Candy Cane Cream Cheese Mints Recipe | Perfect for Holidays (2024)

· Modified: · This post may contain affiliate links · 12 Comments

“This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.”

As a kid, I distinctly remember helping my mom and Aunt Kim prepare one of my favorite treats -- Cream Cheese Mints. They're visually satisfying with the perfect level of sweetness -- each one just melts in your mouth.

Since I will be using this recipe around Christmas, I've chosen to make mine red and white, like a candy cane. With different food colors, they can be done up for just about any celebration. Specifically, I remember having these at weddings, baby showers and birthday parties!

Candy Cane Cream Cheese Mints Recipe | Perfect for Holidays (1)

The original cream cheese mints recipe calls for cups of powdered and granulated sugar. With a few low carb modifications, my new recipe is totally suitable for a Keto diet.

For an extra special dessert, use a candy mold with your favorite shapes. Hearts and bells were common during weddings when growing up.

Candy Cane Cream Cheese Mints Recipe | Perfect for Holidays (2)

For this recipe, I went the traditional route and just used the tines of a fork to flatten and mark them. If you decide to try this method, I find that using a fork dipped in erythritol works great.

Candy Cane Cream Cheese Mints Recipe | Perfect for Holidays (3)

Candy Cane Cream Cheese Mints

My Cream Cheese Mints recipe is the perfect mixture of sweet and satisfying -- no one will ever know they're low carb!

5 from 8 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Ingredients

  • 16 oz cream cheese (room temperature)
  • ½ cup butter (room temperature)
  • cups powdered erythritol
  • ½ teaspoon peppermint extract
  • 3-5 drops food coloring (optional)

Instructions

  • With a hand mixer, beat together cream cheese and butter in a large mixing bowl until smooth.

  • Gradually add in 1 cup of powdered erythritol and mix until combined (be sure to reserve½ cup for later step).

  • Add peppermint extract and food coloring. Beat until color is evenly distributed.

  • Cover bowl with plastic wrap and place in refrigerator for a minimum of one hour. This will help firm up the mints.

  • After cooling in the refrigerator, use a spoon or cookie scoop to form individual servings. Place them in a bowl with the remainder of the powdered erythritol and swirl to coat. This will make them much easier to roll with minimal sticking.

  • With clean hands, roll the cream cheese to form small balls. Place them on a parchment lined baking sheet, about 1-2 inches apart.

  • When all balls are rolled, take a fork dipped in erythritol and apply a crosshatch design on top. Use the tines of the fork (jagged edges) to make your design.

  • Refrigerate until completely cooled.

  • Enjoy!

Nutrition

Serving: 1cream cheese mintCalories: 80kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 1gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 1g

Tried this recipe?Tag @nobunplease or #nobunplease on Instagram!

Tips for Delicious Cream Cheese Mints

  • Make sure that you are using peppermint extract. I find that most other mint flavorings taste a little too much like toothpaste.
  • Want to make it easy? Do everythingin a food processor.
  • Don't have powdered sweetener? Blitz the granular version in your food processor or blender. It mimics the texture of powdered sugar.
  • When you add the powdered sugar replacement to the cream cheese & butter mixture, do it gradually. If you add it all at once, you may be left with a kitchen covered in a layer of erythrtiol.
  • Another sweetener can be used, but the cooling effect of the erythritol works extremely well when paired with the peppermint extract.
  • When cooling these in the refrigerator, a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or waxed paper works great!
  • Planning on using candy molds? Instead of small balls, you may need to roll them at a different size. Make sure you have enough mixture to fill them.
  • Keep the carb count low by using certain brands of cream cheese. They can vary from 0g to 2g carbs per serving. I usually go with the Philadelphia brand based on the flavor and 1g carb count.
  • Make sure you have enough room in your refrigerator to cool -- especially if you're doing a big batch on sheet pans.
  • Have you peeped the nutrition info? These are great as a fat bomb!

When all is said and done, what's more impressive than homemade mints? No one has to know how simple it was!

What's your favorite Keto dessert? Comment below!

« Keto Alcohol Guide: Which Drinks are Low Carb?

Tracking on Keto: Is It Necessary for Success? »

Reader Interactions

Comments

    • Dom Geracia

      Yep, these will need to be stored in the refrigerator.

      Reply

  1. Liz

    Going to make these as gifts for my kiddos teachers!

    Reply

    • Dom Geracia

      Great idea! I imagine the kiddos would love to help make them, too.

      Reply

    • Sandy

      Thank you for this recipe! I can't wait to make these. How do you store them?

      Reply

  2. Shane

    This is a yummy desert! So easy to make and guilt-free at that! I tried it and even the kids loved it. Thanks for sharing this yummy recipe!

    Reply

  3. Denmark

    Candy Cane Cream Cheese Mints Recipe | Perfect for Holidays (4)
    Thanks for sharing this candy cane cream cheese mints recipe! I'm sure my kids and niece will love these!

    Reply

  4. Kim~madeinaday

    Candy Cane Cream Cheese Mints Recipe | Perfect for Holidays (5)
    These sound yummy! totally sharing and pinning for when my Keto diet starts back, lol. By the way, you should join our linky party each week on Monday and share your recipes. Click the latest round up post on my blog to join. This week is the holiday village post.
    Best,
    Kim

    Reply

    • Maren

      Do you have to keep them in the refrigerator all the time? Or just when they are cooking? Do they freeze well?

