Description
The Magic of Soft Christmas Peppermints: Indulge in these quick, comforting treats made with peppermint extract and sugar, perfect for the holidays.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3½ cups powdered sugar, plus extra for dusting
- ¼ cup light corn syrup
- 2 tablespoons water
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- ½ teaspoon pure peppermint extract (premium quality makes a noticeable difference)
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract (optional, adds depth)
- ⅛ teaspoon fine sea salt
- Red food coloring (gel food coloring provides vibrant color without excess liquid)
- Green food coloring (optional, for variety)
Instructions
- Step 1: Prepare Your Workspace Before beginning, clear a large countertop area and dust it lightly with powdered sugar. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside. Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature for easier mixing. This preparation makes the entire process of creating Soft Christmas Peppermints much more enjoyable and efficient.
- Step 2: Create the Base Mixture In a large bowl, combine powdered sugar and salt, whisking briefly to remove any lumps. In a separate microwave-safe bowl, heat the butter for 15-20 seconds until just softened but not melted. Add the corn syrup, water, peppermint extract, and vanilla (if using) to the butter, stirring until well combined. Pour this wet mixture into the powdered sugar and mix first with a spatula, then switch to kneading with your hands until a smooth dough forms.
- Step 3: Color the Dough Divide the dough into portions according to your color preference. For traditional peppermints, keep two-thirds white and tint one-third red. Place the portion you wish to color in a small bowl and add a small amount of gel food coloring. Knead thoroughly until the color is evenly distributed. For a brighter red, you may need to add more coloring gradually.
- Step 4: Create the Peppermint Design For classic swirled Soft Christmas Peppermints, take a small portion of white dough and flatten it slightly. Place a smaller piece of colored dough on top, then fold and twist just 2-3 times to create marbling—avoid overmixing as this will create a solid color rather than swirls. Alternatively, roll the red and white portions into separate ropes, twist them together, then slice into rounds.
- Step 5: Shape and Set Roll the marbled dough into a log approximately 1 inch in diameter. Use a sharp knife to cut into ¼-inch thick rounds. For traditional peppermint shapes, you can gently press the sides to create a slightly flattened circle. Place the cut Soft Christmas Peppermints on your prepared baking sheets, leaving a small gap between each piece. Allow them to dry at room temperature for 24 hours, turning once halfway through to ensure even drying on both sides.
Notes
Fresh ingredients will always yield the best flavor results.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 peppermint
- Calories: 60 kcal
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 15mg
- Fat: 2g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 5mg