Dreamy Soft Christmas Peppermints Recipe: Holiday Magic in Every Bite

Mixing soft christmas peppermints brings a delightful burst of holiday cheer right into your kitchen.

Candy crafting becomes a magical experience when you sprinkle festive peppermint magic into each sweet creation.

Winter celebrations deserve something special that melts smoothly on your tongue.

Sweet moments emerge from simple ingredients combined with care and excitement.

Seasonal treats like these connect us to cherished memories and warm feelings.

Crisp mint flavors dance through this simple recipe, promising joy in every delectable bite.

You can create these delicious morsels that will spark smiles and spark holiday spirit.

Why The Magic Of Soft Christmas Peppermints Is Real

• Create Festive Holiday Treats: Discover a delightful homemade peppermint candy recipe that brings joy to your kitchen.
• Craft Artisan Confections: Master the art of making professional-looking candies with simple techniques that transform basic ingredients into beautiful sweets.
• Customize Color and Flavor: Easily experiment with different color combinations and peppermint intensity to match your personal taste and holiday style.
• Impress Family and Friends: Surprise loved ones with handmade candies that look stunning and taste even better than store-bought versions.

What You’ll Need For The Magic Of Soft Christmas Peppermints

• Granulated Sugar: The primary sweetener that forms the foundation of the peppermint candy.
• Water: Helps dissolve the sugar and create the syrup base for the candy.
• Corn Syrup: Prevents sugar crystallization and ensures a smooth, glossy texture.

• Peppermint Extract: Provides the classic cool, refreshing mint flavor to the candy.
• Red Food Coloring: Creates the vibrant red swirls in the white candy base.

• Powdered Sugar, Cornstarch: Mixture used to dust the baking sheet and prevent the candy from sticking, ensuring easy removal and handling.

Easy Steps To Make The Magic Of Soft Christmas Peppermints

Step 1: Prepare Baking Surface

Line a baking sheet with a silicone mat or parchment paper. Create a dusting mixture using powdered sugar and cornstarch, generously coating the surface to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Create Sugar Base

• Granulated sugar
• Water
• Corn syrup

Stir gently until sugar dissolves completely.

Step 3: Heat Sugar Mixture

Cook the mixture without stirring, allowing it to reach 300°F (hard crack stage) on a candy thermometer. This process typically takes 10-12 minutes.

Step 4: Add Peppermint Flavor

Remove from heat and quickly stir in peppermint extract. Be cautious to avoid splattering hot sugar.

Step 5: Divide and Color

Split the molten sugar mixture into two portions. Keep one portion clear and add red food coloring to the other.

Step 6: Create Marbled Design

Pour white and red mixtures onto the prepared baking sheet. Use a spatula or bench scraper to gently swirl colors together, creating a beautiful marbled effect.

Step 7: Initial Cooling

Allow the candy to cool at room temperature for 3-5 minutes until slightly firm but still pliable.

Step 8: Stretch and Fold

Put on heat-resistant gloves and begin folding and stretching the candy. Work quickly to prevent hardening.

Step 9: Develop Texture

Continue pulling and folding the candy to create a glossy, smooth texture. Ensure even color distribution.

Step 10: Shape and Cut

When the candy becomes opaque and loses its shine, use clean kitchen shears to cut into small pieces.

Step 11: Final Cooling

Let the peppermints cool completely on the dusted surface.

Step 12: Store Properly

Store cooled peppermints in an airtight container, placing parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking.

Helpful Tips For The Magic Of Soft Christmas Peppermints

• Master Candy Temperature Precision: Use a reliable candy thermometer to hit exactly 300°F, ensuring the perfect hard crack stage for glossy, crisp peppermints without burning.
• Prevent Sugar Crystallization: Stir gently only when dissolving sugar initially, then avoid stirring during heating to maintain smooth, clear candy texture.
• Handle Hot Candy Safely: Wear heat-resistant gloves and work quickly when pulling and folding to protect hands and maintain optimal candy consistency.
• Control Color Blending: Swirl white and red mixtures gently with a spatula, creating delicate marbled patterns without overmixing or muddying the colors.
• Maintain Freshness Storage: Keep peppermints in an airtight container with parchment paper layers, protecting them from moisture and preserving their crisp texture.

Festive Spins On The Magic Of Soft Christmas Peppermints

• Chocolate Peppermint Swirl: Add dark chocolate powder to one portion of the sugar mixture, creating a rich, two-tone chocolate-peppermint candy with deep, luxurious colors.
• Candy Cane Classic: Incorporate classic red and white stripes by carefully layering and folding the colored mixtures, mimicking traditional candy cane aesthetics.
• Festive Spice Blend: Mix in a tiny amount of ground cinnamon or nutmeg to the white portion, adding warm holiday undertones to the peppermint flavor profile.
• Citrus Spark Variation: Replace half the peppermint extract with orange or lemon extract, introducing a bright, zesty note that complements the sweet base.

