Sweet Orange Cream Cheese Mints Recipe
Introduction
Sweet Orange Cream Cheese Mints are a delightful, creamy treat bursting with fresh citrus flavor. These soft, melt-in-your-mouth candies are easy to make and perfect for gifting or enjoying at home during any season.
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp butter (softened)
- 4 oz cream cheese (room temperature, Philadelphia brand preferred)
- 1/2 tsp orange extract
- 1 tsp grated orange peel (freshly zested for best flavor)
- 1-2 drops orange gel coloring (Wilton brand recommended)
- 4 cups confectioners’ sugar (sifted to remove lumps)
Instructions
- Step 1: Zest your orange to get 1 teaspoon of fresh grated orange peel for the brightest citrus oils and flavor. Sift 4 cups of confectioners’ sugar through a fine mesh strainer to remove lumps and set both aside. Ensure the cream cheese and butter are at room temperature (about 70°F) for smooth blending.
- Step 2: In a medium mixing bowl, combine 4 ounces of softened cream cheese with 1 tablespoon of softened butter. Stir by hand with a spatula or wooden spoon for 1-2 minutes until smooth and creamy, without streaks.
- Step 3: Add 1/2 teaspoon orange extract and the freshly grated orange zest to the cream cheese mixture. Stir until fully combined and smooth, about 30 seconds. Add 1-2 drops of orange gel coloring and mix thoroughly for uniform color.
- Step 4: Gradually add the sifted confectioners’ sugar in three parts. Start with about 1 cup, stirring well until smooth. Add 1.5 cups more and mix again, then add the remaining sugar. The mixture will change from a soft paste to a thick, moldable dough. Test by squeezing a small piece between your fingers—it should hold without crumbling or sticking.
- Step 5: Pinch off pieces of dough and roll them into 1/2-inch balls. Arrange on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing about 1 inch apart. Gently flatten each ball with the back of a fork to create a waffle-like texture without crushing the candy.
- Step 6: Chill the baking sheet in the refrigerator for 1 hour to let the mints firm up and set their shape. Once chilled, transfer the mints to an airtight container.
Tips & Variations
- Use fresh orange zest for the best flavor; dried zest won’t give the same bright citrus notes.
- Gel food coloring is preferable to liquid to avoid adding extra moisture that can affect texture.
- For a different twist, try substituting lemon or lime extract and zest instead of orange.
Storage
Store the mints in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. They can also be kept at room temperature for a few days if your kitchen is cool and dry. To serve, let them sit at room temperature for a few minutes if desired, but avoid reheating as it can affect texture.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use a mixer instead of stirring by hand?
While you can use a mixer, stirring by hand helps prevent the mixture from becoming greasy or overworked, resulting in a better texture.
What if I don’t have fresh oranges for zest?
Fresh zest is ideal for the brightest flavor, but if unavailable, carefully use dried orange zest, keeping in mind the flavor will be less vibrant.
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Sweet Orange Cream Cheese Mints Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 40–45 mints 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Sweet Orange Cream Cheese Mints are a delightful, creamy candy made by blending cream cheese and butter with fresh orange zest, orange extract, and confectioners’ sugar. These bite-sized, soft mints offer a bright citrus flavor with a smooth, melt-in-your-mouth texture that makes a perfect refreshing treat or gift.
Ingredients
Scale
Base
- 1 tbsp butter (softened)
- 4 oz cream cheese (room temperature, Philadelphia brand preferred)
Flavoring
- 1/2 tsp orange extract
- 1 tsp freshly grated orange peel (zested)
- 1–2 drops orange gel coloring (Wilton brand recommended)
Sweetener
- 4 cups confectioners’ sugar (sifted to remove lumps)
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients and Mise en Place: Zest your orange to obtain 1 tsp of fresh grated orange peel to capture the brightest citrus oils and flavor. Sift 4 cups of confectioners’ sugar through a fine mesh strainer to remove lumps and ensure a smooth final texture. Make sure your cream cheese and butter are softened to room temperature (about 70°F) for easy blending without lumps.
- Blend Cream Cheese and Butter Base: In a medium mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese and butter. Stir together using a spatula or wooden spoon for 1-2 minutes until you have a smooth, creamy base with no streaks. Mixing by hand prevents overworking the mixture which can make it greasy.
- Incorporate Flavor and Color: Add 1/2 tsp orange extract and the fresh orange zest to the cream cheese mixture. Stir until fully integrated and smooth, about 30 seconds. Add 1-2 drops of orange gel coloring and mix thoroughly until color is uniform, ensuring it won’t add extra moisture that could affect texture.
- Build the Dough with Gradual Sugar Addition: Add the sifted confectioners’ sugar in three additions: start with about 1 cup and mix until smooth, then add 1.5 cups and mix again, and finally add the remaining sugar. Stir well after each addition to prevent dryness pockets and create an even dough. The mixture will thicken from a soft paste to moldable dough. Test by squeezing a small piece; it should hold without crumbling or sticking.
- Shape and Form the Mints: Pinch off pieces of dough and roll each into 1/2-inch balls between your palms. Place them spaced about 1 inch apart on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Gently flatten each ball with the back of a fork to make a waffle-like texture without crushing the candy.
- Chill and Set: Refrigerate the baking sheet with formed mints for 1 hour to firm up and set. Once chilled, transfer the mints into an airtight container. They can be refrigerated for up to 2 weeks or kept at room temperature for a few days in a cool environment.
Notes
- Use freshly zested orange peel for the best flavor; dried zest is less flavorful.
- Softened room temperature cream cheese and butter blend better, preventing lumps.
- Gel food coloring is preferred over liquid to maintain candy texture by avoiding extra moisture.
- Sift confectioners’ sugar to avoid lumps and ensure a smooth mint dough.
- Chilling the mints helps them set properly and makes handling easier.
- Store refrigerated in an airtight container to maintain freshness up to 2 weeks.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Candy
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: orange cream cheese mints, no bake candy, citrus mints, homemade candy, cream cheese mints, orange flavored candy, soft mints
