EASY CHRISTMAS CREAM MINTS

Picture this: delicate, melt-in-your-mouth mints, perfectly festive and adorning your Christmas dessert platter. Sounds complicated, right? Wrong! We’re diving into the delightful world of making Tasty Christmas Cream Cheese Mints- So Easy! These little beauties are simpler than you think, and I’m going to show you exactly how to create a batch that will impress everyone (including yourself!). Get ready to spread some holiday cheer with these irresistibly delicious treats.

Gathering Your Minty Magic Ingredients

Before we start creating these delightful mints, let’s make sure we have all the necessary ingredients. This is where the magic begins!

For the Cream Cheese Mints:

• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened: This is the base of our mints, providing a creamy texture.
• 4 cups powdered sugar: For sweetness and structure.
• 1/4 cup (4 tablespoons) unsalted butter, softened: Adds richness and helps with a smooth consistency.
• 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract: The essential flavor for that refreshing mint taste. Adjust to your liking!
• Food coloring (gel or liquid), your choice of colors: For festive decorating! I love using red and green.
• Optional: Sprinkles or edible glitter for extra sparkle.

The Secret to Perfectly Soft Cream Cheese

Let’s talk about cream cheese. This is KEY! Nothing ruins cream cheese mints faster than lumps. Here’s the deal:

• Softening is Crucial: Take your cream cheese out of the fridge at least an hour before you plan to start. Don’t microwave it unless you want a melty mess. Trust me on this one!
• Beat it Good: Use an electric mixer to beat the softened cream cheese until it’s completely smooth and creamy before adding any other ingredients. This will prevent lumps.
• Patience is a Virtue: If your cream cheese is still a bit cold, give it a little extra time. Rushing this step will lead to a grainy texture.

Step-by-Step to Christmas Mint Perfection

Alright, let’s get down to business! This is where the fun really begins. Don’t worry, I’ll guide you through every step.

Making the Cream Cheese Mint Dough:

1. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy. This usually takes about 2-3 minutes.
2. Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, mixing on low speed after each addition. Be careful not to create a powdered sugar cloud! Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
3. Once all the powdered sugar is incorporated, add the peppermint extract and mix until well combined.
4. At this point, the mixture will be quite stiff. This is normal!

Coloring and Shaping Your Mints:

1. Divide the dough into separate bowls, depending on how many colors you want to use. I usually do two: red and green.
2. Add a few drops of food coloring to each bowl and mix well until the color is evenly distributed. Start with a small amount of coloring and add more until you achieve your desired shade.
3. Now comes the fun part: shaping the mints! There are a few ways to do this:
   • Rolling and Cutting: Roll the dough out on a lightly powdered sugar-dusted surface to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to create festive shapes like stars, trees, or snowmen.
   • Rolling into Balls: Roll small pieces of dough into balls and flatten them slightly with your fingers or a fork.
   • Using a Mold: If you have candy molds, you can press the dough into the molds to create intricate shapes.
4. Once you’ve shaped your mints, you can decorate them with sprinkles or edible glitter.

Chilling and Storing:

1. Place the shaped mints on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
2. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow them to firm up. This will make them easier to handle.
3. Once chilled, store the mints in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Troubleshooting: Common Minty Mishaps and How to Fix Them

Even the best cooks run into snags sometimes! Here’s how to handle some common issues:

• Mints are Too Soft: This usually means the cream cheese or butter wasn’t softened enough, or you added too much liquid. Add a little more powdered sugar, a tablespoon at a time, until the dough reaches the right consistency. Also, make sure they’re properly chilled.
• Mints are Too Dry and Crumbly: This usually means you added too much powdered sugar. Add a tiny bit of milk or water, a teaspoon at a time, until the dough comes together.
• Mints are Sticking to the Cookie Cutters: Dust your cookie cutters with powdered sugar before each use.
• The Color is Streaky: Make sure you’re mixing the food coloring thoroughly into the dough. Sometimes it takes a little extra elbow grease!