      Reply

      • Dom Geracia

        They can be set out for a couple hours, but I prefer them cold straight from the refrigerator.

        Reply

  5. bc mining

    great thank you

    Reply

  6. Amy

    Thank you! These look great and I can't wait to make them!

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Candy Cane Cream Cheese Mints Recipe | Perfect for Holidays (2024)

FAQs

Are peppermints and candy canes the same thing? ›

See, peppermint comes from a little plant called the same thing but they cook it in a distilled to extract the pure oil from it. But yes, peppermint and candy canes are one and the same. The cane is made from syrup and sugar with oil added in to it for flavoring.

What are the mints called that melt in your mouth? ›

Buttermints also known as Wedding Mints are creamy, melt in your mouth deliciousness.

What are party mints? ›

Pastel mints, also known as party mints or butter mints, are a type of candy known for their soft and creamy texture, mild mint flavor, and pastel-colored appearance.

What are the ingredients in peppermint candy? ›

Sugar, Corn Syrup, Titanium Dioxide (for color), FD&C Red 40, Natural Peppermint Oil. Store in a cool dry place. This product is free of top common allergens and manufactured on dedicated equipment.

What is the biblical story of the candy cane? ›

Cane: Is like the staff used by the shepherds in caring for sheep. Jesus is our “Good Shepherd.” The Color Red: Is for God's love that sent Jesus to give his life for us on the cross. The Stripes: Remind us of Jesus' suffering-his crown of thorns, the wounds in his hands and feet; and the cross on which he died.

What does the candy cane mean in the Catholic Church? ›

The red stripes on candy canes symbolizes Christ's sacrifice and the white background, His purity. Reflection: Lord, you came to shepherd and guide us. Gently guide us to the path of salvation at times when we may wander.

What is Stoner mints? ›

Stoner Mints to the rescue, you can count on them to relieve that cottonmouth ASAP! These marijuana leaf-shaped mints are also a cute and fun gift for all you Mary-Jane lovers out there. Eat responsibly! *Disclaimer: This product has no traces of Marijuana, just cute leafy mints.*

Why do hotels put mints on pillows? ›

The chocolate or mint on a pillow has long been common practice in hotels, particularly among luxury properties. It's a nice tradition: A special treat right before you rest your head on your vacation for some sweeter dreams.

Are soft mints a laxative? ›

Lots of mints have high sugar content, which can get fermented in your small bowel, and can be the cause of your cramps and diarrhea. Also, many mints have sorbitol, which essentially turn them into laxatives if enough of them are consumed.

Why are there mints at funerals? ›

In ancient Greece, mint was used, together with rosemary and myrtle to offset the odor of decay of the dead.

What does mints mean in slang? ›

Top 5 definition of "MINT" on urban dictionary = Something cool, spiffy, sweet, excellent.

What are the black and white mints called? ›

Taveners Black and white mints – traditional English liquorice sweets as created by Barker and Dobson (Established in 1844 and now part of Taveners). These soft and chewy sweets are made of up of layers of sweet mild liquorice and a strong mint flavoured coconut fondant.

Why is peppermint a Christmas candy? ›

This peppermint flavored treat was first made to be a part of the Christmas experience. It is believed that in 1670, a choirmaster at Cologne Cathedral handed this candy out to children at their living Nativity, to keep the kids occupied. The candy was shaped to look like a shepherd's staff.

What does peppermint candy do for the brain? ›

Studies suggest that peppermint can help stimulate your brain and improve memory. Just the smell of peppermint can slightly increase oxygen saturation and blood pressure. As your blood brings more oxygen to your brain, it increases your brain's ability to concentrate and focus.

What kind of mint is candy cane? ›

Candy canes get their distinctive taste from the oil secreted under the leaves of Mentha × piperita, the bright green herbaceous perennial herb known as peppermint. Peppermint, a cross between spearmint and wintermint, is America's most popular mint flavor.

Is a candy cane peppermint? ›

A candy cane is a cane-shaped stick candy often associated with Christmastide, as well as Saint Nicholas Day. It is traditionally white with red stripes and flavored with peppermint, but the canes also come in a variety of other flavors and colors.

What's the difference between candy cane and peppermint stick? ›

The first difference between the two is that peppermint sticks will likely remain on the lower edge, while candy canes will likely go a little over 300 F. The lower the temperature, the softer your final product will be. Peppermint sticks are also liable to contain butter to add to that melt-in-your-mouth texture.

When did candy canes become peppermint? ›

The first mention (at least in the United States) of peppermint flavoured sugar sticks also appeared in the 19th century. A cookbook written in 1844 and titled The Complete Confectioner, Pastry-cook and Baker included instructions on how to make peppermint candy sticks.

Do candy canes have real peppermint? ›

CORN SYRUP, SUGAR, PEPPERMINT OIL, RED 40, RED 40 LAKE.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Duncan Muller

Last Updated:

Views: 6568

Rating: 4.9 / 5 (79 voted)

Reviews: 86% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Duncan Muller

Birthday: 1997-01-13

Address: Apt. 505 914 Phillip Crossroad, O'Konborough, NV 62411

Phone: +8555305800947

Job: Construction Agent

Hobby: Shopping, Table tennis, Snowboarding, Rafting, Motor sports, Homebrewing, Taxidermy

Introduction: My name is Duncan Muller, I am a enchanting, good, gentle, modern, tasty, nice, elegant person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.