What To Serve With The Magic Of Soft Christmas Peppermints

• Enhance Holiday Mints with Perfect Pairings
• Pair with Hot Cocoa: Creamy, rich hot chocolate complements the crisp peppermint flavor, creating a warming winter sensation that melts smoothly on the tongue.
• Match with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Smooth, cold vanilla ice cream provides a delightful contrast to the sharp peppermint intensity, balancing sweetness and coolness in each bite.
• Combine with Espresso: Strong, bold espresso cuts through the mint's sweetness, offering a sophisticated adult twist that elevates the candy's festive profile.
• Serve alongside Shortbread Cookies: Buttery, crumbly shortbread cookies create a delicate texture counterpoint, enhancing the peppermint's bright, refreshing notes.

How To Store The Magic Of Soft Christmas Peppermints Right

• Transfer peppermints to an airtight glass container with tight-sealing lid, placing parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking and maintain freshness for up to 2 weeks.
• Keep candy in sealed ceramic or metal container away from direct sunlight and humidity, ensuring candies remain crisp and flavorful for 5-7 days at cool room temperature.
• Layer peppermints carefully between wax paper inside freezer-safe container, seal tightly, and store up to 3 months without losing original texture or taste.
• Place candies in container with small silica gel packet to absorb excess moisture, preventing potential sugar crystallization and maintaining optimal candy consistency.

FAQs About The Magic Of Soft Christmas Peppermints

• Why do I need to use a candy thermometer?

A candy thermometer ensures precise temperature for perfect candy texture, preventing undercooking or burning the sugar mixture.

• Can I make this recipe without food coloring?

Yes, you can keep the peppermints white or use natural food colorings like beet juice for a red tint.

• How do I prevent the candy from sticking to my hands?

Always wear heat-resistant gloves and dust your work surface generously with powdered sugar and cornstarch mixture.

• What if my candy hardens too quickly while working?

Work in a warm room, move swiftly, and have all tools ready before starting. If it hardens, you can gently reheat the candy to make it pliable again.

Soft Christmas Peppermints Recipe

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4.5 from 13 reviews

• Total Time: 22 minutes
• Yield: 2 1x

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Description

Festive Christmas Peppermints melt hearts with classic holiday cheer, bringing sweet memories of family gatherings. Delicate red and white swirls promise delightful moments you’ll treasure and share with loved ones.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/4 cup light corn syrup
• 1 tsp peppermint extract

Flavoring and Coloring:

• 1/2 tsp red food coloring
• 1/2 tsp white food coloring

Tools and Dusting:

• 1/4 cup powdered sugar (for dusting)
• 1 tbsp cornstarch (for preventing sticking)

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Instructions

1. Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with a silicone mat or parchment paper, then dust generously with a mixture of powdered sugar and cornstarch to prevent sticking.
2. Combine granulated sugar, water, and corn syrup in a heavy-bottomed saucepan, stirring gently until sugar dissolves completely.
3. Heat the mixture without stirring, allowing it to reach 300°F (hard crack stage) on a candy thermometer, which typically takes 10-12 minutes.
4. Immediately remove from heat and quickly stir in peppermint extract, working carefully to avoid splattering.
5. Divide the molten sugar mixture into two separate portions, keeping one portion clear and adding red food coloring to the other.
6. Working swiftly, pour the white and red mixtures onto the prepared baking sheet, allowing them to spread naturally.
7. Use a spatula or bench scraper to gently swirl the colors together, creating a marbled effect without overmixing.
8. Allow the candy to cool at room temperature for 3-5 minutes until it becomes slightly firm but still pliable.
9. Wearing heat-resistant gloves, fold and stretch the candy, working quickly to prevent hardening.
10. Pull and fold the candy repeatedly to create a glossy, smooth texture and distribute colors evenly.
11. Once the candy becomes opaque and loses its shine, begin cutting into small pieces using clean kitchen shears.
12. Let the peppermints cool completely on the dusted surface, then store in an airtight container between layers of parchment paper.

Notes

• Prep your workspace meticulously by having all tools and ingredients measured and ready before starting the candy-making process.
• Invest in a reliable candy thermometer to ensure precise temperature control, which is crucial for achieving the perfect hard crack stage.
• Use gel food coloring instead of liquid for more vibrant colors and minimal liquid interference with the sugar mixture.
• Silicone gloves are essential for protecting hands during the pulling and stretching stage, preventing burns while allowing maximum dexterity.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Category: Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 2
• Calories: 380
• Sugar: 56 g
• Sodium: 0 mg
• Fat: 0 g
• Saturated Fat: 0 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 98 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 0 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg