A simple recipe for old-fashioned Cream Cheese Mints! This is a variation of a recipe from my grandmother. They can be made in a matter of minutes and I include instructions for making them in molds for baby showers or bridal showers!
Old-Fashioned Cream Cheese Mints
I’d bet you’ve had, or at least seen these cream cheese mints before.
Sometimes formed into cute little discs (as seen here), and sometimes molded into pretty little flowers at bridal showers or rattles at baby showers, or made into just about any shape or color to suit any occasion (how about some green Christmas trees!?). In fact, they’re often referred to as “wedding mints” or “baby shower mints” because they’re so commonly seen at these events.
I wanted to share a sweet and simple candy recipe with you before Christmas, one that didn’t require a candy thermometer (like most of my candy recipes from last year did!), and these cream cheese mints were the perfect choice. You need only a handful of ingredients. The end result is firm on the outside and creamy on the inside. They just melt in your mouth, it’s a bit like eating a minty cream cheese frosting.
Have you ever made these before? If so, you already know how easy they are to make…
Ingredients for Cream Cheese Mints
This is such a straightforward recipe. You only need 5 ingredients:
- Cream cheese. I think this one goes without saying. You’ll ideally want it to be softened a bit before using. I like to set mine out an hour before I begin making the mints. Make sure to use a brick-style cream cheese (like the one shown above) and not a spreadable type of cream cheese (that comes in a tub).
- Butter. Just a tablespoon for this recipe! It adds a nice creaminess to the texture.
- Powdered Sugar. This is what will make your mints hold their shape. You’ll be using a lot of powdered sugar, and it’s going to be quite an arm workout if you try to stir all of this in without an electric or stand mixer. The “dough” will need to be very stiff.
- Peppermint Extract. I much prefer this to “mint” extract, which I think makes these cream cheese mints taste like toothpaste. Start with just the ½ teaspoon indicated and then increase if desired/as needed. Not a fan of mint? you can play around with other flavors and extracts, too!
- Vanilla Extract. I find that this helps temper the mint flavor and adds an incredibly tasty but subtle depth of flavor. Just a tiny bit is needed — ⅛ teaspoon.
One last ingredient you might like to use is food coloring.
This is completely optional, but I like to divide my dough into different bowls and tint it with a bit of food coloring. While I’m generally a fan of gel food coloring, which yields vibrant colors, something about cream cheese mints calls for a more pastel look, so I used liquid food coloring today. Whichever you prefer is fine (and of course you can leave out the color entirely).
How to Make Cream Cheese Mints:
- Combine cream cheese and butter and beat with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy.
- Add about two cups of powdered sugar and stir until well-blended.
- Add extracts and stir well. I like to stir the extract in at this point to ensure that it is well-combined into the batter. If you wait until the end the dough can get so stiff that you end up with pockets of intense mint flavor in some places.
- Slowly, with mixer on low speed, add remaining powdered sugar. The dough should become very stiff. Pause periodically to scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl to ensure everything is very well-combined.
- This dough should be a very thick, stiff dough. If it’s not or if it’s still sticky, continue to add more powdered sugar until a play-dough like consistency is reached.
- If using food coloring: If using just one color you can use your electric mixer to beat the color into the dough. If you’d like to do several colors, divide the dough into as many bowls as you would like colors and color each individually, stirring well until color is well-incorporated.
- Roll dough into teaspoon-sized balls and transfer to a wax paper-lined cookie sheet.
- Dip the tines of a fork in additional powdered sugar then gently but firmly press down into each mint.
- Let sit at room temperature to firm up for several hours, then transfer cream cheese mints to the refrigerator until ready to serve!
If you like these, make sure to also try my easy butter mint recipe!
Can I use these in a Mold?
Yes! Cream cheese mints are commonly seen at bridal showers and baby showers and are often formed into cute shapes in silicone molds. You can absolutely use this recipe with your molds.
To do so, roll a bit of the dough into a ball, roll that thoroughly through granulated (not powdered) sugar, and press it firmly into your mold. Invert the mold and pop out your adorably shaped cream cheese mint!
