Homemade Cream Cheese Mints: Sweet, Silky, and Perfect for Any Occasion
Indulge in the delightfully refreshing taste of homemade cream cheese mints. These melt-in-your-mouth confections boast a smooth, sweet, and perfectly minty flavor that makes them an irresistible treat. Whether you’re setting them out for guests after a meal, preparing charming party favors, or looking for a thoughtful handmade gift during the holidays, these easy-to-make mints are sure to impress. Often referred to as “wedding mints” due to their popularity at celebratory events, their delicate texture dissolves smoothly on the tongue, leaving a pleasant, cooling sensation.
These exquisite cream cheese mints offer a harmonious blend of sweetness and a vibrant peppermint kick. They’re not just an after-dinner palate cleanser; they’re rich enough to be enjoyed as a delightful sweet treat anytime. One of the many joys of making these at home is the ability to customize them. I particularly love adding a few drops of gel food coloring to transform them for various festive occasions. Imagine vibrant red and green mints gracing your Christmas dessert platter, or soft pastel hues perfect for a baby shower, bridal shower, or a special Mother’s Day celebration. Their charming appearance makes them ideal for gifting, adding a personal touch that store-bought candies simply can’t match.
What’s even better? You only need five basic ingredients to create these universally adored, underrated homemade treats. They’re simple to prepare, yet yield an elegant result that everyone will rave about. Let’s dive into how you can make these enchanting mints in your own kitchen.
Essential Ingredients for Your Cream Cheese Mints
Crafting these delectable cream cheese mints is incredibly straightforward, thanks to a concise list of just five core ingredients. While the gel food coloring is optional, it’s highly recommended if you plan to use these mints for gifts or specific holiday themes, as it adds a beautiful visual appeal without compromising texture. Here’s a detailed look at what you’ll need to gather before you begin:
- Peppermint Extract: This is the star flavor component. It’s crucial to use peppermint extract, not general “mint extract.” Mint extract often contains spearmint, which can impart a flavor reminiscent of toothpaste, especially if you’re a little heavy-handed. Peppermint extract provides that classic, crisp, and refreshing mint taste we associate with these candies. Ensure you’re using a good quality extract for the best flavor profile.
- Cream Cheese: For the perfect consistency and richness, you absolutely must use brick-style, full-fat cream cheese. Avoid whipped, low-fat, or spreadable cream cheese varieties, as they contain too much water and won’t give you the firm, smooth dough required for shaping. Make sure your cream cheese is softened to room temperature for easier blending, preventing lumps in your mixture.
- Butter: I typically opt for unsalted butter as it allows me to control the overall saltiness of the mints. However, if salted butter is what you have on hand, it will work just fine. The butter contributes to the luxurious, melt-in-your-mouth quality of these mints, adding richness and helping with the dough’s pliability. Like the cream cheese, ensure it’s softened.
- Powdered Sugar (Confectioners’ Sugar): This ingredient is key for both sweetness and texture. Powdered sugar dissolves seamlessly into the cream cheese and butter mixture, creating a smooth, grain-free dough. It sweetens the mints without making them gritty, ensuring that silky finish. Sifting your powdered sugar before adding it can help prevent lumps, though it’s not always strictly necessary if you mix thoroughly.
- Salt: A mere pinch of salt might seem insignificant, but it plays a vital role. Just ⅛ teaspoon of salt balances the sweetness and remarkably enhances the vibrant peppermint flavor, preventing the mints from tasting flat or overly sweet. It’s a subtle yet powerful flavor enhancer.
- Gel Food Coloring (Optional): If you plan to add color, gel food coloring is highly recommended over liquid food coloring. Gel colors are concentrated, providing much more vibrant hues with only a tiny amount. Liquid food coloring can thin out your dough, making it sticky and difficult to work with, whereas gel maintains the ideal consistency for shaping. Americolor is a popular and excellent brand that delivers fantastic results.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make Cream Cheese Mints
Making these delightful cream cheese mints is a fun and relatively quick process. Follow these detailed steps to achieve perfect, smooth, and flavorful mints every time. Before you begin, gather all your ingredients and ensure your cream cheese and butter are softened to room temperature for optimal mixing.
