Old-Fashioned Butter Mints

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These Old-Fashioned Butter Mints melt in your mouth with a creamy texture and a delicate touch of sweetness that feels like a cozy throwback to childhood. If you’ve ever grabbed a handful from grandma’s candy dish or from the table at a wedding, you know exactly how nostalgic and soothing these little confections can be. With their pastel hues and soft bite, they’re both charming and irresistible.

Homemade butter mints take very little effort to make and just a few simple ingredients. They’re perfect for gifting, baby showers, holiday platters, or just keeping around for an after-dinner treat. Once you try making them yourself, you’ll wonder why you ever bought them pre-made.

Why You’ll Love This Old-Fashioned Butter Mints Recipe

These butter mints are easy to make, no baking required, and you can customize the color or flavor to suit any occasion. They store beautifully, making them ideal for parties or gifting. The flavor is rich with real butter, balanced with a hint of peppermint, creating a refreshing but mellow finish.

Can I Use Salted or Unsalted Butter for Butter Mints?

You can use either, but unsalted butter is best for complete control over the flavor. If you only have salted butter, reduce or skip any added salt. What matters most is using high-quality butter since it’s the star of this recipe. Room temperature butter ensures a smooth and creamy dough, so let it soften before mixing.

Ingredients for the Old-Fashioned Butter Mints

These delightful mints use pantry staples and come together in minutes. The key to their charm lies in balance: buttery richness, a touch of sweet, and a cool peppermint pop.

• Butter – Softened unsalted butter creates the creamy, melt-in-your-mouth base.
• Powdered Sugar – Gives the mints their sweetness and smooth texture.
• Heavy Cream – Just a splash adds richness and helps bind the dough.
• Peppermint Extract – Offers that classic cooling flavor.
• Salt – A pinch brings balance and depth to the sweetness.
• Food Coloring – Optional, but perfect for creating festive or pastel-colored mints.

How To Make the Old-Fashioned Butter Mints

Step 1: Cream the Butter

In a mixing bowl, beat the softened butter until smooth and fluffy. This ensures your mints will be creamy and lump-free.

Step 2: Add the Sweet Elements

Gradually beat in powdered sugar, a little at a time. Add the heavy cream and peppermint extract. Continue mixing until everything is fully combined into a thick dough.

Step 3: Tint and Shape

If using food coloring, divide the dough and knead in your colors. Pinch off small bits and roll them into balls, or shape them into logs and cut into squares.

Step 4: Dry and Set

Lay the shaped mints on a parchment-lined baking sheet and let them dry at room temperature for at least 12 hours. They’ll form a delicate crust while staying soft inside.

How to Serve and Store Old-Fashioned Butter Mints

These mints are perfect in candy dishes at baby showers, weddings, holiday gatherings, or simply as a sweet treat after meals. They also make thoughtful edible gifts tucked into jars or tins.

This recipe yields about 100 small mints, easily enough for 8 to 10 people to enjoy casually. Once dried, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks, or freeze them for up to 2 months. Let frozen mints thaw at room temp before serving.

What to Serve With Old-Fashioned Butter Mints?

Hot Tea

The cooling peppermint pairs beautifully with herbal or black teas.

Coffee

They offer a sweet contrast to rich espresso or a dark roast.

Fruit Platters

Their creamy texture complements fresh berries and melon.

Chocolate Desserts

Serve alongside brownies or chocolate torte for a balance of minty and rich.

Ice Cream

Crush and sprinkle them on vanilla or chocolate ice cream for a fun texture.

Cheeseboards

A small dish of mints can be a surprising addition to a dessert cheese board.

Holiday Cookies

Pair them with festive cookies on a dessert tray.

Want More Candy Ideas?

If you love these melt-in-your-mouth butter mints, you’ll probably enjoy these other nostalgic and flavor-packed treats:

• Try our Peanut Butter Cornflake Cookies for a chewy no-bake option.
• Whip up Rhubarb Shortbread Bars for a fruity, tart-sweet treat.
• Make Hot Fudge Brownie Bread if you’re craving rich and fudgy indulgence.
• Or enjoy Brownie Mix Cookies when you want chewy cookies in a flash.
• These Dr. Pepper Brownies are an unexpected twist you have to taste to believe.

Save This Recipe For Later

📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest dessert board so you can come back to it any time.

Let me know in the comments how yours turned out. Did you go with classic mint or try something new like lemon or vanilla? Did you color them for the holidays?

I love hearing your twists on traditional favorites. Let’s keep sharing ideas to make sweet memories even sweeter.

Explore beautifully curated health-boosting drinks and nostalgic candies on Luna Meals on Pinterest and discover your next favorite treat!

Conclusion

Old-Fashioned Butter Mints are one of those simple pleasures that never goes out of style. With just a few ingredients and a little time, you can create a treat that sparks joy and nostalgia in every bite. Whether for a celebration or a quiet evening at home, these creamy little mints will always have a place in your heart—and your candy jar.

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