Soft Christmas Peppermints

The smell of peppermint always takes me straight back to my grandmother’s kitchen at Christmas. I can still picture the counter dusted with sugar, her hands rolling soft little mints in red, green, and white. There was laughter, Christmas music playing softly in the background, and the kind of calm that only happens when everyone’s together. Making Soft Christmas Peppermints now brings that same sense of peace to my own home each December.

Why Soft Christmas Peppermints Still Feel Like Home

There’s something timeless about these little candies. They’re simple, sweet, and deeply nostalgic. Every family has that one treat that signals the season’s arrival — for us, it’s these mints. My mom would keep them in a glass jar by the window, where the afternoon light caught their colors and made them sparkle. Guests would stop by, and before we knew it, the jar would be half empty again.

Soft Christmas Peppermints remind me that holiday traditions don’t have to be complicated. They’re not about extravagance or perfection but about presence — the moments spent rolling dough, sharing stories, and creating something together. Even now, when my own children help shape the candies, I see the same joy I felt as a child. It’s the circle of kitchen memories continuing, one peppermint at a time.

Bringing Soft Christmas Peppermints Together

Though these mints don’t need a stove, the process has its own comforting rhythm. Mixing the cream cheese and butter until fluffy feels like the beginning of something cozy. The powdered sugar dusts the air like snow, and the dough comes together under your hands, soft and pliable. When the colors swirl in — bright red, forest green, and snowy white — the kitchen feels instantly festive.

This recipe is wonderfully forgiving, too. There’s no rush, no fear of overbaking or missing a timer. You can make them at your own pace, talk while you roll, and let the mints dry overnight. They’re as gentle to make as they are to eat, which might be why they’ve held such a beloved spot in my holiday baking for years.

Ingredients You’ll Need

4 cups powdered sugar (plus extra for kneading and rolling)
4 oz cream cheese, softened (about ½ cup)
1 tablespoon unsalted butter, softened
½ teaspoon peppermint extract (or to taste)
Pinch of salt
Gel food coloring (red, green – optional)
Granulated sugar (for rolling)

Use the best-quality peppermint extract you can find; it truly makes a difference in the flavor. A little extra vanilla is lovely if you like a softer, more mellow note behind the mint. Make sure your butter and cream cheese are fully softened — it helps the dough turn silky and smooth.

Step-by-Step Directions

1. In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and unsalted butter together using an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth and fluffy. This takes about 2–3 minutes. Scrape the bowl as needed to keep the texture even and airy.
2. Add the peppermint extract and a pinch of salt. Start with ½ teaspoon of extract, then taste the dough later to decide if you want more. Peppermint can easily become too strong, so a light hand is best.
3. Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, mixing on low speed. The mixture will begin creamy, then turn thick and dough-like. Once it becomes too stiff for your mixer, dust your hands with powdered sugar and knead it gently by hand until smooth and pliable.
4. Divide the dough into as many portions as you’d like. For traditional Christmas Peppermints, make three — one white, one red, and one green.
5. Add a drop or two of gel food coloring to each portion and knead until the color is evenly blended. You can wear gloves or knead on parchment paper to keep your hands clean.
6. Dust your surface with powdered sugar. Roll each portion into a rope about ½ inch thick, then cut into small, bite-sized pieces about the same length.
7. For a classic look, roll each piece into a ball and press gently with a fork to make a criss-cross pattern. You can also use small candy molds or cookie stamps for fun holiday shapes.
8. Roll each shaped mint in granulated sugar to coat. This prevents them from sticking and gives them a lovely sparkle.
9. Arrange the mints in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Let them air dry uncovered at room temperature for 12 to 24 hours. They’ll form a delicate shell outside while staying soft and creamy inside.

Making these mints is more like a quiet afternoon craft than a recipe — hands-on, relaxing, and filled with holiday cheer.

Serving Soft Christmas Peppermints With Family Warmth

Once your mints are ready, gather them into a pretty dish or a glass jar. I love placing them in small bowls on the coffee table during December — a sweet little treat for anyone who stops by. They look beautiful next to mugs of cocoa or coffee after dinner.

At Christmas parties, I sometimes wrap them in small clear bags tied with ribbon. They make simple, heartfelt gifts that show you took time to make something special. The red, green, and white colors bring instant joy, and everyone who tastes one always comments on how soft and creamy they are inside.

You can also serve these alongside sugar cookies or chocolate bark on a dessert tray. The cool peppermint flavor balances rich or spiced treats beautifully.

Storing Soft Christmas Peppermints for Tomorrow

These mints store wonderfully. Once they’ve dried completely, place them in an airtight container with parchment between layers. Keep them at room temperature for up to two weeks or in the refrigerator for a little longer.

If you chill them, let them come back to room temperature before serving — their texture softens again, and the flavor blooms. Over time, the peppermint mellows slightly, becoming smoother and more balanced. They’re just as good on day seven as they are fresh, maybe even better.

