Melt-In-Your-Mouth Soft Christmas Peppermints
These soft peppermint candies are a delightful holiday treat that melts in your mouth, leaving a refreshing peppermint flavor. This recipe is easy to follow, even for beginner candy makers, and results in a festive and delicious treat perfect for sharing.
Equipment
- Baking Sheet
- Parchment paper
- Large bowl
- Sturdy spoon or stand mixer with paddle attachment
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Clean surface
- sharp knife
- Airtight container
Ingredients
- 4 cups powdered sugar confectioners' sugar
- ½ cup vegetable shortening
- ¼ cup light corn syrup
- 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
- 2-3 tablespoons milk or heavy cream
- Red food coloring gel or liquid
- Powdered sugar, for dusting
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, combine the powdered sugar and shortening. Use a sturdy spoon or a stand mixer with the paddle attachment to cream the mixture together until crumbly.
- Gradually add the light corn syrup, peppermint extract, and 2 tablespoons of milk or heavy cream. Mix until a soft dough begins to form. If the dough is too dry, add the remaining tablespoon of milk or cream, a little at a time, until it comes together.
- Divide the dough in half.
- Add red food coloring to one half and mix until evenly colored. Leave the other half white.
- Lightly dust a clean surface with powdered sugar.
- Knead each half of the dough separately for a few minutes until smooth and pliable.
- Roll each piece of dough (red and white) into a log about 1 inch in diameter.
- For swirled peppermints, twist the two logs together gently, creating a candy cane effect. If you prefer solid colors, skip this step.
- Using a sharp knife, slice the logs into 1/4-inch thick rounds.
- Place the peppermint slices on the prepared baking sheet, leaving a little space between each one.
- Let the peppermints sit at room temperature for several hours, or preferably overnight, to allow them to firm up.
Notes
For the best flavor, use a high-quality peppermint extract. If the dough is too dry, add milk or cream, a teaspoon at a time. If the dough is too sticky, add powdered sugar, a tablespoon at a time. Store the peppermints in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. For a stronger peppermint flavor, add a few extra drops of peppermint extract. Experiment with other extracts like vanilla or almond for different flavors.