Equipment Needed
- Large mixing bowl
- Electric hand mixer or sturdy spoon
- Parchment paper
- Baking sheets
- Small bowls (for coloring portions of dough)
- Fork or dipping tools
- Microwave-safe bowl or double boiler
- Cooling rack (optional)
Step-by-Step Instructions
We start by creating the wonderfully simple, no-cook dough. In your large mixing bowl, combine the entire can of sweetened condensed milk, the peppermint extract, vanilla extract, and salt. Stir this together with a spoon until it’s smooth. Now, begin adding the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, stirring vigorously after each addition. I start with a spoon, but after about 3 cups, I switch to using my clean hands to knead it, just like bread dough. You’ll add between 5 to 6 cups total. The dough is ready when it’s no longer sticky, is smooth and pliable, and holds its shape when pinched. It should feel like very firm, smooth play-dough.
Now for the fun, festive part: shaping and coloring. Turn the dough out onto a surface lightly dusted with powdered sugar. Divide it into two or three equal portions if you want to color some of it. For classic red-and-white mints, I leave one portion white and knead 1-2 drops of red food coloring into another until it’s evenly tinted. A little gel coloring goes a long way! Now, pinch off small pieces of dough (about 1 teaspoon each) and roll them into smooth balls. Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet and gently flatten them into little patties, about ¼-inch thick. You can also leave them as balls for a truffle-like shape. If the dough gets sticky while you work, just dust your hands with more powdered sugar.
This is the most important step for perfect texture: the chill. Once all your patties are shaped, you must let them firm up. Cover the baking sheet loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or even overnight. I tried dipping them after only 30 minutes once, and they were too soft—the coating cracked and the centers oozed. A thorough chill solidifies the centers so they hold their shape during dipping and give you that perfect chewy bite later.(See the next page below to continue…)