This Cream Cheese Mints recipe is the soft, creamy, melt in your mouth treat that people love to make for parties, showers, holidays, and sweet little gifting moments because it comes together quickly and creates the prettiest pastel bites with almost no effort at all. These mints answer the search intent perfectly because they show you exactly how to make classic old fashioned cream cheese mints with simple ingredients and a beginner friendly method.
The cream cheese mints recipe is one of those nostalgic American kitchen treasures that feels comforting and fun all at once. The texture is smooth and tender, the mint flavor is cool without being overpowering, and the colors can match any celebration you are planning. If you love this kind of creamy melt in your mouth bite, make a batch of my Cream Cheese Cookies next, or build out a whole dessert tray with more ideas from my Easy Christmas Cookies collection.
In This Post
Why You Will Love This Cream Cheese Mints Recipe
- These cream cheese mints taste cool, sweet, and creamy in a way that feels old fashioned and comforting.
- The pastel colors make the cream cheese mints perfect for baby showers, weddings, Easter tables, and Christmas cookie trays.
- You only need a handful of simple ingredients to make cream cheese mints and most of them are already in your pantry.
- The dough is easy to work with and creates beautiful ridged mints with nothing more than a fork.
- Cream cheese mints store extremely well which makes them a great make ahead treat for busy gatherings.
table talk
With Liliya!
I always say that cream cheese mints are the kind of recipe that makes every gathering feel a little warmer and a little more thoughtful. They remind me of community potlucks and simple childhood moments when someone would quietly set a plate of pastel mints next to the coffee and they would disappear long before the meal was over. I love how approachable this recipe is because even new bakers can make something that looks professionally made with just a fork and a splash of food coloring.
Liliya
Ingredients Needed for Cream Cheese Mints
- Cream cheese. Use full fat cream cheese for the best texture. It gives these mints their signature creamy bite and helps them hold their shape as they dry.
- Butter. A small amount of butter softens the texture and adds a richer flavor. Make sure it is softened so it blends smoothly with the cream cheese.
- Powdered sugar. This is the structure of the mint. It sweetens the dough and absorbs moisture so the mints can firm up as they rest. A fresh, clump free powdered sugar works best.
- Mint extract. Start with the half teaspoon listed and adjust only if you enjoy a stronger mint flavor. These mints taste best when the mint flavor feels gentle and cool rather than overpowering.
- Food coloring. Neon pink, neon green, and neon blue create the soft pastel shades you see in the picture. Gel coloring works especially well because it blends smoothly without adding extra liquid.
How I Make Cream Cheese Mints
(This is a quick overview of how I make cream cheese mints, with tips along the way. You will find the full ingredients and instructions in the recipe card below.)
- Mix the cream cheese and butter until they are completely smooth so the texture of your mints comes out velvety.
- Add the mint extract and powdered sugar and let your mixer run for a few minutes. The mixture will start out crumbly which is exactly what you want.
- Knead the mixture by hand until it turns into a soft, smooth ball. This step warms the dough slightly and helps the sugar absorb.
- Cut the dough into four pieces so you can color them individually. Leave one portion white for a classic mint look.
- Add food coloring to each portion and knead gently until the colors look bright and even.
- Roll the dough into small balls using about one teaspoon of dough at a time. This size gives you the perfect bite.
- Flatten each ball with a sugared fork to create those beautiful vintage ridges that hold onto a light dusting of sugar.
- Let the mints rest uncovered for four to six hours at room temperature so they can firm up and become perfectly tender.
Expert Tips for Cream Cheese Mints
If the dough feels sticky, add a little more powdered sugar to help it firm up.
If the dough feels too firm, let it rest a few minutes so the butter and cream cheese soften slightly.
Always dip your fork in sugar before pressing the mints so they release cleanly and keep their pretty ridges.
Resting time is important because it allows the outside to dry slightly while keeping the inside soft and creamy.
What to Serve with Cream Cheese Mints
Cream cheese mints pair wonderfully with coffee, tea, cocoa, bridal shower punch, holiday cocktails for adults, or a full dessert table filled with cookies and bars. They also look beautiful tucked into favor boxes or served alongside tiny sandwiches for a luncheon.
