Soft Christmas Peppermints are the perfect little holiday treat—chewy, minty, and dressed in festive reds and greens. These hand-rolled peppermint patties pack a tender chew with cool peppermint and a hint of vanilla, dusted in sugar for a light crunch. Whether you’re cozying up by the fire or looking for a sweet gift to share, these candies are sure to bring holiday cheer right to your kitchen. Give them a try and watch everyone’s eyes light up at that first sweet, minty bite!
Key Ingredients
Before you get started, gather these simple ingredients to transform sugar and syrup into festive, chewy peppermints:
- 2 cups granulated sugar: Provides the sweet base and structure for the candy’s tender chew.
- 1 cup light corn syrup: Helps prevent crystallization and lends a smooth, pliable texture.
- 1/2 cup water: Dissolves the sugar and corn syrup, creating the syrup needed for candy-making.
- 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract: Delivers the signature cool, refreshing mint flavor.
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract: Adds a warm, aromatic undertone to balance the peppermint.
- 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar: Stabilizes the sugar syrup and prevents unwanted crystallization.
- Red and green food coloring (optional for festive colors): Gives each patty its holiday flair.
- Confectioners’ sugar (for dusting): Keeps candies from sticking and adds a snowy finish.
How To Make Soft Christmas Peppermints
Crafting these peppermints is a fun, hands-on process that fills your kitchen with anticipation. You’ll heat a simple syrup to the soft ball stage, flavor and color it, then shape it while it’s warm. With a candy thermometer and a bit of elbow grease, you’ll have delicate, chewy treats ready to dust and enjoy.
1. In a medium-sized saucepan, combine the granulated sugar, light corn syrup, and water. Stir over medium heat until the sugar has completely dissolved and the mixture is clear.
2. Increase the heat to high and bring the syrup to a vigorous boil. Do not stir during boiling to avoid crystallization. Attach a candy thermometer, making sure the bulb is submerged but not touching the pan’s bottom. Boil until the temperature reaches 240°F (soft ball stage).
3. Remove the pan from heat immediately. Carefully stir in the peppermint extract, vanilla extract, and cream of tartar—watch for bubbling—and blend until smooth.
4. Let the syrup cool for about 10 minutes, until it’s warm to the touch (around 140°F). Divide into batches, then add red or green food coloring as desired, folding each portion gently to achieve bright hues.
5. Lightly dust a clean work surface with confectioners’ sugar. Grease your hands with butter or margarine to prevent sticking. Working swiftly, pull and shape pieces of the warm mixture into small peppermint patties or rolls.
6. Place the shaped candies on a parchment-lined tray. Let them sit at room temperature for several hours until completely cool and firm.
7. Dust any remaining confectioners’ sugar over the candies, then store them in an airtight container to keep them soft and fresh.
Serving Suggestions
These soft Christmas peppermints aren’t just candies—they’re a festive accent to any holiday gathering. Serve them on a platter alongside cookies, tuck them into gift boxes, or use them to decorate pastries. Their vibrant colors and sweet mint flavor will delight guests and make every celebration feel extra special.
- Holiday Candy Platter: Arrange an assortment of cookies and these peppermints on a decorative tray. Garnish with fresh holly leaves for a festive touch.
- Gift Box Treats: Layer wax paper and candies in a small box. Tie with a ribbon and attach a handwritten note for a personal holiday gift.
- Cake and Cupcake Garnish: Press a peppermint patty onto frosted cupcakes or place one atop a holiday-themed cake for a pop of color and flavor.
- After-Dinner Palate Cleanser: Serve a small dish of these chews with coffee or hot cocoa—they refresh the palate and leave guests smiling.
Tips For Perfect Soft Christmas Peppermints
Making candy can feel a bit tricky at first, but with a few friendly pointers, you’ll master these soft peppermints in no time. Keep your ingredients measured and equipment ready, and remember that timing is key when shaping. These tips will help you add variety, texture, and extra cheer to your batch, ensuring every piece turns out irresistibly minty and tender.
- This recipe allows for various flavor combinations; try almond extract or lemon extract for a twist on the classic mint.
- To add a little crunch, consider incorporating crushed peppermint candies or candy canes into the mixture before shaping.
- These soft peppermints make great gifts or decorations on holiday treats—package them in clear bags or use them to adorn gingerbread houses.
- Be careful with the hot sugar mixture; it can cause burns if it splashes. Always keep a safe distance and use a sturdy saucepan.
How To Store It
Once your soft Christmas peppermints are ready, proper storage ensures they stay tender, minty, and perfectly chewy. Keep them dusted, cool, and airtight to preserve the ideal texture and flavor for as long as possible.
