Jolly Christmas Peppermints Recipe: Holiday Magic in Every Bite

Sweet holiday magic comes alive with a classic Christmas peppermint recipe that captures the essence of seasonal cheer.

Delicate peppermint flavors dance through this simple yet elegant treat, promising a burst of festive delight.

These homemade candies melt smoothly on your tongue, releasing a cool, refreshing taste that defines winter celebrations.

Crafted with just a few basic ingredients, this recipe brings a touch of nostalgia and warmth to your kitchen.

The vibrant red and white swirls create a stunning visual that instantly signals the joy of the season.

Each carefully crafted piece serves as a delicious reminder of cherished holiday memories.

Prepare to spread some sweet joy and watch these peppermints become the star of your festive gatherings.

Kitchen Tools to Shape Holiday Peppermints

• Electric mixer or hand mixer: Essential for beating cream cheese and mixing dough smoothly.
• Large mixing bowl: Perfect for combining ingredients and creating the candy base.
• Measuring cups: Crucial for accurately measuring powdered sugar and other ingredients.
• Fork: Great for flattening and creating classic peppermint texture.
• Baking sheet: Needed for setting and drying the peppermints.
• Parchment paper: Helps prevent sticking and makes cleanup easy.
• Spatula or wooden spoon: Useful for mixing and scraping bowl sides.

Instructions to Create Christmas Peppermints

• Whip Up the Base

Create a silky-smooth mixture by thoroughly blending softened cream cheese until it’s super creamy and free of lumps.

• Sweeten and Flavor

Gradually introduce powdered sugar, stirring until a soft, pliable dough emerges. Splash in peppermint extract and mix until the aroma fills your kitchen.

• Play with Color

Separate the dough into three equal sections. Leave one portion pure white, then infuse the others with vibrant red and green hues by kneading the food coloring throughout.

• Craft Festive Treats

Dust your workspace with a light sprinkle of powdered sugar. Roll tiny dough balls and gently press them with a fork, creating classic peppermint shapes that look like little holiday gems.

• Add Sparkly Finish

Tumble each peppermint through granulated sugar, ensuring a glittery, crystalline coating that adds extra sweetness and crunch.

• Set and Preserve

Let your peppermints rest on a parchment-lined tray, allowing them to firm up for a couple of hours. Once solid, store in an airtight container – they’ll stay fresh and delightful for weeks.

Tips to Personalize Christmas Peppermint Candy

• Keep your candy game strong with these pro tips!
• Ensure cream cheese is completely room temperature for the smoothest, most pliable dough that blends seamlessly.
• Add food coloring gradually to achieve vibrant red and green hues without making the dough too wet or sticky.
• Use extra-fine granulated sugar for a more elegant, even coating that gives peppermints a professional bakery look.
• Swap powdered sugar with a certified gluten-free version to make these treats safe for those with gluten sensitivities.
• Layer peppermints between wax paper when storing to prevent sticking and maintain their perfect shape.

Serving Christmas Peppermints for Gatherings

• Festive Candy Platter: Arrange peppermints beautifully on a decorative holiday plate, mixing red, white, and green colors for a stunning Christmas presentation.
• Sweet Gift Packaging: Package these homemade peppermints in clear cellophane bags tied with festive ribbons, creating charming edible gifts for friends and family.
• Dessert Table Accent: Use these peppermints as delightful decorative elements on a holiday dessert spread, adding color and minty freshness to cookie platters and cake displays.
• Cocoa Companion: Serve these peppermints alongside hot chocolate or coffee as a delightful side treat, allowing guests to enjoy a burst of cool mint flavor with their warm beverage.

Best Ways to Keep Peppermints Fresh

• Keep Christmas peppermints in a sealed glass container away from direct sunlight and heat sources to maintain their delicate texture.
• Wrap individual peppermints in wax paper, then place inside a freezer-safe container to extend shelf life up to 3 months without losing flavor quality.
• Include a small piece of parchment paper between candy layers to absorb excess moisture and prevent sticking during refrigeration.
• Store at consistent room temperature between 60-70°F for optimal taste and texture, avoiding temperature fluctuations that might compromise candy consistency.

