Let’s be real—there are certain recipes that just scream nostalgia. For me, cream cheese mints are one of them. These little pastel-colored candies used to show up at weddings, baby showers, and every holiday party my grandma hosted.
They looked fancy, tasted heavenly, and required almost zero effort. I mean, what’s not to love about a sweet treat that’s basically a mix between frosting and candy?
If you’ve ever wanted a dessert that’s ridiculously easy, crowd-pleasing, and slightly addictive, then this cream cheese mints recipe is going to be your new BFF.
They’re creamy, minty, melt-in-your-mouth little bites that can be customized for any event—from Christmas mints shaped like trees to party mints in heart molds for Valentine’s Day.
Ever wondered why these simple candies have stuck around for decades? One taste and you’ll get it.
Why Cream Cheese Mints Deserve a Spot at Your Party
I know what you’re thinking: “A mint? At a party? Why not just pass around Tic Tacs?” Well, let me explain.
Cream cheese mints are not your average after-dinner mint. They’re soft, creamy, melt-in-your-mouth candies that taste like a cross between frosting and fudge. They don’t just freshen your breath—they’re a whole dessert moment.
Here’s why I think they’re perfect:
- Versatile for every occasion – Weddings, showers, birthdays, and holiday spreads.
- Customizable colors and shapes – Use food coloring, candy molds, or keep it classic.
- Ridiculously easy – Minimal ingredients, no oven required.
- Make-ahead friendly – These store beautifully, which is a win for stress-free hosting.
And let’s be honest, they’re kind of like the “Pinterest-worthy” version of mints. If you’re hunting for easy Christmas dessert ideas, this is where you stop scrolling.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s the beauty of this recipe: you need only a handful of simple ingredients you probably already have.
- Cream cheese (softened)
- Butter (softened)
- Powdered sugar
- Peppermint extract (or other flavors if you feel adventurous)
- Food coloring (optional, but fun)
That’s it. No fancy equipment. No weird specialty ingredients. Just the basics.
Step-By-Step: How to Make Cream Cheese Mints
Now for the fun part. Let’s break down exactly how to make these little gems. Don’t worry, I’ll keep it detailed so you can follow along without stress.
Step 1: Prep Your Ingredients
First things first, make sure your cream cheese and butter are softened. Cold cream cheese will fight you, and trust me, you don’t want to wrestle your dessert. Leave them out at room temperature for about 30 minutes before starting.
Step 2: Beat It Smooth
In a mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese and butter. Use a hand mixer or stand mixer and beat until smooth and creamy. You’re aiming for a fluffy base here. Think “frosting vibes.”
Step 3: Flavor It Up
Add your peppermint extract. A little goes a long way, so don’t overdo it unless you want your mouth to feel like it’s on a candy cane rollercoaster. If peppermint isn’t your thing, you can swap in vanilla, almond, or even lemon extract. Ever had cucumber and cream cheese at a tea party? Imagine that same refreshing vibe but in sweet candy form—mint does that here.
Step 4: Sugar Time
Slowly add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time. The mixture will go from soft and creamy to dough-like. By the end, it should be soft but not sticky—kind of like Play-Doh for adults.
Step 5: Color & Shape
Divide your dough into sections if you want different colors. Add food coloring and knead gently until it’s evenly mixed. This is where you can get festive—red and green for Christmas cream, pastel shades for Easter, or rainbow brights for birthdays.
For shaping:
- Roll into small balls and press with a fork (classic).
- Use candy molds for funfetti cream cheese mints in festive shapes.
- Press sprinkles on top for a funfetti cream cheese Christmas mints vibe.
Step 6: Let Them Dry
Place your mints on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Let them dry at room temperature for several hours, or overnight if possible. This helps them firm up into that perfect melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Step 7: Store and Serve
Store your mints in an airtight container in the fridge. They’ll stay fresh for weeks (assuming you don’t eat them all in two days, which, IMO, is highly likely).
Flavor Twists & Creative Ideas
The classic recipe is amazing, but why stop there? Here are some fun spins:
- Mint Chocolate Desserts – Dip half the mint in melted chocolate for a fancy upgrade.
- Mint Fudge hybrid – Press the dough into a pan, chill, and cut into squares for a fudge-like version.
- Mint brownies recipe hack – Use these as a topping for brownies. Yes, you read that right. Brownies + cream cheese mints = pure magic.
- Butter mints recipe homemade style – Swap peppermint extract with butter flavoring for an old-fashioned twist.
- Buttermints recipe throwback – Roll dough into logs, cut into small bites, and let dry for that retro buttermint feel.
Basically, you can take the base recipe and run wild with it.
Tips for Perfect Cream Cheese Mints
- Don’t skip the drying step. If you store them too soon, they’ll stay sticky.
- Avoid liquid food coloring. Gel colors work better since they don’t water down your dough.
- Use molds for parties. If you’re making party mints, candy molds make them look store-bought fancy.
- Freeze for future you. These freeze beautifully, so make a big batch and stash some away.
When to Serve Cream Cheese Mints
I’m not exaggerating when I say these fit in almost anywhere. Think of them as the Swiss Army knife of desserts.
- Christmas mints recipe – Perfect for cookie platters or stocking stuffers.
- Wedding or baby shower party mints – Elegant and customizable.
- Birthday parties – Add sprinkles and call them funfetti mints.
- After-dinner treat – Better than handing someone a stick of gum.
Basically, if there’s a table with food, cream cheese mints deserve a spot.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I’ll be straight with you: there are fancier desserts out there. But you know what? Not everything needs to be a three-tiered cake. Sometimes, simple is better. And this cream cheese mints recipe proves that.
- It’s beginner-friendly.
- It’s affordable.
- It’s nostalgic and fun.
- And let’s be real—it tastes way better than it should for something this easy.
So whether you’re making Christmas cream cheese candy for the holidays, or experimenting with cream cheese flavors for a random Tuesday night, this recipe will always have your back.
Conclusion
So there you have it—cream cheese mints that are easy, customizable, and downright addictive. They’re the kind of recipe you’ll want to keep in your back pocket for every event because they always impress. Ever notice how people light up when they see homemade candy? These little gems will get that exact reaction.
If you’ve been looking for an easy Christmas dessert idea or just want to try your hand at making cream cheese snacks easy and fun, give this recipe a shot. You might just end up with a new family tradition.
Melt-in-Your-Mouth Cream Cheese Mints Recipe
This cream cheese mints recipe is a nostalgic, no-bake treat perfect for holidays, weddings, or parties. With just cream cheese, butter, sugar, and peppermint extract, you’ll create melt-in-your-mouth candies that can be shaped, colored, and customized. Easy to make, versatile, and totally addictive—these are your new go-to party mints.
Ingredients
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4 oz cream cheese (softened)
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2 tbsp butter (softened)
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4 cups powdered sugar
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½ tsp peppermint extract (or flavor of choice)
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Food coloring (optional)
How To Make Cream Cheese Mints
- Soften cream cheese and butter.
- Beat together until creamy.
- Mix in peppermint extract.
- Gradually add powdered sugar until dough forms.
- Divide, color, and shape as desired.
- Let mints dry for several hours.
- Store in airtight container in fridge.
