Easy Butter Mints are one of those old-fashioned little treats that never go out of style. They are smooth, creamy, softly sweet, and finished with that cool minty flavor that makes them perfect after dinner, during the holidays, or tucked onto a dessert tray for special gatherings.

What makes these mints especially lovable is how simple they are to make. There is no baking, no complicated candy thermometer, and no long ingredient list. Just a handful of pantry staples come together into a soft dough that can be rolled, shaped, and turned into delicate homemade candies that look just as pretty as they taste.

Why You’ll Love This Easy Butter Mints

These Easy Butter Mints are a wonderful choice when you want something sweet without making a full batch of cookies or cake. They are quick to prepare, easy to customize with colors for different holidays, and they store beautifully for parties, cookie platters, and gift boxes.

The texture is one of the best parts. Each mint is tender and creamy with a melt-in-your-mouth finish that feels light instead of heavy. They are also a fun make-ahead treat, which makes them ideal for Christmas, baby showers, weddings, Easter tables, and anytime you want a homemade candy that feels a little nostalgic.

What Gives Easy Butter Mints Their Soft, Creamy Texture?

The signature texture of Easy Butter Mints comes from the balance of butter, powdered sugar, and sweetened condensed milk. Powdered sugar keeps the candy smooth rather than grainy, while butter adds richness and a soft bite. The sweetened condensed milk brings everything together into a dough that is easy to shape and dries into that classic velvety finish.

Peppermint extract adds the bright, cool flavor that makes these mints so refreshing. The key is using just enough for a clean mint taste without overpowering the buttery sweetness. Once the shaped mints rest and dry, they hold their form while still staying soft in the center.

Ingredients for the Easy Butter Mints

You only need a few ingredients to make Easy Butter Mints, but each one plays an important role in the final texture and flavor. Keeping the ingredient list simple is part of what makes this homemade candy so dependable.

Butter

Butter gives these mints their rich flavor and signature creamy mouthfeel. It softens the sweetness and helps create that tender, almost melt-away texture.

Sweetened Condensed Milk

Sweetened condensed milk acts as the binding ingredient and adds a smooth sweetness. It helps turn the powdered sugar into a soft dough that is easy to work with.

Peppermint Extract

Peppermint extract is what gives Easy Butter Mints their refreshing finish. A little goes a long way, so it brings that cool candy-shop flavor without needing much.

Powdered Sugar

Powdered sugar is the base of the recipe. It creates the structure of the candy while keeping the texture silky and soft instead of gritty.

Food Coloring

Food coloring is optional, but it makes these mints extra festive. Soft pastel shades are lovely for spring, while red and green make them especially pretty during Christmas.

How To Make the Easy Butter Mints

This is a very simple candy recipe, and the process is just as approachable as the ingredient list. The dough comes together quickly, then all that is left is shaping and letting the mints dry until they are ready to serve.

Step 1: Cream the Butter

Start by placing the softened butter in a mixing bowl and beating it until smooth. This helps create an even base so the finished mints are creamy and not lumpy.

Step 2: Add the Sweetened Condensed Milk and Extract

Mix in the sweetened condensed milk and peppermint extract until the mixture looks smooth and fully combined. If you plan to color the mints, this is a good time to add a drop or two of food coloring.

Step 3: Add the Powdered Sugar

Gradually mix in the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, until a soft dough forms. The dough should feel smooth, pliable, and not overly sticky. If needed, add a little extra powdered sugar until it is easy to handle.

Step 4: Shape the Mints

Roll small portions of dough into ropes and cut into bite-sized pieces, or roll into little balls and flatten gently with a fork. You can also press them into silicone molds for a more decorative look.

Step 5: Let Them Dry

Arrange the shaped mints on a parchment-lined tray and let them rest at room temperature for several hours or overnight. This helps them firm up on the outside while staying soft and creamy inside.

Step 6: Serve or Store

Once dry, the mints are ready to enjoy. Transfer them to an airtight container and keep them on hand for parties, gifting, or a sweet little bite after meals.

How to Serve and Store Easy Butter Mints

Easy Butter Mints are perfect for serving in small bowls at parties, adding to dessert platters, or packaging in tins for homemade gifts. Their neat size makes them ideal for holiday trays, wedding showers, baby showers, and tea tables where guests can enjoy just a little sweet bite.

This recipe makes about 60 small mints, which usually serves 10 to 12 people depending on how they are presented. For storage, keep the mints in an airtight container at room temperature for a day or two, or refrigerate them for up to 2 weeks. For longer storage, they can be frozen in layers with parchment paper between them.

What to Serve With Easy Butter Mints?

Coffee or Espresso

The cool mint flavor pairs beautifully with a warm cup of coffee or a bold espresso after dinner.

Hot Chocolate

A mug of rich hot chocolate makes these creamy little candies feel even more festive during the winter months.

Butter mints fit naturally alongside sugar cookies, shortbread, fudge, and chocolate-covered treats.

Tea

They are lovely with black tea, peppermint tea, or a light herbal blend when you want a simple afternoon treat.

Cheesecake Bites

Serve them with mini cheesecake bites for a dessert spread that feels elegant without much effort.

Fresh Fruit Platters

A fruit tray with grapes, strawberries, and orange slices gives a fresh contrast to the sweetness of the mints.

Vanilla Ice Cream

A few butter mints alongside vanilla ice cream create a fun old-fashioned dessert plate.

Want More Candy and Dessert Ideas?

If you love these Easy Butter Mints, you might also want to try a few more sweet favorites from Nora Nosh:

Whipped Shortbread Cookies for a buttery holiday treat with a delicate crumb.
Christmas Cookie Pinwheels when you want something colorful and festive for dessert trays.
Paula Deen’s 5-Minute Fudge for a rich chocolate candy that is wonderfully quick to make.
No-Bake Preacher Cookies if you are in the mood for another easy no-bake sweet.

Save This Pin For Later

📌 Save this Easy Butter Mints recipe to your Pinterest holiday candy board so you can come back to it anytime.

And let me know in the comments how yours turned out. Did you keep them classic white, or did you tint them for a holiday party? Did you shape them by hand or use a mold for a more polished finish?

I always enjoy hearing how these nostalgic treats show up on other people’s tables. Questions are welcome too, especially if you want help getting the texture just right.

For more beautiful homemade sweets and everyday food inspiration, explore more recipe ideas on Nora Nosh Pinterest.

Easy Butter Mints

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Author: Nora
Total Time: 6 hours 20 minutes
Yield: 60 small mints
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Easy Butter Mints are the kind of old-fashioned homemade candy that instantly make any gathering feel a little more special. These smooth, creamy mints are rich with buttery flavor and finished with a cool peppermint touch that melts softly on your tongue. They are perfect for holiday dessert trays, baby showers, wedding tables, quick dessert ideas, easy party sweets, and make-ahead food ideas when you want a simple recipe that looks charming and tastes even better.