Description
These Irresistible Valentines Cream Cheese Mints are a delightful homemade treat perfect for the holiday or any special occasion. Soft, melt-in-your-mouth mints are flavored with your choice of extracts and optionally colored with pastel shades.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 package cream cheese (8 oz), softened to room temperature
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened at room temperature
- 4 to 5 cups confectioners’ sugar (powdered sugar)
- 1 tsp preferred flavor extract (peppermint, vanilla, lemon, cherry, raspberry, or strawberry)
- Food coloring (optional, to achieve desired pastel shades)
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter completely. Add the cream cheese and stir continuously until the cream cheese softens fully and blends smoothly with the melted butter, forming a soft mixture but not completely melting like butter.
- Remove the saucepan from heat. Gradually add 4 cups of powdered sugar into the butter and cream cheese mixture, stirring thoroughly with a spoon as you add it. If the mixture remains sticky, continue adding powdered sugar in small increments until the dough resembles a very soft playdough that doesn’t stick to your fingers.
- Divide the dough into portions based on how many flavors or colors you want. To each portion, add about 1/3 teaspoon of your chosen flavor extract and mix well. If desired, add a few drops of food coloring and knead until the color is evenly incorporated for a consistent pastel shade.
- For classic butter mint circles, scoop about 1/2 teaspoon of dough, roll into balls, then flatten slightly with the back of a fork to create a scored pattern. Alternatively, roll out the dough to about 1/4 inch thickness and use cookie cutters to cut out shapes. To prevent sticking, lightly spray cutters with non-stick spray or dip them in melted butter and granulated sugar between cuts.
- Optionally roll the shaped candies in granulated sugar for a light coating. Arrange the mints in a single layer on waxed paper and let them sit for a few hours until they set and are no longer sticky. The mints will be soft inside but firm enough to handle and store together. Store the finished mints in an airtight container in the refrigerator to keep them fresh.
Notes
- These mints are perfect for gifting or indulging.
- Experiment with different flavor extracts for variety.
- Store in an airtight container to maintain freshness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 mint
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 30mg
- Fat: 3g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 10mg