Description
These delightful cream cheese mints are soft, melt-in-your-mouth treats featuring vibrant pastel swirls. They are easy to make and perfect for adding a homemade touch to any family gathering or celebration.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces (226g) full-fat, brick-style cream cheese
- 3 to 4 cups (360-480g) powdered sugar, sifted
- 0.5 to 1 teaspoon peppermint extract (or pure vanilla extract, or almond extract)
- A few drops of gel food coloring in your favorite pastel shades
Instructions
- Soften Cream Cheese: Allow 8 oz (226g) of cream cheese to sit at room temperature for 30-60 minutes until very soft and pliable.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with an electric mixer until smooth (about 1 minute). Gradually add 3-4 cups of sifted powdered sugar on low speed until a stiff, dough-like consistency forms that pulls away from the sides of the bowl. (Start with 3 cups and add more if too sticky; if dry, add 1-2 teaspoons of cream cheese or a drop of milk.)
- Add Flavoring: Stir in 0.5 to 1 teaspoon of your chosen extract until fragrant and evenly distributed.
- Divide and Color: Divide the mixture into 3-4 equal portions in separate small bowls. Add a few drops of different gel food coloring to each portion, then knead gently with your hands (gloves recommended) until each color is uniform and vibrant.
- Create Swirls (Pastel Swirl Buttons Technique): Take small, pea-sized pieces of two or three different colored doughs. Gently twist them together a couple of times, then roll between your palms into a smooth ball about 0.5 inch in diameter.
- Shape the Mints: Place each colored ball onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Using a fork, gently press each ball to create a classic ridged pattern, or use a small candy mold for more intricate shapes.
- Chill to Set: Refrigerate the shaped cream cheese mints for at least 30 minutes, or until they feel firm to the touch, making them easy to handle and hold their shape.
Notes
If the mixture is too sticky, knead in more powdered sugar a tablespoon at a time. If too dry and crumbly, add a tiny bit more room-temperature cream cheese or a single drop of milk until it comes together. For best results, use full-fat cream cheese for the creamiest texture. Store chilled mints in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
- Prep Time: 60 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 mint (15 g)
- Calories: 55 calories
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 10 mg
- Fat: 2 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 9 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 2 mg
Keywords: cream cheese mints, pastel swirls, homemade candy, easy dessert, no-bake, party treat, customizable, family-friendly