Instant festive vibes – Those cheerful red and green balls look like edible ornaments. My kids go wild arranging them on our dessert boards!
- Gifting gold – Pop some in a mason jar with ribbon, and boom – teacher gifts, hostess presents, and neighbor surprises are DONE.
- Meal planning hero – They keep for weeks in tins, so I stash batches early when prepping my holiday menus.
Seriously – these might just replace your store-bought mints forever. The peppermint zing? Absolutely addictive!
Ingredients for Soft Christmas Peppermints
Gather these simple ingredients – I bet you’ve got most in your pantry already! The magic happens with:
- 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk – That thick, creamy base gives these mints their dreamy texture. Don’t swap for evaporated milk!
- 6 cups powdered sugar – Sift it if yours is lumpy – trust me, your arms will thank you later when mixing.
- 1 teaspoon peppermint extract – The star flavor! I sometimes add an extra ½ tsp if I want that ice-cold punch.
- Red and green gel food coloring – Gel works better than liquid for vibrant colors without watering down the dough.
That’s seriously it! Four ingredients for peppermint happiness. Now let’s make some holiday magic…
How to Make Soft Christmas Peppermints
Okay, let’s get our hands minty! This is where the real fun begins – turning that simple ingredient list into dreamy peppermint candies. I’ve made this recipe so many times I could do it in my sleep, but I’ll walk you through each step like I’m right there with you in the kitchen!
- Mix it up: Dump your sweetened condensed milk and peppermint extract into a big bowl. Stir until they’re best friends. Now start adding the powdered sugar about a cup at a time – I use a wooden spoon at first, then switch to my hands when it gets thick. Pro tip: If the dough feels too sticky, add a tiny bit more powdered sugar, but go slow! You want it pliable, not dry.
- Color magic:Divide the dough in half. Knead red gel coloring into one half and green into the other (wear gloves unless you want festive hands for days!). Add color gradually – you can always add more, but you can’t take it out!
- Shape your minty masterpieces: Roll teaspoon-sized bits between your palms into smooth balls (my kids love helping with this part!). For uniform sizes, I use a small cookie scoop – lifesaver for holiday baking marathons.
- The waiting game: Arrange them on parchment-lined trays – don’t crowd! Let them dry at room temperature for about 2 hours until they develop that perfect slightly firm outer shell with a soft center. No peeking!
Shaping and Drying Tips
Here’s my battle-tested advice for mint perfection: If the dough sticks to your hands, dust them lightly with powdered sugar – same trick works for cookie cutters if you’re making shapes instead of balls. Always use parchment paper; wax paper can make them sweat. And if your kitchen’s humid? Extend drying time by 30-60 minutes. These little guys are worth the wait!
Tips for Perfect Soft Christmas Peppermints
After making batches and batches of these mints (some glorious, some… learning experiences!), here are my can’t-live-without tips:
- Food coloring finesse: Start with just a drop of gel color – the shade deepens as you knead. Want candy cane stripes? Roll red and green ropes together before cutting!
- Sticky dough SOS: If it clings like holiday tinsel, add powdered sugar 1 tbsp at a time. Too much makes them crumbly though – stop when it just stops sticking to your palms.
- Storage smarts: Layer them between parchment in airtight containers. They’ll keep for weeks unless your family finds the stash (mine never lasts that long!).
- Humidity hack: In muggy weather, let them dry overnight before storing – otherwise they might “sweat” and stick together.
There you go – my hard-won wisdom for minty success! Now go make some holiday magic.
Storage and Gifting Ideas
You know what makes me happier than eating these mints? Having them ready to go all season long! I stash batches in airtight containers (layered with parchment paper so they don’t stick together) – they stay fresh for two whole weeks! That means you can totally prep them early when doing your holiday meal planning. And oh, the gifting possibilities! My three favorite ways to package them:
- Mini mason jars tied with ribbon (I add a recipe card for extra charm)
- Cellophane bags with cute holiday stickers – perfect for teacher gifts
- Tiny tins arranged on a dessert board (they look like precious jewels next to cookies!)
I always make double batches – one for us to sneak treats from all December, and one to share. Find more festive inspiration on my Pinterest boards, where I collect all my favorite holiday foodie ideas!
Nutritional Information
Just a quick note – these numbers are estimates since we all roll our mints slightly different sizes! Per mint (about 1 teaspoon size), you’re looking at:
- Calories: 50
- Sugar: 12g
- Carbs: 11g
Not too bad for such a festive little treat, right? The powdered sugar and condensed milk do most of the work here – but hey, it’s the holidays!
FAQs About Soft Christmas Peppermints
I get asked these all the time – here are the minty-fresh answers to your burning questions!
- Can I use almond extract instead of peppermint? You totally can! Try almond for a twist (my aunt swears by it), but it won’t give that classic holiday “cool” factor. Start with ½ tsp though – almond extract is stronger!
- How long until they’re dry enough to package? Usually 2 hours does it, but if your kitchen feels like a tropical vacation, give them 3-4 hours. Test one by gently pressing – it should hold its shape but still feel slightly soft.
- Can I freeze these peppermint candies? Yes! Freeze them in single layers first so they don’t stick together, then transfer to bags. Thaw overnight at room temp – they’ll taste just as fresh. Perfect for meal planning ahead!
- Help! My dough is too sticky – what now? Don’t panic! Add powdered sugar 1 tablespoon at a time until it stops clinging to your fingers. Too much makes them crumbly though, so go slow like you’re adding glitter.
- Will they work as edible gifts for large groups? Absolutely! One batch makes about 60 mints – double it and you’ve got enough for the whole cookie swap plus teacher presents. They’re my go-to when I’m in a holiday pinch!
There you go – all the insider tips I’ve learned from years of mint-making mayhem. Happy pepperminting!
More Holiday Treats to Try
If you loved these peppermint candies, wait till you try my other holiday favorites! Whip up a batch of melt-in-your-mouth spritz cookies for the cookie swap, or go all out with pecan pie thumbprints that taste like Christmas morning. Pro tip: Make them all during your holiday meal planning day – your future self will thank you when treats are ready to grab-and-go!
PrintSoft Christmas Peppermints
Easy no-cook peppermint candies perfect for holiday gifts or dessert boards.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 0 min
- Total Time: 2 hours 15 min
- Yield: 60 mints 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
- 1 tsp peppermint extract
- 6 cups powdered sugar
- Red and green food coloring
Instructions
- Mix condensed milk and peppermint extract in a large bowl.
- Gradually add powdered sugar until dough forms.
- Divide dough into two portions. Color one red and one green.
- Roll into small balls or shape as desired.
- Let dry on parchment paper for 2 hours.
Notes
- Store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.
- Great for meal planning or edible gifts.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 mint
- Calories: 50
- Sugar: 12
- Sodium: 5
- Fat: 0.5
- Saturated Fat: 0.3
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.1
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 11
- Fiber: 0
- Protein: 0.2
- Cholesterol: 1