🍬 Soft Christmas Peppermints (No-Bake!)
By Jason Griffith
Introduction
The holiday season is officially upon us, and while I love a good baking session, sometimes I just need a show-stopping treat that comes together with zero oven time. Enter: Soft Christmas Peppermints.
These aren’t your typical hard candy peppermints. These are soft, creamy, melt-in-your-mouth delights that truly capture the spirit of Christmas. They are unbelievably simple to make, requiring just four basic ingredients and minimal effort, making them the perfect project for a cozy afternoon or a fun activity with the kids.
I call them “Christmas Peppermints” because they are an absolute staple in my holiday cookie boxes and gift baskets every year. Their beautiful pastel colors and irresistible peppermint flavor make them a memorable, festive treat that guests always rave about. If you’re looking for a homemade gift that everyone will love, or just a quick fix for your holiday sweet tooth, this no-bake recipe is the answer.
Why I Love This Recipe
I’ve made dozens of holiday candies over the years, but this Soft Christmas Peppermint recipe holds a special place in my heart for a few key reasons:
- Speed and Simplicity: You truly cannot beat a four-ingredient, no-bake recipe during the hectic holidays. From start to finish, you can have these finished and drying in under 30 minutes.
- The Texture is King: The combination of butter and sweetened condensed milk gives these a rich, fudge-like, yet incredibly soft texture. They dissolve on your tongue, leaving behind that satisfyingly cool peppermint finish.
- Perfect for Gifting: They hold their shape beautifully once dried, making them ideal for layering in decorative tins or cellophane bags. They look incredibly professional and festive, especially when colored with pastel holiday hues.
- A Family Tradition: My kids love helping with the coloring and shaping process. It’s a wonderful, low-stress way to get everyone involved in the holiday prep.
If you’re looking for another easy holiday treat, you might also love my recipe for these pecan pie bars are my favorite make-ahead holiday dessert!
📝 Ingredients
This recipe is incredibly streamlined. You likely have most of these ingredients in your pantry right now!
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
| Unsalted Butter | 21 cup (1 stick) | Must be genuinely softened—room temperature is key for creaming. |
| Sweetened Condensed Milk | 41 cup | Essential for the creamy, soft texture. Do NOT substitute with evaporated milk. |
| Powdered Sugar | 4 cups | Also known as icing sugar or confectioners’ sugar. Sifting is recommended. |
| Peppermint Extract | 1 teaspoon | This delivers the signature flavor. Use a good quality extract for the best taste. |
| Gel Food Coloring | As desired | (Optional) Use a drop of gel coloring for vibrant, festive pastels (red, green, pink). |
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Swaps and Notes
- Butter: Salted butter is fine in a pinch, but omit any extra salt, and the flavor will be slightly richer.
- Extracts: If you aren’t a fan of peppermint, you can swap the extract for 21 teaspoon of almond extract or vanilla extract for a different flavor profile.
- Coloring: Stick to gel food coloring. Liquid food coloring can add too much moisture and make the dough sticky, requiring extra powdered sugar.
- Texture: If your dough feels too sticky after adding 4 cups of sugar, add an additional tablespoon of powdered sugar at a time until it’s workable but still soft. If it’s too crumbly, add a few drops of milk or cream.
🥄 How to Make Soft Christmas Peppermints
Follow these simple steps for perfectly soft, creamy peppermints every time.
Step 1: Cream the Base
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened 21 cup of unsalted butter until it is smooth and creamy. Use an electric mixer on medium speed for about 1 minute.
- Add the 41 cup of sweetened condensed milk and the 1 teaspoon of peppermint extract. Continue to mix until all ingredients are thoroughly combined and the mixture is uniform.
Step 2: Form the Dough
- Gradually add the 4 cups of powdered sugar, about 1 cup at a time, mixing on low speed until combined after each addition.
- Once all the sugar is incorporated, the mixture will form a soft, play-dough-like dough. It should be pliable and not sticky to the touch.
Step 3: Color and Shape (The Fun Part!)
- Divide the dough into however many portions you want colors (e.g., three for red, green, and white).
- For each portion, add 1-2 drops of gel food coloring and knead it gently with your hands until the color is evenly distributed. Pro Tip: Wear disposable gloves to avoid staining your hands!
- To shape:
- Rolls: Roll the dough into 21-inch thick logs and slice them into small discs.
- Molds: Press the dough into silicone candy molds (festive shapes like stars, snowflakes, or mini trees work well).
- Classic: Roll into small balls and flatten slightly with a fork.
Step 4: Dry and Set
- Place the shaped peppermints on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Allow them to air dry at room temperature for at least 3-4 hours, or ideally overnight. They will become firm and dry on the outside, which is essential for handling and gifting, while remaining deliciously soft on the inside.
💡 Tips for Success
- Soften the Butter: Do not skip the “softened” part. Cold butter will result in a grainy texture. Let it sit on the counter for at least an hour.
- Consistency Check: The dough should feel like soft modeling clay. If it’s sticky, add a little more powdered sugar. If it’s crumbly, add a few drops of milk or water.
- Keep it Cool: Work quickly. The warmth of your hands can make the dough soft and difficult to shape. If it gets too warm, chill it in the fridge for 10-15 minutes before shaping.
- Sifting: Sift the powdered sugar if it looks lumpy. This prevents lumps in your finished candy.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions and Pairings
These soft peppermints are perfect on their own, but they are also a wonderful addition to your holiday entertaining spread.
- Coffee & Cocoa: They pair wonderfully with a hot mug of homemade hot cocoa or a spiced latte.
- Dessert Boards: Add them to a festive holiday dessert board alongside cookies, fudge, and other small treats like these chocolate chip cookie dough brownie bombs are my favorite sweet obsession.
- Cocktails: Serve them alongside a creamy after-dinner drink like a classic White Russian.
📊 Nutritional Information Per Serving
Disclaimer: This is an estimated value based on the ingredients used. Actual nutritional content may vary based on brands and shaping size.
Assuming 40 small servings:
| Nutrient | Estimate |
| Calories | ≈110 |
| Fat | ≈4g |
| Carbohydrates | ≈20g |
| Sugar | ≈18g |
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📦 Storage and Leftover Tips
- Storage: Store the completely dried peppermints in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. Layer them between sheets of parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Freezing: I do not recommend freezing these, as the texture can become grainy upon thawing. Room temperature is best.
- Gifting: For gifts, place them in a decorative tin or small cellophane bag tied with a ribbon. Make sure they are fully dried before packaging!
More Recipes You Will Love
If you enjoy these no-bake holiday candies, you’ll definitely want to check out these other easy holiday and dessert recipes:
- The perfect no-bake treat for fall: This pumpkin delight dessert is my favorite no-bake fall treat
- For the cookie enthusiast: The easter cookies everyone will be talking about and asking the recipe for
- A delicious spiced baked good: These easy pumpkin spice muffins are my favorite fall treat to bake on repeat
Final Thoughts
These Soft Christmas Peppermints are a truly magical holiday recipe. They require such little effort but deliver huge festive payoff, both in appearance and flavor. They are the definition of a low-stress, high-reward treat. Make a batch or two this weekend and watch them disappear!
Did you try this recipe? Let me know how they turned out in the comments below, or snap a photo and tag me on social media!
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