Name: Grinch Peppermint Cream Cheese Mints Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 1 h 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4 ounces cream cheese at room temperature; 1 tablespoon unsalted butter; ¼ teaspoon peppermint extract; 5 drops neon green food coloring; 4 cups powdered sugar; Red heart sprinkles

Bright, festive, and absolutely melt-in-your-mouth, the Grinch Peppermint Cream Cheese Mints Recipe is a holiday treat you'll want to make again and again. The creamy peppermint flavor paired with a hint of tartness and that vibrant green color? It's the kind of sweet that brings smiles all around.

A white plate holds a pile of round green cookies that have three straight grooves pressed on top of each one. Each cookie is soft-looking with slight cracks and is topped with a small red heart decoration placed near the grooves. The green color of the cookies is bright and pastel-like, with some tiny darker green spots. The cookies are stacked neatly on a white marbled surface, and the soft light highlights their smooth texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Grinch Peppermint Cream Cheese Mints Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Grinch Peppermint Cream Cheese Mints Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Grinch Peppermint Cream Cheese Mints Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Honestly, this recipe has been a staple in my holiday kitchen for years! It's not only fun to make but also super kid-friendly and perfect for gifting. What makes the Grinch Peppermint Cream Cheese Mints Recipe stand out is how creamy and fresh they taste—nothing like your standard hard mint.

Quick and Easy: You’ll have these mints ready in under two hours, including chilling time, which is perfect for last-minute holiday prep.
Vibrant Color and Festive Flair: That neon green hue really pops on any holiday platter and gets everyone’s attention.
Perfect Texture: The cream cheese keeps these mints soft but firm, unlike other mints that can be chalky or too sticky.
Customizable Flavor: Want more peppermint punch? Easily adjust the extract to suit your taste buds.

The image shows a group of small, round, pale green cookies with a soft texture and visible cracks on their surfaces. Each cookie has four evenly spaced indent lines pressed down in the center, creating a striped pattern. On top of each cookie is a single small red heart-shaped decoration, placed slightly off-center. The cookies rest on a crumpled sheet of white parchment paper, which is laid on a white marbled surface. The arrangement is casual, with the cookies scattered closely together but not touching. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This recipe uses simple ingredients that come together seamlessly to create a creamy, minty, and colorful confection. Each item plays a key role in texture and flavor, plus there are a few little tips to help you choose the best versions at the store.

Flat lay of a small block of fresh cream cheese, a pat of unsalted butter, a small white bowl of clear peppermint extract, a small white bowl filled with bright neon green food coloring, a white ceramic bowl heaped with fine powdered sugar, and a few red heart sprinkles scattered neatly next to each ingredient, all placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Cream Cheese: Softened, full-fat cream cheese is best for that rich base; it gives the mints a luscious texture.
Unsalted Butter: Adds smoothness without overpowering the mint flavor. Make sure it’s room temperature for easy mixing.
Peppermint Extract: Fresh, pure peppermint extract gives the classic minty zing. Start with a small amount—you can always add more.
Neon Green Food Coloring: Gives that iconic Grinch green color. If it looks too yellowish, add a drop of traditional green to balance.
Powdered Sugar: This sweetens and thickens the dough to just the right consistency—be patient adding it slowly to avoid dryness.
Red Heart Sprinkles: The perfect cherry-on-top, literally! Adds a pop of color and festive charm.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love playing around with this Grinch Peppermint Cream Cheese Mints Recipe to suit different occasions. Sometimes, I add crushed candy canes for texture or swap the red hearts for mini chocolate chips to surprise guests. Don’t be afraid to switch things up a bit.

Stronger Mint Flavor: When I want a more pronounced peppermint punch, I bump the peppermint extract to ½ teaspoon. Just be careful—it can get intense fast!
Vegan/Dairy-Free Version: You can try using vegan cream cheese and butter; the texture changes slightly but it’s still delicious.
Holiday Themes: Swap green for red or add sprinkles in holiday shapes to customize for other celebrations.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Grinch Peppermint Cream Cheese Mints Recipe

Step 1: Soften and Mix the Cream Cheese and Butter

Start by letting your cream cheese and butter come to room temperature—it really helps them blend smoothly without lumps. I usually leave them out for about 30 minutes. Then, in a large mixing bowl, beat cream cheese, butter, peppermint extract, and neon green food coloring until completely combined. The color should be bold and even.

