If you’re looking for a fun, festive treat that’s quick to whip up and absolutely delightful, you’re going to adore this Peppermint Creams Recipe. I absolutely love how these melt-in-your-mouth peppermint sweets hold that perfect balance of fresh zing and subtle sweetness. Once you try making these yourself, you’ll see why they’ve become a staple in my holiday baking lineup and a hit with everyone who gets a taste.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Super Simple Ingredients: You only need a handful of pantry staples, making this recipe perfect for last-minute treats.
- Customizable Flavors: You can easily adjust the peppermint punch or add a chocolate twist—perfect for all taste buds.
- Great for Gifting: These peppermint creams look stunning when decorated, making them an excellent homemade gift idea.
- No Baking Required: This recipe is fuss-free and dries naturally, so you avoid heating up your kitchen during busy seasons.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Peppermint Creams Recipe lies in its simplicity. Each ingredient plays a vital role—from the sharpness of lemon juice to cut through the sweetness, to the peppermint extract that brings that classic cooling freshness. You’ll want to pick quality peppermint extract and fresh icing sugar for best results.
- Icing Sugar: Make sure to sift it well; it keeps your creams silky and lump-free.
- Lemon Juice: Adds just the right tang and helps bind the mixture without cake flour or eggs.
- Peppermint Extract: Use pure extract for a natural, potent flavor, but start with a few drops—you can always add more.
- Dark Chocolate (optional): While optional, I found it transforms your creams into a decadent treat when drizzled or dipped.
- Edible Glitter / Icing Shapes / Golden Sugar (optional): These make the creams look festive and pretty, great for gift packaging.
Variations
This Peppermint Creams Recipe is a canvas for you to paint your flavors on. I love swapping out just the extract or adding a little twist depending on the occasion. Feel free to get creative!
- Chocolate-Coated Peppermint Creams: I discovered this trick: melting dark chocolate and dipping each cream adds a lovely richness that my family goes crazy for.
- Fruit-Flavored Twists: Try substituting lemon juice with orange or lime juice and use corresponding extracts for a citrusy delight.
- Vegan-Friendly Version: This recipe is naturally vegan, but make sure your peppermint extract and decorations are vegan-certified.
- Festive Shapes: Seasonal cookie cutters (stars, snowflakes, hearts) make the creams perfect for holidays or special occasions.
How to Make Peppermint Creams Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Base Mixture
Start by sieving your icing sugar to get rid of any lumps—this is essential for smooth peppermint creams. Slowly add the lemon juice a little at a time. I like to stir gently until you get a crumbly texture that’s not sticky. If you add too much lemon juice, your mixture can turn sticky, so work cautiously. This stage really took me a few tries the first time—I learned to be patient and add lemon juice in small doses to get the perfect consistency.
Step 2: Infuse the Peppermint Flavor and Knead
Now add a few drops of peppermint extract and blend it into your mixture. Knead the mixture with your hands until it feels smooth and comes together as a firm ball. If it’s too crumbly, add a tiny splash more lemon juice. Remember, don’t overdo it! If it gets sticky, sprinkle in some extra icing sugar. This balancing act is something I got better at after a couple batches—don’t be discouraged if it takes a little patience.
Step 3: Roll, Cut, and Dry
Lightly dust your countertop and rolling pin with icing sugar to prevent sticking. Roll out your dough to roughly 5mm thick—thick enough to hold shape but thin enough to dry properly. Use your favorite cookie cutters—hearts, stars, snowflakes—to cut the shapes. Place each cream on a sheet of baking parchment. Now comes the easy part: leave them at room temperature for at least 30 minutes to dry. Patience here ensures they harden beautifully without baking.
Step 4: Optional Decorating
If you’re making these for a party or gifts like me, sprinkle them with edible glitter, golden sugar, or place icing decorations on top while they’re still a bit tacky. For a magic final touch, melt some dark chocolate and drizzle or dip the creams for an irresistible finish.
Pro Tips for Making Peppermint Creams Recipe
- Ingredient Balance: I’ve found that adding lemon juice gradually avoids a sticky mess, which was my biggest early mistake.
- Temperature Matters: Keep your working surface cool; warm environments can make your mixture too sticky too fast.
- Drying Time: Don’t rush the drying; leaving creams at room temp for at least 30 minutes yields the best texture.
- Decoration Timing: Add your sprinkles or glitter while mixtures are still a bit tacky to help decorations stick perfectly.
How to Serve Peppermint Creams Recipe
Garnishes
I like using edible glitter and tiny icing shapes you can find in baking aisles—nothing says festive like a little sparkle on your sweets! For a luxe touch, a drizzle of dark chocolate is my go-to garnish. It adds richness and looks beautiful against the white peppermint creams.
Side Dishes
Pair your peppermint creams with a warm cup of hot cocoa or a peppermint mocha for the ultimate holiday pairing. They also go surprisingly well alongside gingerbread cookies or even cheese platters for an unexpected refreshing contrast.
