There’s something instantly joyful about homemade holiday treats, and this Festive Peppermint Mints Recipe is no exception. The bright red, green, and white colors make them perfect for spreading cheer — plus, they taste like winter wrapped in a perfect little bite. Let me show you how simple and fun it is to make these!
Jump to:
Why You'll Love This Recipe
I’ve made plenty of holiday candies over the years, but these festive peppermint mints hold a special place in my kitchen. They’re not only delicious but also incredibly customizable and surprisingly easy to make, which means you can enjoy the process as much as the result.
- Classic holiday colors: Red, green, and white mints add instant festive vibes to your dessert table.
- Creamy texture: Thanks to cream cheese and butter, these mints melt on your tongue rather than crumble.
- Simple ingredients: You probably have most of them on hand already, which makes this an easy last-minute treat.
- Customizable sweetness and flavor strength: You control how peppermint-y and sweet they get, perfect for personal tastes.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient plays a special role in delivering those melt-in-your-mouth festive peppermint mints. Using room-temperature dairy helps everything blend smoothly, while powdered sugar ensures the right balance between sweetness and firm candy texture.
- Granulated sugar: Used just for the final coating, it adds a lightly crunchy, sweet exterior.
- Cream cheese: This gives the mints their creamy, smooth body and keeps them from feeling dry.
- Unsalted butter: Adds richness and helps with the creamy texture.
- Light corn syrup: Prevents crystallization, keeping those mints soft and chewy instead of gritty.
- Peppermint extract: The star flavor — start with a teaspoon and adjust according to whether you want it subtle or bold.
- Powdered sugar: Key for structure and sweetness, but add it slowly so you get the perfect dough consistency.
- Red and green liquid food coloring: Classic festive colors that bring the candy to life; gel colors brighten even more without extra moisture.
Make It Your Way
One of my favorite parts about this Festive Peppermint Mints Recipe is how easy it is to play around with colors and flavor! Feel free to tweak it to suit your holiday style or dietary needs.
- Variation: I sometimes swap peppermint extract for spearmint or even a combo of vanilla and peppermint for a softer, layered flavor. It’s fun to mix things up and watch guests guess the twist!
- Dietary tweak: For a dairy-free version, try a vegan cream cheese and butter substitute; it changes the texture slightly but still comes out sweet and yummy.
- Color intensity: Want deeper holiday hues? Add up to half a teaspoon of gel food coloring, but add it bit by bit to avoid making the dough too sticky.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Festive Peppermint Mints Recipe
Step 1: Prepare your workspace and ingredients
Lay out a large baking tray lined with parchment paper — this is where your beautiful mints will rest once ready. Also, have the granulated sugar ready in a small bowl for coating later. Starting with room-temperature cream cheese, butter, and corn syrup is key for smooth mixing.
Step 2: Mix your creamy base
Using a handheld mixer on low speed, beat together the cream cheese, butter, corn syrup, and peppermint extract for about a minute until silky smooth. This sets the stage for that luscious creamy texture that makes these mints feel special.
Step 3: Slowly add powdered sugar to form dough
Add your powdered sugar gradually—about half a cup at a time—with the mixer still on low. As the dough thickens, switch to a spatula or wooden spoon to finish mixing by hand. The goal is a firm but pliable dough that’s not sticky.
Step 4: Divide and color your dough
Turn the dough onto a parchment-dusted counter and split it into three equal portions. Make a little well in the center of two dough balls and add red food coloring to one and green to the other. Leave the third plain white. Knead in extra powdered sugar gradually if the colored dough gets too sticky from the liquid color.
Step 5: Roll, slice, and shape your mints
Roll each dough ball into a rope about 18 inches long and 1 inch thick. Slice into ½-inch pieces, then roll each piece in your palms into little balls. When all are formed, toss them in the granulated sugar bowl until coated, then place them on the parchment-lined tray.
Step 6: Flatten and pattern your peppermint patties
Lightly press each sugared dough ball into a small disc using the tines of a fork, which creates a charming striped pattern resembling classic peppermint candies. Let them sit at room temperature for up to 24 hours — this step helps them firm up perfectly.
Top Tip
Trust me, I’ve learned a few handy tricks after multiple batches of these peppermint mints to keep things running smoothly — these tips will save you from common pitfalls and guarantee beautiful candies.
- Room temperature is everything: Make sure your cream cheese and butter are softened but not melting — this keeps your dough consistency spot on.
- Slowly incorporate powdered sugar: It’s tempting to dump it in all at once, but going slow helps you avoid a dough that’s too dry or way too sticky.
- Don’t overdo the food coloring: Add color drops gradually and add powdered sugar as needed since too much liquid can make the dough sticky and hard to shape.
- Let them rest: Patience here pays off — the 24-hour drying time at room temperature firms these up and brings out the best texture and flavor.
How to Serve Festive Peppermint Mints Recipe
Garnishes
I like serving these mints with a sprinkle of extra granulated sugar or crushed candy cane bits on top to amp up the festive crunch. Dusting them lightly with edible glitter also gives that magical sparkle when you’re impressing guests.
Side Dishes
These mints are perfect alongside a warm cup of hot chocolate or eggnog. They also pair wonderfully with a cheese platter to balance the creamy, cheesy flavors with minty sweetness.
Creative Ways to Present
For holiday parties, I love arranging them in little festive boxes tied with ribbon or spreading them out on a tiered holiday dessert tray. You can even use them as edible garnishes on cupcakes or cocktails for that extra holiday wow factor.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store your peppermint mints in an airtight container in the fridge to keep them fresh and firm. From my experience, they stay delicious for up to 2 weeks when chilled properly.
Freezing
I often freeze batches in freezer-safe containers when making extra ahead of time. When you’re ready, just transfer them to the fridge to thaw — they come out perfectly fresh and maintain their texture well.
Reheating
Since these mints are best enjoyed cold or at room temperature, you don’t really need to reheat. Just bring them to room temp if slightly chilled before serving for the best flavor and softness.
Leave a Reply