Description
Easy Butter Mints are soft, melt-in-your-mouth candies infused with refreshing peppermint flavor. Made with simple ingredients like butter, powdered sugar, and heavy cream, these no-bake treats are perfect for holiday gifting or a sweet snack. They firm up after drying overnight for a delicate texture that’s both creamy and cool.
Ingredients
Scale
Butter Mint Dough
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
- 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
- 1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt
- Gel food coloring, optional
Instructions
- Cream the Butter and Salt: In a mixing bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter together with the fine sea salt until the mixture is smooth, creamy, and slightly lighter in color, ensuring a good base for the mints.
- Add Peppermint and Cream: Stir in the peppermint extract and heavy cream, then beat again until everything is fully combined and the mixture appears silky and smooth.
- Incorporate Powdered Sugar: Gradually mix in the powdered sugar, about a cup at a time, starting on low speed to prevent sugar dust from flying. Continue until a very thick, soft dough forms.
- Adjust Dough Texture: Check the consistency of the dough. If it’s sticky, add more powdered sugar a little at a time; if it feels dry or crumbly, add a few drops more heavy cream and mix thoroughly.
- Add Color (Optional): Divide the dough into separate portions if you want different colors. Knead a drop or two of gel food coloring into each portion until the color is evenly distributed.
- Shape the Dough: Lightly dust your work surface with powdered sugar and roll each portion of dough into long ropes about 1/2 inch thick.
- Cut Into Pieces: Using a small sharp knife or bench scraper, cut the ropes into tiny pillow-shaped pieces roughly 1/2 inch wide, separating the pieces so they don’t stick together.
- Dry the Mints: Arrange the cut mints in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Let them dry at room temperature for at least 12 hours or overnight until they have a firm exterior but remain soft inside when bitten.
Notes
- The drying time is essential for achieving the perfect texture; do not skip or shorten it.
- Use gel food coloring rather than liquid to avoid altering the dough’s consistency.
- Store the butter mints in an airtight container once dried to maintain freshness.
- These mints are best enjoyed within a week for optimal flavor and texture.
- Adjust peppermint extract quantity according to your preference for flavor intensity.
