Easy Cream Cheese Candies
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There’s something extra special about a treat that’s both beautiful and simple. These Cream Cheese Candies are soft, sweet, and full of old-fashioned flavor, with just a few basic ingredients. They’re perfect for holiday entertaining, gifting, or whenever you want a quick and delightful candy to share.
If you’re looking for a nostalgic recipe to make this holiday season, look no further than these easy Cream Cheese Candies. They are sometimes called Cream Cheese Mints, but I’m calling them candies since some of mine aren’t mint-flavored. I love making a new festive candy recipe each year for the holiday season.
I see these pop up online every Christmas and have always been intrigued by them. I never really knew what they were, but they always caught my eye. They weren’t a classic recipe in my family, so I had never tried them before. After a little research, I discovered they’re surprisingly easy to make with just a few basic ingredients. To my surprise, it’s really just cream cheese, sugar, coloring, and flavoring. That’s it!
Of course, you can let your creativity shine with different colors, flavors, and shapes. I even saw someone pipe them into tiny Christmas wreaths. So cute! Flavor-wise, I’d describe them as little bites of cream cheese frosting, which is essentially what they are. Traditionally, they’re flavored with peppermint, but I decided to make three different batches: vanilla, almond, and peppermint, each with its own color.
These candies are quick, easy, and completely delicious. While I made mine for the holiday season, they can be enjoyed any time of year. Customize the colors and flavors to match any celebration or occasion. They also make a thoughtful and charming homemade gift.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- These cream cheese candies have that old-fashioned, homemade sweetness that instantly feels special. They’re the kind of treat that looks like it came from a vintage Christmas cookbook. They are simple, pretty, and full of heart.
- With just a handful of pantry staples, you can whip up a batch of candies that look like they took hours to make. No fancy tools or complicated steps required.
- They are endlessly customizable. Change up the colors, flavors, or shapes to fit any season or celebration. Whether you stick with peppermint for Christmas or try almond for spring, it’s easy to make them your own.
- Perfect for gifting. These candies store beautifully and make such a thoughtful homemade gift. Tucked into a festive tin or a small box with ribbon, they’re a sweet little way to spread holiday cheer.
Looking for more unique candy recipes? You’re in luck because I’ve made plenty. Check out this collection of all my irresistible candy recipes.
Ingredients
Before we begin, let’s review the short list of ingredients you’ll need for these candies. I’ll walk you through what I used below.
- Cream Cheese – This is the heart of the recipe, giving the candies their creamy texture and subtle tang. Be sure it’s softened so it mixes smoothly with the sugar.
- Extract – Choose from vanilla, almond, or peppermint extract to add flavor and personality to your candies. Each one creates a slightly different twist, so feel free to experiment.
- Powdered Sugar – This acts as both the sweetener and structure, transforming the cream cheese into a soft, dough-like candy base.
- Food Coloring (optional) – A few drops of color make these candies fun and festive. You can stick to one hue or divide the batch for a colorful assortment. This is my go-to food coloring.
- Granulated Sugar – Rolling the candies in sugar adds a delicate sparkle and a light, sweet crunch that balances the creamy center.
How To Make
And with that, we’re ready to make these Cream Cheese Candies. Let’s get to it. I’ll walk you through the steps below. I’ve also provided a full ingredient list and detailed instructions in the printable recipe card below.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine the cream cheese and extract of your choice. Gradually add the powdered sugar, stirring or kneading until the mixture is smooth and pliable. If you’d like to add color, mix in a few drops of food coloring and knead until evenly tinted.
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- Shape the mixture into ¾-inch balls. Roll each one in granulated sugar and place them on the prepared tray. Flatten slightly with the tines of a fork. Cover with paper towels and refrigerate overnight.
- Once chilled, pack and store the candies in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to enjoy.
And that’s it! I told you it was simple. Now you’re armed with dozens of pieces of delicious homemade candy to enjoy and share.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use low-fat or whipped cream cheese for this recipe?
It’s best to use full-fat brick-style cream cheese for the right texture and consistency. Whipped or low-fat versions contain more air and moisture, which can make the candies too soft or sticky.
How long will these Cream Cheese Candies stay fresh?
Stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, they’ll keep well for up to two weeks. If you’re planning ahead, they can also be frozen for a month or two and thawed in the fridge before serving.
Can I shape these candies differently?
Absolutely. Try pressing the dough into small silicone molds, piping it into rosettes, or using mini cookie cutters for special occasions. It’s a fun way to personalize the candies for any theme or season.
More Festive Candy Recipes You’ll Love
- Aunt Maggie’s Hard Tack Candy
- Homemade Pecan Pralines
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Candy
- Christmas Crock Pot Candy
- Salted Chocolate Turtles
Whether you go with the classic peppermint or try something new like almond or vanilla, I think you’ll find these Cream Cheese Candies have a way of becoming a quick favorite. Make a batch to share with friends, wrap them up as gifts, or just keep a few for yourself. However you enjoy them, I hope they bring a bit of sweetness and nostalgia to your season.
Once you give them a go (because I know you’re going to), I’d love to know what you think. Please stop back and leave a comment and a 5-star rating below.
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Easy Cream Cheese Candies
Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- 1.5 teaspoons vanilla almond, or peppermint extract
- 8 cups powdered sugar
- Food coloring optional
- Granulated sugar
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine the cream cheese and extract of your choice. Gradually add the powdered sugar, stirring or kneading until the mixture is smooth and pliable. If you’d like to add color, mix in a few drops of food coloring and knead until evenly tinted.
- Shape the mixture into ¾-inch balls. Roll each one in granulated sugar and place them on the prepared tray. Flatten slightly with the tines of a fork. Cover with paper towels and refrigerate overnight.
- Once chilled, pack and store the candies in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to enjoy.
Notes
These will last for about two weeks in the refrigerator and up to a few months in the freezer.
Fantastic, this will definitely be on my Christmas nibbles platter this year-many thanks Teresa (Brisbane, Australia).
Never too early to practice.
I love easy recipes…..and it sounds delicious and look so festive.
thank you.