MELT-IN-YOUR-MOUTH CREAM MINTS

Easy Old Fashioned Cream Cheese Mints: A Melt-In-Your-Mouth Delight

Remember those delicate, melt-in-your-mouth mints your grandmother used to make? The ones that practically dissolved on your tongue, leaving behind a refreshing burst of flavor? Well, get ready to recreate that nostalgic magic! These Easy Old Fashioned Cream Cheese Mints are surprisingly simple to make, require just a handful of ingredients, and are guaranteed to impress. Prepare to experience pure, minty bliss!

Gathering Your Sweetly Simple Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to create these delightful mints. Don’t worry, the ingredient list is short and sweet!

For the Cream Cheese Mints:

• Cream Cheese: 4 ounces, softened to room temperature. This is absolutely crucial for a smooth, lump-free mint.
• Powdered Sugar: 4 cups, sifted. Sifting is key for that melt-in-your-mouth texture. Trust me, don’t skip this step!
• Butter: 2 tablespoons, softened. Unsalted butter is best so you can control the flavor.
• Peppermint Extract: 1 teaspoon. Adjust to your taste, but start with 1 teaspoon. A little goes a long way!
• Food Coloring: Gel food coloring, optional. Choose your favorite colors to make these mints extra special!
• Granulated Sugar: For coating, optional. This adds a little sparkle and prevents sticking.

Essential Equipment: Your Mint-Making Toolkit

Having the right tools makes all the difference!

• Mixing Bowl: A large bowl to combine your ingredients.
• Electric Mixer: Handheld or stand mixer. This will make your life SO much easier.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: For accurate measurements.
• Parchment Paper or Silicone Mat: To prevent sticking.
• Cookie Sheet: To hold the mints while they set.
• Optional: Candy Thermometer. Not necessary, but helpful for ensuring proper softness.

Crafting Your Cream Cheese Mints: Step-by-Step Instructions

Let’s get started! Follow these simple steps for perfect cream cheese mints every time.

Mixing the Magic:

1. In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy. This step is critical! You want absolutely no lumps. If you see any, keep beating until they disappear.
2. Gradually add the sifted powdered sugar, one cup at a time, mixing well after each addition. The mixture will become thick. Don’t panic! That’s exactly what we want.
3. Add the peppermint extract and mix until evenly distributed. Now, doesn’t that smell amazing?
4. If using, add food coloring, a drop or two at a time, until you reach your desired color. Remember, gel food coloring is more concentrated than liquid, so use it sparingly.

Shaping Your Mints: The Fun Part!

1. Lightly dust a clean surface with powdered sugar. This will prevent the dough from sticking.
2. Turn the dough out onto the prepared surface and gently knead it a few times to bring it together. Be careful not to over-knead!
3. Roll the dough out to about 1/4-inch thickness. If the dough is too sticky, chill it in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes.
4. Use small cookie cutters to cut out desired shapes. You can find cute mini cutters online, or even use a small round cutter for classic mints. Alternatively, you can roll the dough into small balls (about 1/2 inch in diameter) and flatten them slightly with a fork.
5. If you want to coat your mints in granulated sugar, gently roll each cut-out in the sugar before placing it on the prepared baking sheet.
6. Carefully transfer the cut-out mints to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat.

The Waiting Game: Setting Up Your Mints

1. Let the mints sit at room temperature for several hours, or preferably overnight, to allow them to dry and harden slightly. This is essential for preventing them from sticking together.
2. Once the mints are set, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They will keep for several weeks (if they last that long!).

Troubleshooting: Conquering Common Mint-Making Challenges

Even the best recipes can sometimes present challenges. Here’s how to overcome them:

Sticky Dough:

If your dough is too sticky to work with, add a little more sifted powdered sugar, one tablespoon at a time, until it reaches a workable consistency. You can also chill the dough in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes to firm it up.

Dry Dough:

If your dough is too dry and crumbly, add a teaspoon of softened butter or a few drops of milk until it comes together. Be careful not to add too much liquid, or the mints will be too soft.

Mints Spreading:

If your mints are spreading during the drying process, make sure your butter and cream cheese were properly softened, but not melted. Chilling the dough before cutting out shapes can also help.

