Introduction:
Christmas Cream Cheese Mints are a festive holiday treat that are sweet, creamy, and melt in your mouth. Made with just a few simple ingredients like cream cheese, powdered sugar, and peppermint extract, these mints are perfect for holiday gatherings, gifting, or adding a fun, colorful touch to your dessert table. They are often shaped into festive designs like trees, stars, or wreaths and can be colored in holiday hues.
Ingredients and Quantities:
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
- Food coloring (optional, for festive colors)
- Granulated sugar (for coating)
- Optional: molds for shaping the mints
Tips for Success:
- Softened cream cheese: Make sure the cream cheese is softened to avoid lumps in your mint mixture.
- Gradually add powdered sugar: To prevent a sticky mess, add powdered sugar a little at a time while mixing until a dough-like consistency forms.
- Use molds for shaping: For a festive touch, press the dough into silicone molds, or simply roll into balls and flatten with a fork.
How to Make and Instructions:
- Beat cream cheese: In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth and creamy.
- Add powdered sugar and peppermint extract: Gradually add powdered sugar, one cup at a time, mixing after each addition until the mixture forms a dough. Stir in the peppermint extract.
- Color the dough (optional): If using food coloring, divide the dough into portions and mix in a few drops of food coloring to each batch.
- Shape the mints: Roll the dough into small balls (about 1 teaspoon each) and press with a fork for a simple design, or press the dough into small candy molds.
- Coat with sugar: Roll each mint in granulated sugar to coat.
- Let the mints set: Place the mints on wax or parchment paper and let them dry for a few hours or overnight to harden slightly.
Description:
These creamy, sweet mints are infused with a refreshing peppermint flavor and have a soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture. The addition of food coloring allows them to be customized for any holiday occasion, making them a festive addition to your Christmas dessert spread.
Nutritional Information (per mint, approx.):
- Calories: 40
- Sugar: 9g
- Fat: 0.5g
- Sodium: 5mg
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Protein: 0g
Conclusion and Recommendation:
Christmas Cream Cheese Mints are a delightful homemade holiday candy that’s easy to prepare and can be customized with different colors and shapes. Whether you’re hosting a holiday party or looking for a simple edible gift, these mints are sure to be a festive hit!