If you’ve ever dreamed of a mint cookie that’s soft, colorful, and melts right in your mouth, you’re in for a treat. This Cream Cheese Mint Cookies Recipe is absolutely fan-freaking-tastic—creamy with a delicious hint of mint and a pop of fun color that’ll brighten any dessert plate. When I first made these, I couldn’t believe how simple the ingredients came together to create something so delightfully addictive. Trust me, once you try this, it might just become your go-to holiday or anytime sweet bite!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Velvety Texture: The cream cheese adds that perfect softness that’s like a little minty cloud in your mouth.
- Vibrant Colors: Neon greens, pinks, and blues make these cookies fun for parties and holiday celebrations.
- Easy to Make: Just a few simple ingredients and a hands-on approach make it an enjoyable experience, even for beginners.
- Long-lasting: These mints keep well in the fridge and freeze beautifully, so you can enjoy them anytime.
Ingredients You’ll Need
All you need are a handful of simple ingredients that come together perfectly for that classic minty cookie taste with a twist. The cream cheese and butter combo is what gives these cookies their legendary soft bite. Make sure to grab your favorite gel food coloring to get those eye-catching neon shades I love.
- Cream Cheese: The hero here—it makes these cookies irresistibly creamy; make sure it’s softened to room temp for easy mixing.
- Butter: Adds richness and smoothness; softened butter blends best and helps with the texture.
- Powdered Sugar: Sweet and fine—perfect for this no-bake mint dough.
- Mint Extract: Use pure mint extract for a fresh, strong mint flavor that isn’t overpowering.
- Gel Food Coloring (Neon green, pink, blue): These vibrant gels give the mints their beautiful colors without thinning the dough.
Variations
I love that this Cream Cheese Mint Cookies Recipe is super flexible, so you can mix it up based on your taste or dietary needs. Feel free to tweak it and make it yours — whether that means adding different colors or extracts, or playing with texture.
- Flavor Swaps: I once swapped the mint extract for lemon or vanilla, and those versions were incredible—perfect if you want to mellow out the mint flavor or try something new.
- Food Coloring Options: If neon isn’t your style, use pastel gel colors or omit coloring altogether for a classic white appearance.
- Texture Variation: I sometimes add a sprinkle of crushed peppermint candies on top before resting for an extra festive crunch.
- Dairy-Free Version: Experiment with vegan cream cheese and a plant-based butter to make this recipe dairy-free; just be sure they’re well softened!
How to Make Cream Cheese Mint Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Cream Cheese and Butter Meet Powdered Sugar
Start by placing your softened cream cheese and butter in a large mixing bowl. Add the mint extract and all the powdered sugar right on top. Using an electric mixer really helps here—it powers through the powdered sugar and starts binding everything together. Mix for about 3 to 4 minutes; at first, the mixture will seem crumbly and stubborn, but keep going! You’ll notice it pulling together just a bit.
Step 2: Knead Like Playdough
Once your electric mixer has done its work, it’s time to really get hands-on. Put the mixture aside and then knead it yourself with clean hands. This is the magic stage where it transforms from crumbly bits into a smooth, soft ball. If it feels too dry and crumbly, I’ve found adding an extra tablespoon of cream cheese brings it together perfectly. You want a texture that feels like playdough—firm but pliable.
Step 3: Divide and Conquer the Colors
Use a sharp knife to cut your dough ball into four equal sections. Place each piece into a small bowl—ideally cereal-sized. Leave one portion plain for classic white mints. To each of the other three bowls, add 3-4 small dots of neon food coloring gel (green, pink, and blue). Now the fun begins! Fold and mix the colors into the dough with your hands or a fork until you get an even, solid hue. Pro tip: wash your hands well between colors to keep everything vibrant and mess-free.
Step 4: Shape and Press the Mints
Prepare a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Roll teaspoon-sized balls from each colored dough bowl and place them spaced out on the sheet. Dip a fork lightly into some extra powdered sugar, then gently press the fork into each ball to flatten it halfway. This classic fork press gives the mints a pretty texture and makes them easier to pick up later.
Step 5: Patience Is a Virtue
Here’s the hardest part for me: letting your mints rest. You’ll want to leave them on the counter for 4 to 6 hours at room temperature. This resting time lets the mints firm up and the flavors meld beautifully. Trust me, it’s worth the wait!
Pro Tips for Making Cream Cheese Mint Cookies Recipe
- Soften Your Dairy: I learned the hard way that cold cream cheese or butter means a crumbly mess. Let them sit at room temp for at least 30 minutes.
- Use Gel Food Coloring: Liquid colors thin out the dough, but gel keeps it firm and vibrant—plus, you use less.
- Hand-Kneading Magic: After the mixer, kneading by hand lets you feel when the dough is just right—this step really makes the difference.
- Don’t Rush the Resting: I used to skip resting and got crumbly mints—patience gives you that perfect firm but soft bite.
How to Serve Cream Cheese Mint Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
For me, a dusting of extra powdered sugar or finely crushed peppermint candy on top adds an elegant touch, especially around the holidays. If you want to be fancy, a tiny mint leaf placed on top of each cookie looks adorable and adds fresh aroma. Just be sure to add garnishes right after flattening so they stick well.
