Easy Cream Cheese Mints: A Nostalgic No-Bake Candy Recipe
There are certain recipes that have the magical ability to transport you back to your childhood in an instant. These easy cream cheese mints are definitely one of those recipes for me. They’re incredibly sweet, delightfully creamy, and possess just the right amount of minty freshness. They are the kind of old fashioned treat that melts effortlessly in your mouth, evoking a wave of nostalgia with every bite.
The very best thing about this recipe? You only require five simple ingredients and a few minutes of your time to whip them up!
I have vivid memories of my grandma lovingly preparing these mints – we affectionately called them “party mints” back then. Oh, how I rejoiced whenever the ladies from our church brought them to potlucks! These little candies are perfect for special occasions like weddings, elegant baby showers, festive Christmas gatherings, and Easter get-togethers, and even everyday treats. To this day, I can recall the thrill of sneaking one (or perhaps five!) off the serving tray when my grandma wasn’t looking.
I took a stab at making these old fashioned cream cheese mints on my own for the first time way back in college. I’m not sure why I’ve been holding off on posting this recipe, but it needs to be shared! They are truly the quintessential holiday treat and truly the best no bake mint candy recipe!
What You’ll Need: Simple Cream Cheese Mint Ingredients
These simple cream cheese mints use only 5 ingredients and some optional food coloring.
- Cream Cheese: Cream cheese serves as the very foundation of this recipe. It generously lends its creaminess, a subtle tang, and vital moisture, binding the powdered sugar together to create a luxuriously smooth dough. Crucially, it ensures that the mints remain wonderfully tender, preventing them from becoming dry or crumbly.
- Butter: The addition of butter infuses the mints with richness and a beautifully silky texture, enhancing their melt-in-your-mouth quality. It also works to counterbalance the slight tanginess of the cream cheese, making the mixture more pliable and easier to work with.
- Peppermint Extract: The quintessential cool and refreshing flavor that defines these mints comes from peppermint extract. Remember that a little goes a long way in creating that signature taste, so don’t overdo it!
- Vanilla Extract: Vanilla extract plays a supporting role, softening and rounding out the peppermint’s sharp flavor. It introduces a subtle warmth and depth to the overall sweetness of the mints.
- Powdered Sugar: Powdered sugar is the ingredient that provides the bulk of the recipe. It is the primary sweetener for the mints, working simultaneously to thicken the mixture into a moldable dough. Its fine consistency is key to achieving that desirable melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Gel Food Coloring: Although entirely optional, gel food coloring is perfect for creating delicate pastel shades or vibrant seasonal hues in your mints. Gel food coloring is favored over liquid alternatives, as it delivers a more vibrant color without thinning the dough’s consistency.
Step-by-Step: How to Make Cream Cheese Mints
Follow these simple steps to make your own cream cheese mints.
- Beat: Begin by adding the softened cream cheese and butter to the bowl of a stand mixer. Using the paddle attachment, beat the mixture until it reaches a creamy, well-combined consistency.
- Combine: Add the peppermint and vanilla extracts to the cream cheese mixture and mix until they are thoroughly incorporated. Next, reduce the mixer’s speed to low and gradually add the powdered sugar, mixing until everything is fully combined.
- Add Coloring: If you intend to create mints in multiple colors, divide the dough into separate bowls, allotting one bowl for each desired color. Add a small amount of gel food coloring to each bowl and mix thoroughly until the color is evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- Form: Employing a small cookie scoop or spoon, portion the dough into small, evenly sized balls. Gently roll each ball between your palms until smooth. Arrange the balls on a baking sheet that has been lined with wax paper or parchment paper. Dip a fork into powdered sugar and use it to gently but firmly press down on each mint, creating a decorative pattern.
- Dry: Allow the formed mints to dry at room temperature for several hours, or preferably overnight. Ensure that they are completely dry to the touch before storing.
- Store: Once the mints are thoroughly dry, store them in the refrigerator in an airtight container until you’re ready to serve. To prevent them from sticking together, layer the mints in the container, separating each layer with a sheet of wax paper.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, absolutely! The white mints in these pictures are mints without food coloring.
Yes, you can use other flavors in cream cheese mints. Replace the peppermint extract with almond, lemon, orange, or even butter extract. So yummy! I’m actually so intrigued about using root beer extract. Has anyone ever tried it??
One of my favorite things about this cream cheese mint recipe is that they are cream cheese mints without molds. If you want to use molds, you absolutely can, but I like to keep them super simple and just use a fork.
In my house, yes! Gel food coloring produces the best color and doesn’t alter the texture of the mints.
Tips for Storage and Making Ahead
Preserve the freshness and flavor of your homemade cream cheese mints by storing them properly and knowing how far in advance you can prepare them.
Once the mints have dried completely, they should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator with each layer of mints separated with a sheet of wax paper between them. This will prevent the mints from sticking together.
Peppermint cream cheese mints freeze beautifully, making them an ideal make-ahead treat, particularly for the busy holiday season. You can start making them as early as September or October, effectively checking one task off your to-do list before the holiday chaos arrives.
These delightful little cream cheese mints have been a cherished treat for generations, and it’s easy to understand why. They add a touch of elegance to wedding and shower tables, they freeze beautifully for make-ahead holiday dessert platters, and they’re simple enough for children to assist with in the kitchen.
Sometimes, the most treasured recipes are those that not only evoke cherished memories but also provide an opportunity to create new ones. It is my sincere hope that these melt-in-your-mouth mints will become as much of a beloved tradition in your home as they have been in ours.
Craving More Homemade Candy Recipes?
If you loved these cream cheese mints, check out these other delicious homemade candy recipes.
- Chocolate Covered Coconut Balls
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls
- Homemade Fudge Recipe
- Rolo Pretzel Bites
- Homemade Caramels