Old-Fashioned Butter Mints
Soft, creamy, and sweetly nostalgic, Old-Fashioned Butter Mints are a delightful treat that melt in your mouth with every bite. These pastel-colored mints bring back memories of holiday parties, baby showers, and vintage candy dishes. Unlike store-bought versions, homemade butter mints are fresh, tender, and carry a rich buttery flavor that truly makes them irresistible.
This easy recipe transforms simple pantry staples into a charming confection. Whether you’re preparing a sweet treat for guests or just want something to nibble on after dinner, these mints are always a crowd-pleaser. Plus, they can be tinted to match any theme or occasion, making them as pretty as they are tasty.
Why You’ll Love This Old-Fashioned Butter Mints Recipe
These mints are incredibly simple to make and require no baking, just a little mixing and shaping. You get to control the flavor intensity and color, giving them a personal touch. They make wonderful homemade gifts or elegant additions to dessert tables. And because they store well, you can make a batch ahead of time and enjoy them for weeks.
What Kind of Butter Should I Use for Butter Mints?
Unsalted butter is best for this recipe since it gives you full control over the sweetness and flavor. Make sure the butter is softened to room temperature so it blends smoothly into the sugar and cream. Quality butter will give your mints that signature creamy melt-in-your-mouth texture that sets them apart from waxy commercial versions.
Ingredients for the Old-Fashioned Butter Mints
Homemade butter mints use a few everyday ingredients, yet each one plays a key role in achieving that perfect soft texture and flavor.
- Unsalted Butter: The base of this recipe, providing richness and smooth texture.
- Powdered Sugar: Creates the classic melt-in-your-mouth consistency.
- Heavy Cream: Adds moisture and helps form the dough.
- Peppermint Extract: Gives the mints their signature fresh flavor.
- Food Coloring (optional): Perfect for customizing the mints to fit a theme or season.
How To Make the Old-Fashioned Butter Mints
Step 1: Cream the Butter
Start by beating the softened unsalted butter in a large bowl until it’s smooth and fluffy. This ensures a creamy base.
Step 2: Add Flavor and Cream
Mix in the peppermint extract and heavy cream until fully combined with the butter. This adds both flavor and silkiness.
Step 3: Incorporate the Sugar
Gradually add in the powdered sugar, a cup at a time, beating slowly at first then increasing speed. Continue until a stiff dough forms.
Step 4: Add Color (Optional)
If you’re using food coloring, divide the dough and knead in a drop or two of your chosen color until evenly blended.
Step 5: Shape the Mints
Dust a surface with powdered sugar and roll the dough into thin ropes. Cut into small squares or bite-sized pieces using a knife.
Step 6: Let Them Set
Place the mints on a parchment-lined tray and let them dry at room temperature for at least 12 hours to firm up the texture.
How to Serve and Store Old-Fashioned Butter Mints
These mints are perfect for parties, showers, weddings, or just as a sweet after-dinner treat. A single batch makes enough to serve around 10 to 12 people with a small handful each.
To store, keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks. For longer freshness, you can refrigerate them for up to a month. Let them come to room temperature before serving so they stay soft.
What to Serve With Butter Mints?
Hot Tea or Herbal Infusions
Butter mints pair beautifully with a cup of chamomile or mint tea for a relaxing afternoon pick-me-up.
Coffee or Espresso
The creaminess of the mints contrasts delightfully with a bold coffee or creamy latte.
Chocolate Desserts
Add these to a dessert board alongside brownies or chocolate cake for a refreshing touch.
Fruit Platters
Butter mints add a sweet contrast to the tartness of fresh berries or citrus slices.
After Dinner Drinks
Serve them with liqueurs like Amaretto or Baileys for an elegant end to a meal.
Vanilla Ice Cream
Crumble mints over a scoop of vanilla or mint chip ice cream for a fun twist.
Gift Jars
Place them in mason jars with ribbons for easy, thoughtful homemade gifts.
Want More Candy Ideas?
If these butter mints bring a smile to your face, you might love these other sweet bites:
- White Chocolate Orange Creamsicle Truffles for a citrusy meltaway treat.
- Peanut Butter Balls with Chocolate Rice Krispies when you need a no-bake classic.
- Creamy Corn Dip if you’re in the mood to balance sweet with savory at gatherings.
- Mama Seward’s Iconic Strawberry Cake for a bold, fruity old-school dessert.
- Butterfinger Caramel Crunch Mini Pies if you love buttery crunch in every bite.
Save This Recipe For Later
đŸ“Œ Save this recipe to your Pinterest dessert board so you can come back to it any time.
And let me know in the comments how yours turned out. Did you tint them pastel or go bold with color? Did you try other extracts like lemon or almond?
I love hearing how others make these recipes their own. Questions are welcome too, let’s help each other bake smarter.
Explore beautifully curated health-boosting drinks on Zoe Recipes on Pinterest and discover your new go-to for feeling great!
Conclusion
Old-Fashioned Butter Mints are a timeless treat that never goes out of style. Their melt-in-your-mouth texture, charming colors, and easy prep make them perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re making them for a celebration or to satisfy a sweet tooth, these little confections are bound to win hearts.
PrintOld-Fashioned Butter Mints
- Total Time: 12 hours
- Yield: 10 to 12 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Old-Fashioned Butter Mints are creamy, melt-in-your-mouth confections made with butter, powdered sugar, and peppermint extract. This easy no-bake candy recipe is perfect for parties, holidays, weddings, or gifting. Customize with color and enjoy these soft mints as an after-dinner treat or a nostalgic sweet bite.
Ingredients
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
2 tablespoons heavy cream
1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 to 2 drops food coloring (optional)
Instructions
1. Cream the softened butter in a mixing bowl until smooth and fluffy.
2. Add the peppermint extract and heavy cream to the butter, mixing until fully combined.
3. Slowly mix in powdered sugar, one cup at a time, until a stiff dough forms.
4. If using food coloring, divide dough and knead in coloring until evenly distributed.
5. Roll dough into thin ropes and cut into bite-sized pieces.
6. Arrange mints on parchment paper and allow to air-dry at room temperature for at least 12 hours before storing.
Notes
These mints can be customized with different extracts like almond or lemon.
Letting them dry properly gives them the best texture—firm outside, soft inside.
Store in airtight containers to keep them fresh and tender.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6 to 8 mints
- Calories: 130
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 5mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