Side Dishes
I love pairing these mint cookies with a hot cup of peppermint tea or a rich dark chocolate mocha. The flavors complement and balance each other perfectly. These also make a delightful after-dinner treat alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an indulgent twist.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, I like arranging the mints by color on a pretty platter or stacking them in clear jars as gifts. Another fun idea is to form the mints in small clusters and tie with festive ribbons for a handmade touch. They’re also perfect for cookie swap trays or as part of a DIY dessert bar where guests can mix and match their favorites.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I keep mine in a sealed container in the fridge, where they stay fresh and soft for up to two weeks. Just bring them to room temp before serving so they’re not too firm. This is great if you want to make a batch ahead for a party or just to have on hand.
Freezing
Freezing these mints is a lifesaver when you want to prep far in advance. I place parchment paper between layers in an airtight container or freezer bag and freeze for several months. When I’m ready to enjoy, I thaw them in the fridge overnight, and they come out just as delicious and soft.
Reheating
Since these are no-bake cream cheese mints, reheating isn’t necessary. However, if your fridge made them firm, simply let them sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before indulging to regain that perfect melt-in-your-mouth softness.
FAQs
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Can I use regular food coloring instead of gel for the Cream Cheese Mint Cookies Recipe?
While you can use regular liquid food coloring, gel food coloring is much better for this recipe. Gel colors provide vibrant hues without adding extra moisture that can make the dough sticky or runny. Using gels helps maintain the playdough-like texture important for shaping these mints.
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How do I know when the cream cheese and butter are softened enough?
They should be soft enough that you can easily press your finger into them without much resistance, but not melted or greasy. I usually leave them out at room temperature for about 30-60 minutes. If it’s a cold day, cutting butter into small cubes speeds this up.
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Can I make these mint cookies ahead of time?
Absolutely! These mints actually taste better after resting for a few hours and can be made a day or two in advance. They store well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two weeks, or you can freeze them for longer storage.
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What if my dough is too sticky to handle?
If your dough feels sticky after mixing and kneading, try adding a little more softened cream cheese—about a tablespoon at a time. The goal is a playdough-like consistency that isn’t tacky. Chill the dough for a few minutes if it feels too soft to shape easily.
Final Thoughts
This Cream Cheese Mint Cookies Recipe holds such a special place in my kitchen—it’s one of those simple, no-fuss treats that everyone ends up loving. The creamy texture paired with vibrant colors makes it feel like a little celebration every time you bite in. I hope you enjoy making and sharing these as much as I have. Go ahead, whip up a batch to brighten your day or your next gathering—you won’t regret it!
Print
Cream Cheese Mint Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes prep plus 4-6 hours resting time
- Yield: 40 mints 1x
- Category: Candy
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delightfully creamy and colorful, these Cream Cheese Mints are easy to make and perfect for festive occasions or a sweet treat. Softened cream cheese and butter blend with powdered sugar and mint extract, then divided into vibrant colors for a fun and flavorful candy that requires no baking or cooking.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 1 tablespoon butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon mint extract
Coloring
- Neon green gel food coloring
- Neon pink gel food coloring
- Classic blue gel food coloring
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the softened cream cheese, butter, mint extract, and powdered sugar. This forms the base mixture for your mints.
- Mix Thoroughly: Use an electric hand mixer or stand mixer to blend the ingredients for 3-4 minutes. The mixture will initially be very crumbly but keep mixing until it comes together.
- Knead by Hand: Put the mixture aside and use your hands to knead it into a round ball, ensuring it has a playdough-like consistency. Add 1 tablespoon more cream cheese if the mixture is too dry or crumbly.
- Divide Mixture: Using a sharp knife, cut the ball into four equal parts. Place each portion into its own small mixing bowl.
- Add Color: Add 3-4 dots of gel food coloring to three of the bowls for neon green, neon pink, and classic blue colors. Leave one bowl uncolored for the white mints. Fold in the gel coloring by hand or with a fork until the color is uniform.
- Prepare Baking Sheet: Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper to place the mints on after shaping.
- Shape the Mints: Roll teaspoon-sized balls from each colored mixture. Place the balls on the prepared baking sheet.
- Flatten the Mints: Dip a fork into powdered sugar before pressing it gently onto each ball, flattening them about halfway without sticking.
- Rest and Set: Allow the mints to rest at room temperature for 4-6 hours to firm up before serving.
Notes
- Storage: Store mints in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
- Freezing: Freeze mints in airtight containers with parchment paper between layers for a few months. Thaw in the fridge before serving.
- Use both neon and traditional gel food colorings to achieve vibrant colors.
- The mixture will feel crumbly at first; mixing with an electric mixer first and then kneading by hand improves texture.
- Ensure butter and cream cheese are thoroughly softened for best results.
- If the mixture is sticky, add 1 tablespoon more cream cheese until it feels like playdough.
- Wash your hands between kneading different colored mixtures to avoid color mixing.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 mint
- Calories: 40
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 15mg
- Fat: 1.5g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 0.3g
- Cholesterol: 5mg