- Prepare Your Workspace: First, line two large baking sheets with parchment paper. This will prevent the mints from sticking and make cleanup much easier. Set these aside for later.
- Cream Together Wet Ingredients: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or using a large mixing bowl with a handheld electric mixer), combine the softened cream cheese and butter. Beat them together on medium speed until the mixture is completely smooth, light, and fluffy, with no lumps remaining. This ensures a uniform base for your mints. Don’t skip scraping down the sides of the bowl periodically to incorporate everything evenly.
- First Addition of Dry Ingredients: Add just 1 cup (120 grams) of the powdered sugar to the cream cheese and butter mixture. Mix on low speed until it’s well combined and smooth. Stop the mixer and use a spatula to scrape down the sides and bottom of the mixing bowl thoroughly. Then, add the peppermint extract and the pinch of salt. Mix again on low speed until these are fully incorporated, ensuring the flavor is evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
- Gradually Incorporate Remaining Sugar: Now, it’s time for the remaining 3 cups (360 grams) of powdered sugar. This step is crucial for achieving the right dough consistency. With the mixer on low-medium speed, gradually add the powdered sugar, one heaping spoonful at a time. Do NOT attempt to add all the sugar at once, as this will result in a crumbly, dry, and difficult-to-mix dough. Continue to scrape down the sides of the bowl a few times during this process to ensure all the sugar is incorporated. Once all the sugar has been added, scrape down the mixing bowl one last time and beat the mixture on medium-low speed for another minute. The final consistency should resemble soft playdough – firm enough to hold its shape but still pliable. If your dough feels too sticky, mix in an additional tablespoon of powdered sugar at a time until it reaches the desired consistency. If it’s too dry, add a tiny bit more softened butter or cream cheese, a quarter teaspoon at a time.
- Add Gel Food Coloring (Optional): If you’re using gel food coloring, this is the step where your mints come to life! Divide the mint mixture evenly into separate mixing bowls based on the number of colors you plan to prepare. Add a tiny drop of gel food coloring to each bowl and mix until the color is uniform. For best results, you might find it easiest to work the food coloring into the dough using your hands (wearing gloves is recommended to avoid staining). If you’re working with multiple colors, make sure to tightly cover the portions of dough you’re not actively shaping with plastic wrap. This is crucial to prevent the dough from drying out, which can lead to cracking later when rolling and pressing the mints.
- Shape the Mints: Starting with your first colored dough, scoop out teaspoon-sized portions. Roll each portion into a smooth, even ball between the palms of your hands. Work quickly but carefully. Place the rolled balls onto the parchment paper-lined baking trays you prepared earlier. Repeat this process for all your dough and colors.
- Create the Signature Indentation: Next, dip a fork in powdered sugar. This prevents the fork from sticking to the mints and helps create a clean impression. Gently press the tines of the sugared fork into the top of each mint ball to create a decorative indentation. This traditional look is what gives cream cheese mints their distinctive charm. Repeat for all the mints you’ve shaped.
- Air Dry and Refrigerate: Allow the shaped mints to air dry at room temperature for at least two to three hours. This step helps them firm up and creates a slightly crusty exterior while keeping the inside soft. If, after this time, the bottoms of your mints still feel soft or tacky, you can gently flip them over and let them dry for another hour. Once the mints have dried sufficiently, they must be refrigerated due to the cream cheese content. Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cream Cheese Mints
While food-grade peppermint oil (which is distinct from essential oils not intended for consumption) can theoretically be used, I have only thoroughly tested this recipe using peppermint extract. Peppermint oil is significantly more concentrated than extract, so you would need to use a much smaller amount. I recommend starting with just a tiny drop (perhaps ⅛ of a teaspoon or even less) and tasting the dough before adding more, if necessary. Be very cautious, as too much oil can quickly overpower the mints and leave an unpleasant taste.
