If you’ve been dreaming of a candy that’s both refreshing and nostalgic, then you’re going to love my Strawberry Mint Candies Recipe. It’s that perfect little treat that melts in your mouth with a cool minty finish and a subtle hint of strawberry sweetness. When I first tried making these, I was stunned by how easy they are but how fancy they look – trust me, these candies will quickly become your go-to for gifting or just stashing in your fridge for a quick pick-me-up.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple Ingredients: You don’t need a ton of fancy stuff—everything’s easy to find and straightforward to combine.
- Perfect Texture: These candies are soft, smooth, and just firm enough to hold their shape without being crumbly.
- Customizable Flavor: You can easily tweak the mint or strawberry levels to fit your own taste perfectly.
- Family Favorite: My kids and friends go crazy for these, especially during the holidays or as a small unexpected treat.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient here plays a key role in giving these strawberry mint candies their dreamy texture and flavor. I always recommend using quality butter and fresh powdered sugar to avoid lumps and get that ultra-smooth candy dough.
- Unsalted Butter: Using unsalted butter keeps the sweetness balanced without extra salt interfering.
- Mint Extract: This is what gives the candies their refreshing kick—adjust to your liking for a stronger or milder mint flavor.
- Light Corn Syrup: Helps bind the candies smoothly while keeping them soft and chewy.
- Powdered Sugar: Essential for the right sweet texture; make sure it’s fresh to avoid any clumping in the dough.
- Strawberry Gelatin Powder: Adds that lovely strawberry flavor and a slight tint that’s just charming.
Variations
I’ve had a blast experimenting with this Strawberry Mint Candies Recipe over time. Feel free to personalize it by switching up extracts or even adding a little zest. It’s a flexible recipe that lets your creativity shine, and you’ll learn what your family likes best.
- Lemon-Mint Twist: I love swapping out the strawberry gelatin for lemon gelatin and adding some lemon zest—it gives a fresh citrus zing that pairs beautifully with mint.
- Sugar-Free Version: Using a powdered sugar substitute and sugar-free gelatin can work, but expect a slightly different texture—worth it if you want a dietary-friendly candy!
- Berry Medley: Mixing in a bit of raspberry or cherry gelatin powder creates a lovely berry blend that still highlights that cool mint undertone.
- Stronger Mint: If you’re like me and love an intense mint flavor, adding a drop more mint extract always hits the spot.
How to Make Strawberry Mint Candies Recipe
Step 1: Whip Up the Candy Dough
Start by combining the softened unsalted butter, mint extract, light corn syrup, powdered sugar, and strawberry gelatin powder in a large mixing bowl. The dough will be crumbly at first—don’t worry, that’s exactly what it should be! Using your hands here is a game-changer because you can really feel when the dough starts coming together. I find that if it’s feeling too dry, a tiny pinch more corn syrup helps, but be careful not to overdo it.
Step 2: Roll Into Tiny, Perfect Balls
Pinch off about 2 teaspoons of dough at a time and work it quickly into a ball with your fingers. The dough is sticky and soft, so I like dipping my hands lightly in powdered sugar now and then to prevent it from sticking too much. Place each ball onto a parchment-lined tray, spacing them a bit apart because you’ll flatten them next.
Step 3: Flatten and Add a Beautiful Pattern
Now, for a cute finishing touch—dip the tines of a fork into some powdered sugar to keep the dough from sticking, and gently press down each ball to flatten into those classic mint shapes. This simple step not only improves the texture but adds a charming pattern that makes these candies look classy and homemade.
Step 4: Let Them Set and Firm Up
Allow the candies to sit at room temperature for about 3 hours. This resting time lets them firm up just right, without drying out or becoming brittle. Patience is key here—resisting the urge to eat them too soon is the hardest part!
Pro Tips for Making Strawberry Mint Candies Recipe
- Softened Butter is a Must: I learned the hard way—too cold butter won’t mix well, and too melted butter makes the dough too soft.
- Handle the Dough Quickly: The longer you work with it, the softer it gets; rolling fast keeps the texture perfect.
- Use Parchment Paper: Prevents sticking and makes cleanup so much easier—trust me, I’ve skipped this step before and regretted it!
- Don’t Rush the Setting: Giving them the full 3 hours to firm up guarantees the right chew and snap; I’ve tried eating them early and it’s just not the same.
