If you’re looking for the perfect little holiday treat that’s sweet, minty, and oh-so-creamy, you’ve got to try this Christmas Mint Cream Cheese Mints Recipe. I absolutely love how these melt-in-your-mouth little mints combine the tang of cream cheese with refreshing mint and a festive pop from holiday sprinkles. Whether you’re making them to gift or just to enjoy with your family, these are seriously fan-freaking-tastic—and I’m here to walk you through the entire process so you nail it every time!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple Ingredients: You likely have everything in your pantry and fridge, so no last-minute store runs required.
- Quick & Easy: From mixing to chilling, these mints come together in about 90 minutes.
- Perfect Holiday Gift: They’re cute, festive, and a delightful homemade treat that warms hearts.
- Customizable: You can tweak colors, flavors, and sprinkles to make these uniquely yours every holiday season.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Christmas Mint Cream Cheese Mints Recipe lies in how a few simple ingredients come together perfectly. Cream cheese adds creaminess, powdered sugar gives that melt-in-your-mouth texture, and mint extract brings in fresh holiday vibes. I always recommend using a good quality mint extract because it really makes a difference!

- Cream Cheese: Make sure it’s softened to room temperature for smooth mixing without lumps.
- Powdered Sugar: Helps create that classic sweet, powdery texture; divided use allows for gradual mixing.
- Mint Extract: Pure mint extract works best—avoid imitation to keep that fresh flavor punch.
- Milk: Just a splash to balance the dough; you might not need more than a tablespoon.
- Holiday Sprinkles: Adds festive color and crunch; pick your favorites to make them your own.
- Granulated or Powdered Sugar: Used for coating, it gives the perfect sweet finish and a little texture.
Variations
I love making these mints my own each year by switching up a few things—or sometimes just adding a twist or two. You should absolutely feel free to play around because the base recipe is so forgiving. Plus, sharing your own version makes this tradition even more special.
- Chocolate Chip Mint Mints: I once sprinkled mini chocolate chips into the dough, and my family went crazy for that combo of mint and chocolate.
- Flavored Extracts: Try peppermint or even vanilla extract instead of mint for a different vibe.
- Food Coloring: Add a few drops of red or green gel food coloring to fit your holiday theme perfectly.
- Nut-Free or Sugar-Free: For dietary needs, swap sprinkles or garnish with crushed freeze-dried raspberries—they add color without nuts or extra sugar.
How to Make Christmas Mint Cream Cheese Mints Recipe
Step 1: Mix Cream Cheese and Mint Extract Gently
Start by placing softened cream cheese in a medium bowl. Using a hand mixer on low speed, blend the cream cheese with the mint extract just until combined. The key here is gentle mixing—if you go too fast or too long, the cream cheese can become runny, and that messes with your dough later.
Step 2: Gradually Add Powdered Sugar and Milk
Next, add about half of the powdered sugar along with the milk, and mix on low until smooth. Don’t overmix—you want a thick but pliable dough. If you have overmixed, the dough might get too soft and sticky, so keeping it gentle here saves you from trouble later.
Step 3: Incorporate Sprinkles and More Sugar
Stir in 1 cup of powdered sugar and 2 tablespoons of holiday sprinkles on low setting. The sprinkles blend beautifully into the dough, giving it just the right festive look. Then, transfer the dough to your hands and knead in the remaining powdered sugar until your dough is smooth and no longer sticky. If needed, add sugar bit by bit to get that perfect consistency—it should hold its shape but not crumble.
Step 4: Shape and Coat the Mints
In a small bowl, mix the granulated or powdered sugar with the remaining 2 tablespoons of sprinkles. Roll the dough into ¾-inch balls and then coat each ball in this sugar-sprinkle mixture. This step adds a lovely crunch on the outside and keeps your mints pretty and festive.
Step 5: Chill, Flatten, & Set
Place the coated balls on a baking sheet and pop them in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. When chilled, gently flatten each ball with a fork to give those classic mint impressions. Then let them set at room temp briefly before moving to an airtight container. I like to store mine in the fridge so they stay fresh all season.
Pro Tips for Making Christmas Mint Cream Cheese Mints Recipe
- Softened Cream Cheese: Always leave cream cheese out for at least 30 mins to soften; cold cream cheese makes mixing tough and lumps inevitable.
- Don’t Overmix: Keep your mixer on low speed and stop as soon as ingredients combine to avoid a runny dough.
- Adjust Sugar Gradually: If your dough feels sticky, add more powdered sugar a little at a time—we want firm but pliable.
- Refrigerate Properly: Chilling is key—resist the urge to skip the fridge step, or your mints won’t set right.
How to Serve Christmas Mint Cream Cheese Mints Recipe

