Cream Cheese Mints Recipe: Easy Homemade Holiday Candy

Ever bite into a little piece of candy and suddenly feel like grandma just gave you a hug? That’s what these cream cheese mints do. They’re soft, creamy, and basically melt faster than your willpower at a dessert table. Perfect for weddings, showers, holiday parties or just when you need a sweet excuse to eat “one more.” Bonus: they’re ridiculously easy to make, even if your cooking skills max out at boiling water.

Simple Ingredients for Cream Cheese Mints

Here’s what you’ll need. I include swaps so you can adapt (vegan, dairy-free, natural colorings, etc.).

• Cream cheese (softened) you can use regular full-fat cream cheese, or try a vegan cream cheese if avoiding dairy.
• Butter (softened) or use a vegan butter substitute.
• Powdered sugar (aka confectioners’ sugar) provides structure and sweetness.
• Flavor extract(s) peppermint is classic; vanilla, almond, lemon are fun alternatives.
• Food coloring (optional) gel color works best for vibrant shades; for a more subtle look use natural color (like beet powder, turmeric, spirulina).

How to Make Cream Cheese Mints

Here are numbered steps with tips so nothing goes wrong.

1. Soften Ingredients
   Take cream cheese (and butter) out of the fridge ahead of time so they reach room temperature. Softened cream cheese mixes more smoothly and gives a better texture.
2. Beat Cream Cheese + Butter
   Using an electric mixer (hand or stand), beat cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy. Tip: Scrape down the sides of the bowl so ingredients are fully combined.
3. Add Flavor Extracts
   Mix in your chosen extracts (peppermint, vanilla, etc.). Start with small amount (½ tsp for peppermint, maybe less for vanilla) and adjust lightly if you want stronger flavor.
4. Add Powdered Sugar Gradually
   With mixer on low, begin adding powdered sugar maybe half at first. Once the mixture is smooth, add the rest until you get a stiff dough (like play-dough) that’s no longer sticky. Tip: If it’s sticky, add more powdered sugar a tablespoon at a time; if it’s too stiff, a drop or two of cream or non-dairy milk can help.
5. Divide / Color the Dough (if desired)
   If using colors, divide the dough into bowls now. Mix in your coloring or natural dyes. Tip: Gel or paste colors give richer shades without adding liquid.
6. Form the Mints
   Options:
   • Roll teaspoonfuls (or size of your choice) into balls, place on parchment-lined trays.
   • Flatten them slightly with a fork (tines dipped in powdered sugar to prevent sticking) to make disks.
   • Use molds or candy presses for shaped mints.
7. Dry / Firm Up
   Let the mints sit at room temperature for several hours (2-4 hours, sometimes longer) until they are set/dry on the outside. For best results, refrigerate afterward until serving. Tip: Drying time affects texture longer drying gives a firmer outside, shorter gives softer, more melt-in-mouth feel.
8. Store Properly
   Use an airtight container. Layer with parchment or wax paper if stacking. Store in the fridge if you’ll consume within 1-2 weeks; freeze for longer storage (if you need ahead for holidays or gifting).

Flavor and Color Variations

You can tweak flavor or color using these ideas. Great for holiday, weddings, showers.

Expert Tips and Troubleshooting

Here are common issues and how to fix them.

• Sticky dough → Add powdered sugar slowly, make sure your cream cheese is not too warm. Chill the dough if needed.
• Dough too dry / crumbly → Add a tiny amount of liquid (cream or non-dairy milk) or a little more butter/vegan butter.
• Color not even → Knead the dough well; use gel color; mix in a bowl, then combine by hand if needed.
• Flavor too strong or weak → Taste a tiny piece before forming all. Adjust extract amount.
• Storing issues (molds losing shape, melted edges, etc.) → Keep container cool, serve afterward. For gifting, avoid storing in a hot room; package with cooling packs if shipping.

FAQs

Best Occasions and Gifting Tips

These mints are perfect for many events:

• Christmas: Red/green/white colors, peppermint flavor, sprinkle decorations.
• Weddings: Pastel shades, elegant shapes or molds.
• Baby showers / Gender reveals: Soft blues/pinks, fun shapes.
• Birthdays / Themed Parties: Match to your party colors or theme.

Gifting ideas:

• Package in small tins, mason jars, or decorative boxes.
• Use parchment paper or wax paper between layers so they don’t stick.
• Add holiday ribbon or tags (e.g. “Merry & Minty!”, “Handmade with love”).

Nutrition and Allergy-Friendly Options

Here’s a table with approximate nutrition per mint (based on about 50 mints per batch), and some swap ideas.

Allergy-friendly options:

• Dairy-free / Vegan: Use plant-based cream cheese and butter.
• Gluten-free: Recipe is naturally gluten-free (just check flavorings & colorings).
• Reduced sugar: Harder powdered sugar is core. You might try sugar substitutes but texture will change.

Conclusion

So there you have it cream cheese mints that are festive, tasty, and dangerously addictive. Make them for Christmas, weddings, or “accidentally” keep the whole batch for yourself (no judgment here). I want to know: did you go classic peppermint or get wild with rainbow colors? Drop your flavor experiments below, and don’t forget to pin, share, or brag about your mint-making skills. Who knew something this simple could make you the life of every party?

Cream Cheese Mints Recipe: Easy Homemade Holiday Candy

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

These soft and creamy cream cheese mints melt in your mouth and are perfect for weddings, showers, Christmas, and homemade gifting. Quick, no-bake, and beginner-friendly, this recipe can be customized with different flavors and colors.

• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 50–100 mints 1x

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 8 oz cream cheese (softened)

• 1–2 Tbsp butter (softened, or vegan butter)

• 4 cups powdered sugar (plus extra for rolling)

• ½ tsp peppermint extract (or flavor of choice)

• Optional: ⅛ tsp vanilla extract

• Optional: Food coloring (gel or natural powders)

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Instructions

1. Beat softened cream cheese and butter until smooth.

2. Add flavor extracts and mix well.

3. Gradually add powdered sugar until dough is stiff and no longer sticky.

4. Divide dough and add coloring if desired.

5. Roll into balls, press with fork, or mold into shapes.

6. Place on parchment and let dry 2–4 hours until firm.

7. Store in an airtight container in fridge or freeze for later.

Notes

• If dough is sticky, add more powdered sugar.

• If too dry, add a drop of cream or non-dairy milk.

• Great for freezing ahead of holidays or weddings.

• Author: Soukaina
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Category: Dessert
• Method: No-cook
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 mint
• Calories: 40–50 kcal
• Sugar: 5–6 g
• Sodium: 5 mg
• Fat: 2–3 g
• Saturated Fat: 1.5–2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 0.5–1 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 6–7 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 0.3 g
• Cholesterol: 5–10 mg