Soft Christmas Peppermints Recipe

Introduction

These Soft Christmas Peppermints are a festive and delightful holiday treat. With a chewy texture and classic peppermint flavor, they’re perfect for sharing or gift-giving during the season.

Ingredients

• 3¾ cups powdered sugar (plus extra for dusting)
• ⅓ cup sweetened condensed milk
• ½ teaspoon peppermint extract
• Red and green food coloring (gel preferred)
• Granulated sugar (for coating)

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, sift the powdered sugar to remove lumps, reserving a small amount for dusting your work surface.
2. Step 2: Add the sweetened condensed milk and peppermint extract to the powdered sugar, mixing until a sticky dough forms. If it’s too wet, add more powdered sugar a tablespoon at a time.
3. Step 3: Divide the dough into three portions. Leave one portion plain, and color the others red and green using gel food coloring. Knead until colors are evenly distributed.
4. Step 4: Dust your work surface with powdered sugar. Roll each colored dough into thin ropes, about ½ inch thick.
5. Step 5: Twist the red, green, and plain ropes together gently to create a candy cane effect.
6. Step 6: Cut into 2-inch segments and shape into small rounds or discs.
7. Step 7: Roll each peppermint in granulated sugar to coat.
8. Step 8: Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet and let dry at room temperature for several hours or overnight until firm.

Tips & Variations

• Use gel food coloring to avoid adding extra moisture to the dough and get vibrant colors.
• If the dough feels too sticky, dust your hands with powdered sugar while shaping.
• For a stronger mint flavor, add a little more peppermint extract, but add gradually to avoid overpowering.
• Try shaping the candies into traditional peppermint twists or small hearts for variety.

Storage

Store the soft peppermint candies in an airtight container at room temperature. They will keep fresh for up to two weeks. If they become too soft, chilling briefly in the fridge can help firm them up. Avoid storing in humid areas to maintain texture.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use regular food coloring instead of gel?

You can use regular food coloring, but it may add extra moisture to the dough, making it stickier. Gel coloring is preferred for vibrant colors without altering texture.

How long do the peppermint candies need to dry?

They should dry at room temperature for several hours or preferably overnight to become firm enough to handle and enjoy.

Soft Christmas Peppermints Recipe

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5 from 149 reviews

Soft Christmas Peppermints are a delightful holiday treat featuring a chewy texture and classic peppermint flavor. These colorful candies combine sweetened condensed milk, powdered sugar, and peppermint extract, twisted into festive red, green, and white ropes, then coated with granulated sugar. Perfect for gift-giving or festive parties, these soft mints require no baking and are best left to set at room temperature until firm.

• Author: Amy
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Total Time: 6 hours (including drying time)
• Yield: Approximately 50 candies 1x
• Category: Candy
• Method: No-Cook
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Base Ingredients

• 3¾ cups powdered sugar (plus extra for dusting)
• ⅓ cup sweetened condensed milk
• ½ teaspoon peppermint extract

Coloring

• Red gel food coloring
• Green gel food coloring

Coating

• Granulated sugar (for coating)

Instructions

1. Sift powdered sugar: Begin by sifting 3¾ cups of powdered sugar into a large bowl to remove any lumps, reserving a small amount for dusting your work surface later.
2. Mix dough: Add ⅓ cup of sweetened condensed milk and ½ teaspoon of peppermint extract to the powdered sugar. Mix thoroughly until a sticky dough forms. If the mixture feels too wet, incorporate additional powdered sugar one tablespoon at a time until the proper consistency is achieved.
3. Divide and color dough: Split the dough evenly into three portions. Leave one portion plain (white), and knead red gel food coloring into one portion and green gel food coloring into the other until colors are evenly blended.
4. Prepare work surface: Dust your work surface generously with reserved powdered sugar to prevent sticking during rolling.
5. Roll into ropes: Roll each colored dough portion into long, thin ropes approximately ½ inch in diameter.
6. Twist ropes together: Gently twist the red, green, and plain ropes together to create a festive candy cane swirl effect.
7. Cut and shape: Slice the twisted ropes into 2-inch segments and shape each segment into small rounds or discs.
8. Coat candies: Roll each peppermint disc in granulated sugar, ensuring they are thoroughly coated for added texture and sweetness.
9. Dry the candies: Place the sugared candies on a parchment-lined baking sheet and allow them to dry at room temperature for several hours or overnight until they are firm to the touch.

Notes

• Use gel food coloring for vibrant colors without affecting the dough’s texture.
• If the dough is too sticky, add powdered sugar incrementally until manageable.
• Allow the candies to dry completely at room temperature; do not refrigerate, as moisture can make them sticky.
• Store the peppermint candies in an airtight container once firm to maintain softness and freshness.
• These candies are soft and chewy, not hard like traditional peppermint candies.

Keywords: Christmas candy, peppermint candies, soft peppermint, holiday treats, no-bake candy, festive peppermint