Amelia’s Kitchen Notes

1. Use soft cream cheese. Cold cream cheese won’t blend well and can leave small lumps. Set it out at least 30 minutes before starting.
2. Adjust sweetness gently. If the dough feels too stiff, add a teaspoon of softened butter or a few drops of milk.
3. Keep colors bright. Gel coloring gives vibrant shades without thinning the dough like liquid color would.
4. Let them air dry naturally. Avoid the fridge or oven for drying — the slow air drying gives the perfect soft texture inside.
5. Perfect for gifting. Pack them in tins with parchment paper, and they’ll stay lovely for days.

Family Variations on Soft Christmas Peppermints

Over the years, we’ve played with a few fun twists. Sometimes I add a few drops of vanilla extract along with the peppermint for a creamy, rounder flavor. My daughter loves to shape them into little hearts for Valentine’s Day, using pink coloring instead of red and green.

For a wintery variation, try dipping the finished mints halfway in melted dark chocolate and letting them set. The contrast between the cool mint and warm chocolate feels indulgent and festive.

If you like a hint of citrus, a touch of orange extract instead of peppermint makes bright “Christmas Creams” that pair beautifully with chocolate desserts.

And for St. Patrick’s Day or spring gatherings, soft mint green mints alone are just right — a cheerful pop of color that tastes like new beginnings.

Common Questions From My Readers

A Warm Note From My Kitchen

There’s a quiet kind of joy that comes from making something by hand — especially during the holidays. These Soft Christmas Peppermints carry that joy in every little swirl of red, green, and white. They remind me of the laughter in my grandmother’s kitchen, the smell of peppermint in the air, and the way Christmas always felt just a little more magical when we gathered around something sweet.

If you’re looking to fill your home with more festive treats, you might love trying my Christmas Crack — a crunchy, buttery classic that disappears fast — or these melt-in-your-mouth Ginger Molasses Christmas Cookies, perfect for holiday cookie trays. For something creamy and cheerful, the No-Bake Blue Christmas Truffles are a reader favorite, especially when paired with a mug of cocoa.

And if you’re in the mood for something cozy beyond the holiday season, try my Pumpkin Snickerdoodle Donut Holes for a soft, spiced treat or the comforting Vanilla Christmas Cake Roll for an elegant dessert centerpiece. Each recipe carries a little piece of my kitchen, shared from one heart to another.

I’d love to see your version of these Soft Christmas Peppermints — share your photos and tag me on Facebook or Pinterest. Nothing makes me happier than seeing these sweet traditions come to life in your homes.

I hope this recipe brings warmth, color, and comfort to your holiday season. When the sugar settles and the lights glow softly in the evening, may your kitchen feel just as full of joy as mine — one peppermint at a time.

Soft Christmas Peppermints

Creamy, melt-in-your-mouth peppermint candies in festive red, green, and white. A no-bake holiday treat full of nostalgic charm and perfect for gifting or sharing with family.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Course Candy, Dessert, No-Bake

Cuisine American, Holiday

Servings 80 mints

Calories 40 kcal

Ingredients

  

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• 4 cups powdered sugar plus extra for kneading and rolling
• 4 oz cream cheese, softened about ½ cup
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, softened
• ½ teaspoon peppermint extract or to taste
• 1 pinch salt
• gel food coloring red and green, optional
• granulated sugar for rolling

Instructions

 

• In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter using an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes. Scrape the bowl as needed.
• Add the peppermint extract and a pinch of salt. Start with ½ teaspoon and adjust to taste later.
• Gradually mix in powdered sugar, one cup at a time, on low speed. Once too thick for a mixer, knead by hand until smooth and pliable, dusting with powdered sugar as needed.
• Divide the dough into three portions for red, green, and white mints. Add gel food coloring to the red and green portions and knead until evenly colored.
• Dust a surface with powdered sugar. Roll each dough portion into a rope about ½ inch thick and cut into bite-sized pieces.
• Roll each piece into a ball and gently press with a fork for a criss-cross pattern, or use candy molds or cookie stamps for shapes.
• Roll each shaped mint in granulated sugar to coat and prevent sticking.
• Arrange mints in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Let air dry uncovered at room temperature for 12 to 24 hours.

Notes

Use high-quality peppermint extract for the best flavor. Let the mints dry naturally — no fridge or oven needed. For gifting, place in tins with parchment. You can also freeze them in layers with parchment for up to two months. Add vanilla extract for a creamy twist, or dip in chocolate for a festive variation.

Nutrition

Calories: 40kcalCarbohydrates: 10gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0.5gCholesterol: 2mgSodium: 5mgPotassium: 2mgSugar: 9gVitamin A: 20IUCalcium: 4mg

Keyword Christmas mints, Holiday Treats, no-bake candy, peppermint candy, soft peppermints

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