Flavor Variations: Mints Beyond Peppermint

Want to experiment with different flavors? Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Spearmint: Substitute spearmint extract for peppermint extract.
• Lemon: Add lemon extract and a touch of yellow food coloring.
• Orange: Add orange extract and a touch of orange food coloring.
• Chocolate Mint: Add a tablespoon of unsweetened cocoa powder to the dough along with the peppermint extract.

Serving Suggestions: Minty Moments of Delight

These Easy Old Fashioned Cream Cheese Mints are perfect for:

• Holiday gatherings: They make a beautiful and festive addition to any dessert table.
• Wedding showers: Their delicate sweetness is perfect for celebrating a bride-to-be.
• Baby showers: Choose pastel colors to match the occasion.
• After-dinner treat: A light and refreshing way to end a meal.
• Edible gifts: Package them in a pretty box or bag for a thoughtful and homemade gift.

Cream Cheese Creations: More Delicious Desserts to Explore

If you’re a fan of cream cheese desserts like I am, you’re in for a treat! Have you ever tried APPLE CIDER CHEESECAKE COOKIES? They’re absolutely divine, especially in the fall. Speaking of fall, the PUMPKIN CREAM CHEESE COOKIES are another must-try! And for something truly decadent, check out the FALL CHEESECAKE COOKIE BOMBS. Trust me, you won’t regret it! Looking for a showstopping dessert? The CHURRO CHEESECAKE will blow your mind. Or, for a fun and festive option, try the SUGAR COOKIE CHEESECAKE. And if you’re looking for a quick and easy treat, the PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE BALLS are always a hit.

Enjoy the Sweetness: Your Mint-Making Adventure Awaits!

So there you have it! Easy Old Fashioned Cream Cheese Mints – a simple recipe that brings back cherished memories and creates new ones. Get ready to impress your friends and family with these melt-in-your-mouth delights. Happy mint-making!

Melt-In-Your-Mouth Cream Mints

Amelia Chen-Morrison

These Easy Old Fashioned Cream Cheese Mints are a delightful treat that melts in your mouth. With a short ingredient list and simple steps, you can easily recreate this nostalgic recipe and impress your friends and family with pure, minty bliss.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 20 minutes mins

Course Candy, Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 48

Calories 30 kcal

Equipment

• Large mixing bowl
• Electric mixer (handheld or stand mixer)
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Sifter
• Parchment paper or silicone mat
• Cookie sheet
• Rolling Pin
• Small cookie cutters (optional)
• Clean surface for rolling
• Airtight container for storage

Ingredients

  

• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
• 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
• Gel food coloring optional
• Granulated sugar for coating, optional
• Powdered sugar for dusting

Instructions

 

• In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy.
• Gradually add the sifted powdered sugar, one cup at a time, mixing well after each addition.
• Add the peppermint extract and mix until evenly distributed.
• If using food coloring, add a drop or two at a time until you reach your desired color.
• Lightly dust a clean surface with powdered sugar.
• Turn the dough out onto the prepared surface and gently knead it a few times to bring it together.
• Roll the dough out to about 1/4-inch thickness. If the dough is too sticky, chill it in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes.
• Use small cookie cutters to cut out desired shapes, or roll the dough into small balls (about 1/2 inch in diameter) and flatten them slightly with a fork.
• If you want to coat your mints in granulated sugar, gently roll each cut-out in the sugar before placing it on the prepared baking sheet.
• Carefully transfer the cut-out mints to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
• Let the mints sit at room temperature for several hours, or preferably overnight, to allow them to dry and harden slightly.
• Once the mints are set, store them in an airtight container at room temperature.

Notes

For best results, ensure your cream cheese and butter are properly softened before mixing. Sifting the powdered sugar is crucial for a melt-in-your-mouth texture. Store the mints in an airtight container at room temperature; they will keep for several weeks. If the dough is too sticky, add more powdered sugar; if it’s too dry, add a touch of softened butter or milk, one teaspoon at a time. Experiment with different extracts like spearmint, lemon, or orange for flavor variations.