If you have a sweet tooth and love nostalgic, melt-in-your-mouth treats, I’ve got just the thing for you: the Butter Mints Recipe. These little delights are buttery, creamy, and exquisitely smooth with a gentle hint of peppermint that dances on your tongue. Whether you serve them at a party, gift them during the holidays, or just keep a stash for yourself, Butter Mints are guaranteed to brighten any day with their subtle pastel charm and irresistible taste.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Butter Mints Recipe relies on a handful of straightforward ingredients, each playing a key role in crafting that perfect balance between creamy richness and refreshing mint flavor. These ingredients come together in harmony to give you that signature smooth texture, subtle sweetness, and delicate color that makes these mints so special.
- Unsalted butter (½ cup or 1 stick, room temperature): The creamy base that gives these mints their luscious melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Powdered sugar (4 cups, sifted): Sweetens and helps set the mints while keeping them silky smooth.
- Heavy cream (2 tablespoons): Adds moisture and richness, ensuring the dough is pliable but firm.
- Vanilla extract (½ teaspoon): Provides warm undertones that deepen the flavor complexity subtly.
- Peppermint extract (½ teaspoon): The star of the show that gives that classic fresh minty aroma and taste.
- Salt (â…› teaspoon): Just a pinch to enhance all the sweet and creamy elements.
- Water-based food coloring (red, green, yellow — optional): Perfect for adding a fun and festive pastel tint to your mints.
How to Make Butter Mints Recipe
Step 1: Beat the Butter
Start by beating the unsalted butter in a large mixing bowl until it’s smooth and creamy. This step is essential because a well-whipped butter base makes the mints silky smooth and light, setting the stage for the perfect texture.
Step 2: Incorporate the Powdered Sugar
Gradually add your sifted powdered sugar one cup at a time while mixing on a low speed. This slow addition helps to incorporate the sugar without creating a powdery mess, ensuring your dough stays nice and smooth without graininess.
Step 3: Add Cream and Extracts
Next, pour in the heavy cream along with the vanilla and peppermint extracts, and the pinch of salt. Mix until the dough comes together in a soft mass. If the dough feels too dry or crumbly, a few more drops of heavy cream will adjust the consistency perfectly so you can roll and shape with ease.
Step 4: Divide the Dough
Divide your dough into four equal parts. Keep one portion plain white for classic mints. This division allows you to add playful pastel colors to the other portions, giving your Butter Mints Recipe a vibrant and inviting look.
Step 5: Color the Dough
For a cheerful touch, add just a drop of food coloring to each remaining portion — red for soft pink, green for pastel mint, and yellow for gentle sunshine hues. Knead each portion thoroughly, incrementally adding color until you achieve your desired shade without overpowering the delicate mint flavor.
Step 6: Shape the Mints
Roll each colored dough portion into ropes about half an inch thick. Using a sharp knife, slice those ropes into small ½-inch pieces. This step not only makes each mint bite-sized and manageable but also gives them that charming uniformity.
Step 7: Let the Mints Dry
Place the mints on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them so they don’t touch. Let them air dry at room temperature for 12 to 24 hours. This slow drying ensures the mints firm up nicely while preserving their melt-in-your-mouth softness.
Step 8: Store and Enjoy
Once your mints are firm, transfer them to an airtight container. They’re now ready to enjoy or gift. Trust me, once you try these, you’ll want to keep a stash handy for whenever that sweet craving strikes.
How to Serve Butter Mints Recipe
Garnishes
Butter mints might seem simple, but a little garnish can turn them into elegant treats. Try sprinkling a tiny pinch of edible glitter or decorating the serving dish with fresh mint leaves for that extra pop. These subtle touches make your Butter Mints Recipe feel special and festive, perfect for celebrations.
Side Dishes
Serve these buttery delights alongside a cup of hot tea or coffee to balance the creamy sweetness with a warm, comforting sip. They also make a wonderful palate cleanser after a rich meal or paired with a selection of delicate pastries for a charming dessert buffet.
Creative Ways to Present
Wrap your Butter Mints in tiny decorative boxes or clear cellophane bags tied with a colorful ribbon to give as thoughtful homemade gifts. You can also arrange them in pastel ombré patterns on a pretty platter to wow your guests visually before they even taste a single mint.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Butter mints keep beautifully in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks. Storing them this way preserves their texture and flavor, making them ideal for preparing ahead of parties or holidays.
