Orange Cream Cheese Mints (Print Version)
Creamy orange confections that melt in your mouth with bright citrus flavor.
# Recipe Ingredients:
→ Cream Cheese Base
01 - 4 oz cream cheese, softened
02 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
→ Flavor & Sweetness
03 - 1/2 tsp orange extract
04 - 2 1/2–3 cups powdered sugar, sifted
05 - Orange food coloring, as desired
→ Finish
06 - Extra powdered sugar for dusting
# Directions:
01 - In a medium bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy, ensuring no lumps remain.
02 - Add the orange extract and a few drops of orange food coloring; mix until fully incorporated and the color is evenly distributed.
03 - Gradually beat in the powdered sugar, 1/2 cup at a time, until a soft, pliable dough forms that holds its shape without sticking to your hands.
04 - Taste the dough and add more orange extract or food coloring as needed to achieve your desired flavor intensity and color depth.
05 - Dust your work surface with powdered sugar. Roll the dough into 3/4-inch balls. Gently flatten each ball with a fork or your thumb, pressing down to create a traditional mint pattern.
06 - Place mints on a parchment-lined tray. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or until firm to the touch and no longer sticky.
07 - Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week, or freeze for up to 2 months for longer storage.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- These mints come together in just 20 minutes with zero cooking required
- The texture is unlike anything storebought, creamy yet light and meltingly soft
02 -
- If your dough feels too sticky after adding all the sugar chill it for 15 minutes before shaping
- These mints taste best after they have been chilled for at least a few hours
03 -
- Use a cookie scoop to get perfectly uniform mints that look professional
- Work quickly once the dough is made as it becomes firmer and harder to shape as it sits