These peppermint creams are soft, melt-in-your-mouth candies. They are so easy to make and only require 3 ingredients. There is no cooking or baking required. They store well and are great for gifting.
Old-fashioned peppermint creams are such an easy candy to make. Unlike other types of candies, there is no cooking or baking involved. They can be decorated with different shapes, colors or chocolate. I like gifting them during the holidays.
Ingredients
- Powdered Sugar
- Egg White (or condensed milk)
- Peppermint extract
Powdered sugar: These candies are made mostly from powdered sugar. Make sure you choose a good quality brand of powdered sugar because some generic and cheaper brands will sometimes add too much starch to the powdered sugar, which will alter the taste of these peppermint candies.
Egg white: Egg white is traditionally used as the binding agent for the candy dough. I recommend using pasteurized egg white if you have any concerns about consuming raw egg. You can also substitute egg white with condensed milk and water.
Peppermint extract: Peppermint extract is used to give this dough its peppermint flavor.
If desired, you can also add food coloring to the dough if you want candies that are not white. I added a few drops of green food coloring to some of the candy dough to make mint green colored peppermint creams.
How to Make Peppermint Creams
- The powdered sugar is first sifted. The egg and peppermint are then added in and mixed in until a dough forms.
- Dust your work surface with powdered sugar and roll the dough to 1/4 inch thickness. Use 1-inch cookie cutters to cut shapes out of the dough. Re-roll dough scraps and repeat.
- Place the cut-out candies onto a parchment lined baking sheet that is also lightly dusted with powdered sugar. Allow the candies to air dry until firm.
Texture
The candies have a firm, crisp exterior and a soft, creamy, slightly chewy center.
Expert Tips
- This is a very forgiving recipe. If your dough is too sticky, simply add more powdered sugar. If your dough becomes too dry, add more egg white or a little water.
- Because the dough does contain raw egg whites, we recommend using pasteurized eggs. You can also make this dough egg-free by using sweetened condensed milk with a little water.
- Use a good quality brand of powdered sugar. There are some cheaper brands that add too much starch to the sugar which can result in a soapy taste.
More Easy Candy Recipes
3 Ingredient Peppermint Creams
Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups (235 g) powdered sugar plus additional for dusting
- 1 large (31 g) pasteurized egg white can substitute to make egg-free, see note
- 1/8 tsp (0.6 ml) peppermint extract
Instructions
- Line a baking tray with parchment paper and dust with a light layer of powdered sugar. This will prevent the peppermint candies from sticking as they dry.
- In a large mixing bowl, sift the powdered sugar. Add the egg white and peppermint extract to the sugar and stir until a thick, smooth dough forms. The dough should be firm but pliable, similar to soft modeling clay. If it’s too sticky, add a little bit more powdered sugar until it reaches the right consistency.
- Dust your work surface with some powdered sugar. Transfer the dough to the surface and use a rolling pin to roll it out to about ¼ inch thickness. Use a 1-inch cookie cutter to cut the dough. Re-roll any leftover scraps to cut out more pieces.
- Carefully transfer the shaped peppermint candy to the prepared baking tray. Let them sit, uncovered, at room temperature for a few hours to firm up. The drying process will make the outside firm, while keeping the inside soft and give the candies a slight chew.
- Once the peppermint creams are firm, they’re ready to enjoy! Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge.
Notes
- Egg note: Because this recipe uses raw egg white, we recommend using a pasteurized egg. If you would like to avoid using egg, this dough can be made with condensed milk and water. I recommend starting with 1 tablespoon condensed milk mixed with 1 tablespoon of water and add more if needed.
- This is a very forgiving dough. If it's too sticky, add more powdered sugar. If it gets too dry, you can add a little water.
- Make sure to use a good quality brand powdered sugar. There are some cheaper brands that will add extra filler or starch to the sugar and this can alter the taste of the candies. I used C&H powdered sugar (Amazon | Target | Walmart).*
- *These product links are affiliate links. This means I earn a commission from qualifying purchases.
- If desired, you can add a few drops of food coloring to change the color of the candies. I added green food coloring to half of the dough to make a mint green version.
- You can also dip the finished candies in melted chocolate or drizzle melted chocolate on top. This is completely optional.
- The amount of candies this recipe yields will depend on the size and shapes of your cookie cutters. I was able to get about 48 pieces.
- Estimated nutrition is for one candy and does not include optional chocolate drizzle.
Nutrition
The nutrition information provided are only estimates based on an online nutritional calculator. I am not a certified nutritionist. Please consult a professional nutritionist or doctor for accurate information and any dietary restrictions and concerns you may have.
