Nothing says holiday cheer quite like these fun, festive, and melt-in-your-mouth mints. The Grinch Peppermint Cream Cheese Mints Recipe combines cool peppermint flavor with creamy softness and that iconic vibrant green — they’re a total crowd-pleaser and perfect gift too!

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

The Grinch Peppermint Cream Cheese Mints Recipe is so special because it’s ridiculously easy to make, yet looks totally impressive and tastes like something from a fancy candy shop. I remember sharing these at my last Christmas party, and everyone kept asking for the recipe!

Easy Prep: No baking, just mix, roll, and chill — great for busy holiday weekends.
Delicious Flavor: The cream cheese keeps these mints smooth and creamy, balancing the sharp peppermint.
Fun Presentation: That bright Grinch-green color paired with red heart sprinkles really makes these pop on the dessert table.
Make-Ahead Friendly: Prep in advance and store easily in the fridge or freezer to save stress on party day.

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 this Grinch Peppermint Cream Cheese Mints Recipe brings something special to the table. Cream cheese gives that tender, creamy base, while peppermint extract delivers that classic minty zing. And of course, the neon green food coloring creates that Grinch-y vibe that’s just so much fun.

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 cream cheese is what makes these mints rich and creamy, giving them a smooth texture that melts on your tongue.
Unsalted Butter: Adds a mild richness and helps the dough come together more easily.
Peppermint Extract: This is your minty magic—start with a small amount and adjust if you want it more intense.
Neon Green Food Coloring: Gives the mints that signature Grinch green; be careful to add in small drops to get just the right shade.
Powdered Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps firm up the dough for shaping the mints.
Red Heart Sprinkles: A tiny touch of red on top adds a festive, adorable pop of color that contrasts beautifully with the green.

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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 tweaking this Grinch Peppermint Cream Cheese Mints Recipe depending on my mood or what I have on hand. It’s super versatile, so go ahead and make it yours with these little adjustments I’ve tried over the years.

Stronger Mint Kick: I sometimes double the peppermint extract for a punchier flavor—just be careful not to add too much or it can taste bitter.
Color Variations: For a greener, less yellow tone, add a drop of standard green food coloring along with the neon green for a perfect Grinch effect.
Dietary Tweaks: Use dairy-free cream cheese if you want to make this vegan-friendly, though the texture might be slightly different.

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

Step 1: Soften and Mix the Cream Cheese Base

Start by letting your cream cheese sit out until it’s soft — this makes mixing a breeze. Combine the cream cheese, unsalted butter, peppermint extract, and neon green food coloring in a large bowl. I usually use a hand mixer here to avoid lumps and get everything perfectly blended.

Step 2: Add Powdered Sugar to Form the Dough

Slowly add powdered sugar, about half a cup at a time, mixing well after each addition. The goal is a moldable dough that’s not sticky — you want to be able to roll it into balls without it clinging to your fingers. If it’s too sticky, add a little more sugar; if it feels crumbly, a tiny dab of butter will fix it.

Step 3: Roll and Shape into Mints

Once your dough is ready, roll it into ½-inch balls and place each on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Press each ball down gently with a fork to create a pretty pattern and flatten them just a bit. Then, top each with a cute red heart sprinkle to really make them pop.

Step 4: Chill to Set

Pop the tray into the fridge for about an hour. This step is crucial — it firms the mints up so they hold their shape and get that satisfying minty firmness. I always let mine chill while I tidy up the kitchen or make a cup of hot cocoa.

Top Tip

From making this Grinch Peppermint Cream Cheese Mints Recipe a bunch of times, I’ve learned a few tricks that really make the difference between okay and outstanding mints. Here are my top tips for the best results every time.

Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure your cream cheese and butter are nice and soft so you get a smooth, easy-to-work dough. Cold cream cheese will make mixing tough and lumpy.
Powdered Sugar Gradually: Add it in small amounts and test the dough’s consistency so it doesn’t get too dry or crumbly.
Color Slowly & Steady: Food coloring can be tricky — add a couple drops and mix thoroughly before adding more to avoid overdoing it and ending up with a weird color.
Chill Time Matters: Don’t skip the chilling step! It’s what helps your mints firm up and develop that wonderful texture that melts in your mouth.

How to Serve Grinch Peppermint Cream Cheese Mints Recipe

Peppermint Cream Cheese Mints - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love keeping the garnishes simple on these mints — those red heart sprinkles are my favorite because they give a pop of festive color and a tiny crunch. Sometimes I sprinkle crushed candy canes over the top for extra peppermint punch and texture, which always delights guests.

Side Dishes

These mints are a perfect little sweet bite next to a cup of hot chocolate or a mug of mulled wine. I’ve also served them alongside holiday cheese boards and found their bright freshness balances rich cheeses and nuts really well.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday parties, I like placing the mints in little mini cupcake liners or arranging them on a festive platter lined with holly leaves or pine sprigs. I’ve even packaged them in clear cello bags tied with red ribbons as adorable neighbor gifts — they always get rave reviews!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover mints in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They keep great for up to two weeks, which means you can make a batch early and still enjoy them fresh throughout the season without any fuss.

Freezing

These mints freeze surprisingly well! I freeze them in a single layer on a parchment-lined tray first, then transfer to a sealed container. When ready to eat, I just pull them out an hour ahead to thaw — perfect for prepping way ahead for big holiday gatherings.

Reheating

No reheating needed here — these mints are meant to be enjoyed chilled or at room temperature. Just let frozen ones thaw at room temp for the best texture and flavor.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use a different flavor extract besides peppermint?

Yes! While peppermint is classic and signature here, you can swap it with spearmint, vanilla, or even almond extract to customize the mints to your taste.

My dough is sticky — what can I do?

If your dough feels sticky, gradually add a bit more powdered sugar until it’s no longer tacky but still pliable. Make sure to mix well between additions.

How long do the mints last?

Stored properly in an airtight container in the fridge, these mints last up to two weeks. You can also freeze them for longer storage, up to a year.

Can I make these mints ahead of time for a party?

Absolutely! These mints are great to make days or even weeks ahead. Just store them covered in the fridge or freeze them and thaw before serving for maximum freshness.

Final Thoughts

This Grinch Peppermint Cream Cheese Mints Recipe has quickly become one of my favorite festive treats. They’re so simple, so fun, and pack that perfect balance of creamy and minty goodness. I’m confident you’ll enjoy making and sharing them as much as I do — they really bring holiday joy with every bite. Don’t forget to leave a review once you try them; I love hearing how these mints become part of your holiday traditions!