With this simple Cream Cheese Mint Candy Recipe, you can make colorful, melt-in-your-mouth candies at home. Prepare a large batch for holidays, weddings, baby showers, or package them as thoughtful homemade gifts.
Customize the colors and shapes with your favorite food coloring and small candy molds. For more peppermint-inspired treats, try other peppermint desserts on your own—these mints pair well with many holiday sweets.
Cream Cheese Mint Candy Recipe
These cream cheese peppermint candies are nostalgic favorites—often seen at showers and weddings. They are creamy, soft, and deliver a pleasant peppermint flavor. Their popularity comes from how easy they are to make for a crowd.
There’s no cooking required: the “dough” is made by combining cream cheese, powdered sugar, a bit of butter, peppermint extract, and optional vanilla and gel food coloring. Once mixed, shape the mixture into small balls or press it into molds for different shapes. They also make charming little gifts for friends, teachers, and neighbors.
Ingredients You Will Need
- Cream Cheese – Use full-fat cream cheese for the best texture. Low-fat varieties change the mouthfeel and aren’t recommended.
- Powdered Sugar – Powdered sugar sweetens and binds the mixture. Add slightly more or less to reach a pliable, firm consistency that’s still soft. If the mixture is too sticky, add about 1/4 cup at a time.
- Butter – A small amount of room-temperature butter smooths the candies and enhances the melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Vanilla Extract – A touch of vanilla brightens the flavor.
- Peppermint Extract – Use peppermint extract (not generic mint) for an authentic peppermint taste.
- Gel Food Coloring – Gel colors have less water than liquid food coloring, so they won’t make the mixture sticky.
How to Make Cream Cheese Mint Candy
- Make the candy dough. In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine cream cheese, powdered sugar, butter, vanilla extract, and peppermint extract. Use the paddle attachment and mix until smooth.
- Divide and color. Separate the mixture into four small bowls. Add a drop of gel food coloring to each and stir until evenly colored. Add more coloring if needed.
- Form the mints. Use a small cookie scoop to portion about 3/4″ balls. Roll each ball between your palms until smooth. If the mixture becomes sticky, lightly oil your hands with coconut oil spray.
- Decorate. Place the balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Lightly grease a fork and gently press to create an indentation or pattern on each mint.
- Dry and store. Allow the candies to dry in a cool, dark place for at least 2 hours or until set. Once firm, refrigerate in an airtight container for up to one month, or freeze for up to two months.
Frequently Asked Questions
If the mixture is too sticky, gradually add more powdered sugar, about 1/4 cup at a time, until it firms up. For minor stickiness while rolling, lightly spray your hands with coconut oil or use a small amount of powdered sugar on your palms.
Press small portions of the mixture into lightly dusted or greased candy molds. Gently remove the shapes and place them on a parchment-lined tray to dry. If needed, add a little extra powdered sugar to reduce sticking before molding.
For events like weddings, plan on about 2–3 mints per guest. Adjust based on your crowd and how many other sweets are available.
Storing Instructions
- Refrigerator: Keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 month.
- Freezer: Store in freezer bags or airtight containers for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge before serving.
Cream Cheese Mint Candy Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 ounces Full-Fat Cream Cheese, room temperature
- 8 cups powdered sugar, or 2 pounds
- 2 tablespoons butter, room temperature
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1½ teaspoons peppermint extract
- Gel Food Coloring, as desired
Instructions
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In a stand mixer bowl, combine cream cheese, powdered sugar, butter, vanilla, and peppermint extract. Mix with the paddle attachment until smooth.
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Divide the mixture into four bowls and add gel food coloring to each, stirring until evenly colored.
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Scoop into roughly 3/4″ balls and roll until smooth. If sticky, lightly spray hands with coconut oil.
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Arrange on a parchment-lined sheet and gently press a greased fork on top to create a pattern.
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Let dry in a cool, dark place for at least 2 hours or until set. Store chilled or frozen.
Nutrition
Disclaimer: Nutritional values are estimates provided for guidance only.
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More Peppermint Dessert Recipes
- Peppermint Pretzels
- Chocolate Peppermint Meltaway Cookies
- Crushed Peppermint Cookies
- Dipped Chocolate Peppermint Cookies
- Peppermint Patties
- Peppermint Bark
- Mint Chocolate Oreos
- Mint Chocolate Fudge
- More Dessert Recipes
- More Homemade Candy Recipes
These cream cheese peppermint candies are easy to make with a handful of ingredients. They’re perfect for special occasions or as simple homemade gifts—soft, flavorful, and delightful to share.