Description
Sweet, pillowy classic cream cheese mints melt delicately on palates with their subtle creamy richness. Gentle peppermint undertones and luxurious texture make you crave another delightful bite of these elegant party treats.
Ingredients
Scale
Cream Cheese Base:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Flavoring and Binding:
- 1/2 tsp mint extract
- 1/8 tsp salt
Coating and Decoration:
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar (for rolling)
- Food coloring (optional, pastel colors)
Instructions
- Bring cream cheese to room temperature, ensuring it’s soft and pliable for smooth mixing.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine softened cream cheese with powdered sugar, blending until a uniform, thick consistency develops.
- Incorporate vanilla extract and mint extract, stirring thoroughly to distribute flavors evenly throughout the mixture.
- Sprinkle salt into the mixture, gently folding to enhance the overall taste profile.
- If desired, add a few drops of food coloring to create delicate pastel hues, mixing until color is consistent.
- Prepare a shallow dish with granulated sugar for coating the mints.
- Using clean hands or a small cookie scoop, shape the cream cheese mixture into bite-sized balls, approximately 1-inch in diameter.
- Gently roll each mint ball in granulated sugar, ensuring complete and even coverage.
- Place coated mints on a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving slight space between each piece.
- Refrigerate the mints for 1-2 hours to firm up and allow flavors to meld together.
- Once chilled, transfer mints to an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper.
- Store in refrigerator for up to one week, serving chilled for optimal texture and taste.
Notes
- Soften cream cheese completely at room temperature to guarantee smooth, lump-free mixing and easier blending with other ingredients.
- Use gel food coloring for more vibrant, consistent pastel shades without altering the mint’s texture or moisture content.
- Experiment with alternative extracts like almond or lemon to create unique flavor variations that complement the classic mint profile.
- Freeze mints for longer storage up to one month, placing wax paper between layers to prevent sticking and maintain pristine appearance.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Rolling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 70
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 30 mg
- Fat: 2 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 5 mg