Discover the joy of homemade candy with this incredibly easy Butter Mints Recipe. These classic, melt-in-your-mouth treats are a nostalgic favorite, perfect for weddings, baby showers, holidays, or simply as a delightful after-dinner refreshment. With just a few simple ingredients and no baking required, you can whip up a batch of these soft, creamy mints in no time. Forget store-bought versions; this recipe delivers a rich, buttery flavor that is simply unmatched.
What Are Butter Mints?
Butter mints are a type of soft, pastel-colored candy known for their distinctive creamy texture and refreshing mint flavor. Unlike hard mints, these are made with a base of butter and powdered sugar, which gives them their signature melt-in-your-mouth quality. They are often served at celebrations and gatherings as a sweet, light treat to cleanse the palate. This old-fashioned candy is a testament to how simple ingredients can create something truly special.
Why You’ll Love This Butter Mints Recipe
This recipe is designed for success, even for absolute beginners in the kitchen. The instructions are straightforward, and the process is quick and enjoyable. It’s a perfect activity to do with kids!
No-Bake & Simple: You don’t need to turn on your oven or have any special candy-making skills.
Perfectly Soft Texture: We’ve perfected the ratios to ensure your mints are creamy and soft, never crumbly or hard.
Completely Customizable: Easily change the colors and flavors to match any theme or personal preference.
Incredibly Delicious: The combination of rich butter, sweet sugar, and cool mint is absolutely irresistible. They make for a wonderful homemade gift, too! If you love making sweet treats from scratch, you should also try our recipe for rich and decadent homemade chocolate syrup.
The Simple Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this butter mints recipe lies in its simplicity. You only need a handful of common pantry staples to create these delightful confections.
Salted Butter: Make sure it’s softened to room temperature for easy mixing. Using salted butter provides a perfect balance to the sweetness.
Powdered Sugar: This is the foundation of the mints. Sifting it beforehand is key to a smooth, lump-free dough.
Heavy Cream: Adds richness and helps bind the ingredients together. You can also use half-and-half or milk in a pinch.
Peppermint Extract: For that classic, cool minty flavor.
Vanilla Extract: A touch of vanilla adds depth and warmth, beautifully complementing the mint.
Food Coloring: Optional, but perfect for creating beautiful pastel mints for any occasion. Gel food coloring works best for vibrant hues without adding extra liquid.
Rolling the dough is a simple step to creating perfectly shaped mints.
Step-by-Step Instructions for the Perfect Butter Mints Recipe
Follow these simple steps to create your own batch of irresistible, melt-in-your-mouth butter mints. The process is quick, easy, and yields delicious results every time.
Step 1: Cream the Butter
In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the softened salted butter until it is light and fluffy. This should take about 1-2 minutes. This step incorporates air into the butter, which is crucial for the light texture of the final mints.
Step 2: Mix in Flavor and Color
Add the heavy cream, peppermint extract, and vanilla extract to the creamed butter. Beat on low speed until everything is well combined. If you’re using food coloring, add a drop or two now and mix until the color is uniform.
Step 3: Gradually Add Powdered Sugar
With the mixer on low, gradually add the sifted powdered sugar, about one cup at a time. Mix until the sugar is fully incorporated before adding the next cup. The mixture will become thick and form a soft dough.
Step 4: Knead the Dough
Turn the dough out onto a surface lightly dusted with powdered sugar. Knead it gently for about 30 seconds, just until it’s smooth and no longer sticky. Be careful not to over-knead.
Step 5: Roll and Cut the Mints
Divide the dough into two or three equal portions. Roll each portion into a long, thin rope about 1/2-inch in diameter. Use a sharp knife or a bench scraper to cut the rope into small, 1/2-inch pieces. For a decorative touch, you can gently press the tines of a fork onto each piece.
Step 6: Let the Mints Dry
Arrange the cut mints in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Let them air dry at room temperature for at least 12-24 hours. This allows them to firm up on the outside while remaining soft and creamy on the inside.
The perfect pastel treats for any occasion.
Pro Tips for Foolproof Mints
Making this butter mints recipe is easy, but a few expert tips can guarantee perfect results. For another recipe that’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser, check out our bakery-style chocolate chip cookies.
