There’s just something magical about these little bursts of holiday cheer—cool, creamy, and bursting with minty freshness. The Grinch Peppermint Cream Cheese Mints Recipe is that perfect festive treat that brings a pop of green and a fun twist to your holiday candy collection. Trust me, once you try these, they’ll be on your must-make list every Christmas.

A pile of light green round cookies stacked on a white plate, each cookie has five parallel indent lines across the top giving a striped texture, and a small bright red heart-shaped decoration near the edge. The cookies have a smooth, matte finish and some show faint green specks. The plate sits on a white marbled surface, soft natural light brightens the scene, highlighting the gentle softness of the cookies. 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

This isn’t just any mint recipe. The blend of creamy cream cheese and buttery richness combined with peppermint and that vibrant Grinch-green color makes these mints a standout at holiday gatherings. Plus, they’re surprisingly easy to whip up, so you’ll feel like a festive superstar without breaking a sweat.

Unique Flavor & Texture: The cream cheese adds a smooth, melt-in-your-mouth texture that sets these mints apart from your typical hard candy.
Vibrant Presentation: That neon green hue is not just fun but instantly recognizable and festive, perfect for holiday parties.
Simple Ingredients: You probably have everything on hand, and the process is straightforward enough for any home cook.
Customizable Sweetness & Mintiness: You can easily tweak the peppermint extract amount to suit your taste without losing that signature punch.

The image shows several small round cookies with a soft, light yellow-green color and a slightly cracked texture. Each cookie has four straight, thin grooves pressed across the top. A tiny bright red heart shape is placed near the center on most cookies, providing a sharp color contrast. Some small green sprinkles and tiny white round sprinkles are scattered around the cookies on a crinkled white wrapper that lies on a white marbled surface. The photo is shot from above with even lighting, making the colors clear and the textures visible. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient plays a starring role in creating that perfect balance between creamy, sweet, and minty. Here’s what you’ll need and why these were my go-to picks when crafting my Grinch Peppermint Cream Cheese Mints Recipe.

Flat lay of a small block of fresh cream cheese with smooth surface, a pat of unsalted butter with a creamy texture, a small white ceramic bowl filled with clear peppermint extract, a tiny white ceramic bowl holding bright neon green liquid food coloring, a simple white ceramic bowl heaped with fine powdered sugar, and a scattering of glossy red heart-shaped sprinkles arranged neatly on a white ceramic plate, 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 to room temp so it blends smoothly, giving the mints a rich, creamy base.
Unsalted Butter: Adds extra richness without overpowering sweetness, balancing texture.
Peppermint Extract: The source of that bright, refreshing mint flavor—start light and adjust to your liking.
Neon Green Food Coloring: Gives the mints their iconic Grinch-esque color, making them festive and fun.
Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and thickens the mixture into a rollable dough; sift it for the smoothest result.
Red Heart Sprinkles: These little touches on top add charm and a pop of contrasting color, making each mint feel extra special.

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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

One of the best things about the Grinch Peppermint Cream Cheese Mints Recipe is that it’s incredibly easy to tweak to your own taste. I like my mints with a little extra peppermint kick, but you might prefer something softer or a different visual vibe.

Stronger Mint: I’ve bumped up the peppermint extract to ½ teaspoon when I want a mintier bite—just be gentle so it doesn’t overpower the creaminess.
Color Tweaks: If the neon green edges towards yellow, add a drop of traditional green food coloring until you get that perfect Grinch-green shade.
Shape Play: Instead of just pressing the mints flat with a fork, try rolling them into little logs and slicing for a different look.
Sprinkle Alternatives: Hearts are cute, but red sugar crystals or crushed candy canes add a wintery sparkle and extra texture.

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

Step 1: Cream Together the Base

Start by making sure your cream cheese is soft to the touch—room temperature is key here. In a large mixing bowl, I blend together the cream cheese, butter, peppermint extract, and neon green food coloring until everything’s smooth and evenly tinted. This step sets the stage for luscious mints, so don’t rush it.

Step 2: Gradually Add Powdered Sugar

Add the powdered sugar in ½ cup increments, mixing well after each addition. I use a sturdy spoon or, better yet, a stand mixer with the paddle attachment. The goal is a dough that’s firm enough to roll but not sticky. If it’s too wet, add a little more sugar; too dry, a tiny splash of milk can help, but be careful.