How to Serve Strawberry Mint Candies Recipe
Garnishes
I like to dust these candies lightly with extra powdered sugar before serving to give them a fresh, snowy look. Sometimes, I toss in a couple of fresh mint leaves on the side for the ultimate presentation—plus they smell amazing. For a pop of color, placing a thin strawberry slice nearby always impresses guests.
Side Dishes
These strawberry mint candies make a fabulous companion to hot tea or a light dessert platter. I often serve them alongside biscotti or shortbread cookies for a little flavor contrast, which always gets compliments. They’re also wonderful with a cozy cup of herbal tea after dinner.
Creative Ways to Present
When I gift these candies, I arrange them in pretty small boxes lined with wax paper and finish with a satin ribbon. For parties, I put them in small glass jars tied with twine and place name tags on them. You can even shape the candies with cookie cutters before they fully set for holiday-themed designs. It’s such a fun way to add personality to your treats!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I keep leftover strawberry mint candies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. If your kitchen is humid, pop them in the fridge, but let them come to room temp before enjoying so they’re not too firm. I avoid stacking them too much in the container, layering parchment paper in between helps keep their shape intact.
Freezing
Freezing these candies isn’t my go-to, but if you want to, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a sealed freezer bag. They keep well for about 1 month. When you’re ready to eat them, thaw at room temperature—avoid microwave thawing to keep their texture perfect.
Reheating
Since these are soft candies, reheating isn’t really needed. If you want to soften them a bit after refrigeration, just let them sit out for 15-20 minutes before serving to get back that silky texture.
FAQs
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Can I substitute fresh mint instead of mint extract in the Strawberry Mint Candies Recipe?
Fresh mint leaves don’t have the concentrated flavor that mint extract offers, so swapping fresh mint would require a lot more leaves and may not provide the same punch. I recommend sticking with mint extract for the best flavor and consistency in this candy.
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How long do Strawberry Mint Candies last?
Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, these candies will stay fresh for up to a week. If your home is on the humid side, refrigerate them to prevent stickiness, but always let them come back to room temp before enjoying.
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Can I make this recipe vegan or dairy-free?
Since this recipe uses butter, it’s not vegan by default. You might try using a plant-based butter substitute, but note that it could alter the texture. Also, be cautious with gelatin powder as many versions are not vegan; there are vegan gelatin alternatives you can use instead.
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Why do my candies turn out crumbly or too hard?
Crumbly candies usually mean the dough hasn’t been mixed enough or doesn’t have enough moisture. Using fully softened butter and handling the dough quickly helps avoid dryness. Overworking the dough or adding extra powdered sugar can also cause hardness—stick to the measurements and let them set properly.
Final Thoughts
I absolutely love how this Strawberry Mint Candies Recipe brings together a beautiful blend of flavors with such ease. Every time I whip up a batch, it reminds me of cozy afternoons spent making treats with my family. I hope you try making these candies—you’ll find they’re a delightful mix of sweet and refreshing that’s almost impossible to resist. Whether for yourself, gifts, or a special occasion, these little candies have a way of brightening up any moment!
Print
Strawberry Mint Candies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 30 mints
- Category: Candy
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delight in these classic Strawberry Mints, a nostalgic homemade confection featuring a buttery, sweet, and slightly fruity flavor with a refreshing minty finish. Perfect for sharing at holidays or as a charming gift, these candies are easy to make with simple ingredients and require no baking.
Ingredients
Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ teaspoon mint extract
- ⅓ cup light corn syrup
- 3 ¾ cups powdered sugar
- 3 tablespoons strawberry gelatin powder
Instructions
- Combine ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, blend the softened butter, mint extract, light corn syrup, powdered sugar, and strawberry gelatin powder until a crumbly dough forms.
- Form dough balls: Using your hands, pinch about 2 teaspoons of the dough and roll it into a smooth ball. Place each ball on a sheet of parchment paper.
- Shape mints: Repeat rolling dough into balls until all dough is used. Dip the tines of a fork into powdered sugar and gently press down on each ball to flatten it and create a ridged pattern.
- Set mints: Allow the shaped mints to sit at room temperature for approximately 3 hours so they can firm up.
Notes
- Ensure butter is softened to room temperature for easy mixing.
- Dipping the fork in powdered sugar prevents sticking and helps create a neat pattern.
- Store mints in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks.
- For a stronger mint flavor, gently increase mint extract but avoid overpowering the strawberry taste.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 mint (approx. 10 grams)
- Calories: 60
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 15mg
- Fat: 2.5g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 9g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 0.1g
- Cholesterol: 6mg
