Easy Homemade Butter Mints Recipe

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Homemade butter mints are an old-fashioned sweet treat everybody loves! These delightful little candies are not only incredibly easy to make but also melt-in-your-mouth delicious. With just a handful of simple ingredients, you’ll create a treat that’s perfect for sharing or indulging in whenever that sweet tooth calls.

Butter mints (also called wedding mints, dinner mints, pillow mints, or soft mints) are classic candies renowned for their creamy, buttery taste and smooth, melt-in-your-mouth texture. They are a favorite choice for after-dinner treats, wedding showers or baby showers, party favors, or a great gift for any occasion that calls for a touch of sweetness. 

Why I love this recipe

This is the best butter mints recipe I’ve tested. It is smooth and melts in your mouth. They need to harden for 12 hours so they are perfect for making ahead of time for special occasions or holiday parties. They are the absolute easiest candy to make, no candy thermometer or fancy methods are required!

Ingredients

• unsalted butter
• heavy cream
• powdered sugar (confectioners’ sugar)
• peppermint extract
• food coloring

Peppermint extract vs. peppermint oil

Peppermint oil (not essential oil, food-grade oil), in its pure form, and peppermint extract, which contains both oil and alcohol, are not identical. Oils are more potent and require less quantity compared to extracts, which have a more liquid consistency and a lower concentration of the peppermint “flavor” due to the addition of alcohol. It’s important to exercise caution when using peppermint, as it possesses a strong, robust flavor. If you opt for oil, use 1/4 of the amount.

Step by step

1. In a large bowl or bowl of a stand mixer (affiliate link), combine the butter, heavy whipping cream, peppermint extract, and 1 cup of powdered sugar until well mixed. Be sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl and bottom of the bowl. 
2. Gradually add 1 cup of powdered sugar at a time until you’ve used all the powdered sugar, and the dough comes together.
3. Divide your dough into four equal portions and place them in separate bowls. Add a few drops of food coloring to each bowl and mix until the color is evenly distributed throughout the dough.

4. Take a portion of the dough and place it on a cutting board dusted with powdered sugar. Divide the dough into two equal pieces and roll each piece into a rope about ½ inch in diameter using the palm of your hand. Repeat this process for all the dough portions.
5. Using a sharp knife, dough scraper, or pizza cutter, cut the ropes into bite-sized pieces. Place on a cookie sheet or baking sheet and allow these pieces to firm up for at least 12 hours, ideally overnight, before savoring your homemade butter mints.

Tips for best results

• use peppermint extract NOT mint extract, the taste is different
• make sure to soften the butter before creaming it with the cream, peppermint extract, and confectioners’ sugar
• add the second cup of powdered sugar a little at a time to help it incorporate smoothly
• if the mixture is too dry and crumbly add a tiny bit of cream until a smooth dough forms, if it is too wet add a little bit of powdered sugar until it reaches the creamy texture

FAQs

Storage

Store mints (after drying) in an airtight container for 1 week at room temperature or 3 weeks in the refrigerator. 

Freeze mints in a freezer-safe container (affiliate link) for up to 3 months.

If you try this recipe please comment and rate it below, I love hearing from you!

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