I had very nearly forgotten about butter mints until Kristan (lover of all things sparkly, and most certainly a cookbook queen) made some for a virtual baby shower last week. I decided to take another look at my own recipe for butter mints and give it a complete makeover.
Butter mints have always been standard shower fare here in the south. Although innocent looking, they are unapologetically sweet and best taken in small doses. Eating one is like taking a strait shot of minty buttercream icing.
I rarely get to eat these tiny treats, aside from showers and family parties. When I sampled one from this batch I wasn't prepared for the flavor-triggered time warp. Memories came flooding back of happy times and celebration. I love when that happens.
Instead of the usual flat discs or fancy molds, I re-imagined them into tiny fairy-sized cupcakes. I think they'd be so cute for a little girls (or big girls) tea party.
Cupcake Butter Mints
Makes 30-40 candy cupcakes [click to print]
Special Equipment:
- Small plastic candy mold, such as a mini peanut butter cup mold or other mold that would make a good cupcake bottom shape
- Piping bag fitted with a small closed star tip
Candy:
1/2 cup butter softened
3 3/4 cups powdered sugar
1 tbsp whipping cream plus 1- 1/2 for thinning batter
1/2 tsp mint oil - such as LorAnn (my favorite flavoring oils)
2-3 drops liquid green food coloring
Granulated sugar for rolling candy pieces in
Nonpareils for decorating
Directions:
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter well. Gradually add powdered sugar. Mixture will be very dry. When combined, add whipping cream and mint oil and mix again. The mixture should become smooth and pliable - almost like play-doh.
Divide the candy dough in half. Return half the dough to mixer and add green food coloring; mix again and cover the candy with plastic wrap. Set aside.
Pinch off small pieces of white (uncolored) candy and roll in granulated sugar. Press into candy molds and remove. Place molded candy on a parchment lined cookie sheet. Repeat process until all candy has been used. Let candies stand uncovered for 30 minutes.
While waiting for the white candies to dry, remove plastic wrap from green candy portion and mix on low speed in stand mixer. Add 1 to 1 1/2 tbsp whipping cream until candy is of piping consistency. Transfer to a piping bag fitted with star tip. Pipe green candy on top of cupcake bottoms and sprinkle with nonpareils.
Allow mini cupcake candies to air dry for 1 hour. After 1 hour drape a large tea towel over them and let them stand overnight. The next day cupcake butter mints should be dry to the touch. Display them on reception tables or package them in decorative bags. Can be frozen for 3 months.
Note: Fruit flavored oils could also be used with this recipe for a "butter cream candy" instead of "butter mint candy".
For a version made with cream cheese, you can find Kristan's recipe here.
those are absolutely darling! I'd never heard of butter mints before, but now I'd love to give them a try!
ReplyDeleteHeather, I have never had these sweet little mints before. They look like normal sized cupcakes until you see them next to the piping bag. Darling and yes, perfect for showers and sweet get togethers :)
ReplyDeleteLOVE these, Heather. And I love the way you think. Everything in your land is just so cute. :)
ReplyDeleteSo cute! I haven't had butter mints since I was a kid. Love the cupcake presentation!
ReplyDeleteYes, these are a definite staple for showers in the south. I love love love LOVE these!! I can't wait to make them for my cousin's bridal shower!
ReplyDeleteAdorable! love it!
ReplyDeletestunning photography…absolutely stunning!
ReplyDeletei was @ michael's today admiring the candy molds & now i must get back to purchase so i can re-create your butter mints!! the recipe looks great!
These are just beautiful! I love your cupcake idea!!
ReplyDeleteOkay Heather, These are just about the CUTEST thing I've ever seen! I just put the mini candy mold on my list, and now excuse me while I print the recipe:) THANKS!
ReplyDeleteI know it's not very southern of me buy I don't love butter mints...til now!
ReplyDeleteCould these get any cuter? Love them!
ReplyDeleteoh the butter mints....my grammy used to make 'em too....
ReplyDeletethese are just adorable...i think i'll try making them for my 5 year old neice's Birthday Party next month...just charming
thanks for sharing them...
kary
I too have fond memories of these tasty little mints from showers and weddings at the church I grew up in! I remember when I was considered old enough to help make them as well. I felt so grown up! :)
ReplyDeleteI don't know. I think I would like these but it's not quite sweet enough for me. Ha! Looks amazing!!
ReplyDeleteSo cute and divine looking! Never had those, but I'm sure I'd love them...
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Rosa
Super, super cute! Great job :)
ReplyDeleteAh! Those are SO cute!
ReplyDeleteDelicious and such pretty photographs!
ReplyDeletedear Sprinkle Bakes:
ReplyDeleteI LOVE YOU. You are amazing in every way.
Sincerely
Not-so-secret admirer.
oh my goodness! butter mints - my great aunts used to make them for special occasions when I was a kiddo! I *loved* them. you are just too creative, these are adorable!
ReplyDeletethese are soooooo cute!!! How fun, I love the green frosting, too. Great colors!
ReplyDeleteThese are precious, adorable, darling, so freakin' cute!
ReplyDeleteAdorable Heather! These have to be the cutest mints I've ever laid eyes on!
