Christmas is the season of sweet treats, and these Soft Christmas Peppermints make the perfect festive indulgence. With a delicate, melt-in-your-mouth texture and the refreshing taste of peppermint, these candies are a delightful addition to your holiday celebrations. They’re soft and chewy, unlike the hard peppermint candies you might be used to, and they bring a nostalgic, minty flavor to your holiday treats.

This recipe is incredibly easy to make, requiring only a handful of ingredients and a little bit of patience to form the candies. Whether you’re hosting a holiday party, preparing homemade gifts, or simply craving a festive treat, these Soft Christmas Peppermints are sure to be a crowd-pleaser. They also offer a fun, hands-on activity that you can enjoy with family, especially with children who love making and shaping their own sweets.

The best part is that you can customize them with different food colors to match your holiday décor or to create a variety of shades for a colorful assortment. Ready to get in the holiday spirit? Let’s dive into how to make these sweet, peppermint-flavored delights!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

1. Simple and Quick to Make

This recipe requires just a few ingredients and minimal preparation, making it a great last-minute addition to your holiday sweets.

2. Perfect for Gifting

These Soft Christmas Peppermints make a wonderful homemade gift for friends, family, or neighbors. Package them in cute jars or tins for a festive touch.

3. Customizable

You can use food coloring to make the peppermint candies in various colors or shapes, making them a fun, personalized treat.

4. Refreshing Mint Flavor

The peppermint extract provides a classic holiday flavor that is both refreshing and nostalgic, perfect for the winter season.

5. Soft and Chewy Texture

Unlike traditional hard peppermints, these are soft and chewy, offering a delightful change in texture that’s both satisfying and delicious.

Ingredients

2 cups powdered sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons light corn syrup
1 1/2 tablespoons water
1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract
Food coloring (optional)

Variations

Add a Touch of Chocolate

For a chocolate-mint flavor, you can dip the finished peppermint candies in melted chocolate and allow them to set. This gives them a decadent twist.

Make Mini Peppermints

Instead of forming large pieces, roll the dough into smaller, bite-sized balls for a fun mini peppermint treat. They’re great for gifting and parties!

Experiment with Other Extracts

While peppermint is the classic flavor, you can try experimenting with other extracts such as vanilla or almond for a different flavor profile.

Add a Crunchy Coating

For added texture, you can roll the soft peppermint dough in crushed candy canes, sprinkles, or colored sugar before letting them set.

How to Make the Recipe

Step 1: Combine Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, combine the powdered sugar, light corn syrup, water, and peppermint extract. Stir the ingredients together until the mixture forms a dough-like consistency.

Step 2: Mix Until Smooth

Use your hands or a spoon to knead the dough until it’s smooth and no longer sticky. If you find the dough too dry, you can add a few more drops of water.

Step 3: Add Food Coloring (Optional)

If you’d like to make colorful peppermint candies, divide the dough into portions and add a few drops of food coloring to each. Knead the color into the dough until fully incorporated.

Step 4: Shape the Peppermints

Once the dough is ready, pinch off small amounts and roll them into little balls or logs, depending on your desired shape. You can make traditional round candies or roll them into little cylindrical shapes for a fun twist.

Step 5: Let Set

Place the shaped peppermint candies on a parchment-lined baking sheet and let them set at room temperature for about 2 hours or until firm.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Once the Soft Christmas Peppermints have set, they’re ready to be enjoyed! Serve them in a festive bowl or package them up as gifts for friends and family.

Tips for Making the Recipe

Knead Thoroughly: Ensure the dough is well kneaded for a smooth consistency. This helps the candies hold their shape and prevents them from cracking.
Use Parchment Paper: Use parchment paper or a silicone mat when placing the candies to prevent them from sticking to the surface.
Storage: Keep the soft peppermint candies in an airtight container to maintain their texture. They’ll stay fresh for up to a week.

How to Serve

These Soft Christmas Peppermints are perfect as a holiday treat on their own or as part of a dessert spread. They’re also fantastic when served with hot cocoa, a cup of coffee, or even as part of a homemade gift basket.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover soft peppermint candies in an airtight container at room temperature. They should remain soft and chewy for up to one week.

Freezing

If you want to make these ahead of time, you can freeze the candies. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze for about 30 minutes before transferring to an airtight container or freezer bag. They will keep for up to 2 months in the freezer.

Reheating

If the candies become too firm after being stored in the refrigerator, let them sit at room temperature for a few minutes to soften before serving.

FAQs

1. Can I use honey instead of corn syrup?

Yes, you can substitute honey for corn syrup, but it may slightly alter the texture and flavor of the candies.

2. Do I need to use food coloring?

Food coloring is optional! You can leave the peppermint candies white, or add some color for a fun holiday look.

3. How long do the soft peppermint candies last?

These candies can last up to one week when stored in an airtight container at room temperature.

4. Can I make these in advance?

Yes, these candies can be made ahead of time and stored in an airtight container. They freeze well, too!

5. How can I make these more festive?

Consider rolling the finished candies in crushed candy canes, colored sugar, or adding some edible glitter to give them a festive touch.

6. Can I add a flavored extract instead of peppermint?

You can experiment with other extracts like vanilla or almond, though the flavor won’t be the same as traditional peppermint candies.

7. What if my dough is too dry?

If the dough seems too dry, just add a little more water (one teaspoon at a time) until it reaches a smooth, dough-like consistency.

8. Can I use powdered food coloring?

Yes, powdered food coloring can also be used to color the dough, but make sure it’s fully kneaded in for an even color.

9. Can I shape these candies into other shapes?

Absolutely! Use cookie cutters or your hands to shape the dough into fun festive shapes like stars, trees, or hearts.

10. Are these candies hard to make?

Not at all! These Soft Christmas Peppermints are easy to make and require minimal effort, making them a great activity for holiday baking.

Conclusion

Soft Christmas Peppermints are a fun, festive, and simple treat to make for the holiday season. With a smooth and chewy texture, these peppermint candies bring a refreshing minty flavor that’s perfect for enjoying alongside other holiday sweets or giving as gifts. Whether you keep them classic or get creative with colors and shapes, they’re sure to add a touch of sweetness to your Christmas celebrations.