Sift Your Sugar: Don’t skip this step! Sifting the powdered sugar is essential for a smooth, creamy texture without any lumps.
Go Easy on the Extract: Peppermint extract is potent. Start with the recommended amount, as you can always add more, but you can’t take it away.
Use Gel Food Coloring: Gel colorings are more concentrated than liquid ones, so you can achieve vibrant colors without thinning out the dough.
Don’t Rush the Drying: Allowing the mints to air dry is crucial. This step develops their characteristic texture—a slightly firm exterior with a soft, melting center.
Fun Flavor and Color Variations
While classic peppermint is fantastic, don’t be afraid to get creative! This recipe is a wonderful canvas for different flavors and colors.
Citrus Mints: Swap the peppermint extract for lemon, orange, or lime extract for a bright, fruity flavor. Pair with yellow, orange, or green food coloring.
Wintergreen Mints: Use wintergreen extract for a different kind of minty coolness.
Almond Mints: A touch of almond extract creates a sophisticated, nutty flavor that’s perfect for weddings.
Holiday Mints: Use red and green food coloring for Christmas, or pastel colors for Easter. A plate of these would look lovely next to some delicious Easter dessert dip.
How to Store Homemade Butter Mints
Proper storage is key to keeping your butter mints fresh and delicious. Once the mints have fully dried, place them in an airtight container. You can store them at room temperature for up to two weeks. For longer storage, you can refrigerate them for up to a month or freeze them for up to three months. If freezing, be sure to thaw them at room temperature before serving.
When stored in an airtight container at room temperature, homemade butter mints will last for up to two weeks. For longer storage, you can refrigerate them for a month or freeze them for up to three months.
If your mints are too crumbly, it usually means there isn’t enough liquid. Try adding a tiny bit more heavy cream (1/2 teaspoon at a time). If the dough is too sticky, you likely need more powdered sugar. Add it one tablespoon at a time until the dough is smooth and manageable.
Absolutely! This recipe is very versatile. You can easily substitute peppermint with other extracts like lemon, orange, almond, or wintergreen to create different flavors. Adjust the amount to your taste.
Yes, this is a crucial step. Letting the mints air dry for 12-24 hours allows them to develop their signature texture: a slightly firm outer shell with a soft, creamy center that melts in your mouth. Skipping this step will result in mints that are too soft.
The Ultimate Butter Mints Recipe
We are confident that this is the best butter mints recipe you will find. It is simple, reliable, and produces unbelievably delicious results. We hope you enjoy making and sharing these wonderful little treats. If you try this recipe, we would love to hear from you! Leave a comment below or share a picture on Pinterest.
FL Recipes
Butter Mints Recipe (Easy & Melt-in-Your-Mouth)
This easy Butter Mints Recipe creates classic, melt-in-your-mouth treats with just a few simple ingredients. This no-bake candy is perfect for weddings, holidays, or a simple after-dinner sweet. Learn how to make them perfectly every time!
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 1-2 minutes.
Add the heavy cream, peppermint extract, and vanilla extract. Beat on low speed until combined. If using, add food coloring and mix until uniform.
With the mixer on low, gradually add the sifted powdered sugar, one cup at a time, mixing until fully incorporated before adding more. The mixture will form a soft dough.
Turn the dough out onto a surface lightly dusted with powdered sugar and knead gently for 30 seconds until smooth.
Divide the dough and roll each portion into a 1/2-inch thick rope. Cut the rope into 1/2-inch pieces.
Place the mints in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Let them air dry at room temperature for 12-24 hours to set.
Nutrition
Calories: 35kcalFat: 1g
Notes
Sift Your Sugar: Don't skip sifting the powdered sugar for the smoothest possible texture. Go Easy on the Extract: Peppermint extract is strong; a little goes a long way. Drying is Key: Allowing the mints to air dry is crucial for them to develop the perfect texture.
Hi, I’m Emily Carter, and welcome to FL Recipes! I share simple, healthy recipes that make cooking easy, fun, and delicious for everyone. more about me »