Cream Cheese Mints Variations and Substitutions
- Classic Wedding Mints. Leave the dough pure white and add just a hint of mint extract for that traditional smooth and elegant wedding mint flavor.
- Vanilla Cream Mints. Swap the mint extract for vanilla extract to create a softer flavor for guests who prefer something less minty.
- Peppermint Mints. Use peppermint extract rather than classic mint extract for a bolder cool flavor that tastes like a winter treat.
- Fruit Flavored Mints. Replace the mint extract with raspberry, lemon, or orange extract. Match the dough color to the flavor for a pretty presentation.
- Holiday Mints. Use red and green coloring for Christmas or pastel yellow and lavender for spring gatherings.
- Cream Cheese Mint Shapes. Use small silicone candy molds instead of rolling balls to create hearts, flowers, stars, or seasonal shapes.
Storing / Freezing Cream Cheese Mints
Store cream cheese mints in an airtight container in the refrigerator where they will stay fresh for up to two weeks. If you want to freeze them, arrange them on a tray until firm, then transfer to a freezer bag. They thaw quickly at room temperature and keep their creamy texture beautifully.
How to Reheat Cream Cheese Mints
These mints do not need reheating because they are meant to be served chilled or at room temperature. If they have been in the refrigerator, letting them rest on the counter for a few minutes brings back the perfect melt in your mouth texture.
FAQs About Cream Cheese Mints
Why is my dough too soft or sticky?
Cream Cheese Mint dough can become sticky if the cream cheese was too warm. Add extra powdered sugar a little at a time until the dough is soft but no longer sticking to your hands.
Can I use natural food coloring?
Yes. Natural powder based colorings work well and do not add moisture. Liquid natural dyes may soften the dough slightly, so start with a small amount.
How long do Cream Cheese Mints need to dry?
They need at least four to six hours at room temperature. This helps the outside firm up while the inside stays creamy and tender.
Can I flavor each color differently?
Absolutely. You can make the pink batch raspberry, the green batch mint, and the blue batch vanilla. Just add a tiny amount of extract to each portion.
Can I tint them deeper colors?
Yes. Add additional gel coloring to create vibrant hues, but knead in small amounts at a time so the dough stays smooth.
More Holiday Cookie Recipes
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Cream Cheese Mints
- Total Time15 minutes
- Yield60 mints 1x
- DietVegetarian
These cream cheese mints are soft, silky, and perfectly sweet with a gentle mint flavor that melts in your mouth. They come together quickly with just a handful of simple ingredients and create the prettiest pastel candies for holidays, baby showers, weddings, and dessert tables.
Ingredients
- 4 ounces cream cheese softened
- 1 tablespoon butter softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- One half teaspoon mint extract
- Neon pink food coloring
- Neon green food coloring
- Neon blue food coloring
Instructions
- Mix the softened cream cheese and butter in a bowl until smooth.
- Add the mint extract and powdered sugar and beat three to four minutes until the mixture looks crumbly.
- Knead the mixture by hand until it forms a smooth dough ball.
- Cut the dough into four equal portions and leave one portion white.
- Add a small amount of food coloring to the remaining portions and knead until each color is evenly blended.
- Roll each color into small one teaspoon sized balls and arrange them on a parchment lined tray.
- Dip a fork in powdered sugar and gently press each ball to flatten and create the classic ridged pattern.
- Let the mints rest uncovered at room temperature for four to six hours until firm and dry on the outside.
Notes
- If the dough feels sticky, add a little extra powdered sugar.
- If it feels too firm, let it sit a few minutes to soften.
- These mints store beautifully in the refrigerator for up to two weeks and can also be frozen.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No cook
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 mints
- Calories: 126 kcal
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 11mg
- Fat: 3g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 29g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 8mg
More No-Bake Dessert Recipes
Want more easy no-bake treats? Browse all our no-bake dessert recipes at No-Bake Dessert Recipes.
