The first time I pulled a tray of these chewy peppermints from the fridge, my kitchen smelled like a snowy, minty wonderland. I was determined to create a homemade candy that was easier than fudge but just as festive, something with that nostalgic, melt-in-your-mouth quality of a soft peppermint patty. Kneading that smooth, pliable dough and watching it set into perfect, glossy little patties was pure magic. That first bite, with its cool, creamy center and bright peppermint zing, was an instant holiday classic. They’re like little edible Christmas ornaments, sweet and refreshing.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
You are going to absolutely fall in love with this recipe because it creates the most delightful, chewy, minty candies with just a handful of ingredients and zero baking required. They’re incredibly fun to make, especially with kids, and they look beautifully professional when finished. From my experience, these peppermints are the perfect homemade gift—they’re unique, bursting with festive flavor, and have that irresistible texture that makes it impossible to eat just one. They’re a simple way to add a special, handmade touch to your holiday season.
Ingredients
- 1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 teaspoon peppermint extract (not mint extract)
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 5-6 cups powdered sugar, divided
- 1-2 drops red food coloring (optional)
- 12 oz high-quality white chocolate or vanilla candy melts
- Crushed candy canes or sprinkles for decorating (optional)
Let’s talk ingredients, as the right choices make all the difference. First, you must use peppermint extract, not mint extract. Mint extract often contains spearmint, which tastes like gum, not candy canes. Pure peppermint extract gives that classic, cool Christmas flavor. For the coating, I’ve tried both white chocolate and vanilla candy melts. While good white chocolate tastes amazing, it can be tricky to temper. For foolproof, smooth dipping, I now swear by high-quality vanilla candy melts—they set perfectly every time. And trust me, don’t skip the salt; it balances the intense sweetness and makes the peppermint flavor pop instead of just tasting sugary.(See the next page below to continue…)