Easy Homemade Cream Cheese Mints Recipe: Quick, Simple & Delicious!

Introduction

Remember those little melt-in-your-mouth mints from grandma’s candy dish or a wedding reception? That’s the magic of cream cheese mints! They’re so delightfully simple, yet feel so special. Today, we’re going to recreate that nostalgic sweetness right in your own kitchen, and I promise, it’s easier than you think. Get ready to whip up a batch of these irresistibly creamy, perfectly minty treats that are sure to become a new family favorite.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Fast: These come together in a flash, perfect for last-minute sweet cravings.
• Easy: Seriously, if you can stir, you can make these! No fancy equipment needed.
• Giftable: Package them up in a pretty jar or tin, and you’ve got a thoughtful homemade gift.
• Crowd-pleasing: From kids to grandparents, everyone loves a little burst of minty freshness.

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to create these delightful little gems:

• 8 ounces full-fat cream cheese, softened: Make sure it’s nice and soft, almost like butter, so it blends smoothly.
• 4 tablespoons salted butter, softened: Just like the cream cheese, soft butter is key for a creamy texture.
• 2 pounds powdered sugar: This is the sweet foundation of our mints. You’ll use most of it in the dough and a little extra for rolling.
• ½ to 1½ teaspoons mint extract or peppermint extract: This is where the magic flavor comes from! Start with ½ teaspoon and add more to your liking. Peppermint extract will give you a stronger, classic mint flavor.
• Gel food coloring (optional): A little bit of color makes these even more festive! Gel works best as it won’t thin out your mixture.
• ½ cup powdered sugar, for rolling mints: This helps prevent sticking and gives them a lovely finish.

How to Make It

Let’s get started! Grab your mixing bowls and let’s create some sweetness:

1. Cream it Up: In a large bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese and softened butter. You want this mixture to be super smooth and creamy, with no lumps. A hand mixer or a stand mixer makes this super easy, but you can totally do it with a sturdy whisk and some elbow grease!
2. Sweeten the Deal: Gradually add in the powdered sugar, a cup at a time, mixing until it’s all incorporated. It will start to look like a thick dough. Make sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl so everything gets mixed in well.
3. Flavor and Color: Now for the fun part! Stir in the mint extract. Start with ½ teaspoon and taste a tiny bit (if you dare before it’s fully set!) to see if you want more zing. If you’re using food coloring, add just a drop or two of your gel coloring and mix until you have a beautiful, even hue.
4. A Little Chill: Cover the bowl and pop it in the refrigerator for about 20-30 minutes. You want the mixture to firm up just enough so you can handle it without it being too sticky.
5. Prep Your Surface: While the dough is chilling, lightly dust a clean countertop or a large cutting board with about ½ cup of powdered sugar. This is your “rolling station.”
6. Shape ‘Em Up: Take a small portion of the chilled mixture and roll it between your hands into a rope, about ¼ inch in diameter. Think of making tiny play-doh snakes!
7. Slice and Dice: Use a knife or a bench scraper to cut your ropes into small pieces, about ½ inch long. These are your individual mints!
8. Get Coated: Gently roll each little mint piece in the extra powdered sugar you laid out. This gives them a nice, non-sticky coating.
9. Set Them Free: Place your finished mints on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Let them sit at room temperature for a few hours to firm up completely.

Substitutions & Additions

Feeling creative? Here are some ways to make these mints your own:

• Other Extracts: Don’t have mint extract? You could try a tiny bit of vanilla extract for a classic sweet treat, or even a hint of lemon or orange extract for a citrusy twist!
• Chocolate Drizzle: Once the mints are set, a little drizzle of melted chocolate (dark, milk, or white) can take them to the next level.
• Sprinkles: For a festive touch, roll the still-slightly-sticky mints in some colorful sprinkles before they fully set.
• Different Shapes: Instead of ropes, you could try rolling small balls or flattening them slightly with a fork for a different look.

Tips for Success

A few pointers from my kitchen to yours:

• Don’t Over-Mix: Once the powdered sugar is incorporated, resist the urge to keep mixing for too long, as it can make the mints tough.
• Soften, Don’t Melt: Make sure your cream cheese and butter are softened, not melted. This is crucial for a smooth texture.
• Chill is Key: Don’t skip the chilling step! It makes a huge difference in how easy they are to roll and shape. If they start to get too sticky as you work, pop the bowl back in the fridge for a few minutes.
• Prep Ahead: You can definitely make the mint mixture a day in advance and store it covered in the refrigerator. Just let it soften slightly before rolling.

How to Store It

These lovely mints store beautifully! Once they are completely firm, you can store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. I love layering them between pieces of parchment paper to prevent them from sticking together, especially if you’ve added any chocolate drizzle.

FAQs

Q: My mixture is too sticky to roll. What should I do?
A: This usually means it needs a bit more chilling time. Pop it back in the fridge for another 15-20 minutes until it’s firm enough to handle. You can also dust your hands generously with a little extra powdered sugar as you roll.

Q: Can I use regular milk for the mint extract?
A: It’s best to use pure extract. If you’re concerned about the strength of the flavor, start with less and add more gradually. Regular milk extract is much more concentrated.

Q: My mints are a little soft. How long do they need to set?
A: They typically need about 2-4 hours at room temperature to fully firm up. If your kitchen is very warm, it might take a little longer.

Easy Homemade Cream Cheese Mints

Print Recipe

Nostalgic, melt-in-your-mouth cream cheese mints that are easy to make and perfect for any occasion.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 25 minutes

Ingredients

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Main ingredients

• 8 ounces full-fat cream cheese (softened)
• 4 tablespoons salted butter (softened)
• 2 pounds powdered sugar (for the dough)
• 0.5 teaspoons mint extract or peppermint extract (start with 0.5 tsp, add more to taste)
• 0 gel food coloring (optional)
• 0.5 cup powdered sugar (for rolling mints)

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Instructions

1. In a large bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese and softened butter until super smooth and creamy.
2. Gradually add the powdered sugar, a cup at a time, mixing until incorporated and a thick dough forms. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
3. Stir in the mint extract, starting with ½ teaspoon and adding more to taste. If using, add a drop or two of gel food coloring and mix until evenly distributed.
4. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for 20-30 minutes, until the mixture firms up enough to handle.
5. Lightly dust a clean countertop or cutting board with about ½ cup of powdered sugar.
6. Take a small portion of the chilled mixture and roll it into a rope, about ¼ inch in diameter.
7. Cut the ropes into small pieces, about ½ inch long.
8. Gently roll each mint piece in the extra powdered sugar.
9. Place the finished mints on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Let them sit at room temperature for a few hours to firm up completely.

Notes

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. Layer between parchment paper to prevent sticking.