Ingredients
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened (full-fat)
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, softened (optional, for butter mints)
- ¾–1 tsp peppermint extract, to taste
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- 1 pinch fine salt
- 4–4½ cups powdered sugar, sifted and divided (start with 4 cups)
- gel food coloring, assorted (optional)
- ¼ cup fine granulated or sanding sugar, for coating (optional)
- 6 oz dark chocolate, melted (optional, for dipping)
Equipment
- hand mixer
- spatula
- Parchment paper
- fork or piping bag
Method
- In a large bowl beat cream cheese (and butter, if using) until smooth and fluffy, 1 to 2 minutes.
- Mix in peppermint, vanilla, and a pinch of salt.
- Beat in powdered sugar 1 cup at a time until a soft, pliable dough forms that is only slightly tacky. You may not need all the sugar.
- Divide dough and tint with gel colors as desired.
- Roll ½-inch balls; dip tops in sugar and press gently with a fork, or roll ½-inch ropes and slice into pillows.
- Place on parchment-lined trays and chill 30 to 60 minutes until firm.
- Optional: dip set mints halfway into melted chocolate; return to parchment and chill to set.
Nutrition
Calories: 150kcalCarbohydrates: 26gProtein: 1gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 10mgSodium: 30mgPotassium: 10mgSugar: 25gVitamin A: 150IUCalcium: 20mgIron: 0.2mg
Notes
Subs: Use lemon, almond, or orange extract for a non-mint version.
Pipeable Swirls: Beat in 1–2 tbsp extra cream cheese and pipe with a star tip, then chill.
Coloring: Use gel or powdered food colors to keep dough firm (avoid liquid coloring).
Storage: Refrigerate airtight up to 2 weeks or freeze up to 2 months.
Equipment: Hand mixer, spatula, parchment, fork or piping bag.
Pipeable Swirls: Beat in 1–2 tbsp extra cream cheese and pipe with a star tip, then chill.
Coloring: Use gel or powdered food colors to keep dough firm (avoid liquid coloring).
Storage: Refrigerate airtight up to 2 weeks or freeze up to 2 months.
Equipment: Hand mixer, spatula, parchment, fork or piping bag.
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