Flavor Variations: Beyond Peppermint

While peppermint is the classic Christmas flavor, don’t be afraid to experiment! Here are a few ideas to get your creative juices flowing:

• Lemon: Use lemon extract and yellow food coloring for a bright and citrusy twist.
• Orange: Use orange extract and orange food coloring. You can even add a little bit of orange zest for extra flavor.
• Cinnamon: Add a teaspoon of ground cinnamon to the dough for a warm and spicy flavor.
• Chocolate: Add a tablespoon of cocoa powder to the dough for a chocolatey treat.

Level Up Your Holiday Baking Game

If you’re looking to impress this holiday season, I highly suggest you try some other amazing recipes! For instance, if you’re a cheesecake fan, these mints pair beautifully with other cheesecake-inspired desserts. Have you ever tried APPLE CIDER CHEESECAKE COOKIES? They’re seriously addictive! And for the pumpkin spice lovers, you absolutely HAVE to make PUMPKIN CREAM CHEESE COOKIES – they’re a fall dream come true! Or maybe you’re looking for something a little more decadent? Give these FALL CHEESECAKE COOKIE BOMBS a go! They are a show-stopper. For a unique twist, why not try CHURRO CHEESECAKE or SUGAR COOKIE CHEESECAKE? And for bite-sized bliss, there’s nothing quite like PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE BALLS. The possibilities are endless!

Tips for Perfect Texture

Achieving the perfect melt-in-your-mouth texture is the ultimate goal. Here are some extra tips to ensure your mints are simply divine:

• Don’t Overmix: Overmixing can develop the gluten in the powdered sugar, resulting in tougher mints. Mix until just combined.
• Use High-Quality Ingredients: The better the quality of your ingredients, the better your mints will taste. Use a good quality cream cheese and butter.
• Taste Test: Before you start shaping the mints, taste the dough and adjust the flavor as needed. You might want to add a little more peppermint extract or powdered sugar.
• Chill Time Matters: Don’t skip the chilling step! This is crucial for firming up the mints and preventing them from spreading.

The Joy of Sharing

These Tasty Christmas Cream Cheese Mints are more than just a dessert; they’re a symbol of holiday cheer and togetherness. Make a batch to share with your friends, family, and neighbors. Package them up in pretty boxes or tins and give them as gifts. Watch their faces light up as they savor these sweet and festive treats. Happy baking, friends!

EASY CHRISTMAS CREAM MINTS

Amelia Chen-Morrison

These Easy Christmas Cream Mints are a festive and delightful treat that melts in your mouth. Made with cream cheese, powdered sugar, and peppermint extract, they’re incredibly simple to create and perfect for sharing during the holidays. Add a touch of holiday cheer to your dessert platter with these irresistible mints.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Course Dessert, Snack

Cuisine American

Calories 50 kcal

Equipment

• Electric mixer
• Large bowl
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Spatula
• Small bowls (for dividing and coloring dough)
• Food coloring
• Cookie cutters (optional)
• Candy molds (optional)
• Parchment paper
• Baking Sheet
• Airtight container

Ingredients

  

• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• ½ teaspoon peppermint extract
• Food coloring gel or liquid
• Sprinkles or edible glitter optional
• Powdered sugar, for dusting surface

Instructions

 

• In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy (2-3 minutes).
• Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, mixing on low speed after each addition. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
• Once all the powdered sugar is incorporated, add the peppermint extract and mix until well combined.
• Divide the dough into separate bowls based on the number of colors you want to use.
• Add a few drops of food coloring to each bowl and mix well until the color is evenly distributed. Start with a small amount and add more until you achieve the desired shade.
• Shape the mints by rolling the dough out on a lightly powdered sugar-dusted surface to about 1/4-inch thickness and using cookie cutters to create festive shapes; or roll small pieces of dough into balls and flatten them slightly; or press the dough into candy molds to create intricate shapes.
• Decorate the shaped mints with sprinkles or edible glitter, if desired.
• Place the shaped mints on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
• Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow them to firm up.
• Store the mints in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Notes

For the best texture, ensure the cream cheese and butter are fully softened before mixing. Avoid overmixing the dough, as this can make the mints tough. If the dough is too soft, add a little more powdered sugar. If it’s too dry, add a tiny bit of milk or water. Chilling the mints is crucial for firming them up and preventing them from spreading. Experiment with different extracts and food colorings to create unique flavor and color combinations, such as lemon, orange, cinnamon, or chocolate variations. These mints are best stored in the refrigerator to maintain their shape and texture.