The first time I made these Soft Christmas Peppermints, my kitchen transformed into a winter wonderland of scent and sweetness. As I mixed the snowy powdered sugar with the rich cream cheese, the clean, sharp aroma of peppermint oil filled the air, mingling with the subtle, buttery fragrance of the dough coming together under my hands. Rolling out the soft, pliable paste and cutting it into cheerful little rounds felt less like baking and more like crafting edible holiday ornaments. That first taste—cool, creamy, and meltingly tender with a burst of pure peppermint—was a revelation. These aren’t the hard, chalky candies from a store; they’re soft, luxurious, and taste like the very essence of Christmas cheer. They’ve become my most requested holiday gift, a tradition that now marks the start of my festive season.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
You will adore this recipe because it lets you create professional-quality, melt-in-your-mouth candies with just a few simple ingredients and no special equipment. It’s incredibly forgiving, wildly customizable, and the process is just as joyful as the result. There’s something deeply satisfying about creating a beautiful, edible gift with your own hands, and these peppermints, with their creamy texture and festive spirit, are guaranteed to bring smiles and requests for “just one more” from everyone who tries them.
Ingredients
- 3 cups powdered sugar (confectioners’ sugar), plus a generous extra 1/2 cup for dusting and kneading
- 4 ounces full-fat cream cheese, softened completely at room temperature
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, softened completely at room temperature
- 1/2 teaspoon pure peppermint extract (or 1/4 teaspoon peppermint oil for a stronger flavor)
- 1-2 drops red liquid food coloring (or gel coloring for more vibrant color)
- Optional: Crushed candy canes or coarse sugar for rolling (See the next page below to continue…)