There's just something magical about these little bursts of cool peppermint wrapped in creamy sweetness. This Grinch Peppermint Cream Cheese Mints Recipe has been one of my holiday favorites for years—fresh, bright, and oh-so-easy to make. Trust me, your friends will be asking for the recipe before you know it!

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

I still remember the first time I made these mints for a holiday party. The vibrant green color instantly caught everyone's eye, but it was the creamy peppermint flavor that stole the show. This recipe brings together the perfect balance of richness and refreshing mintiness with minimal fuss—making it a total keeper during the festive season.

Simple Ingredients: You only need a handful of common pantry items, which means no last-minute store runs.
Fun & Festive: That bright green color and red heart sprinkles make them instantly festive and cheerful.
Creamy Texture: Thanks to cream cheese and butter, these mints aren’t just sugary—they’re silky and melt-in-your-mouth.
Make Ahead Friendly: You can prepare them in advance and keep them refrigerated or even frozen until you’re ready.

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

Each ingredient in the Grinch Peppermint Cream Cheese Mints Recipe plays a vital role in bringing the flavors and texture together perfectly. Here’s why these specific choices come together so well:

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: Provides a smooth, tangy richness that balances the sweetness perfectly.
Unsalted Butter: Adds creaminess and helps the mints hold their shape without being greasy.
Peppermint Extract: Infuses that bright, refreshing peppermint flavor; adjust the amount to match your taste.
Neon Green Food Coloring: Gives you that iconic “Grinch” green that makes these mints festive and fun.
Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and helps you reach that firm, moldable dough-like consistency.
Red Heart Sprinkles: A cute finishing touch that adds color contrast and a little crunch.

📝

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 like to tweak the peppermint extract depending on how strong I want the mint flavor—sometimes I go for a subtle hint, other times I punch it up for a minty kick. It’s also fun to play with the colors to match different themes or parties.

Stronger Mint: I bump up the peppermint extract to ½ teaspoon for an extra zing. Just be careful—peppermint can overpower! Start small and taste as you go.
Color Variations: If neon green feels too bold, mix in a drop of traditional green food coloring to get a softer shade. I’ve also done red or white mints for fun variations on the classic.
Dairy-Free Twist: For friends with dietary needs, try swapping in vegan butter and dairy-free cream cheese—though expect a slightly different texture.

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

Step 1: Soften and Mix Your Base

Start by letting your cream cheese come to room temperature so it’s soft and easy to mix—this really helps avoid lumps. Combine it with the softened butter, peppermint extract, and your green food coloring in a large bowl. I usually use an electric mixer here just to get everything smooth and uniformly colored.

Step 2: Incorporate the Powdered Sugar

Add the powdered sugar gradually, about half a cup at a time. Mix between additions until the dough pulls away from the sides and becomes firm but not sticky. This step is key—if it’s too soft, your mints won’t hold their shape well. Too dry? Add a tiny dab of cream cheese or butter.

Step 3: Shape and Decorate

Roll the dough into little ½-inch balls and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Then gently press each mint down with a fork to create a flat shape. Before popping them into the fridge, top each one with a red heart sprinkle—I love this unexpected pop of color against the green!

Step 4: Chill and Serve

Pop the tray into the fridge for at least an hour. This step helps the mints firm up and flavors meld together beautifully. Once chilled, they’re ready to enjoy or gift.

Top Tip

Through trial and error, I’ve learned some tricks to make sure your Grinch Peppermint Cream Cheese Mints come out perfect every time. These tips will save you from the common pitfalls and add a bit of polish to your final batch.

Room Temperature Ingredients: Always soften cream cheese and butter ahead of time to get a smooth, creamy blend without lumps.
Add Powdered Sugar Slowly: Pour it in gradually and mix well to avoid a dry, crumbly dough or a sticky mess.
Press Gently: When flattening with a fork, don’t press too hard—you want the shape but also some lightness to the texture.
Chill Well: Refrigeration isn’t just to firm the mints, but also to let the peppermint flavor deepen and marry with the creamy base.

How to Serve Grinch Peppermint Cream Cheese Mints Recipe

peppermint cream cheese mints - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I’m a big fan of the red heart sprinkles because they add that perfect holiday cheer and a tiny crunch. Sometimes, I'll swap for crushed candy canes for an extra peppermint pop and pretty snowy look. Whatever you choose, keeping it simple lets the mint flavor shine.

Side Dishes

These mints pair wonderfully with hot chocolate or a rich cup of coffee—perfect little palate cleansers when you want a festive finish. They’re also a great side sweet to serve alongside holiday cookies or fudge if you want a minty contrast.

Creative Ways to Present

For a holiday party, I love arranging these mints in little festive bowls or packaging them in clear boxes tied with a red ribbon for gifts. They also look adorable arranged on a platter lined with fresh pine sprigs or cranberries to amplify that Christmas vibe.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover mints in an airtight container in the fridge. They keep beautifully for up to two weeks. I’ve found that letting them come back to room temperature a bit before eating helps bring back some softness.

Freezing

Freezing works like a charm with these mints. I place them on a baking sheet first to freeze individually, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. They keep for up to a year, which is amazing when you want to prep for several occasions ahead of time.

Reheating

Since these are no-bake mints, reheating isn’t necessary. Just remove from the freezer or fridge about an hour before serving. They soften nicely at room temperature, keeping that luscious creamy texture intact.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make these mints without cream cheese?

Cream cheese is what gives these mints their signature creamy texture and tang. If you want to avoid it, you might try a recipe designed specifically without dairy, but it won’t exactly be the same smooth mint flavor.

How strong is the peppermint flavor?

The peppermint flavor is refreshing but mild with the standard ¼ teaspoon. You can increase it up to ½ teaspoon if you prefer a more intense minty punch. Just don’t go overboard to avoid bitterness.

What’s the best way to get that vibrant Grinch green color?

Using neon green food coloring gives you that bright, iconic Grinch shade. If it looks too yellowish, try adding a drop of traditional green food coloring to balance it out. Mixing colors helps you find your perfect shade.

Can I use these mints as edible gifts?

Absolutely! These mints make charming, tasty gifts wrapped in clear boxes or festive bags. Just make sure to keep them refrigerated or frozen until gifting to maintain their freshness and shape.

Final Thoughts

These Grinch Peppermint Cream Cheese Mints hold a special place in my holiday tradition. They’re not just delicious—they’re easy to make, fun to share, and brighten up any celebration with their cheerful colors. I can’t recommend giving this recipe a try enough—you’ll have festive mints ready to wow your guests with minimal fuss, and that’s a kitchen win every time!