old fashioned butter mints are more than just a sweet treat; they are tiny morsels of nostalgia, little bites of pure comfort that remind us of simpler times. Here at Nonna’s Dishes, we believe every recipe tells a story, and these delightful old fashioned butter mints whisper tales of community gatherings, holiday cheer, and sweet memories shared around the family table. Maria remembers her nonna making these for every special occasion, and Teresa always had a dish of them ready for unexpected visitors. Lucia learned this classic mint candy recipe from an old cookbook, adapting it with our nonna’s touch. Get ready to create your own melt in your mouth mints that will charm everyone.
Table of Contents
Why You Will Love This old fashioned butter mints Recipe
Old-Fashioned Butter Mints: The Ultimate Easy No-Bake Recipe
These old fashioned butter mints are creamy, soft, and melt-in-your-mouth delightful. A classic no-bake candy recipe, perfect for holidays, parties, or a sweet treat anytime.
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes (includes drying)
Yield: About 6 dozen (72) small mints
Category: Dessert, Candy
Cuisine: American (Classic)
Nutrition:
Calories: 35
Protein: 0g
Carbs: 5g
Fat: 1.5g
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted, plus more for dusting
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream (or whole milk)
- 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract (or more to taste)
- Pinch of salt
- Gel food coloring (optional, for pastel colors)
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter until it is light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
- Gradually add 2 cups of the sifted powdered sugar to the butter, mixing until well combined and smooth. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
- Pour in the heavy cream, peppermint extract, and the pinch of salt. Mix thoroughly until these wet ingredients are fully incorporated.
- Slowly add the remaining 2 cups of powdered sugar, mixing until a very stiff dough forms. You might need to switch to kneading by hand for the last bit.
- If using, divide the dough into portions and knead in a tiny drop of gel food coloring for pastel butter mints.
- Dust your clean work surface generously with extra powdered sugar. Take a small portion of the dough and roll it into a thin rope, about 1/2 inch thick.
- Using a sharp knife or a pastry cutter, carefully cut the ropes into small pieces, approximately 1/2 inch long.
- Gently flatten each piece with the tines of a fork or your thumb to create the classic, slightly ridged shape.
- Place the finished mints on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, ensuring they do not touch.
- Let the mints air dry at room temperature for at least 2 hours, or ideally overnight, until they are firm to the touch. This creates their perfect melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Notes
- Store old fashioned butter mints in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. Do not refrigerate.
- For best results, ensure your powdered sugar is sifted to prevent lumps.
- Adjust peppermint extract to your taste for a stronger or milder mint flavor.
- The drying time is crucial for the final texture; do not skip this step.
You are going to absolutely adore this old fashioned butter mints recipe because it brings so much joy with so little effort. It is a true testament to the simple candy recipe philosophy we cherish at Nonna’s Dishes. These are not just any creamy mint candies; they are a tender, soft mint treats that practically dissolve on your tongue, leaving behind a refreshing burst of peppermint. We especially love that this is a no bake mint candy, meaning less time in front of the stove and more time sharing stories. Whether you are looking for a special holiday mint candy or charming party favor mints, these vintage butter mints are wonderfully quick to prepare, incredibly delicious, and they make everyone smile. Maria’s grandchildren always beg for these, and they are so easy to make, even the little ones can help with the shaping!
Ingredients Needed for This old fashioned butter mints Recipe
Gather your ingredients, tesori! Here is what you will need to create these wonderful old fashioned butter mints, a homemade butter mints recipe that will become a family favorite.
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted, plus more for dusting
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream (or whole milk)
- 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract (or more to taste)
- Pinch of salt
- Gel food coloring (optional, for pastel butter mints)
How to Make This old fashioned butter mints Recipe
Making these old fashioned butter mints is a lovely, relaxing process, much like our Sunday cooking sessions. Follow these steps for perfect, creamy mint candies every time.
- 1. In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter until it is light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. We often use a stand mixer, but a hand mixer works beautifully too.
- 2. Gradually add 2 cups of the sifted powdered sugar to the butter, mixing until everything is well combined and smooth. Be sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl.
- 3. Pour in the heavy cream, peppermint extract, and the pinch of salt. Mix thoroughly until these wet ingredients are fully incorporated.
- 4. Slowly add the remaining 2 cups of powdered sugar, mixing until a very stiff dough forms. At this point, it might be easier to switch from a mixer to kneading the dough by hand directly in the bowl to ensure all the sugar is incorporated.
- 5. If you want to make lovely pastel butter mints, now is the time to divide your dough into portions. Add a tiny drop of gel food coloring to each portion and knead it in until the color is evenly distributed. We love gentle pinks, greens, and yellows.
- 6. Dust your clean work surface generously with extra powdered sugar. Take a small portion of the dough and roll it into a thin rope, about 1/2 inch thick.
