If you’re looking for a sweet, colorful treat that’s perfect for sharing love in bite-sized pieces, you’ve got to try this Valentine’s Cream Cheese Mints Recipe. I absolutely love how creamy and melt-in-your-mouth these mints turn out, and the best part is how customizable they are — you can match colors and flavors to your heart’s content. Trust me, once you make these, they’ll become a Valentine’s Day staple in your home.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Super Creamy Texture: The cream cheese and butter give these mints a rich creaminess that’s hard to beat.
- Easy to Customize: You can mix in your favorite flavor extracts and colors to make them uniquely yours.
- No Baking Required: This recipe is quick and simple, making it perfect for last-minute gifts or party treats.
- Long-Lasting Freshness: Stored properly, these mints stay fresh and tasty for days.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients work together like a dream to create a soft, sweet dough that’s fun to shape and even better to taste. I like to always use room temperature cream cheese and butter to make mixing easier and smoother.
- Cream Cheese: Always soften it to room temperature for smooth blending without lumps.
- Confectioners’ Sugar: This provides that classic snow-dusted finish and sweet flavor; the quantity adjusts the dough’s consistency.
- Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and helps with that melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Flavor Extract: Choose your favorite like peppermint or vanilla—my go-to for Valentine’s is peppermint because it feels festive.
- Food Coloring (optional): Adds a pop of pastel color — great for coordinating with Valentine’s Day themes.
Variations
I love how flexible this Valentine’s Cream Cheese Mints Recipe is—you can really make it your own. Whether it’s switching up flavor extracts or trying new color combos, it’s a fun way to let your creativity shine.
- Flavor Mix-Ins: I once tried raspberry and vanilla swirls by dividing the dough and mixing in extracts separately—it made the treat feel extra special and personalized.
- Dietary Options: For a dairy-free spin, try a vegan cream cheese substitute, but keep in mind this changes the texture slightly.
- Shape Play: Use heart-shaped cutters for Valentine’s Day or small stars for a festive touch.
How to Make Valentine’s Cream Cheese Mints Recipe
Step 1: Melt Butter and Cream Cheese
Start by melting the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat until it’s fully liquified. Then add the room temperature cream cheese and stir constantly until the cream cheese softens and mixes smoothly with the butter. The cream cheese won’t melt like butter—it’ll just soften up and become smooth. I find giving it a good stir here really helps create the silky base for the mints.
Step 2: Mix in Powdered Sugar
Remove the pan from the heat and gradually stir in about 4 cups of confectioners’ sugar. Keep stirring until you get a soft dough, adding more sugar one tablespoon at a time if the dough feels sticky. You’re aiming for something like a soft playdough that doesn’t stick to your fingers. This part is key—too much sugar and the mints get crumbly, too little and they’re sticky and hard to shape. I learned this the hard way the first time I made these!
Step 3: Flavor and Color the Dough
Divide the dough into portions depending on how many flavors or colors you want. Add about a third of a teaspoon of your chosen extract to each portion and mix well. Then, if you want pastel shades, mix in a few drops of food coloring until the color is even. For Valentine’s, I like pairing pink with strawberry extract and green with peppermint—it’s such a sweet and classic combo.
Step 4: Shape the Candies
To make those classic little butter mint circles, scoop small portions of dough (about half a teaspoon each), roll them into balls, then gently flatten with the back of a fork to create that pretty scored pattern. If you want something different, roll out the dough to about a quarter-inch thick and use cookie cutters to cut shapes. I like spraying cutters lightly with non-stick spray and dipping edges in sugar to prevent sticking—they glide right through.
Step 5: Coat and Set the Mints
For an extra sparkle and sweet crunch, roll your shaped mints in granulated sugar. Then lay them out flat on waxed paper and let them rest for a few hours until they’re set—no longer sticky to the touch. I usually leave mine overnight, and I’ve noticed this step really helps them firm up so they store nicely without sticking together.
Pro Tips for Making Valentine’s Cream Cheese Mints Recipe
- Softened Ingredients Matter: Using cream cheese and butter at room temperature makes mixing simple and smooth every time.
- Watch Dough Consistency: Add powdered sugar gradually to avoid a dry or crumbly texture—aim for soft, pliable dough.
- Divide for Variety: Splitting your dough into portions allows you to create multiple colors and flavors, making your batch extra special.
- Setting Time Is Key: Don’t rush the setting process—letting the mints dry fully helps them firm up without losing their creamy softness inside.
How to Serve Valentine’s Cream Cheese Mints Recipe
Garnishes
I usually keep it simple and elegant by dusting the finished mints with a little extra granulated sugar for sparkle. Sometimes I add tiny edible glitter or pearl dust for an extra festive touch, especially for Valentine’s Day. It makes these little mints look so fancy—like you bought them from a boutique candy shop!
Side Dishes
These mints are sweet little treats on their own, but they’re perfect alongside coffee or tea at a Valentine’s brunch or dessert spread. I’ve also served them with a rich hot chocolate, and my guests go nuts every time!