ReplyDeleteSo very adorable and so beautifully photographed. Love the shot with you holding the teeny one :)
ReplyDeletebeaaauttiful photography!!!
ReplyDeletewhat a great idea to make these mints into "cupcakes"!!
These are truly adorale. I've never tried a butter mint before...boy oh boy, what have I missed. These are just too lovely to pass by.
ReplyDeleteOh I've been away from the South for soooo long and now that I am living in Texas, so many little memories like this return. There indeed always were those little butter mints at weddings. None, however, as fancy and beautiful as yours. I, along with everyone else, is always admiring your photography. I like how you gave everything a pale green cast. Your styling is just so professional. I am working hard to cooking and learning from your site.
ReplyDeleteI only think of making butter mints at Christmas time...I LOVE this idea with the frosting. I can't wait to try something new, thank you so much for the inspiration!
ReplyDeleteAimee
These are the cutest little things ever! Amazing creation, I love it!
ReplyDeletehow delightful and pretty! the presentation is spot-on. love it.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, these are so adorable! I am thinking of having a party just so I can serve them!!!!
ReplyDeleteToo cute! I've never had these before but they look great! What is it about "mini" things that gets me every time?!
ReplyDeleteGood grief, these look delicious! And your photos are gorgeous! I'm so impressed and can't wait to try them. Thanks for the recipe. :)
ReplyDeleteThey are so cute and look amazing! I would eat at least 50 :)
ReplyDeleteI need some molds stat, I love the deslicate color, Lovely baking and yes perfect for a toddler party
ReplyDeleteSo delicate and pretty Heather! We're visiting our daughters/grands right now in Ohio and I just had to show them your beautiful site too. Did you just hear all those ooohs and ahhhhs?! xo ~Lili
ReplyDeleteSooooo itty bitty. Adorable
ReplyDeleteThese are so sweet, and delicate, and adorable! I love it.
ReplyDeleteNot being from the South (just born there) I have never heard of butter mints. These are just ADORable. So pretty too!
ReplyDeleteThese are beautiful!! And yes, perfect for a little tea party or shower. Now I really need to plan some kind of tea party so I can make these :)
ReplyDeleteSues
That is so cool. I love love this recipe.
ReplyDeleteI LITERALLY dreamed about these last night.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure if I already commented..don't think so...but had to let you know I dreamed of these...and Ryan Reynolds. Very nice night.
Oh my gosh, these are absolutely fantastic!
ReplyDeleteSo cute!!! I am new to your blog, I'm glad I found it! I have always loved buttermints! The photos are so amazing. I'd be afraid to try making these for fear they would never turn out that gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteThese are so cute! I used to make these all the time when I was younger, with my little friends - they're fun for kids to shape. If I ever made them again, I'd try them in cupcake form!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely fabulous! Us Southern ladies know all about butter mints. :) We have them around after every meal almost. Love the design!
ReplyDeleteThese are adorable! I've never heard of butter mints, but I definitely like them!
ReplyDeleteas per usual, adorable! this looks seriously great! thanks for sharing, lots of love happening for this and all your posts :)
ReplyDelete-meg
@ http://clutzycooking.blogspot.com
I am obsessed with anything mini and anything sea foam colored. Therefore, I am obsessed with these.
ReplyDeleteI don't want to make you cry, but I just noticed you have little Mam-maw's hands.
ReplyDeleteLove these little cupcakes and you too!
Just love these! I'm not from the south, although I think I should have been....Everything just seems more fabulous from there! I'm now secretly hoping someone I know gets pregnant so we can host a shower and I can make these!!! oh, but maybe for easter!
ReplyDeleteAaahhhh so cute! Baby cupcakes!!
ReplyDeletewww.strictlyfoodie.com
That Looks Pretty Delicious :), I Love Mint! Thank you :)
ReplyDeleteCould you substitute mint extract for the oil? Or is that a no-no.
ReplyDeleteTo the anonymous person above me- I was wondering the same thing, seems silly to buy mint oil when I would probably only use it once. So I went ahead and made the recipe with mint extract, but I had to increase the amount because apparently the extract doesn't have as much mint flavor. It still turned out well!
ReplyDeleteYou are amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely love these. Attempting them tomorrow. Have only got tiny silicon cupcake moulds, all my plastic things are xmas themed and unsuitable for piping onto :( Hoping these'll still work out tho!
ReplyDeleteI grew up in the south and remember buttermints being such a favorite, but they were always store bought. Home made, AND cupcake shaped? Little girl Hi,
ReplyDeleteI am a visitor, viewing the site on my iPhone, and cannot seem to access even one of the "10 free articles" allowed. How do I go about this?
Thank you!nirvana. ANYgirl nirvana. These would make anyone who brought them the Queen of any shower, let alone a little girls Bday party. Bookmarked.
Omg! Can u delete the above comment? My iPhone scrambled it badly, lol!
ReplyDeleteI'm making these for my daughter's bridal shower. They are fantastic! I split the 'dough' before adding the mint extract. I added 1/4 teaspoon mint extract and 1/4 teaspoon of butter extract to one half. The other half I added 1/4 teaspoon (maybe a little more)butter extract and used that for the 'icing'. AMAZING! Thanks for the inspiration.
ReplyDelete