Cream Cheese Mints Recipe

Introduction

Cream Cheese Mints are a delightful, colorful treat that melts in your mouth with a refreshing peppermint flavor. These easy no-bake candies are perfect for holidays, parties, or whenever you want a sweet, homemade mint.

A white bowl filled with colorful round cookies that have a cracked texture and three parallel lines pressed on top. The cookies come in three pastel colors: soft green, light blue, and pale coral pink, mixed evenly inside the bowl. Around the bowl, a few cookies in the same colors are scattered on a white marbled surface. The lighting is soft, showing off the delicate texture and colors of the cookies. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces cream cheese (227 grams, room temperature, 1 brick)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (28 grams, room temperature, ¼ stick)
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon pure peppermint extract (2 grams)
  • ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract (2 grams)
  • 2 pounds powdered sugar (908 grams, plus more for dipping)
  • Food coloring (red, blue, and/or green)

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a large bowl, use a hand mixer to beat the cream cheese, butter, salt, peppermint extract, and vanilla extract together until smooth.
  2. Step 2: Gradually add the powdered sugar, about ½ cup at a time, mixing after each addition until the mixture reaches a play-doh-like consistency. You may not need all of the powdered sugar.
  3. Step 3: Divide the dough equally among three bowls (about 389 grams per bowl).
  4. Step 4: Add 1-2 drops of food coloring to each bowl and mix until the color is evenly incorporated.
  5. Step 5: Chill the dough for at least 30 minutes to make it easier to handle.
  6. Step 6: Use a teaspoon to scoop portions of dough, then roll each portion between your hands to form small balls. Place the balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
  7. Step 7: Dip a fork into powdered sugar, then gently press down on each mint to create a textured pattern.
  8. Step 8: Let the mints dry out on the baking sheet for a few hours before transferring them to an airtight container.
  9. Step 9: Store the mints in the refrigerator to keep them fresh.

Tips & Variations

  • Use gel food coloring for more vibrant colors without adding extra moisture.
  • For a stronger peppermint flavor, add a few extra drops of peppermint extract, but be careful not to overpower the sweetness.
  • You can shape the dough into small disks instead of balls if you prefer a different texture.
  • Try adding a few drops of almond extract in place of vanilla for a different flavor twist.

Storage

Store the cream cheese mints in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. Allow them to come to room temperature before serving to soften slightly. These mints do not freeze well due to their delicate texture.

How to Serve

A baking tray holds a large, neat grid of small round cookies arranged in rows and columns on white parchment paper, divided into three color groups: pale green cookies on the left, light blue cookies in the middle, and soft coral-orange cookies on the right. Each cookie is flat with evenly spaced fork marks pressed into the dough creating a striped texture on the surface, and a light dusting of white flour powder scattered lightly over many of them. The cookies have slight cracks and a matte, soft texture. The background is a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use regular vanilla extract instead of pure vanilla extract?

Yes, regular vanilla extract will work just fine, though pure vanilla extract tends to have a richer flavor that enhances the mints.

What if my dough is too sticky to handle?

If the dough is too sticky, add a little more powdered sugar, a tablespoon at a time, until it reaches the right consistency for rolling into balls.

Print
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Cream Cheese Mints Recipe


  • Author: Harry
  • Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
  • Yield: Approximately 6070 small mints 1x

Description

Cream Cheese Mints are soft, colorful, and delightfully flavorful candies made from cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and peppermint extract. These no-bake treats are easy to prepare, chilled to firm up, lightly pressed with a fork for a classic look, and then dried for a few hours to achieve a perfect texture. Perfect for holiday gatherings or as a sweet homemade gift, these melt-in-your-mouth mints combine creamy and peppermint flavors with a subtle vanilla undertone.


Ingredients

Scale

Dough

  • 8 ounces cream cheese (227 grams, room temperature, 1 brick)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (28 grams, room temperature, ¼ stick)
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon pure peppermint extract (2 grams)
  • ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract (2 grams)
  • 2 pounds powdered sugar (908 grams, plus more for dipping)
  • Food coloring (red, blue, and/or green)

Instructions

  1. Beat: In a large bowl, use a hand mixer to beat the cream cheese, butter, kosher salt, peppermint extract, and vanilla extract together until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
  2. Add Sugar: Gradually add the powdered sugar about ½ cup at a time, mixing well after each addition until the mixture reaches a play-doh-like consistency. You may not need all of the powdered sugar, so stop when the texture is firm enough to handle.
  3. Divide and Color: Divide the dough equally into 3 bowls, approximately 389 grams per bowl, then add 1-2 drops of different food coloring to each bowl and mix thoroughly to incorporate the colors evenly.
  4. Chill: Refrigerate the colored dough for at least 30 minutes to allow it to firm up, making it easier to shape.
  5. Roll: Using a teaspoon, scoop out small portions of dough and roll each portion gently in your hands to form small balls. Arrange the balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
  6. Push: Dip a fork into powdered sugar, then gently press down on each ball to create a textured, flattened mint shape.
  7. Dry: Allow the mints to dry undisturbed on the baking sheet for several hours at room temperature until they firm up. Once dry, transfer the mints to an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator to keep fresh.

Notes

  • Ensure the cream cheese and butter are at room temperature for easier mixing.
  • Adjust the amount of powdered sugar to achieve the right dough consistency; it should be pliable but not sticky.
  • Feel free to customize food coloring to create your preferred colors for festive occasions.
  • If mints are too soft initially, extra chilling time can help firm them up.
  • Store mints in the refrigerator for up to 1 week for best flavor and texture.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Category: Candy
  • Method: No-Cook
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: cream cheese mints, peppermint mints, no-bake candy, holiday treats, homemade mints

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