- 7. Using a sharp knife or a pastry cutter, carefully cut the ropes into small pieces, approximately 1/2 inch long.
- 8. Gently flatten each piece with the tines of a fork or your thumb to create the classic, slightly ridged shape of vintage butter mints. This step makes them extra pretty for presentation.
- 9. Place the finished mints on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Make sure they are not touching each other so they can dry evenly.
- 10. Let the old fashioned butter mints air dry at room temperature for at least 2 hours, or ideally overnight. This drying process is essential for them to develop that delightful, firm exterior and soft, melt in your mouth interior.
How to Serve This old fashioned butter mints Recipe
These old fashioned butter mints are wonderfully versatile for serving! We love to arrange them in a pretty dish for guests after dinner, especially following a hearty meal like our Honey Butter Chicken. They are perfect as a small palate cleanser or a sweet finish to any gathering. They also make fantastic party favor mints for birthdays, baby showers, or weddings. For holidays, arrange them with other festive treats. You can even package them in small cellophane bags with a ribbon for homemade gifts. No matter how you present them, these soft mint treats are always a hit.
How to Store This old fashioned butter mints Recipe
Once your old fashioned butter mints are fully dried, storing them properly will ensure they remain fresh and delicious. Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. There is no need for refrigeration, as it can introduce moisture and alter their texture. If you want to keep them longer, you can freeze them in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Just be sure to separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. When ready to enjoy, simply let them come to room temperature. They are one of those easy butter mints that keep their charm even after a little time away.
Tips to Make This old fashioned butter mints Recipe
- Sift Your Powdered Sugar: This is a nonna secret for truly creamy mint candies. Sifting removes any lumps and ensures a smooth, silky texture.
- Butter Temperature: Make sure your butter is truly softened, but not melted. This helps it cream properly and combine well with the sugar.
- Flavor Variations: While peppermint is classic, feel free to experiment! Try almond extract for an elegant twist, or a little lemon extract for a bright flavor.
- Patience with Drying: The drying time is crucial for developing the proper melt in your mouth texture. Do not rush this step.
- Avoid Humidity: Try to make these on a dry day, if possible. High humidity can make it harder for the mints to dry properly and achieve their desired texture.
- Mixer vs. Hands: For the final additions of powdered sugar, sometimes kneading by hand ensures a better consistency than a mixer. Feel the dough and adjust.
Helpful Notes for This old fashioned butter mints Recipe
Remember, cooking should be a joy, not a chore! These old fashioned butter mints are a simple candy recipe, perfect for beginners. The consistency of the dough is key; it should be firm enough to roll but still pliable. If your dough is too sticky, add a little more sifted powdered sugar, a tablespoon at a time. If it feels too dry and crumbly, add a tiny bit more heavy cream, just a quarter teaspoon at a time. We use gel food coloring because it is concentrated and will not add excess liquid to your dough, which is important for these no bake mint candy treats.
Variation of This old fashioned butter mints Recipe
While we adore the classic old fashioned butter mints, there are so many ways to play with this easy butter mints recipe!
- Holiday Mint Candy: For Christmas, use red and green food coloring and perhaps a tiny sprinkle of edible glitter. For Easter, think soft pastels like lavender, peach, and light blue.
- Chocolate Swirl: After rolling out the ropes, drizzle a very thin line of melted dark chocolate over them before cutting for a beautiful marbled effect.
- Nutty Crunch: Roll the cut mints in finely chopped pistachios or pecans before drying for a delightful texture contrast.
- Citrus Zest: Add a teaspoon of finely grated lemon or orange zest to the dough along with the extract for a bright, refreshing twist. This pairs wonderfully with the mint.
- Different Shapes: Instead of cutting ropes, you can press the dough into small, lightly greased candy molds for various shapes.
FAQs About This old fashioned butter mints Recipe
How long do old-fashioned butter mints typically last?
When stored in an airtight container at room temperature, old-fashioned butter mints can stay fresh for up to two weeks. For longer preservation, they can be refrigerated for a month or frozen for several months.
Can I make old-fashioned butter mints without a stand mixer?
Absolutely! This recipe is designed to be easy and no-bake, meaning you can easily mix the ingredients by hand with a sturdy spoon or a hand mixer. No specialized equipment is required for delicious results.
What makes old-fashioned butter mints so soft and melt-in-your-mouth?
The key lies in the generous use of butter and the precise balance of powdered sugar and cream or milk, which creates a rich, smooth, and tender texture. A touch of peppermint extract adds to their classic refreshing taste.
Conclusion
We hope you bring the simple joy of these old fashioned butter mints into your home. This easy butter mints recipe is truly a labor of love, meant to be shared and enjoyed with those you cherish. They are perfect for quiet afternoons, festive gatherings, or just a little something sweet to brighten your day. Give them a try, and let us know what sweet memories you create. Ciao!
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