Creative Ways to Present
I love packaging my mints in clear cellophane bags tied with red or pink ribbons for gifts. For parties, I arrange them in pretty glass jars or on tiered dessert trays. Once, I made a rainbow of colors and set them out like little pastel jewels—it was a total showstopper at my Valentine’s gathering.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover mints in an airtight container lined with waxed paper, and I keep them in the refrigerator. They stay fresh and soft for up to a week, perfect if you want to make them ahead of time for your Valentine’s party.
Freezing
Freezing is totally possible with this recipe! I place the mints in a single layer on a baking sheet in the freezer until firm, then transfer them to a freezer-safe container. When you’re ready to enjoy, just thaw in the fridge overnight. They keep their texture nicely with this method.
Reheating
Because these mints are soft and meant to be eaten at room temperature, I don’t recommend reheating. Just take them out of the fridge a little while before serving and they’ll soften up beautifully.
FAQs
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Can I use low-fat cream cheese for this recipe?
You can, but I’ve found that full-fat cream cheese yields a richer, creamier texture that’s essential to these mints’ signature melt-in-your-mouth feel. Low-fat versions sometimes change the texture and flavor.
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How do I prevent the mints from sticking together during storage?
Make sure your mints have fully set and dried before storing. Place waxed paper between layers inside an airtight container, and keep them refrigerated to maintain firmness and prevent sticking.
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Can I use this recipe to make mints for other occasions?
Absolutely! This recipe is super versatile. Just switch up your colors and flavors to fit birthdays, holidays, or any special celebration — or just for a sweet everyday treat.
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How long will these cream cheese mints last?
Stored properly in an airtight container in the refrigerator, these mints will stay fresh for up to one week. For longer storage, freezing is your best bet.
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What flavors work best for Valentine’s Cream Cheese Mints Recipe?
My favorite flavors for Valentine’s Day are peppermint, strawberry, and vanilla. These create classic, fresh taste profiles that pairs beautifully with the creamy texture. But don’t hesitate to experiment with others like lemon or raspberry for a fruity twist.
Final Thoughts
Making these Valentine’s Cream Cheese Mints feels like sharing a little love in every bite, and honestly, they’re so easy to make that you’ll want to whip up a batch for every holiday. The creamy texture, the customizable colors and flavors, and how beautifully they present make it one of my all-time favorite candy recipes. I hope you enjoy making (and sharing) them as much as I do—it’s just the sweetest way to say “I care.”
Print
Valentine’s Cream Cheese Mints Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 60 to 70 mints depending on size
- Category: Candy
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These irresistibly smooth and flavorful Valentines Cream Cheese Mints are a delightful handmade treat perfect for gifting or enjoying at home. Made with a creamy blend of cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and your choice of extracts and colors, these melt-in-your-mouth candies come in a variety of pastel shades and shapes. Soft yet firm, they offer a charming combination of sweetness and refreshing flavor that is sure to impress your loved ones.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened at room temperature
- 4 to 5 cups confectioners’ sugar
- 1 tsp preferred flavor extract (such as peppermint, vanilla, lemon, cherry, raspberry, or strawberry)
- Food coloring (optional, to achieve desired pastel shades)
Instructions
- Melt Butter and Cream Cheese: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt 1/4 cup unsalted butter until fully liquefied. Add the softened 8 oz cream cheese and stir continuously until the cream cheese softens completely and combines smoothly with the melted butter. The mixture should become very soft and smooth, but not fully melted like butter.
- Mix in Powdered Sugar: Remove the saucepan from heat. Gradually add 4 cups of powdered sugar to the butter and cream cheese mixture, stirring thoroughly as you add it. If the dough remains sticky, continue adding powdered sugar a little at a time until the texture resembles very soft playdough that does not stick to your fingers.
- Flavor and Color the Dough: Divide the dough into portions according to how many flavors or colors you desire. To each portion, add approximately 1/3 teaspoon of your chosen flavor extract and mix well. If desired, add a few drops of food coloring and knead until the color is consistent throughout the dough. For a festive touch, pair colors and flavors such as pink with strawberry and green with peppermint.
- Shape the Candies: To make traditional butter mint circles, scoop about 1/2 teaspoon of dough, roll it into a ball, then flatten slightly with the back of a fork to create a scored pattern. Alternatively, roll out the dough to about 1/4 inch thickness and cut out shapes using cookie cutters. If cutters stick, lightly spray with non-stick spray or dip in melted butter and then granulated sugar between cuts.
- Coat and Set the Mints: Optionally, roll the shaped candies in granulated sugar to lightly coat all sides. Arrange the mints in a single layer on waxed paper and allow them to sit for a few hours until they are set and no longer sticky on the outside. Store finished mints in an airtight container in the refrigerator to maintain freshness.
Notes
- If the dough is too sticky, add more powdered sugar gradually until manageable.
- Different flavor extracts and food coloring allow you to customize the mints for various occasions.
- Using non-stick spray or butter on cookie cutters prevents sticking and eases cutting shapes.
- The mints will remain soft inside but firm enough on the outside to store together without sticking.
- For best freshness, keep finished mints refrigerated in an airtight container.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 mints (about 15g)
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 30mg
- Fat: 4.5g
- Saturated Fat: 2.8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 12mg
