Cream Cheese Mints

Whip up some Cream Cheese Mints for your next big event—these old-fashioned treats are a party classic, perfect for holidays, weddings, or baby showers. Their melt-in-your-mouth texture and simple ingredients make them both easy to make and irresistibly luscious.

What I love most about cream cheese mints is how simple they are to whip up with just a few basic ingredients. No fancy equipment or hard-to-find items here—just cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and a touch of peppermint. You can customize them with food coloring to match any theme or occasion. Plus, you’ll feel like a pro creating those adorable fork-patterned tops!

Whether you’re making these for the first time or bringing back childhood memories, cream cheese mints will steal the show.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Ridiculously Easy to Make: With just a handful of ingredients and no baking required, you can whip up a batch in no time. It’s perfect when you need a sweet treat but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen.
• Customizable for Any Occasion: Add a few drops of food coloring; suddenly, you’ve got mints to match any event. Think pastel pink for baby showers, red and green for Christmas, or your favorite team’s colors for game day!
• The Perfect Little Treat: These mints are melt-in-your-mouth delicious with just the right amount of sweetness and a refreshing peppermint kick. They’re bite-sized, making them a fun grab-and-go snack for parties or holiday platters.
• Great for Gifting: Pack them up in a pretty tin or jar, and you’ve got a homemade gift that everyone will love. They look so fancy, but only you’ll know how easy they were to make.

Ingredients

The full printable recipe card with measurements and instructions is found at the bottom of the post.

• Cream Cheese: The star of the show! It gives these mints a rich, creamy texture and a slight tang that balances the sweetness. Don’t use the spreadable cream cheese from the container.
• Unsalted Butter: Adds extra creaminess and helps create a smooth, moldable dough.
• Powdered Sugar: The key to the sweetness and structure of these mints—it transforms the cream cheese and butter into a soft, pliable dough.
• Peppermint Extract: Just a tiny amount gives these mints their refreshing, classic flavor. You can adjust it to suit your taste!
• Food Coloring (optional): A fun way to add a pop of color and match these treats to your event or holiday theme.

How to Make Cream Cheese Mints

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Follow along to learn how to make cream cheese mints for any occasion!

• Step One: Add the cream cheese and butter to a large mixing bowl. Beat with a mixer until smooth.
• Step Two: Gradually add the powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time. Mix well after each addition. Save ¼ cup of the powdered sugar aside for later use.
• Step Three: Add the peppermint extract and continue to mix until incorporated. The dough should still be stiff but moldable.

• Step Four: If using food coloring, divide the dough into separate portions. Add a small amount of food coloring to each portion and knead until the color is evenly distributed through the dough ball. If the color is too light, add a few drops of the food coloring until you have the color you want.

• Step Five: Pinch off small portions of dough and roll them into small balls, about the size of a marble or one teaspoon. Using a fork, dip the prongs into the remaining powdered sugar you set aside and flatten each ball to create a decorative pattern on top.
• Step Six: Place the mints on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Allow them to air dry for at least 3 hours or overnight until firm.
• Step Seven: Store the mints in an airtight container once they are dried. They can be kept at room temperature for up to 2 weeks or refrigerated for longer storage.

What to Serve with Them

• Coffee and Tea: The cool, minty sweetness of these mints is a perfect match for a hot cup of coffee or tea. Serve them alongside your favorite brew for an elegant after-dinner treat.
• Dessert Platters: Add them to a dessert platter with cookies, brownies, and chocolate truffles for a stunning and irresistible display. The bright colors (if you’ve added food coloring) make them pop on the plate!
• Holiday Spreads: These mints shine during the holidays! Serve them with festive classics like gingerbread cookies, eggnog, or hot chocolate to keep the holiday cheer strong.
• Ice Cream: Crumble a few mints on top of vanilla or chocolate ice cream for a refreshing and indulgent twist.
• Cocktail Hour: Believe it or not, these mints pair surprisingly well with a glass of champagne or a peppermint martini. They’re a sweet way to balance out savory appetizers.

Variations and Substitutions

• Flavor Twist: Not a fan of peppermint? Swap it out for other extracts like vanilla, almond, or lemon. You can even mix and match flavors for a creative spin!
• Color Customization: Use food coloring to match your event’s theme. Think soft pastels for spring, bold reds, and greens for Christmas, or even school colors for a graduation party.
• Chocolate Lovers: Add a teaspoon of cocoa powder to the dough for a subtle chocolate-mint flavor. You can also drizzle the finished mints with melted chocolate for a decadent touch.
• Shaped Mints: Instead of rolling them into balls, use small candy molds or cookie cutters for fun shapes. Dust the molds with powdered sugar to prevent sticking.
• Add a Crunch: Roll the mints in crushed peppermint candies or colored sugar for an added crunch and festive flair.
• Low-fat or Non-Dairy Cream Cheese: You can use either one. It may alter the texture and flavor a bit. You also may need to add more powdered sugar if you find it hard to create the dough ball, or it won’t harden properly.

Storage Instructions

Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. You can also freeze them for 3 months.

When you store the mints, layer them with wax paper so they won’t stick together. If you don’t, they may be difficult to pull apart.

Recipe Tips and Tricks

• Soften the Cream Cheese and Butter: Make sure both are fully softened before mixing. This ensures a smooth, lump-free dough that’s easy to work with.
• Gradually Add the Powdered Sugar: Adding it one cup at a time prevents a powdered sugar cloud from taking over your kitchen and helps the dough come together evenly.
• Keep It from Sticking: Dust your hands, work surface, and any tools with powdered sugar to avoid sticky situations. This is especially helpful when rolling and flattening the mints.
• Control the Color: Start with just a drop or two if you’re using food coloring. It’s easier to add more than to take it away. Knead the dough thoroughly to distribute the color evenly.
• Use a Fork for Decoration: Lightly dip the prongs of your fork in powdered sugar before pressing to prevent sticking and create those signature decorative ridges. You can also use silicone molds to shape the mints into different designs.
• Add Granulated Sugar: Before flattening the mints, you can roll each one in granulated sugar. You could also flatten them with a fork and sprinkle on granulated sugar.
• Plan for Drying Time: These mints need at least 3 hours (or overnight) to dry and firm up, so plan accordingly if you’re making them for an event.
• Batch Consistency: Use a small scoop or teaspoon to measure the dough for consistent sizes. This ensures even drying and makes your mints look extra polished.
• Flavor the Colors: After adding the food coloring to each ball, you could add a specific flavoring to match each color. For instance, pink could be strawberry-flavored, and yellow could be lemon-flavored.
• Dough Drying Too Fast: If you find your dough drying out, knead it a little and gently cover it in plastic wrap. I keep the dough covered the whole time as I form them into balls.

Candy Recipes

• Air Fryer Candied Pecans
• Pecan Pie Balls
• Caramel Nut Brittle
• Homemade Peppermint Patties
• Cookie Dough Truffles

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