Easy Cream Cheese Mints

These Easy Cream Cheese Mints are a beloved, old-fashioned confection that practically melts in your mouth. This classic, no-bake recipe requires just three simple ingredients to create a creamy, smooth, and perfectly minty treat that’s incredibly easy to make. Often called wedding mints or baby shower mints, their beauty lies in their simplicity and their ability to be customized with any color to match any occasion.

The process is as simple as mixing a few ingredients into a stiff dough, shaping, and letting them air dry until they form a delicate, firm exterior with a soft, creamy center. They are a timeless, elegant, and completely irresistible treat that will disappear from the dessert table in minutes.

this recipe

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• No-Bake & Incredibly Easy: A foolproof recipe that comes together in minutes with no cooking required.
• Only 3 Ingredients: All you need is cream cheese, powdered sugar, and mint extract.
• Perfect for Parties: Easily customizable with colors, making them perfect for weddings, baby showers, and holidays.
• Melt-in-Your-Mouth Texture: A wonderfully soft and creamy candy that’s completely addictive.

Ingredients

• 8 oz Cream Cheese, softened to room temperature
• 2 lbs (about 7-8 cups) Powdered Sugar
• 1 teaspoon Peppermint Extract (or other desired extract)
• Optional: Gel food coloring of your choice

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Combine Cream Cheese and Extract: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or in a large bowl with an electric hand mixer, beat the softened cream cheese until it is completely smooth and creamy. Beat in the peppermint extract.
2. Add Powdered Sugar: With the mixer on low speed, gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time. The mixture will become a very stiff, thick dough.
3. Color the Dough (Optional): If you want to make different colors, divide the dough into separate bowls. Add a tiny drop of gel food coloring to each bowl and knead the dough until the color is uniform.
4. Shape the Mints: Take a small amount of dough (about 1 teaspoon) and roll it into a smooth ball. Place the ball on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. You can leave them as balls, or gently press the tines of a fork onto the top of each one to create a classic pattern.
5. Dry the Mints: Let the shaped mints sit out at room temperature, uncovered, for at least 2 hours, or up to 24 hours. This allows them to dry and form a firm outer shell.
6. Store: Once dried, store the mints in an airtight container.

Tips & Variations

• Pro Tip: Your dough should be very stiff, similar to a Play-Doh consistency. If it’s too sticky to handle, gradually knead in more powdered sugar until it’s easy to roll.
• Different Flavors: Swap the peppermint extract for other flavors like wintergreen, lemon, or almond extract to create different candies.
• Candy Molds: For more intricate shapes, you can press the dough into silicone candy molds. Lightly dust the molds with powdered sugar first to prevent sticking.
• Chocolate Dipped: After the mints have dried, you can dip half of each mint in melted dark or white chocolate for an extra decadent treat.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• How do I store cream cheese mints?
  • Store them in an airtight container, with layers separated by parchment paper, in the refrigerator. They will last for up to 2 weeks. They can also be frozen for up to 3 months.
• Why are my mints too sticky?
  • The dough is likely too wet. The humidity of the room can affect the consistency. Simply knead in more powdered sugar, a little at a time, until the dough is smooth and no longer sticky.
• Do I have to let them dry?
  • Yes, this step is crucial. It allows the mints to develop a firm exterior that makes them easy to handle and gives them their signature texture.

Serving Suggestions

• These mints are a classic addition to any dessert table for a wedding, baby shower, bridal shower, or holiday party. Arrange the different colored mints on a platter for a beautiful and elegant presentation. They are also a lovely after-dinner treat to serve with coffee.

Abby

Cream Cheese Mints

These old-fashioned cream cheese mints are soft, melt-in-your-mouth candies that are perfect for weddings, bridal showers, and baby showers. Sweet, refreshing, and easy to make with just a few simple ingredients.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 3 hours hrs 15 minutes mins

Servings: 50 mints

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Calories: 41

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 4 oz (113 g) cream cheese, softened
• 1 Tablespoon salted butter, softened
• 4 cups (500 g) powdered sugar, plus extra for dusting and imprinting
• 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
• 1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract
• food coloring, optional

Equipment

• stand mixer or hand mixer
• Wax paper
• Fork
• Mixing Bowls

Method

 

1. In a stand mixer, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy.
2. Gradually add 2 cups of powdered sugar and mix until fully incorporated.
3. Add peppermint and vanilla extracts. Stir well.
4. Gradually mix in the remaining powdered sugar until the dough is very stiff and no longer sticky. Add more sugar if needed until it has a play-dough-like consistency.
5. If desired, divide dough and mix in food coloring until evenly combined.
6. Roll dough into teaspoon-sized balls. Place on a wax-paper lined baking sheet. Press each ball gently with a fork dipped in powdered sugar.
7. Allow mints to dry at room temperature for 3 hours until firm. Store in the refrigerator in layers separated by wax paper.

Notes

Be sure to use brick-style cream cheese, not the spreadable tub variety. For a fun presentation, add food coloring or press the mints into molds. Store in an airtight container in the fridge with wax paper between layers to prevent sticking.