If you’ve ever craved a nostalgic little treat that’s bursting with fresh flavor, then you’re in for a real delight today with my Strawberry Mint Candies Recipe. I absolutely love how these candies balance the sweetness of strawberry with the coolness of mint—plus, they’re surprisingly easy to whip up at home. Stick around because I’ll walk you through every step with tips that really help these candies turn out perfectly every time!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Perfect Flavor Combo: The strawberry and mint blend is refreshing, sweet, and utterly addictive.
- Simple and Quick: You’ll be amazed at how easy these candies are to make with just a few ingredients.
- No Baking Required: Just mix, shape, and let them set for a fuss-free candy experience.
- Great for Gifting: These bite-sized treats make charming homemade gifts that everyone raves about.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic in this Strawberry Mint Candies Recipe lies in how these basic ingredients come together to make something special. When choosing your ingredients, aim for quality—like fresh butter and pure mint extract—to get the best flavor right from the start.
- Unsalted butter: Softened butter creates the perfect creamy base without too much saltiness interfering with the sweet flavors.
- Mint extract: This is what brings that refreshing burst—don’t skimp here, but be careful not to add too much or it can overpower.
- Light corn syrup: Helps bind the candies and keeps them nice and chewy without crystallizing.
- Powdered sugar: Adds sweetness and structure; make sure it’s fresh to avoid any clumps.
- Strawberry gelatin powder: This is what delivers that unmistakable strawberry flavor and beautiful pink color.
Variations
One of the things I love about this Strawberry Mint Candies Recipe is how easy it is to make it your own. Over the years, I’ve played around with flavors and textures, and you might want to try your own spin to suit your taste buds.
- Herbal twist: I’ve sometimes swapped mint extract for basil or rosemary to give a grown-up, garden-fresh flair that turns heads.
- Fruit swap: Instead of strawberry gelatin, you could try raspberry or cherry for different fruity dimensions that still pair beautifully with mint.
- Vegan option: Use coconut oil or vegan butter substitutes and check that your gelatin powder is plant-based or replace with agar powder.
- Texture change: For crunch, sprinkle in some finely chopped nuts or crushed candy cane pieces before setting.
How to Make Strawberry Mint Candies Recipe
Step 1: Mix the Ingredients to Form a Dough
Grab a large mixing bowl and combine your softened butter, mint extract, light corn syrup, powdered sugar, and strawberry gelatin powder. When I first tried this, I was surprised at how crumbly the dough feels—that’s totally normal! Don’t worry if it looks uneven; you’ll shape it by hand next.
Step 2: Shape Your Mints
This is the fun part—pinch about 2 teaspoons of the dough and roll it between your fingers into a smooth ball. Plop each ball onto a parchment-lined tray. I find dipping a fork’s tines in powdered sugar before flattening each candy helps prevent sticking and creates those classic mint candy lines. It’s a simple trick that makes them look just like the ones from the candy shop!
Step 3: Let Them Set
Be patient here and let your candies set at room temperature for about 3 hours. This is key for firming up their texture. When I rush this step, I always regret it later because the candies don’t hold their shape as well. Trust me, this wait is worth it!
Pro Tips for Making Strawberry Mint Candies Recipe
- Soft Butter is Essential: Make sure your butter is at room temperature so it blends smoothly—this gives the candies a creamy texture.
- Use Powdered Sugar to Dust Your Tools: It helps prevent sticking when shaping and flattening your candies.
- Don’t Skip the Setting Time: Allowing full time for the candies to set leads to better firmness and a satisfying bite.
- Store in an Airtight Container: Keep your candies fresh and prevent them from drying out or sticking together.
How to Serve Strawberry Mint Candies Recipe
Garnishes
I like to serve these candies with a sprinkle of extra powdered sugar or a tiny fresh mint leaf on top for a pretty, professional touch—plus, the fresh mint leaf amps up the aroma and elegance.
Side Dishes
They’re fantastic alongside a cup of hot herbal tea, especially chamomile or peppermint, which complements the mint flavors perfectly. I’ve also enjoyed them on dessert platters with simple shortbreads or lemon bars for a sweet finish.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, I like to individually wrap each candy in colorful cellophane tied with a thin ribbon—makes a charming favor or small gift. You can also place them in pretty glass jars layered with more powdered sugar to keep them looking fresh and inviting on your dessert table.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover strawberry mint candies in an airtight container at room temperature. They keep well for up to two weeks this way without losing flavor or texture. Make sure to separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
Freezing
While I haven’t frozen this candy personally, from what I’ve read and experimented with, you can freeze them in a sealed container with parchment paper between layers. Let them thaw at room temperature before unwrapping to prevent condensation messing up the texture.
Reheating
These candies don’t need reheating since they’re meant to be enjoyed as cool, firm treats. If they seem a little soft, just leave them out at room temperature for a bit to firm back up—they bounce back nicely.
FAQs
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Can I use fresh mint instead of mint extract?
Fresh mint leaves won’t deliver the concentrated flavor that mint extract provides in this recipe. The extract is made precisely for flavoring, so for the right intensity and consistency in the candies, stick with mint extract.
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What if I don’t have strawberry gelatin powder?
Strawberry gelatin powder is key for both flavor and color here, but if you can’t find it, you can try substituting with natural strawberry puree with a bit of extra powdered sugar, though the texture and set might be a little different.
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How do I prevent the dough from sticking to my hands?
Dust your hands lightly with powdered sugar before shaping the candies. This simple trick makes rolling the dough much easier and keeps it from sticking.
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Can I make these candies ahead of time for a party?
Absolutely! They hold up great when made a day or two in advance as long as you store them properly in an airtight container. Just let them come to room temperature before serving for the best texture.
Final Thoughts
Honestly, I can’t recommend this Strawberry Mint Candies Recipe enough—it’s one of those special little homemade treats that makes people smile and brings back fond memories of simpler times. Whether you’re making them for family, gifting friends, or just indulging your sweet tooth, these candies always feel like a hug in edible form. So grab your ingredients, roll up your sleeves, and dive in—you’ll be so glad you did!
Print
Strawberry Mint Candies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 30 mints 1x
- Category: Candy
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Description
A delightful homemade Strawberry Mints recipe combining creamy butter, sweet strawberry gelatin, and refreshing mint extract to create bite-sized, melt-in-your-mouth mints perfect for any occasion.
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. The mixture will initially be crumbly, which is expected for proper consistency.
- Form Dough Balls: Using your hands, pinch about 2 teaspoons of the dough and roll it firmly into a small ball. Place each ball onto a sheet of parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Shape Mints: Continue rolling the remaining dough into balls. Dip the tines of a fork in powdered sugar to prevent sticking, then gently flatten each ball with the fork to create the classic mint shape and texture.
- Set Mints: Allow the shaped mints to rest at room temperature for approximately 3 hours so they can firm up and develop the perfect bite.
Notes
- Ensure the butter is softened to room temperature for easy mixing.
- Dipping the fork in powdered sugar helps prevent dough from sticking and creates a lovely fork pattern.
- Store the finished mints in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
- The setting time of 3 hours is crucial for firm mints; do not refrigerate as it may cause sweating.
- You can substitute mint extract with peppermint extract for a stronger mint flavor if desired.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 mint (approx. 10 grams)
- Calories: 45
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 15 mg
- Fat: 2 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 0 g
- Cholesterol: 5 mg
