Description
These Sweet Orange Cream Cheese Mints are soft, creamy, and bursting with fresh citrus flavor. A no-bake, easy-to-make treat perfect for holidays or entertaining, featuring simple pantry ingredients like cream cheese, butter, orange extract, and powdered sugar. They offer a delightful alternative to store-bought mints with a smooth texture and a bright orange hue, customizable to your taste.
Ingredients
Scale
Base Ingredients
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 1 tbsp butter, softened
Flavoring
- 1/2 tsp orange extract
- 1 tsp grated orange peel (freshly zested)
- 1–2 drops orange gel food coloring (optional)
Sweetener
- 4 cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients and Mise en Place: Zest your orange to obtain 1 teaspoon of fresh grated orange peel, which delivers the best citrus flavor. Sift 4 cups of confectioners’ sugar to remove lumps, ensuring a smooth final texture. Set these aside. Make sure the cream cheese and butter are properly softened to room temperature (around 70°F) for smooth blending.
- Blend Cream Cheese and Butter Base: In a medium mixing bowl, combine the 4 oz softened cream cheese with 1 tablespoon softened butter. Stir with a spatula or wooden spoon for 1-2 minutes until completely smooth and creamy with no streaks, creating an emulsified fat base to evenly incorporate flavors.
- Incorporate Flavor and Color: Add 1/2 teaspoon orange extract and the fresh orange zest to the cream cheese mixture, stirring for about 30 seconds until evenly combined. If desired, add 1-2 drops orange gel coloring and mix thoroughly for uniform color. Gel coloring is preferred as it won’t add excess moisture.
- Build the Dough with Gradual Sugar Addition: Gradually incorporate the sifted confectioners’ sugar in three additions. Start with about 1 cup, stirring to blend, then add 1.5 cups more and mix again, followed by the remaining sugar. This method prevents lumpiness and results in a smooth, moldable dough. Stop occasionally to test consistency by squeezing a small piece until it holds together without being sticky or crumbly.
- Shape and Form the Mints: Pinch off pieces of dough and roll them into 1/2-inch balls between your palms. Place the balls spaced about 1 inch apart on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Gently flatten each ball with the back of a fork to create an impression without crushing, giving the mints their classic waffle-like texture.
- Chill and Set: Refrigerate the shaped mints on the baking sheet for 1 hour to firm up and set their shape, making them easier to handle and store. Once set, transfer to an airtight container for storage.
Notes
- Use full-fat, regular cream cheese for best texture. Avoid low-fat or whipped varieties.
- Properly soften both cream cheese and butter to prevent grainy texture.
- Add powdered sugar gradually to avoid lumps and ensure even consistency.
- Be cautious with orange extract as it’s potent; start with less and adjust to taste.
- If dough feels too sticky, chill for 15-20 minutes before shaping and dust hands with powdered sugar to reduce sticking.
- Orange gel food coloring is optional; substitutes like yellow or leaving the mints white also work well.
- These mints keep well refrigerated for up to 2 weeks and freeze for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 10-15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0-5 minutes
- Category: Candy
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: homemade mints, orange cream cheese mints, no bake candy, holiday treats, easy candy recipe, citrus mints