Absolutely! While peppermint is traditional, you can certainly experiment with other mint extracts. However, I strongly advise against using anything that contains spearmint extract. Spearmint often has a flavor profile that many people associate with toothpaste, and it can steer the taste of these delicate cream cheese mints into an undesirable territory. If you want to venture beyond mint, consider other flavor extracts like almond, lemon, or vanilla (see the “Recipe Variations” section for more ideas).
The small but essential amount of butter in these homemade mints plays a critical role in their signature texture. It contributes to the richness and luxurious smoothness, ensuring they truly melt in your mouth. Butter also helps in creating a more pliable dough that is easier to shape and prevents the mints from drying out too quickly, contributing to that perfect delicate consistency.
Yes, absolutely. Since these mints are made with cream cheese, a dairy product, they are perishable and require refrigeration for food safety. After the initial drying period at room temperature, store your finished mints in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will keep well for up to one week.
Yes, these mints are excellent for making ahead! They need a few hours to air dry and then they should be refrigerated. You can prepare them up to a week in advance and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They also freeze beautifully for up to 3 months. Simply thaw them overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
Creative Recipe Variations for Your Cream Cheese Mints
While this recipe provides a simple yet elegant foundation for classic cream cheese mints, their versatility allows for endless customization. Don’t hesitate to get creative and try these delightful variations to suit your taste or occasion:
- Experiment with Different Colors: The possibilities are vast! Beyond classic red and green for Christmas, use pastel gel food colorings for Easter, baby showers, or wedding showers. Think soft pinks, blues, yellows, and lavenders. For Valentine’s Day, vibrant pinks or reds are perfect. Red, white, and blue mints would be a patriotic treat for the 4th of July, or orange and black for Halloween. The color can truly transform these mints into a themed delight.
- Change the Extract Flavor: While peppermint makes them “mints,” the base dough is incredibly adaptable. Replace the peppermint extract with other flavor extracts to create entirely new confections. Consider lemon extract for a bright, tangy treat, almond extract for a delicate nutty flavor, pure vanilla extract for a classic sweetness, orange extract for a citrusy kick, or even maple or coffee extracts for unique twists. Always start with a small amount and taste the dough as you go, as some extracts are stronger than others.
- Explore Different Shapes: Instead of simple balls with fork indentations, you can make these mints even more decorative. You can press the dough into small candy molds (lightly dusted with powdered sugar) to create intricate designs like flowers, hearts, or seasonal shapes. Alternatively, you can roll out the dough and use mini cookie cutters, or even pipe the dough into rosettes or other fancy shapes using a pastry bag fitted with a star tip for a more elegant presentation.
- Add a Touch of Sprinkles: For a fun and festive touch, especially if you prefer to keep your mints white or just a single color, incorporate sprinkles! You can gently knead colorful sprinkles directly into the dough before shaping, or simply sprinkle them on top of the shaped mints before they dry. This adds texture and visual appeal, making them even more appealing for parties and celebrations.
- Indulge by Dipping in Chocolate: For an extra layer of decadence, dip your finished, dried mints in chocolate. Semi-sweet or dark chocolate provides a wonderful contrast to the sweet mint, while white chocolate can add another creamy dimension. Ensure your chocolate is properly melted and tempered for a smooth, glossy finish that won’t bloom. Chill the chocolate-dipped mints briefly until the chocolate sets.
Top Tips for Perfect Cream Cheese Mints
- Don’t Overdo the Extract: It’s tempting to add more peppermint extract for a stronger flavor, but resist! The amount specified in the recipe provides a perfectly balanced and refreshing mintiness. Adding too much can result in an overwhelming, almost medicinal, flavor that detracts from the delicate cream cheese base.
- Work Quickly During Shaping: After rolling your mints into balls, press them down with the fork relatively quickly. This minimizes the time the dough is exposed to air, helping to prevent the surface from drying out and potentially cracking as the mints set.