- Airtight Container: Place cooled candies in a single layer inside an airtight container. This prevents moisture loss and keeps them soft.
- Wax Paper Layers: If stacking patties, separate each layer with wax paper to avoid sticking and preserve shape.
- Room Temperature: Store at room temperature away from direct sunlight or heat sources. Avoid refrigeration, as it can introduce moisture.
- Use Within Two Weeks: For optimal flavor and texture, enjoy your peppermints within two weeks of making them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are quick answers to the most common questions about making soft Christmas peppermints:
- How do I know when the sugar mixture has reached the soft ball stage?
Attach a candy thermometer so its bulb is fully submerged but not touching the pan bottom. When the temperature reads 240°F, the syrup is at the soft ball stage. Alternatively, drop a small amount into cold water—if it forms a soft, pliable ball, it’s ready.
- Can I make these without a candy thermometer?
Yes. Instead of using a thermometer, periodically drop a little syrup into cold water. When the drop forms a soft ball that flattens when removed from the water, you’ve reached the correct stage. Work quickly, as temperatures can rise fast.
- Why shouldn’t I stir the mixture while it’s boiling?
Stirring during the boil can introduce sugar crystals and cause the syrup to crystallize, resulting in a grainy texture. Let the mixture boil undisturbed until it hits 240°F, then remove from heat before stirring in extracts and cream of tartar.
- How can I prevent the candy from sticking while shaping?
Lightly dust your work surface with confectioners’ sugar and grease your hands with a thin layer of butter or margarine. This prevents the warm candy from adhering to your fingers or the counter as you form patties or rolls.
- What’s the best way to add color to the peppermints?
After cooling the syrup to about 140°F, divide it into portions and add a few drops of red or green food coloring. Gently fold or knead each section with a spatula until the color is evenly distributed, then work quickly to shape.
- Can I experiment with other flavor extracts?
Absolutely. Almond, lemon, or orange extracts can replace or complement the peppermint flavor. Use the same 1/2 teaspoon quantity, then taste and adjust with a few more drops if a stronger flavor is desired.
- How should I store the soft Christmas peppermints and how long will they keep?
Once fully cooled and dusted with confectioners’ sugar, place the peppermints in a single layer inside an airtight container. If stacking layers, separate them with wax paper. Stored at room temperature, they’ll stay fresh and soft for up to two weeks.
What Makes This Special
What makes these soft Christmas peppermints stand out is their perfect balance of tender chew and refreshing mint, enhanced by a hint of vanilla and dusted in snowy sugar. The festive red and green hues add holiday magic, and the hand-rolled process is part of the fun. These candies are versatile—perfect for gifting, decorating, or enjoying by the fire. Feel free to print this recipe and tuck it into your holiday binder! I’d love to hear how yours turn out—drop a comment or question if you need help or want to share your peppermint stories.
Soft Christmas Peppermints
Description
These soft Christmas peppermints melt with a tender chew, bursting with cool peppermint and hints of vanilla. Bright red and green candies dusted in sugar add a festive crunch to every bite.
Ingredients
Instructions
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In a medium-sized saucepan, combine the granulated sugar, corn syrup, and water. Stir the mixture over medium heat until the sugar has completely dissolved.
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Increase the heat to high and bring the mixture to a boil. Do NOT stir while it is boiling. Attach a candy thermometer to the saucepan, ensuring the bulb is submerged in the syrup but not touching the bottom of the pan. Continue to boil until the temperature reaches 240°F (soft ball stage).
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Once the mixture reaches the desired temperature, remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the peppermint extract, vanilla extract, and cream of tartar. Be cautious as the mixture may bubble up when the extracts are added.
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Allow the mixture to cool for about 10 minutes until it is just warm to the touch (around 140°F). At this point, you can divide the mixture to add colors if desired. Use a few drops of red and green food coloring and gently mix them into portions of the candy to achieve your desired colors.
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Lightly dust a clean surface with confectioners’ sugar. Grease your hands with a little margarine or butter to prevent sticking, and take a portion of the mixture (working quickly as it will harden) to shape into small peppermint patties or rolls.
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Once shaped, let the soft peppermint candies sit at room temperature for several hours or until completely cool and firm.
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Dust any remaining confectioners’ sugar over the candies to prevent sticking, and store in an airtight container.
Note
- This recipe allows for various flavor combinations; try almond extract or lemon extract for a twist.
- To add a little crunch, consider incorporating crushed peppermint candies or candy canes into the mixture.
- These soft peppermints make great gifts or decorations on holiday treats.
- Be careful with the hot sugar mixture; it can cause burns if it splashes.