How to Store Cream Cheese Mints:
Once your mints are prepped and firm, store them in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to two weeks or in the freezer (in an airtight container) for several months.
Enjoy!
More Easy Candy Recipes to Try:
Let’s bake together! Head on over to my YouTube channel where I’ve already uploaded over 200 recipe videos that you can watch for free!
Cream Cheese Mints
Ingredients
- 4 oz (113 g) cream cheese¹ softened
- 1 Tablespoon salted butter softened
- 4 cups (500 g) powdered sugar plus additional as needed and for imprinting mints
- ½ teaspoon peppermint extract
- ⅛ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Food coloring optional
Instructions
- Combine cream cheese and butter in the bowl of a stand mixer (or in a large bowl and use an electric mixer) and beat until creamy and well-combined.4 oz (113 g) cream cheese¹, 1 Tablespoon salted butter
- With mixer on low-speed, gradually add 2 cups (250g) of sugar, stirring until completely incorporated.4 cups (500 g) powdered sugar
- Add peppermint and vanilla extract and stir well.½ teaspoon peppermint extract, ⅛ teaspoon vanilla extract
- With mixer on low-speed, gradually add remaining sugar. Stir until sugar is completely combined and pause occasionally to scrape sides and bottom of the bowl. Dough should be very stiff and not sticky (if it’s still sticky, add more powdered sugar until it has a play-dough-like consistency).
- If using food coloring: If using just one color you can use your electric mixer to beat the color into the dough. If you'd like to do several colors, divide the dough into as many bowls as you would like colors and color each individually, stirring well until color is well-incorporated.Food coloring
- Roll dough between your palms into teaspoon-sized portion until smooth. Transfer to wax-paper lined baking sheet. Dip the tines of a fork in powdered sugar and use that to gently but firmly press down on each mint.
- Allow mints to dry at room temperature for several hours (they should be dried through and if you squeeze them firmly they shouldn't squish or give) then transfer to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator until ready to serve. To help minimize any sticking, store mints in single layers with a sheet of wax paper between them.
Notes
To Make Into Molds
If you’d like you can make these mints into just about any shape you’d like using molds. To do so, roll a bit of the dough into a ball, roll that thoroughly through granulated (not powdered) sugar, and press it firmly into your mold. Invert the mold and pop out your adorably shaped cream cheese mint!Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.
Lisa Blair
Hi, Sam.
I’ll be making these for the first time and
Have silicone candy molds to use. My question is do I have to roll each
One in sugar before I put them into the mold?
I’m super excited and remember my grandma made them, great memories 🥰
Sam
Hi Lisa! I actually provide some tips on making these in molds down below the recipe in the notes section. 🙂
Kathy skoczylas
If I only have unsalted butter, how much salt should I add
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
Hi Kathy! You can just leave it out or add a very tiny pinch. Enjoy 😊
Nadine
Thanks for the great recipe! I have a question, I put the mints in a container with a lid so they wouldn’t get contaminated while sitting out. Would that prevent them from drying properly? Should I cover them loosely instead?
Sam
Hi Nadine! I would make sure they dry before putting in a container. 🙂
Becky
If you mix on low speed you’ll burn your mixer up like i did slowly turn speed up as it gets thicker and harder to mix
Jen
I am wondering big piping the dough itself would work? To create little mint chips!
Sam
Hi Jen! The dough is pretty thick so they. might be a bit tough to pipe. It’s not impossible. You’ll need a sturdy piping bag and a strong hand. 🙂
Barbara Huck
My Mom used to make these when we were little. We rolled the dough into logs and just cut them with a knife, like the little mints you buy. Mom always said that was easier with little ones.
Denise
No way piping would be impossible but candy molds are excellent to use.
Corkie
I made some and added cocoa powder,vvturned out pretty good. Have also used fruit extracts instead of mint had some great raspberry candies and lemon and lime just for kicks.
Maureen Shaw
Very clear concise instructions, thank you!
Sally
I made these earlier this week. Omg! They are so good.
Just a note after reading the questions on dipping in chocolate.
