Soft Butter Mints

Featured in Sweet Treats You'll Actually Make Twice.

These soft butter mints combine fresh butter, sugar, and peppermint extract for a sweet, melt-in-your-mouth bite. Fun to color and perfect for events, they'll set in a few hours.

A woman wearing a chef's hat and apron.
Updated on Thu, 10 Apr 2025 19:14:06 GMT
Small pink and yellow candy squares on a plate scattered artfully. Pin it
Small pink and yellow candy squares on a plate scattered artfully. | cookbybook.com

I started making butter mints when I wanted to bring back those soft, dreamy candies from weddings I went to as a kid. They've now turned into our family's go-to treat for celebrations. They're truly something special - the way they dissolve on your tongue with that smooth buttery peppermint flavor is just wonderful. And they're a blast to make with kids helping out in the kitchen.

Cherished Traditions Beautifully Crafted

The best thing about these mints is how they connect old memories with new ones. The smooth, creamy feel and light mint taste instantly takes me back to special times. Nowadays my kitchen turns into a candy workshop whenever we whip up a batch, with everyone picking their own favorite colors.

Your Ingredient Lineup

  • Unsalted Butter: Quarter cup brought to room temperature.
  • Salt: Just a tiny bit to enhance flavors.
  • Confectioners' Sugar: Four cups put through a sieve for extra smoothness.
  • Pure Peppermint: The real stuff works so much better than substitutes.
  • Vanilla Extract: Gives a wonderful background note.
  • Whipping Cream: Creates that melt-in-your-mouth texture.
  • Colorings: To create pretty shades if that's what you want.
A glass jar filled with pink and white square-shaped candies is placed on a dark surface, surrounded by a few scattered candies. Pin it
A glass jar filled with pink and white square-shaped candies is placed on a dark surface, surrounded by a few scattered candies. | cookbybook.com

Creating Your Sweet Treasures

First Steps
See how the butter and sugar transform into something fluffy and light in the mixer. Each ingredient plays its part until we end up with something that feels like soft modeling clay.
Finding Perfect Balance
You might need to adjust with extra sugar or cream as you go. It's a bit of a back and forth until everything feels just right in your hands.
Creative Forming
Shape these sweet bits any way that makes you happy. My grandma always made tiny flowers but I usually go for simple balls or little logs.
Rest Time
Let them sit overnight, almost like they need their beauty sleep. The wait isn't fun but you'll get that amazing texture that makes it worthwhile.

Helpful Tips

Getting your butter to the right temperature really matters. Too warm and your dough gets messy, too cold and it won't mix well. Add the sugar in small amounts bit by bit. If things don't seem quite right, a tiny splash of cream or touch more sugar can fix most problems.

Personal Touches

Sometimes we color them pink for welcoming new baby girls, other times light blue for wedding celebrations. My daughter can't get enough of coconut flavor while my son thinks almond is the best. Every batch becomes something unique and that's what makes these treats so special.

Storage Smarts

These sweet gems stay good in a sealed container for about two weeks at room temperature. Stick them in the fridge and they'll last even longer. I always keep some in the freezer for surprise guests or last-minute parties, and they thaw out just perfectly.

Celebration Ready

From my niece's bridal shower to casual Sunday family dinners, these little mints turn any gathering into something special. I love that I can make them days ahead so I'm not rushed when company comes. Sometimes I arrange them in fun patterns on serving dishes and watch as guests light up when they see them.

Fan Favorites

There's just something magical about these mints that gets people talking and smiling. Maybe they remind folks of happy times, or maybe it's just how they melt away so smoothly. Whenever I serve them, someone always shares a sweet story about having similar treats at their grandma's house.

Your Creative Canvas

What's wonderful about these mints is how easily you can put your own stamp on them. A tiny bit of color here, a different flavor there, and suddenly they're completely yours. For my sister's baby gender announcement, we secretly made pink and blue ones and loved watching everyone's reaction as they found out the news.

Lasting Freshness

In an airtight container these little treats stay nice for several weeks. My hidden stash in the refrigerator lasts even longer. And those special batches I tuck away in the freezer? They're like finding a forgotten gift months later, still tasting just as good as day one.

Small Details Big Impact

Using butter at just the right softness makes all the difference. Taking your time to add sugar gradually seems fussy but gives you the creamiest result. These tiny tricks I've figured out over time change ordinary mints into little bites of happiness that stick in people's minds.

A close-up image of small, square-shaped candies in alternating colors of pale yellow and pink. Pin it
A close-up image of small, square-shaped candies in alternating colors of pale yellow and pink. | cookbybook.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Why should they set uncovered?

Letting them air dry is key to getting that perfect, soft texture. Covering them could trap moisture and mess up the texture.

→ Can I make these in advance?

Yep, they last about two weeks at room temp or a month in the fridge. Just store them in airtight containers with wax paper layers.

→ What if my dough feels sticky?

If it's sticky, just sprinkle in more powdered sugar bit by bit until it’s like playdough. Humidity might make you use more sugar than usual.

→ Can I switch up the flavors?

Sure, you can try extracts like spearmint or even wintergreen instead of peppermint. Just swap it in the same amount as the recipe calls for.

→ Why is an electric mixer helpful?

The dough can get super thick and hard to mix by hand. A stand mixer is easiest, but a hand mixer works if you're up for the effort.

Butter Mints

Creamy butter mints with powdered sugar and peppermint. Add color to match any theme.

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
180 Minutes
Total Time
195 Minutes
By: Susan

Category: Desserts

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 200 Servings (200 small bites)

Dietary: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free

Ingredients

01 1½ tablespoons heavy cream.
02 4 cups powdered sugar.
03 ½ cup of softened, unsalted butter.
04 ⅛ teaspoon vanilla extract.
05 ¼ teaspoon peppermint extract.
06 ⅛ teaspoon salt.
07 Optional: food coloring.

Instructions

Step 01

Use an electric mixer or stand mixer to whip the butter until smooth and fluffy.

Step 02

Start adding 2 cups of powdered sugar slowly while mixing on a low setting. Blend till smooth.

Step 03

Stir in the salt along with the extracts until everything is fully blended.

Step 04

Pour in the cream and mix it all together, turning up the speed to medium as you go.

Step 05

Add the rest of the powdered sugar and mix until it feels like soft, moldable dough. Toss in coloring if you like.

Step 06

Form ½-inch thick logs, slice them into pieces, and lay them on a baking sheet lined with wax paper.

Step 07

Leave them uncovered at room temperature for a few hours until they firm up.

Notes

  1. Will stay fresh at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.
  2. Can be refrigerated for about 1 month.

Tools You'll Need

  • An electric or stand mixer.
  • Wax paper.
  • A baking sheet or tray.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains dairy (butter and cream).

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 61
  • Total Fat: 2 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 10 g
  • Protein: ~