- Keep Dough Covered: If you’re working with multiple colors or taking a break from shaping, always ensure the portions of cream cheese mixture you’re not currently using are tightly covered with plastic wrap. This prevents the dough from drying out and forming a crust, which can lead to cracks in your finished mints and make them harder to roll smoothly.
- Soften Ingredients Properly: Ensure both your cream cheese and butter are at proper room temperature. This makes them much easier to beat into a smooth, lump-free consistency, which is fundamental for the silky texture of the finished mints.
- Gradual Sugar Addition is Key: As highlighted in the instructions, add the powdered sugar slowly, one spoonful at a time. This method ensures the sugar is fully incorporated and prevents the dough from becoming crumbly or overly dry, making it much easier to work with.
- Use Gel Food Coloring: For vibrant colors without altering the dough’s consistency, stick to gel food coloring. Liquid food coloring can introduce too much moisture, making the dough sticky and difficult to handle.
More Delicious Mint Desserts to Savor!
If you love the refreshing taste of mint, especially paired with chocolate, you’ll adore these other minty treats:
- Chocolate Peppermint Cookies
- Mint Chocolate Cookie Cups
- Homemade Peppermint Patties
- Peppermint Bark
- Mint Chocolate Truffles
Recipe Video
Cream Cheese Mints
45 minutes
3 hours
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45 minutes
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Ingredients
60
mints
-
4
ounces
brick-style cream cheese
softened (113 grams) -
1
tablespoon
unsalted butter
softened (14 grams) -
4
cups
powdered sugar
divided (480 grams) -
½
teaspoon
peppermint extract -
⅛
teaspoon
salt -
Optional: Gel food coloring
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Instructions
-
Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper. Set aside.
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In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or in a large mixing bowl using a handheld mixer, beat the cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy.
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Mix in 1 cup (120 grams) of powdered sugar until well combined. Stop and scrape down the sides of the bowl, then mix in the peppermint extract and salt until fully combined and evenly distributed.
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With the mixer on low-medium speed, gradually add the remaining 3 cups (360 grams) of powdered sugar one heaping spoonful at a time. This gradual addition is important to prevent the mixture from becoming crumbly. If needed, stop a few times and scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure everything is incorporated.
-
Once all of the sugar is added, stop and scrape down the mixing bowl completely. Then, mix on medium-low speed for one more minute until the dough is smooth and cohesive. The consistency of the mixture should be similar to soft playdough – firm enough to shape but still pliable. If it’s too sticky, mix in a tablespoon of powdered sugar at a time until it reaches the right consistency. If it’s too dry, add a tiny bit more softened butter.
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If using, divide the mixture between several different bowls, according to the number of colors you desire. Add a small drop of gel food coloring to each bowl and mix until fully combined and the color is uniform. If needed, you can dust your hands with a little powdered sugar and work the food coloring into each portion by hand. If you have multiple colors, make sure to cover the dough portions you’re not actively working with tightly with plastic wrap to prevent them from drying out and cracking later on.
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Starting with the first color, scoop teaspoon-sized balls of the mixture. Place them onto the prepared baking sheets. Quickly roll each portion into a smooth ball with your hands. Dip a fork in powdered sugar (to prevent sticking), then gently press each ball down with the tines of the fork to create the signature indentation. Repeat this process with the remaining colors until you’ve used all of the dough.
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Allow the mints to air dry at room temperature for 2 to 3 hours. This helps them set and develop a slight crust. If the bottom of the mints are still soft or tacky, carefully flip them over and let them dry for another hour or until firm to the touch.
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Once the mints have dried out and are firm, store them in an airtight container in the fridge until ready to serve. This is essential due to the cream cheese content.
Notes
Freezing Instructions: These mints freeze exceptionally well! Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze solid, then transfer to a large freezer bag with parchment paper between layers of mints to prevent sticking. They will keep well for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.
American
Dessert
Danielle Rye
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