Garnishes
I usually keep it simple with colorful holiday sprinkles right in the mints themselves, but if I’m feeling fancy, I like to dust them lightly with edible glitter or dip just half of each mint in white chocolate—instant wow factor that also tastes amazing.
Side Dishes
These mints pair wonderfully with warm holiday drinks like peppermint hot chocolate or spiced apple cider. I love setting up a little dessert station with cookies, fudge, and these mints—they make a great palate cleanser between heavier sweets.
Creative Ways to Present
I like arranging these mints in small glass jars tied with festive ribbons as hostess gifts. Another favorite trick is serving them on a beautiful holiday platter next to pine sprigs and cranberries—it instantly makes your dessert table feel like Christmas magic.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store your Christmas Mint Cream Cheese Mints in an airtight container in the fridge. They keep well for up to two weeks, which is great because they tend to disappear quickly around here! Just make sure they’re not crowded so they don’t stick together.
Freezing
I’ve frozen these mints successfully by placing them on a baking sheet to freeze individually first, then transferring them into a freezer bag. They keep for about a month and thaw beautifully in the fridge overnight—perfect for making ahead of holiday parties.
Reheating
Since these mints are best served chilled or at room temperature, reheating isn’t necessary. Just take them out of the fridge about 10 minutes before serving to soften slightly, and they’ll be perfect every time.
FAQs
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Can I use flavored extracts other than mint in this recipe?
Absolutely! While mint is classic for this Christmas recipe, I’ve experimented with vanilla, peppermint, and even almond extract, and each gives a unique twist to your mints. Just be careful to use extracts, not oils, and adjust the amount to taste.
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What if my dough is too sticky or too dry?
If your dough feels sticky, a little extra powdered sugar kneaded in will usually fix it. If it’s too dry and crumbly, add a tiny splash more milk or cream cheese. The dough should be pliable but hold its shape well.
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How long will these mints keep?
Stored properly in the fridge inside an airtight container, they stay fresh for up to two weeks. Just make sure to keep them separated so they don’t stick together.
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Can I make these mints ahead for holiday gifting?
Definitely! They freeze well, so you can prepare them weeks in advance. Just thaw in the refrigerator before gifting or serving for best texture.
Final Thoughts
This Christmas Mint Cream Cheese Mints Recipe has been a holiday staple in my kitchen for years. I used to struggle finding a festive treat that felt homemade but wasn’t crazy complicated, and these mints have been my go-to ever since. They’re such a joy to make, easy enough to make with the kids, and the look on my family’s faces when they taste these is priceless. You’ll enjoy every bite and the process of creating these little gems yourself—trust me, this recipe is a holiday keeper!
Print
Christmas Mint Cream Cheese Mints Recipe
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 60-80 mints
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delightfully festive Christmas Cream Cheese Mints, made with creamy cream cheese, sweet powdered sugar, and refreshing mint extract, rolled in holiday sprinkles for a colorful and tasty treat. Perfect for holiday gatherings and easy to prepare with no baking required.
Ingredients
Mint Dough
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar, divided
- 1/2 tsp mint extract
- 1 tbsp milk
- 1/4 cup holiday sprinkles, divided
Coating
- 1/2 cup granulated or powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp holiday sprinkles
Instructions
- Combine Cream Cheese and Mint Extract: Using a hand mixer on low speed, blend the softened cream cheese with the mint extract in a medium mixing bowl until just combined.
- Add Sugar and Milk: Gradually add 2 cups of powdered sugar and milk to the cream cheese mixture, mixing on low speed until smooth. Be careful not to overmix to maintain the right texture.
- Incorporate Additional Sugar and Sprinkles: Add 1 cup of powdered sugar along with 2 tablespoons of holiday sprinkles into the bowl, and mix at low speed to combine evenly.
- Knead Dough: Transfer the dough to your hands and knead in the remaining 1 cup of powdered sugar until the dough becomes smooth and consistent. If the dough remains sticky, continue adding powdered sugar gradually until it can be formed into small balls without sticking.
- Prepare Sugar Coating: In a separate small bowl, mix together 1/2 cup granulated or powdered sugar with 2 tablespoons of holiday sprinkles.
- Shape and Roll the Mints: Shape the dough into 3/4-inch balls, then roll each ball in the sugar and sprinkle mixture, coating them evenly.
- Refrigerate: Place the coated balls onto a baking sheet and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to firm up.
- Flatten Mints: Remove the mints from the refrigerator and gently flatten each ball with a fork to create classic mint shapes.
- Store and Serve: Allow the mints to harden slightly at room temperature, then transfer them to an airtight container. Keep stored in the refrigerator for freshness.
Notes
- The number of mints you get depends on the size you make; typically yields between 60-80 mints.
- Do not overmix the cream cheese and sugar mixture to prevent the mints from becoming too soft.
- You can customize the sprinkles to suit your holiday theme or preferred colors.
- Store mints in an airtight container in the refrigerator to maintain freshness and texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 mint (approx. 5g)
- Calories: 40
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 20mg
- Fat: 1.5g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 0.5g
- Cholesterol: 5mg


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