FAQs

• What gives these peppermints their unique flavor?

The peppermint extract provides a strong, refreshing minty taste that makes these candies distinctly festive and delicious.

• Can I adjust the intensity of the peppermint flavor?

Yes, you can increase or decrease the amount of peppermint extract to suit your personal taste preference. Start with the recommended amount and add more gradually.

• Are these peppermints suitable for people with dietary restrictions?

The recipe contains dairy from cream cheese, so it’s not suitable for vegans or those with dairy allergies. However, you can experiment with dairy-free cream cheese alternatives.

• How do I prevent the dough from sticking while shaping?

Always dust your work surface and hands with powdered sugar. This helps prevent sticking and makes it easier to handle the soft, creamy dough when forming the peppermint shapes.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 3 hours

Total Time: 3 hours 20 minutes

Calories: 63 kcal

Servings: 31

Christmas Peppermints: Ingredient List

• Cream Cheese: Provides creamy texture and smooth foundation for the dough, select full-fat variety for richer flavor and better consistency.
• Powdered Sugar: Creates sweetness and helps bind the dough, sift to prevent lumps for smooth mixing.

• Peppermint Extract: Delivers classic holiday mint flavor, choose pure extract for most intense taste and highest quality.

• Red Food Coloring: Adds festive Christmas red hue, use gel-based color for vibrant and concentrated shade.
• Green Food Coloring: Creates traditional holiday green tone, select professional-grade coloring for even distribution.
• Granulated Sugar: Provides sparkling exterior and extra sweetness, use fine-grain sugar for smooth coating.

Festive Christmas Peppermints Recipe

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• Total Time: 3 hours 20 minutes
• Yield: 31 1x

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Description

Homemade Christmas peppermints blend festive cheer with sweet minty magic from traditional Italian dessert techniques. Candy crafters can enjoy creating these delightful holiday treats that sparkle with seasonal charm.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 4 ounces (115 grams) cream cheese, softened
• 4 cups (500 grams) powdered sugar
• ½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) peppermint extract
• Red food coloring
• Green food coloring
• Granulated sugar

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Instructions

1. Prepare Base: Whip cream cheese in a large mixing bowl until smooth and creamy, creating a uniform foundation for the peppermint treats.
2. Develop Dough: Fold powdered sugar into the cream cheese, mixing until a pliable, cohesive dough forms with a silky consistency.
3. Flavor Enhancement: Infuse the dough with peppermint extract, ensuring even distribution of the refreshing essence throughout the mixture.
4. Color Separation: Divide the dough into three equal portions, reserving one for the classic white base and transforming the others with festive red and green food colorings.
5. Color Integration: Knead each colored segment thoroughly, working the pigments until achieving a vibrant, streak-free hue that captures the holiday spirit.
6. Shaping Process: Dust the work surface with powdered sugar, then roll each colored dough into uniform half-inch spheres, creating consistent, bite-sized candies.
7. Texture Refinement: Gently press each sphere with fork tines, imparting a traditional peppermint pattern and coating generously with granulated sugar for a sparkling finish.
8. Drying and Setting: Arrange the sugared confections on a parchment-lined baking sheet, allowing them to air-dry for 2-3 hours until they develop a firm, stable texture.
9. Storage and Preservation: Transfer the completed peppermints to an airtight container, maintaining optimal freshness at room temperature for one week or refrigerated for up to two weeks.

Notes

Prevent Sticky Dough: Dust work surfaces and hands generously with powdered sugar to maintain smooth dough manipulation and prevent unwanted adhesion.

Color Consistency Technique: Knead food coloring thoroughly into dough segments, using steady, even motions to guarantee uniform color without unsightly streaks or patches.

Sizing Precision: Use a small cookie scoop or weigh each dough ball to ensure identical candy sizes, creating a professional and visually appealing final presentation.

Storage Strategy: Store peppermints in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers to preserve texture and prevent candies from sticking together, maintaining their delicate crystalline surface.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 3 hours
• Category: Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 31
• Calories: 63
• Sugar: 15 g
• Sodium: 5 mg
• Fat: 2 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 1 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 13 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 0 g
• Cholesterol: 3 mg