These homemade Cream Cheese Mints are made with cream cheese, butter, mint extract, and powdered sugar. They’re loaded with sweet peppermint flavor, making them perfect for the holiday season or whenever you’re craving an easy melt-in-your-mouth treat!
Got an event coming up and need some no bake treat inspiration? Try these Peanut Butter Balls, Oreo Balls, and Popcorn Balls!
Table of Contents
If you’ve ever had old-fashioned Cream Cheese Mints, you’ll love this easy recipe!
It’s got that nostalgic butter flavor combined with the refreshing taste of mint for a classic candy that will disappear in seconds (I have to hide mine in the freezer to keep them out of my family’s reach!).
You don’t need any special equipment to make these homemade mints. All you need is a stand mixer or hand mixer, a few ingredients, and 20 minutes!
Why we love this Cream Cheese Mints recipe:
- Perfect for any occasion: You can customize your mints with different colors for any occasion, like wedding showers, baby showers, graduation parties, and holiday parties.
- Easy to make: These mints only use 6 simple ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen, making them ideal for last-minute events.
- Fun for the kids: This recipe is perfect for your little ones to get involved! You can have them roll the dough into balls or roll the balls into the powdered sugar.
Cream Cheese Mint Ingredients:
- Cream cheese: This is the base for our homemade mints. I use a full-fat cream cheese brick, as it provides a richer flavor and contains less water than light cream cheese. I recommend using room-temperature cream cheese, as it will blend more smoothly.
- Unsalted butter: This is another key ingredient in these cream cheese butter mints, adding a rich, velvety texture. Use room temperature butter so that it blends easily with the cream cheese.
- Mint or peppermint extract: This is what gives the mints their signature minty flavor!
- Salt (optional): This helps to balance out the sweetness.
- Powdered sugar: This gives the mints structure without making them too dense and adds sweetness. Powdered sugar is very finely ground, so it blends easily with the other ingredients.
- Food coloring, gel, or powder (optional): You can leave the mints white or use food coloring to suit any special occasion! I recommend gradually adding the food coloring to get your desired color.
How to make easy Cream Cheese Mints
This homemade Mints recipe couldn’t be any easier to make! For full recipe instructions, scroll down to the recipe card below.
- Beat together the softened cream cheese and butter, mint extract, and a pinch of salt in the bowl of a stand mixer until smooth.
- Gradually add powdered sugar at a low speed until the mixture forms a soft dough.
- If desired, divide the dough and add food coloring.
- Roll small pieces of dough into small balls and coat them in a little powdered sugar. Gently flatten the balls with a fork.
- Let the mints dry at room temperature for a few hours until firm.
- Store in the refrigerator or freezer until ready to serve.
Variations and Substitutions
- If you’re not a fan of mint, you can swap it for almond extract or vanilla extract to make regular cream cheese candies.
- For a more indulgent spin, drizzle a little melted dark chocolate on top of the mints.
How to store homemade mints
These mints will last in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. You can also store them in the freezer for up to 6 months, so you can enjoy them any time you want a minty treat or have an event!
To freeze, grab an airtight container and place the mints in a single layer between pieces of parchment paper so they don’t stick together.
When you’re ready to eat them, let the frozen mints thaw on the counter for about 15 minutes before consuming or let them thaw in the fridge overnight (My family even eats them frozen!).
Can I use silicone molds or mint molds instead of rolling the dough into balls?
Yes. You can use a piping bag to pipe the dough into molds for a specific shape, or into swirls on a piece of parchment paper! This is a great option for themed events like the holidays or showers.
More easy candy recipes:
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Pretzel Candies
- Easy Mint Chocolate Truffles Recipe
- No Bake White Chocolate Peppermint Oreo Truffles
Simple Cream Cheese Mints
written by Ashley Fehr
Ingredients
- 4 oz cream cheese (125 grams or ½ package) room temperature
- ¼ cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
- 1½-2 teaspoons mint or peppermint extract
- 1 pinch salt (optional)
- 3½-4 cups powdered sugar* (plus more for rolling)
- food coloring — gel or powder only! (optional)
Instructions
- In a large bowl, beat cream cheese with an electric mixer until smooth. Add the butter and beat again until smooth.
- Add the mint extract (according to your tastes, 2 teaspoons for big mint flavor), a pinch of salt (if using unsalted butter) and 1 cup powdered sugar. Beat until smooth.
- Continue adding powdered sugar ½-1 cup at a time, until a soft dough forms. It shouldn't be very sticky, but it should be soft and a little tacky (I use 4 cups). Be careful not to add too much because they mints will dry too much and crack as they set.
- Add in a small amount of food coloring if using — divided into smaller portions for more than one color.
- *Place a small amount of powdered sugar in a small bowl. Pull off about 1 tablespoon of mint mixture, drop into the powdered sugar (don't add too much!) and roll into a ball with your hands (they should not be too sticky, just a little tacky — if they are sticky, you can try mixing in more sugar or placing in the refrigerator for a couple of hours.). Place on a piece of parchment paper. Dip a fork in powdered sugar and flatten somewhat with the fork.
- Repeat until all mints have been rolled, then leave out at room temperature to dry somewhat. This can take 2-4 hours (leaving them longer won't hurt them). They should be firm enough that they hold together and don't droop when you pick them up.
- Refrigerate or freeze until ready to serve.
Notes
Nutrition Information
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Susan Murry says
I made this today…was easier than I thought. Hubby who doesn’t like mint, LOVES these. I will have to save some out for me and hide them… so addictingly good. Will deff make again. Used handle of ice cream scoop instead of fork, rolled pattern on. Thank You for sharing . This will be my Christmas treat for neighbors and friends.
Ashley Fehr says
I’m so glad you enjoyed them!
Kathy says
Could you use this as a base to make peppermint patties?
Ashley Fehr says
Yes I think that would work!
Anita F Glock says
Could these be made with Swerve confectioners sugar for the diabetic person?
Ashley Fehr says
Unfortunately this is one thing I don’t have much expertise in