Step 3: Shape Your Mints

Roll the dough into tiny ½-inch balls—don’t be shy with your fingers here—and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Then, gently press each ball with a fork to create that classic mint pattern. This step isn’t just about looks, it helps the mints hold their shape. Finally, top each with a sweet little red heart sprinkle to give it a festive pop.

Step 4: Chill and Set

Place your baking sheet in the fridge for at least an hour. This chilling step firms them up so they’re perfectly bite-sized and refreshing. Patience is key here—it’s worth the wait!

Top Tip

Over the years, making this Grinch Peppermint Cream Cheese Mints Recipe has become a holiday ritual for me, and a few little tricks saved me from common pitfalls. These tips guarantee your mints come out perfect every single time.

Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure your cream cheese and butter aren’t cold to start—this makes mixing easier and the dough smoother.
Gradual Sugar Addition: Adding powdered sugar slowly prevents the mixture from getting too dry or crumbly, letting you control dough consistency.
Food Coloring Control: Start with fewer drops of neon green coloring and add more as needed; it’s easier to add color than to fix overly bright mints.
Don’t Skip Chilling: Chilling firms the mints, making them easier to handle and giving that satisfying bite everyone loves.

How to Serve Grinch Peppermint Cream Cheese Mints Recipe

Peppermint Cream Cheese Mints - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I absolutely love topping these mints with the classic red heart sprinkles—it contrasts so beautifully with that bright green. Sometimes, I swap in crushed candy canes for an extra peppermint crunch. If you want to get fancy, edible glitter or tiny snowflake sprinkles work wonders during the holidays.

Side Dishes

Pair the mints with a warm cup of cocoa or a holiday eggnog to balance the coolness. They also complement festive cookies or a cheese platter perfectly, adding a sweet, refreshing bite on the side.

Creative Ways to Present

For my holiday gatherings, I like to serve these mints in decorative glass jars with red and green ribbons tied around the rims. They also make adorable edible gifts when wrapped up in small clear bags tied with festive twine. On a dessert table, lining them up in clusters or on tiered platters really makes them pop.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftover mints in an airtight container in the fridge, and honestly, they stay fresh and tasty for up to two weeks. Just be sure they’re sealed well so they don’t pick up any fridge odors or dry out.

Freezing

If you want to make these early, freezing works like a charm. I freeze mine in a single layer on a tray first, then transfer to a freezer-safe container. They keep for up to a year and taste great once thawed—just set them out for about an hour before serving to soften up.

Reheating

Since these are no-bake, cream cheese-based mints, reheating isn’t necessary or recommended. Just bring them to room temperature so the cream cheese softens for that perfect melt-in-your-mouth effect.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use regular green food coloring instead of neon green?

Absolutely! Regular green works just fine. The neon green gives a brighter 'Grinch' effect, but adjusting colors to your preference won’t impact the flavor. Just add a couple of drops until you get that eye-catching shade you want.

How strong is the peppermint flavor in this recipe?

The peppermint flavor is mild by default, perfect for most palates, but you can easily increase the peppermint extract to half a teaspoon if you want a bolder mint taste. I usually start with a quarter teaspoon and taste the dough before adding more.

Can I substitute cream cheese with something else?

Cream cheese is really key for that creamy texture and tangy flavor, but if you need a dairy-free option, try using a vegan cream cheese alternative. Just note that texture and taste may vary slightly.

How many mints does this recipe make?

You’ll get about 40 delicious mints from this recipe, which makes it perfect for sharing or gifting during the holidays. They’re bite-sized enough to pop one (or three!) without guilt.

Final Thoughts

I honestly can’t recommend the Grinch Peppermint Cream Cheese Mints Recipe enough—it’s a delightful blend of flavors and colors that make holiday moments even sweeter. Whether you’re making them for family, friends, or just to enjoy a festive treat yourself, these mints bring a little extra joy to the season. Plus, they’re quick enough for a last-minute gift when you’re scrambling. Give them a try and let me know how your kitchen turns out green with holiday cheer!