Creative Ways to Present
For holiday gifts, I like placing the creams in a clear glass jar layered with tissue paper and tied with a festive ribbon. Another fun idea is to arrange them on a decorative plate with a sprig of fresh mint or holly. When hosting a party, place these creams in small cupcake liners for easy serving and added charm.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I usually store leftover peppermint creams in an airtight container at room temperature. They keep nicely for up to two weeks, retaining their lovely texture and pepperminty punch without drying out. Just keep them away from heat and humidity.
Freezing
Though I haven’t frozen them often, if you want to make a big batch ahead, you can freeze peppermint creams in a single layer on parchment paper in a sealed freezer container. When ready, thaw at room temperature for an hour, and they’ll be good to go.
Reheating
Since peppermint creams are no-bake and dry naturally, reheating isn’t really necessary. If you want to enjoy them with melted chocolate, gently warm the chocolate before drizzling so it doesn’t affect the peppermint creams’ texture.
FAQs
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Can I use fresh peppermint leaves instead of extract?
Fresh peppermint leaves won’t provide the same concentrated flavor as peppermint extract. While you can infuse some flavor by blending fresh leaves, for this Peppermint Creams Recipe, the extract ensures a stronger, consistent minty taste.
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What if my mixture is too sticky or too dry?
If it’s sticky, sprinkle in a little more icing sugar and knead gently. If too dry or crumbly, add a tiny bit more lemon juice. It’s a delicate balance, but adding liquids slowly helps avoid these issues.
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How long do peppermint creams take to dry?
Plan for at least 30 minutes of drying at room temperature. Thicker cuts or humid days might need a bit longer. You’ll know they’re ready when they’re firm to the touch but not brittle.
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Can I add food coloring to this recipe?
Yes! If you want colorful peppermint creams, add a few drops of food coloring while kneading the dough. Just be careful not to add too much liquid, which can affect the texture.
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Is there a gluten-free or vegan concern with this recipe?
This recipe is naturally gluten-free and vegan as it contains no flour, eggs, or dairy. Just double-check that any additives like edible glitter or decorations meet your dietary needs.
Final Thoughts
When I first tried this Peppermint Creams Recipe, I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to get professional-looking and delicious candies right at home. I love how versatile they are—you can make them simple or dress them up with chocolate and sparkles. They’re perfect for sharing with friends, giving as gifts, or just sneaking a few on your own. Trust me, once you get the technique down, these peppermint creams will become your go-to sweet treat.
Print
Peppermint Creams Recipe
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 60 minutes
- Yield: 20 peppermint creams 1x
- Category: Confectionery
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: British
Description
These Easy Peppermint Creams are a delightful homemade confection featuring smooth peppermint-flavored sugar dough that sets into firm, refreshing treats. With a hint of lemon juice to balance the sweetness and optional dark chocolate and edible decorations for an extra touch, these creams make perfect festive candies or gifts.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 425 g icing sugar
- 50 ml lemon juice
- ½ tsp peppermint extract
Optional Ingredients
- 50 g dark chocolate
- Edible glitter, icing shapes, or golden sugar
Instructions
- Sieve the Icing Sugar: Begin by sifting the icing sugar to ensure there are no lumps, creating a smooth base for your peppermint creams.
- Add Lemon Juice Gradually: Slowly add lemon juice a little at a time, stirring continuously until the mixture becomes crumbly but not sticky, forming the right texture for the dough.
- Add Peppermint Extract: Incorporate half a teaspoon of peppermint extract into the mixture and combine thoroughly to infuse the dough with peppermint flavor.
- Knead to Form Dough: Using your hands, knead the mixture until it forms a smooth ball. If it is too crumbly, add a bit more lemon juice carefully; if it becomes sticky, add more icing sugar to balance the texture.
- Roll Out the Dough: Lightly dust your work surface and rolling pin with icing sugar, then roll out the dough to approximately 5mm thickness, ensuring an even layer for cutting.
- Cut Out Shapes: Use cookie cutters to cut the dough into desired shapes such as hearts, snowflakes, or stars, placing each shape carefully onto baking parchment.
- Dry the Creams: Allow the shaped creams to dry uncovered on the baking parchment for at least 30 minutes so they firm up and develop the perfect texture.
- Optional Chocolate Decoration: If desired, melt the dark chocolate and dip or drizzle over the peppermint creams once they are dry for a rich finishing touch.
- Decorate: Optionally, add edible glitter, icing shapes, or golden sugar to embellish your peppermint creams with festive flair.
Notes
- Nutritional values are approximate and may vary depending on the exact ingredients and quantities used.
- Adjust lemon juice carefully to avoid a sticky mixture; add icing sugar if necessary to reach the perfect dough texture.
- Allow adequate drying time to ensure the peppermint creams set firmly before handling or packaging.
- For best results, store the finished creams in an airtight container to maintain freshness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 peppermint cream
- Calories: 45
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 2 mg
- Fat: 0.2 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.1 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 11 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 0 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
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