I gave it a shot. First I froze a few to try .and put back in frig.
Immediately to set the chocolate. Worked great.
Sam
Thank you for the feedback, Sally! I’m so glad you enjoyed them so much! 🙂
Lora
It works great also if you freeze them and then just dip 1/2 into the chocolate
Connie
I make these, and rather than roll in sugar, just do the green. Then, freeze for a few hours. Dip in melted white chocolate, and sprinkles on top occasionally. For my Christmas candy boxes I give to friends, family, and people like the mailman, etc.
Tonda
These were soooo good! The vanilla adds just the right combination with the mint! Made them for my daughters baby shower and added pastel pink gel food coloring. They were perfect!
Sam
I’m so happy to hear this, Tonda! Thank you so much for trying my recipe and letting me know how it turned out for you, I appreciate it!
Jennifer
Do these need to be kept refrigerated once made?
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
Hi Jennifer! We cover storage in the post. Enjoy the mints ❤️
Cheryl Hockey
You’re right. This is an old fashioned recipe. That being said they’re really delicious. My mom used to make them every Christmas. I think I’m going to give them a try for Christmas this year. Happy holidays to you:)
Sam
I hope you love them, Cheryl!! Happy Holidays!
Jonee
Hi, Sam – I remember making these with my mom and sisters at Christmas time, years and years and years ago! We liked to push a walnut piece into the centers, if we had them. We’d make red, white and green – sometimes a dab of each color in each one. Great memories, these and pulling taffy! I think you could push a chocolate chip into the center, it seems like Ghiardelli makes larger chips? Anyway, thanks for the memories!
Sam
Hi Jonee! I think pressing the chip down into the mint will work just fine. I have found the Ghiradelli chips to be slightly larger. 🙂
Joli
I’m making these now but can not finish. Can I store dough in Sealed container in fridge over night and finish tomorrow when it warms up on counter where dough can be handled?
Sam
Hi Joli! I’d wrap tightly in plastic wrap and I think that should work… The dough will dry out a bit and could become crumbly and difficult to handle, just something to watch out for…
Laura
My Grandma used to make these & omg they’re so DELICIOUS 😋😋😋 I love them, I’m gonna try making them… hopefully they turn out good 🤔🤔🤔😂
Ellie
What is the yield? Trying to figure out if I need to double it. Thanks
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
Hi Ellie! This recipe makes 50 mints. Enjoy!
Libby
Could I use a cookie press with this dough?
Sam
Hi Libby! These are pretty firm, but a cookie press may still work. 🙂
Lisa
I made these today. So easy to make. Color well. Taste really good. Smooth texture.
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
We’re so glad you enjoyed them, Lisa 🥰
Samantha
How long would these last in the refrigerator?
Sam
Hi Samantha! I actually talk about storing them in the post. 🙂
Aimee
Hi Sam. You said you talked about storing them in the video but I have watched it twice and don’t see an answer to that question.
Sam
I’m not sure if I discuss it in the video, but there is a section in the post if that helps! They will keep in the refrigerator or freezer 🙂
Ciara Willhite
How many mints does this yield?
Sam
Hi Ciara! It should make about 50 mints. 🙂
mitzi toro
Hi Sam thank you for the great video and hard work. What is the shelf life of the mints?
Sam
I actually have instructions for storing these written in the post. 🙂
Leanne
I was just wondering. What’s the difference with using brick style cream cheese and the spreadable cream cheese that comes in a tub.
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
Hi Leanne! Tub-style cream cheese contains additives that can keep your mints from setting properly and will ultimately affect the texture and taste. Stick with brick-style for best results 😊
Norma
Can they be covered in chocolate?
Sam
Hi Norma! If they are really cold and the chocolate isn’t too hot it could work but keep in mind they will melt so it could be a bit tricky. 🙂
Rose
Covering them with chocolate sounds amazing!! I was thinking instead of dipping them since they may melt, maybe pipe come choctover top?
Sam
Piping it may work, but again if the chocolate is too hot it will still melt the mints. Enjoy! 🙂