If you’re searching for the perfect homemade sweet to share with someone special, I have just the thing: a delightfully smooth and melt-in-your-mouth treat that’s easy to whip up. This Valentine’s Cream Cheese Mints Recipe is my absolute go-to when I want something festive, charming, and downright delicious – plus, they look gorgeous with those pretty pastel colors. Stick with me, and I’ll walk you through every step so your mints turn out just as amazing as mine (maybe even better!).
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Unbelievably Easy: You only need a handful of ingredients, and the process is straightforward enough for beginners.
- Delicately Creamy Texture: Thanks to the cream cheese base, these mints have a silky, soft bite that everyone raves about.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: Customize flavors and colors to suit Valentine’s Day or any celebration in your life.
- Long-lasting Freshness: When stored properly, these mints stay tasty and moist for weeks, making them great gifts.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are simple staples you might already have on hand, and they work beautifully together to create a smooth, sweet, and subtly flavored candy. Choose high-quality cream cheese and real extracts for the best results.
- Cream cheese: Using softened, room-temperature cream cheese makes mixing a breeze and ensures a creamy texture.
- Confectioners’ sugar: This powdered sugar blends smoothly to give the mints that perfect melt-in-your-mouth sweetness.
- Unsalted butter: Softened to room temperature, it adds richness without overpowering flavors.
- Flavor extracts: Peppermint, vanilla, lemon, or strawberry—pick your favorite or mix a few! I like peppermint and vanilla for that classic mint taste.
- Food coloring (optional): Just a few drops can transform your mints into colorful little gifts, fitting the Valentine’s vibe perfectly.
Variations
I love playing around with this Valentine’s Cream Cheese Mints Recipe, especially when it comes to flavor and color. Don’t hesitate to make it your own—I promise there’s no wrong way to get creative here.
- Flavor swaps: One year, I swapped peppermint extract for cherry, and the kids couldn’t get enough. It’s amazing how one change can refresh this classic.
- Natural food coloring: If you want to keep things natural, beet juice or spirulina powder works wonders for pink or green hues.
- Shape and design: Use heart-shaped cookie cutters to make it extra Valentine’s Day special, or add edible glitter for a fancy touch.
- Diet-friendly tweaks: Swap butter for coconut oil and use powdered sugar alternatives to make the recipe dairy-free or lower in sugar.
How to Make Valentine’s Cream Cheese Mints Recipe
Step 1: Melt Butter and Cream Cheese Together
Start by melting the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat until completely liquid. Then add the softened cream cheese. You want to stir continuously; the cream cheese won’t melt like butter, but it will soften and blend into a smooth mixture. This step is key—I learned early on that rushing it leads to lumps, so be patient and keep stirring until it’s silky smooth.
Step 2: Stir in Powdered Sugar Gradually
Remove the pan from heat, then gradually add your powdered sugar—start with about 4 cups—and stir it in really well. The mixture will turn stiff, something like dough. If it’s still sticky when you touch it, add sugar a little at a time. You want it soft and pliable, but not tacky. I usually find 4.5 cups hits the sweet spot perfectly.
Step 3: Divide, Flavor, and Color Your Dough
Once you have a nice dough, split it into portions depending on how many colors or flavors you want. Add about one-third teaspoon of your chosen extract to each portion and knead to mix thoroughly. Then, if you want, add a few drops of food coloring to match. My favorite combo is pink with strawberry extract and green with peppermint. It really amps up the charm for Valentine’s Day!
Step 4: Shape Your Mints
For classic mints, scoop out about half a teaspoon of dough, roll it into a ball, then flatten slightly with the back of a fork, creating those signature cross-hatch lines. Alternatively, roll the dough to about a quarter-inch thick and use cookie cutters to shape them however you like. Pro tip: if the cutters stick, spray them lightly with non-stick spray or dip in melted butter and then sugar—it helps the dough release smoothly.
Step 5: Coat and Let Your Mints Set
If you like a little extra sparkle, roll your formed mints in granulated sugar. Lay them out single file on wax paper and let them rest for a few hours at room temperature to firm up. They won’t get hard like candy but will be perfectly set for handling and storing—soft on the inside, firm enough on the outside.
Pro Tips for Making Valentine’s Cream Cheese Mints Recipe
- Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Softened cream cheese and butter blend better and save you from lumps and frustration.
- Don’t Skip the Gradual Sugar Addition: Adding powdered sugar bit by bit helps you control the texture perfectly—too sticky or too dry are easy to fix that way.
- Customize Flavors Thoughtfully: I found small amounts of extract (around 1/3 teaspoon per portion) are just right to avoid overpowering those delicate mints.
- Storage Matters: Avoid drying out your mints by keeping them airtight and refrigerated; trust me, they’ll stay fresh for weeks this way.
How to Serve Valentine’s Cream Cheese Mints Recipe
Garnishes
I like to garnish my mints with a light dusting of fine granulated sugar for some sparkle. For special occasions, sprinkle a bit of edible glitter or tiny candy hearts on top before letting them set—your guests will be impressed!
