Soft Christmas Peppermints are a timeless, festive treat that captures the whimsy and wonder of the holidays in every gentle, melt-in-your-mouth bite. Sometimes called “cream cheese mints” or “old-fashioned butter mints,” these candies are easy to make, require no baking, and bring a nostalgic sweetness to dessert platters, party tables, and holiday gift boxes.
Beautifully colored and delicately flavored, they’re as much a decoration as a dessert—soft, creamy, and disappearing fast wherever you serve them.
Why These Peppermints Steal the Show
Unlike the crunchy, hard peppermint disks you find in candy bowls, these peppermint creams dissolve dreamily on the tongue, releasing cool, sweet mint that lingers in the best way. They look like little gems when tinted red, green, or snowy white, and you can shape them into balls, disks, or press them in decorative molds for extra flair.
They’re also wonderfully old-school—a staple of Southern Christmases and holiday weddings, made from just a handful of ingredients and ready in under an hour.
Because they’re egg-free and gluten-free, nearly everyone can enjoy them. Plus, they make for a festive, edible craft project with kids or a relaxing holiday ritual for grownups who remember them from childhood.
Ingredient Overview
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened (optional, for extra richness)
- 4–5 cups powdered sugar, sifted (more for dusting and adjusting texture)
- 1–2 teaspoons pure peppermint extract (to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional, for depth)
- Pinch of salt
- Red and green gel food coloring
- Sprinkles or fine sanding sugar for garnish, if desired
The cream cheese base gives these candies their ultra-creamy, meltaway texture. Butter makes them extra rich but can be omitted for a slightly firmer mint. Powdered sugar sweetens and forms the dough—start with less, then add gradually to avoid a sticky mess.
Peppermint extract is strong, so taste after 1 teaspoon before adding more. Vanilla adds warmth and balances the mint; salt brings all the flavors into focus. Gel coloring delivers intense color without thinning the dough.
Mixing the Perfect Soft Mint Dough
In a large mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and butter together until smooth and fluffy. Add the peppermint and vanilla extract with a pinch of salt, mixing well. Begin to add powdered sugar about 1 cup at a time, beating after each addition.
The dough should transition from a sticky frosting-like consistency to a thick, smooth, pliable dough that’s just barely tacky, similar to playdough.
Taste and adjust the mint—remember that the flavor will mellow as the dough sits. If it’s too subtle, add 1/4 teaspoon more extract at a time.
Divide the dough into 2–4 portions (as many as you want colors) and tint each with a few drops of gel food coloring, kneading to distribute color evenly. Wash hands between colors to keep hues bright.
Shaping, Rolling, and Molding
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and dust lightly with powdered sugar. Pinch off small pieces of dough (about 1 teaspoon each) and roll into balls between your palms. Arrange on the baking sheet, spaced slightly apart.
For classic “mint disks,” gently flatten each ball with a fork dipped in powdered sugar, giving them a hatched, rustic look.
If you have silicone candy molds, dust with powdered sugar and press dough into them for hearts, stars, or festive shapes. Release onto the sheet. For a sparkly finish, lightly press each disk into sanding sugar or top with seasonal sprinkles.
Let the shaped mints air-dry at room temperature, uncovered, for at least 4–6 hours or overnight, until the outsides are dry to the touch but the centers remain soft. The longer they “cure,” the firmer they become; one day is perfect for bite-size, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Tips and Tricks for Best Results
- Use full-fat cream cheese for the creamiest texture—reduced fat can make dough sticky.
- Sift sugar to avoid lumps; it makes for smoother, prettier mints.
- If dough is too soft or sticky to roll, add more powdered sugar, a tablespoon at a time, until workable.
- These candies can be shaped well ahead and dried; once fully set, they can be stored in layers separated by wax paper.
Make-Ahead, Storage, and Gifting
Once thoroughly dried, mints can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks at cool room temperature or a month in the refrigerator. Freeze for up to 3 months for longest storage, thawing uncovered in the fridge to avoid condensation.
For gifting, layer into boxes or tins with parchment between colors, wrap in cellophane bags, or tuck a handful into mini muffin liners for party platters.
Variations to Try
- Swap peppermint for lemon, orange, or almond extract for a colorful, non-minty spin.
- Use all-white dough and decorate with colored sugars for sparkle.
- Roll tiny balls of multiple colors together to create marbled or “confetti” mints.
- Press patterns with the tines of a fork, the bottom of a glass, or specialty cookie stamps.
Troubleshooting and FAQs
Mints too sticky?
Add more powdered sugar, a tablespoon at a time, until dough is smooth and easy to shape.
Dry and crumbly?
Knead in a little more cream cheese or a drop of water, mix until smooth.
Flavor too strong or too weak?
Start with less mint and taste before adding more. If using “extract” vs “flavor,” measure carefully; oil-based mints are extra potent.
Can I skip the butter?
Yes—your mints will still be creamy but slightly less rich and firmer to the bite.
Do I have to dry overnight?
A few hours is fine for softest mints; overnight yields a firmer shell with a creamy center.
Serving, Pairing, and Party Ideas
Pile mints into bowls or glass jars for parties, use as edible decor on cookie trays, or pair with hot cocoa and coffee for dessert tables. Sprinkle on cakes or tuck into holiday gift bags for a sweet little something.
These are a fun, pastel addition to spring Easter baskets, baby showers, or wedding cookie tables—just switch up colors to match the occasion.
Who Will Love These
Soft Christmas Peppermints are for kids and adults who prefer creamy to crunchy, who love a gentle mint, and who want a no-bake classic that feels nostalgic. Egg-free, gluten-free, nut-free, and customizable for most dietary needs, they’re a safe, universally loved addition to any holiday plan.
Conclusion
Soft Christmas Peppermints are the sweet, simple essence of holiday joy—pretty, little, melt-in-your-mouth gems you can make in any color, flavor, or shape. Share them, gift them, or save them for yourself—everyone deserves a classic that feels this festive!
