Creamy Homemade Cream Cheese Mints Recipe

Cream Cheese Mints Recipe –

Cream cheese mints are one of those desserts that look fancy but are ridiculously easy to make. With just a few ingredients, no baking, and almost zero effort, you end up with soft, creamy, melt-in-the-mouth mints perfect for parties, weddings, holidays, or gifting. If you’ve never made them before, this guide will walk you through everything—ingredients, steps, variations, storage, tips, mistakes to avoid, and serving ideas.

What Are Cream Cheese Mints?

Cream cheese mints are sweet, soft candies made using cream cheese, powdered sugar, peppermint extract, and food coloring. They have a smooth, creamy texture similar to butter mints, but richer and softer because of the cream cheese. They set firm after chilling but still melt on your tongue.

They’re extremely versatile—you can shape them into balls, press them in silicone molds, roll them like dough, or cut them into decorative pieces for events.

Why This Recipe Works

If you want a dessert that checks all the boxes—easy, cheap, fast, and crowd-pleasing—this is it.

No cooking or baking
Only 4 to 5 ingredients
Customizable colors and flavors
Perfect make-ahead treat
Ideal for beginners

You can make a huge batch in minutes, and the ingredients are available everywhere.

Ingredients Needed

Here’s what you actually need—simple:

Cream Cheese – 1 package (8 oz), softened
This is the base; use full-fat for best texture.
Butter – 2 tablespoons, softened
Optional, but it adds smoothness.
Powdered Sugar – around 4 cups
This forms the structure and sweetness.
Peppermint Extract – ½ to 1 teaspoon
Adjust based on how strong you want the mint flavor.
Food Coloring – optional
Gel colors work best because they don’t add moisture.
Extra Granulated Sugar – for coating the mints before setting.

Step-by-Step: How to Make Cream Cheese Mints

This is the simplest method. Even if you’ve never made candy before, you can do this effortlessly.

1. Beat the Cream Cheese and Butter

Use a hand mixer or stand mixer. Beat until smooth, creamy, and lump-free.
If your cream cheese is cold, you’ll get a grainy texture—avoid that.

2. Add Peppermint Extract

Add half a teaspoon first. Taste later and increase if needed.
Peppermint extract is strong—don’t dump too much at once.

3. Slowly Add Powdered Sugar

Add 1 cup at a time and mix.
The mixture will go from creamy → thick → dough-like.
Stop when you can pinch the dough without it sticking to your fingers.

You might need slightly more or less sugar depending on humidity.

4. Add Food Coloring (Optional)

If you’re making multiple colors, divide the dough.
Add tiny drops—gel colors are stronger and don’t make the dough wet.

5. Shape the Mints

You can shape them in 3 easy ways:

Roll into small balls and flatten with a fork
Press into silicone candy molds
Roll out the dough and cut shapes with cookie cutters

The fork-pressed look is the classic style.

6. Coat with Sugar

Roll each mint in granulated sugar.
This stops sticking and gives a nice finish.

7. Chill to Set

Place mints on a tray lined with parchment paper.
Let them chill for 1 to 2 hours.
They’ll firm up but stay soft inside.

Done.

Texture & Taste Explained

Cream cheese mints are:

soft
creamy
melt-in-your-mouth
lightly chewy
cool and refreshing

They’re not crunchy or hard.
Think of them as a mix between frosting and soft candy.

Flavor Variations

Don’t limit yourself to peppermint. The base recipe is extremely adaptable.

1. Vanilla Mints

Replace peppermint with vanilla extract for a softer, dessert-like flavor.

2. Lemon Mints

Add ½ tsp lemon extract + yellow color.

3. Chocolate Mints

Add cocoa powder (2 tablespoons) + peppermint extract.

4. Strawberry Mints

Add strawberry extract + pink color.

5. Orange Cream

Use orange extract + orange color.

6. Cinnamon Mints

Replace peppermint with cinnamon extract.

You can make a whole rainbow box of assorted flavors easily.

Color Ideas for Different Occasions

Weddings

White
Ivory
Pastel pink
Light blue

Baby Showers

Baby blue
Candy pink
Mint green

Christmas

Red
Green
White

Valentine’s Day

Pink
Red
White

Diwali/Holi

Bright yellow
Orange
Purple

Color combinations make them look festive without much effort.

How to Store Cream Cheese Mints

These mints store beautifully.

Refrigerator

Store in airtight container
Lasts 2 to 3 weeks

Freezer

Store in zip bags or boxes
Lasts up to 2 months
Thaw 10 minutes before serving

They don’t dry out easily because of the cream cheese content.

Serving Ideas

You can serve them in many creative ways:

In decorative bowls for parties
Packed in small gift boxes
Wrapped individually in candy papers
Placed on dessert tables
Used to decorate cakes and cupcakes
Served after dinner as a palate cleanser

They’re perfect bite-sized treats people grab instantly.

Tips for Best Results

1. Always soften the cream cheese

Cold cream cheese makes the dough grainy.
Softened gives a smooth, velvety finish.

2. Don’t add all the powdered sugar at once

If you over-add, the dough becomes stiff like chalk.
Add slowly and stop when it feels right.

3. Use gel food colors

Liquid colors add too much moisture and make the dough sticky.

4. Don’t skip the sugar coating

It prevents sticking and gives the mints a professional finish.

5. Taste the extract before adding more

Peppermint gets strong fast.
Start small.

Common Mistakes People Make

Mistake 1: Dough Is Sticky

Cause: Too little powdered sugar.
Fix: Add ¼ cup more at a time.

Mistake 2: Dough Is Stiff and Crumbly

Cause: Too much sugar.
Fix: Add 1 teaspoon cream cheese at a time and knead.

Mistake 3: Mints Don’t Hold Shape

Cause: Warm kitchen.
Fix: Chill dough 15 minutes before shaping.

Mistake 4: Strong Overpowering Mint Flavor

Cause: Too much extract.
Fix: Double the batch and balance it.

Making Cream Cheese Mints for a Crowd

If you’re preparing for events:

For 25 people

Make 1 batch (around 80–100 small mints)

For 50 people

Make 2 batches

For a wedding dessert table

5–7 batches depending on size

They’re cheap to produce and visually appealing.

Why Cream Cheese Mints Are Popular

Simple: they deliver maximum satisfaction with minimum effort.

Zero baking
Beginner-friendly
Customizable
Pretty
Low cost
Can be made in bulk

Even kids and absolute kitchen beginners can pull this off.

FAQs

1. Can I skip butter?

Yes, but butter improves texture.

2. Can I use low-fat cream cheese?

Not recommended—it becomes sticky and runny.

3. Can I make these without peppermint?

Of course. Use any extract you want.

4. Do they melt outside?

They stay firm at room temperature unless it’s extremely hot.

Final Thoughts

Cream cheese mints are one of the easiest, prettiest, and most versatile candies you can make at home. Once you understand the basic formula—cream cheese + sugar + flavor—you can create endless variations for any event or season. Whether you’re preparing treats for guests, planning party favors, or simply craving a sweet bite, this recipe gives you maximum results with minimum work.