Freezing
If you want to keep your Butter Mints Recipe mints longer, freezing works well. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze initially, then transfer to a sealed container or freezer bag. They’ll last up to three months without losing their delightful taste.
Reheating
Since these mints are best enjoyed chilled or at room temperature, reheating isn’t necessary. Just let frozen mints thaw naturally at room temperature before serving to maintain their perfect texture and flavor.
FAQs
Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?
It’s best to use unsalted butter for this Butter Mints Recipe so you have control over the salt content and the flavor remains delicate and balanced. Salted butter might make the mints a bit too salty.
How do I know when the mints are dry enough?
The mints should be firm to the touch and no longer sticky. Depending on humidity, drying can take anywhere from 12 to 24 hours. Patience is key to achieving that ideal melt-in-your-mouth consistency.
Can I substitute peppermint extract with another flavor?
Absolutely! While peppermint is classic, you can try vanilla, almond, or lemon extracts to personalize your Butter Mints Recipe. Just remember to adjust quantities carefully to keep the flavor balanced.
Are food colorings necessary for taste?
Not at all. Food coloring is purely for visual appeal. Your mints will taste just as wonderful whether they’re colored or left naturally white.
Can these mints be made vegan or dairy-free?
This recipe relies heavily on butter and cream for texture and flavor, so substituting those will require experimentation. If you try plant-based alternatives, expect a different texture and taste from traditional Butter Mints.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly magical about making Butter Mints Recipe from scratch. The combination of creamy butter, soothing peppermint, and delicate sweetness creates little bites of happiness that brighten any gathering or quiet moment. Give this recipe a try and watch how these charming mints become your new favorite homemade treat to share and savor.
Print
Butter Mints Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 12-24 hours (including drying time)
- Yield: Approximately 100 mints
- Category: Candy
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Butter Mints are classic, melt-in-your-mouth candies perfect for holidays and special occasions. Made with simple ingredients like butter, powdered sugar, and cream, they’re lightly flavored with vanilla and peppermint extracts and can be colored in pastel shades for a festive touch. They require no cooking and are easy to prepare in under 20 minutes, making them a delightful homemade treat.
Ingredients
Butter Mints Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter (1 stick, room temperature)
- 4 cups powdered sugar (sifted)
- 2 Tablespoons heavy cream
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon peppermint extract
- â…› teaspoon salt
- Red, green, and yellow water-based food coloring (optional)
Instructions
- Beat the Butter: In a large mixing bowl, beat the unsalted butter with a hand or stand mixer until smooth and creamy, ensuring a light texture for the mints.
- Add Powdered Sugar: Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, mixing on low speed to fully incorporate the sugar without creating a mess.
- Mix in Cream and Extracts: Add the heavy cream, vanilla extract, peppermint extract, and salt. Mix until the dough comes together and is smooth. If it feels too dry, add a few drops of heavy cream to achieve a pliable consistency.
- Divide Dough: Divide the dough into four equal portions. Leave one portion plain white and set it aside.
- Color the Dough (Optional): Add a tiny drop of red food coloring to one portion, green to another, and yellow to the last portion. Knead each until colors are evenly distributed, adjusting shades with additional drops as needed.
- Shape the Mints: Roll each portion into thin ropes about ½ inch in diameter. Use a sharp knife to cut the ropes into ½ inch long pieces to form the mints.
- Dry the Mints: Place the cut mints on a parchment-lined baking sheet without touching. Let them air dry at room temperature for 12-24 hours until firm to the touch.
- Store and Enjoy: Transfer the dried mints to an airtight container for storage. Enjoy your homemade butter mints as a sweet treat or festive gift!
Notes
- Ensure butter is at room temperature for easier mixing.
- Sifting powdered sugar prevents lumps in the dough.
- Use water-based food coloring to avoid altering the texture of the mints.
- Drying time is important for firm mints; avoid rushing this step.
- Store mints in an airtight container to maintain freshness for up to 2 weeks.
- For firmer mints, extend drying time up to 24 hours.