Side Dishes
These mints are perfect alongside a cup of tea or coffee, especially on a cool Valentine’s afternoon. I’ve also paired them on a dessert tray with chocolate truffles and shortbread cookies for a gorgeous spread.
Creative Ways to Present
For gifting, I’ve wrapped the mints in small clear cello bags tied with red and pink ribbons. You can also use cute little candy boxes or glass jars decorated with personalized labels—a heartfelt DIY that anyone would love to receive.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover mints in an airtight container lined with parchment paper, placing them in the fridge to keep them fresh. This method has never let me down—mints stay moist and flavorful for several weeks, perfect if you make a big batch ahead of time.
Freezing
Freezing these mints works surprisingly well. I slice the batch individually, wrap them in plastic wrap, and then pop them in a freezer-safe container. When I want a sweet treat, I just thaw for about 20 minutes at room temperature—they keep their texture perfectly.
Reheating
Usually, these mints don’t need reheating since they’re served cool, but if you want to soften them a touch, just leave them out for 10 minutes or so. Avoid microwaving because they can become too melty and lose that nice firmness on the outside.
FAQs
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Can I make Valentine’s Cream Cheese Mints Recipe without butter?
Yes! I’ve substituted butter with coconut oil in a pinch, which keeps the mints dairy-free and still creamy. The texture is slightly different but just as tasty—just use the same amount and make sure it’s softened before mixing.
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How do I prevent my mints from sticking together?
Rolling the shaped mints in granulated sugar before setting them helps a lot. Also, make sure they’re stored in a single layer separated by wax or parchment paper inside an airtight container. Keeping them refrigerated reduces stickiness further.
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Can I use different extracts to create multiple flavors at once?
Absolutely! I often split the dough into smaller batches, adding different extracts and colors to each. It makes for a fun assortment—my friends especially enjoy choosing their favorite flavor from the mix.
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How long will these mints stay good?
Stored properly in the fridge inside an airtight container, these mints stay fresh for up to 3 weeks. Just keep an eye out for any signs of drying, and if they start to lose softness, enjoy them sooner rather than later.
Final Thoughts
This Valentine’s Cream Cheese Mints Recipe holds a special place in my heart because it combines simple ingredients into something magical—both in taste and presentation. The look of those pastel mints arranged in a pretty box always brings smiles, and the smooth, creamy texture makes it easy to share a little love. Give this recipe a try for your next celebration—you’ll be amazed how much joy a handful of homemade mints can bring!
Print
Valentine’s Cream Cheese Mints Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 4 dozen mints (depending on size)
- Category: Candy
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Irresistible Valentines Cream Cheese Mints are soft, flavorful, and perfect for sharing with loved ones. Made with cream cheese, butter, and powdered sugar, these pastel-colored, flavored mints offer a delicate melt-in-your-mouth texture with classic butter mint flavors and charming decorative shapes.
Ingredients
Base Ingredients
- 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)
Flavor and Color
- 1 tsp preferred flavor extract (peppermint, vanilla, lemon, cherry, raspberry, or strawberry)
- Food coloring (optional, to achieve desired pastel shades)
For Coating (Optional)
- Granulated sugar (for rolling to coat candies)
Instructions
- Melt Butter and Cream Cheese: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt 1/4 cup butter until fully liquefied. Add the 8 oz of softened cream cheese and stir continuously until the cream cheese softens completely and fully combines with the melted butter, forming a smooth and soft mixture.
- Mix in Powdered Sugar: Remove the saucepan from the heat. Gradually add 4 cups of powdered sugar to the butter and cream cheese mixture, stirring thoroughly with a spoon as you add. If the dough is sticky, add more powdered sugar a little at a time until the dough feels like very soft playdough that doesn’t stick to your fingers.
- Flavor and Color the Dough: Divide the dough into portions for different flavors or colors. Add about 1/3 teaspoon of your chosen flavor extract to each portion and mix well. Add a few drops of food coloring if desired and knead until the color is consistent throughout.
- Shape the Candies: For classic butter mint circles, scoop about 1/2 teaspoon portions of dough, roll into balls, then flatten slightly with the back of a fork to create a scored pattern. Alternatively, roll the dough to about 1/4 inch thickness and use cookie cutters for different shapes. Lightly spray cutters with non-stick spray or dip in melted butter and granulated sugar if dough sticks.
- Coat and Set the Mints: Optionally roll the shaped candies in granulated sugar to coat all sides lightly. Arrange the mints on waxed paper in a single layer and let them set for a few hours until they are no longer sticky. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator to keep fresh.
Notes
- Softened cream cheese and butter at room temperature will mix more smoothly and quickly.
- Adjust the powdered sugar amount based on dough texture to avoid overly sticky or too dry dough.
- Different flavors and colors can be combined for a festive presentation.
- If cookie cutters stick, lightly coat them with non-stick spray or melted butter and sugar between cuts.
- Store mints in an airtight container in the refrigerator to maintain freshness and texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 mints (about 18 g)
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 35mg
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 13g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
