Soft Christmas Peppermints are a sweet and tender holiday treat that melt gently in your mouth. These delightful candies blend creamy sweetness with a refreshing peppermint flavor, making them perfect for the festive season. Their soft texture sets them apart from the usual hard peppermint candies, giving you a cozy little bite of holiday cheer.
I love making these around Christmas time because they fill the kitchen with that classic peppermint scent that instantly feels like the holidays. Plus, they’re easy to share—whether at a family gathering or tucked into small gift bags for friends. One tip I always follow is to let them cool just enough so they’re soft but still hold their shape; it makes them even more enjoyable to eat.
The best way I like to serve Soft Christmas Peppermints is alongside a warm cup of cocoa or a cozy tea. They’re a perfect little treat to brighten those chilly winter evenings. Whenever I bring these to holiday parties, they vanish fast, and everyone keeps asking for the recipe. These candies carry a bit of holiday magic with every bite!
Key Ingredients & Substitutions for Soft Christmas Peppermints
Granulated Sugar & Corn Syrup: These two create the perfect candy base. Corn syrup keeps the texture soft and smooth by stopping crystallization. If you don’t have corn syrup, you can try golden syrup or light honey, but the texture might change slightly.
Cream of Tartar: This is important to prevent sugar crystals from forming, ensuring the candy stays soft. You can substitute it with a little lemon juice or vinegar if needed, but use sparingly.
Butter: Adds a rich flavor and helps smooth the candy. Unsalted butter is best so you can control saltiness. If you want a dairy-free option, use a plant-based butter substitute.
Peppermint Extract: This gives the candy its classic minty flavor. Pure peppermint extract works best, but you can also use peppermint oil or oil blends for a stronger or milder mint taste.
Red Food Coloring: Adds that festive holiday look with the swirl. Gel food coloring works well because it’s vibrant and doesn’t thin out the candy mixture. You can also try natural alternatives like beet juice for a softer color.
How do I get the perfect soft texture and peppermint swirl in these candies?
The soft texture and peppermint swirl really make this candy special. Here’s how to nail these steps:
- Cooking to the Right Temperature: Use a candy thermometer to heat the sugar syrup to 270°F (soft crack stage). This temperature is key for soft, tender candies. Too low and they’ll be sticky; too high and they become hard.
- Working Quickly: Once off the heat, add butter and peppermint extract immediately, then pour half the mixture out. Adding red food coloring to the remaining half and swirling it on top should happen fast before the candy starts setting.
- Creating Swirls: Use a spoon or piping bag to drizzle the red mixture over the white base in a swirling pattern. You can make pretty peppermint shapes by gently dragging a toothpick or skewer through the candy before it sets.
- Scoring Before Hardening: Score the candy while it’s still soft but firm enough to shape. This makes it easy to break into pieces later and helps keep the soft texture inside.
- Cooling at Room Temperature: Let the candy cool naturally on the baking sheet. Avoid the fridge—it can make the candy too hard instead of soft.
Equipment You’ll Need
- Heavy saucepan – heats the sugar mixture evenly without burning.
- Candy thermometer – essential to reach the perfect soft crack temperature (270°F).
- Baking sheet lined with parchment paper – prevents sticking and makes cleanup easier.
- Wooden spoon or heatproof spatula – helps stir the hot candy mixture safely.
- Piping bag or spoon – to drizzle the red peppermint swirl neatly.
- Sharp knife – for scoring the candy before it sets.
- Powdered sugar – to dust the surface so pieces don’t stick together.
Flavor Variations & Add-Ins
- Try using spearmint extract instead of peppermint for a milder mint flavor.
- Add a touch of vanilla extract for a creamy twist that softens the mint bite.
- Mix in finely crushed candy canes or peppermint bits for added crunch and texture.
- For a chocolate twist, drizzle melted white or dark chocolate over the candies after they’ve set.
How to Make Soft Christmas Peppermints
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For The Candy:
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup light corn syrup
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
- Red food coloring
- Powdered sugar, for dusting
Optional:
- Fresh mint leaves, for garnish
How Much Time Will You Need?
This recipe takes about 15 minutes to prepare and cook, plus around 20-30 minutes to cool and set before you can cut and enjoy your soft Christmas peppermints. So, expect to spend roughly 45 minutes from start to finish.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prepare Your Workspace:
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and dust it lightly with powdered sugar to keep the candy from sticking later.
2. Make the Candy Mixture:
In a heavy saucepan, combine granulated sugar, corn syrup, water, and cream of tartar. Heat over medium, stirring until sugar dissolves. Attach a candy thermometer and cook without stirring until the mixture reaches 270°F (soft crack stage).
3. Add Flavor and Butter:
Take the pan off the heat. Stir in the unsalted butter and peppermint extract gently until the butter melts and blends into the mixture.
4. Create the Base and Swirl:
Pour half the candy onto the prepared baking sheet and let it cool slightly. Add a few drops of red food coloring to the remaining candy in the pan and stir quickly.
Use a spoon or piping bag to drizzle the red mixture over the white base, swirling it to create the classic peppermint look.
5. Cool and Cut Your Peppermints:
Let the candy cool for 20-30 minutes until it is firm but still soft enough to score. Before it fully hardens, use a sharp knife to score the candy into small round or square peppermint shapes.
Once completely cooled, break the candy apart along the scored lines and dust with powdered sugar to prevent sticking.
6. Store or Serve:
Keep your soft Christmas peppermints fresh in an airtight container at room temperature. Optionally, garnish your serving bowl with fresh mint leaves for a festive touch.
Enjoy these irresistible soft and minty candies perfect for sharing during the holiday season!
Can I Use a Different Sweetener Instead of Corn Syrup?
Yes, you can substitute light corn syrup with golden syrup or light honey, but keep in mind the texture might be slightly different. Corn syrup helps keep the candy soft and smooth, so using other sweeteners may make it less tender.
How Should I Store Soft Christmas Peppermints?
Store them in an airtight container at room temperature to keep them soft and prevent them from sticking together. Avoid refrigerating, as it can make the candies hard.
Can I Make These Peppermints Ahead of Time?
Absolutely! You can prepare them a few days in advance. Just keep them stored properly in an airtight container, and they’ll stay fresh and soft for up to two weeks.
What If I Don’t Have a Candy Thermometer?
While a candy thermometer is ideal for accuracy, you can test the syrup by dripping a small amount into cold water. If it forms soft, flexible threads that bend before breaking, it’s at the right soft crack stage.