Step 2: Slowly Add Powdered Sugar

Add the powdered sugar in half-cup increments. Mix well after each addition until you’re left with a firm dough that’s soft but not sticky. This step took me a few tries to perfect—too much sugar and it’s dry; too little and it’s sticky. Finding that sweet spot is key.

Step 3: Roll and Shape the Mints

I roll the dough into half-inch balls—it’s the perfect bite size. Place them on a parchment-lined sheet and gently press each down with a fork to create those classic mint marks. Then top each one with a red heart sprinkle for that festive touch.

Step 4: Chill to Set

Pop the tray into the fridge for about one hour. This chilling helps the mints firm up without becoming hard. Trust me, it’s worth the wait so they hold their shape nicely and have that perfect creamy texture.

Top Tip

Making these mints has been one of my favorite kitchen adventures, especially when it comes to balancing texture and flavor. Here are a few personal tips to help you get it just right every time.

Room Temperature Ingredients: Always start with softened cream cheese and butter for smooth, easy mixing—cold ingredients can create lumps and make rolling difficult.
Don't Rush the Sugar: Add powdered sugar gradually and mix thoroughly; it's tempting to pour it all in, but slow and steady gives you the best dough consistency.
Use Parchment Paper: This prevents sticking and makes clean-up a breeze when it's time to chill and store your mints.
Avoid Over-coloring: Neon food coloring can quickly become overpowering. Start with a few drops and add more if needed to get that signature Grinch green.

How to Serve Grinch Peppermint Cream Cheese Mints Recipe

Grinch Peppermint Mints - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually stick to the classic red heart sprinkles—they contrast beautifully with the green and add a festive touch. Sometimes, I toss crushed peppermint candies on top or finish with a light dusting of edible glitter for holiday parties.

Side Dishes

These mints pair wonderfully as a finale to rich dishes like holiday roasts or heavy desserts. I like serving them alongside mulled wine or hot cocoa to cleanse the palate with their refreshing mintiness.

Creative Ways to Present

For an eye-catching display, try arranging them in a candy dish shaped like a Christmas tree or placing them inside clear glass ornaments as little party favors. I once made a "Grinch" themed dessert tray, and these mints stole the show!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I always keep leftover mints in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They last beautifully for up to two weeks and don’t lose their flavor or texture—great if you want to make them well ahead of time.

Freezing

Freezing works well, too! Just pop the mints in a sealed freezer-safe container or bag. When you’re ready to enjoy, take them out about an hour before serving to thaw gently without getting sticky or mushy.

Reheating

These mints really don't need reheating—they're perfect chilled. But if you want them a tiny bit softer, just let them sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use other food coloring besides neon green?

Absolutely! While neon green gives that classic Grinch look, you can mix a small drop of traditional green or even try shades of teal or blue for a creative twist. Just remember to start with a little and add more gradually.

How long do these mints last?

Stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, these mints will stay fresh and delicious for up to two weeks. For longer storage, freezing is your best bet, lasting up to a year without loss of flavor.

Can I make these mints ahead of a party?

Definitely! I often make the whole batch a day or two in advance. Chilling them overnight really helps the flavors meld and improves the texture. Just keep them covered in the fridge until ready to serve.

What’s the best way to avoid sticky mints?

The key is to add powdered sugar slowly and mix until the dough feels firm but soft, not sticky. Using parchment paper when shaping and chilling them also prevents sticking easily.

Final Thoughts

These Grinch Peppermint Cream Cheese Mints Recipe hold a special place in my holiday traditions. There’s something so joyful about making a batch, decorating the kitchen, and sharing these with friends and family. It’s an easy, impressive little treat that tastes homemade but feels magical. Trust me, once you try these, they’ll become a staple for your seasonal celebrations too.