This easy Butter Mints Recipe delivers melt-in-your-mouth, sweet, and buttery perfection every time. These nostalgic, old-fashioned candies are incredibly simple to make with just four basic ingredients and require no baking. They are the perfect sweet treat for holidays, weddings, baby showers, or simply to satisfy a sweet craving. Learn the secrets to making these classic confections right in your own kitchen.
Forget store-bought mints that are chalky or overly sweet. Homemade is always better, and this recipe is no exception. The texture is irresistibly soft and creamy, and you can customize the colors and flavors for any occasion. Let’s dive into making this delightful candy.
Why You’ll Love This Butter Mints Recipe
- Incredibly Easy: With simple, step-by-step instructions, this recipe is perfect for candy-making beginners.
- Only 4 Ingredients: You only need butter, powdered sugar, milk, and mint extract. It doesn’t get much simpler than that!
- Perfectly Customizable: Easily change the colors with a drop of food coloring or switch up the flavor with different extracts to match any party theme.
- No-Bake Recipe: Keep your oven off! This is a simple mix-and-shape recipe that just needs a little time to dry and firm up.
The Simple Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe relies on a few pantry staples to create its signature creamy texture and sweet flavor.
- Salted Butter: Use good-quality salted butter that is softened to room temperature. This is the foundation of the mints’ rich flavor.
- Powdered Sugar: Also known as confectioners’ sugar, this dissolves completely to create a smooth, grit-free texture.
- Peppermint Extract: This gives the mints their classic, refreshing flavor. Make sure to use extract, not oil, as oil is much more potent.
- Whole Milk or Heavy Cream: This helps bind the dough together and adds to the creaminess.
- Food Coloring (Optional): Gel food coloring is best for achieving vibrant colors without adding extra liquid.
Step-by-Step Instructions to Make Butter Mints
Making this butter mints recipe is a straightforward process. Follow these simple steps for perfect results.
1. Cream the Butter
In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the softened butter on medium speed until it is light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. This incorporates air and is key to the mints’ light texture.
2. Mix the Dough
Set the mixer to low speed and gradually add the powdered sugar, about one cup at a time, mixing until it’s just combined. Add the peppermint extract and milk (or cream). Increase the speed to medium and beat until the dough is smooth and cohesive. If the dough seems too dry, add another teaspoon of milk. If it’s too sticky, add a little more powdered sugar.
3. Color and Shape
If you want to make different colored mints, divide the dough into separate bowls. Add a single drop of gel food coloring to each bowl and knead until the color is uniform. Roll the dough into long, thin ropes about 1/2-inch thick. Use a sharp knife or a bench scraper to cut the ropes into small, pillow-like pieces.
4. Dry the Mints
Arrange the cut mints in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Let them sit at room temperature for at least 12 hours, or up to 24 hours, to allow them to dry and firm up. They will develop a slightly crisp outer shell while remaining soft and creamy on the inside.
Tips for Perfect Mints Every Time
- Don’t Rush the Drying: Giving the mints adequate time to air-dry is crucial for achieving the perfect texture. Patience is key!
- Start with Softened Butter: Cold butter won’t cream properly, and melted butter will make the dough greasy. Room temperature is essential.
- Go Slow with Food Coloring: A little gel coloring goes a long way. Start with one small drop and add more only if needed to avoid overly saturated colors.
- Get Creative with Shapes: While cutting them into pillows is traditional, you can also roll the dough flat and use small cookie cutters for fun shapes. Check out our cute bear cookies for more shape ideas!
How to Store Homemade Butter Mints
Once your mints have fully dried, they are easy to store. Place them in an airtight container, separating any layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. They can be stored at room temperature for up to two weeks. For longer storage, you can refrigerate them for up to a month. They make a fantastic edible gift, much like our popular no-bake peppermint balls.
More Sweet Treats You Might Enjoy
If you loved making these mints, you might enjoy tackling another delightful dessert. This Pecan Pie Cheesecake is a showstopper, and for a festive treat, try our famous Christmas Jam Recipe.
FAQs about this Butter Mints Recipe
Yes, they are a great make-ahead treat. Once fully dried, they can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks or in the refrigerator for a month.
Absolutely! While peppermint is classic, you can easily substitute it with vanilla, almond, lemon, or orange extract to create different flavor profiles.
Butter mints need to air-dry at room temperature for a minimum of 12 hours, but 24 hours is even better. This allows them to form a delicate, firm shell on the outside while staying soft and creamy on the inside.
The primary difference is the fat used. Butter mints use butter for a rich, buttery flavor, while cream cheese mints use cream cheese, which gives them a slightly tangy flavor and an even softer texture.
This usually happens if the mints haven’t dried long enough or if the dough was too wet. Let them air-dry for another 12 hours. If the dough was too sticky to begin with, you can mix in a bit more powdered sugar.
The Easiest Butter Mints Recipe
Butter Mints Recipe (Easy & Old-Fashioned)
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the softened butter on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
- Reduce mixer speed to low and gradually add the powdered sugar. Add the peppermint extract and milk. Increase speed to medium and beat until the dough is smooth. If it's too sticky, add more powdered sugar; if too dry, add a bit more milk.
- If using, divide the dough and knead in a drop of gel food coloring. Roll the dough into 1/2-inch thick ropes and cut into small, pillow-like pieces.
- Arrange the mints in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Let them air-dry at room temperature for 12-24 hours until they are firm to the touch.
Notes
For different flavors, try substituting the peppermint extract with vanilla, lemon, or almond extract.
Ensure the butter is fully softened to room temperature for the best texture.
Share Your Creations!
We hope you loved this easy Butter Mints Recipe! If you made them, please leave a comment and rating below to let us know how they turned out. We love seeing your creations, so don’t forget to share a photo of your beautiful mints on Pinterest!
