Decadent Dark Chocolate Covered Cream Cheese Mints: An Easy Homemade Candy Recipe
Looking for a quick, real-food mint candy recipe that truly stands out? These dark chocolate covered cream cheese mints are incredibly easy to make, absolutely delicious, and serve as a fantastic, thoughtful gift for any occasion. Forget store-bought options; once you try these homemade delights, you’ll be hooked on their fresh flavor and rich, decadent coating. They’re a perfect blend of creamy, minty goodness enveloped in luxurious dark chocolate, creating an unforgettable sweet experience.
The Enduring Appeal of Homemade Mint Candies
For generations, homemade mints have been a cherished treat, especially during the festive holiday season. I’ve personally made two super easy homemade mint recipes for years: air-dried Homemade Butter Mints, which were a delightful discovery, and the classic three-ingredient cream cheese mints. These traditional cream cheese mints, typically shaped with the tines of a fork, evoke sweet memories of childhood Christmases spent in the kitchen with my mom. Their simple charm and refreshing taste have made them a timeless favorite, passed down through families.
Given their long-standing popularity, one might ask: do we really need yet another cream cheese mint recipe? If it were just the same old standby, perhaps not. But when this beloved classic is elevated with a luxurious dark chocolate coating? The answer is a resounding, enthusiastic yes! This innovative twist takes a familiar comfort food and transforms it into something truly extraordinary, making it worthy of a prime spot in your recipe collection. It’s an evolution of a classic that you simply must try.
The Genius Addition: Dark Chocolate
The inspiration for this sensational upgrade came from my daughter one Christmas. Her brilliant idea to coat the shaped cream cheese mints in dark chocolate proved to be nothing short of genius. This simple step transforms a nice, refreshing mint candy into an utterly amazing treat that easily rivals any gourmet, store-bought chocolate-covered confections. The rich bitterness of quality dark chocolate provides a perfect counterpoint to the sweet, creamy peppermint, creating a harmonious flavor profile that is both sophisticated and incredibly satisfying.
What makes this combination so special is how the dark chocolate not only enhances the flavor but also adds a wonderful textural contrast. The smooth, melt-in-your-mouth mint center paired with a crisp, snappy chocolate shell creates an unforgettable sensory experience. These aren’t just candies; they’re special enough to be gifted on their own, presented in elegant packaging, or proudly displayed on a holiday dessert platter. They offer a touch of homemade luxury that will impress friends and family alike, becoming a new holiday tradition.
Crafting Your Decadent Dark Chocolate Cream Cheese Mints
Despite the addition of chocolate, the core recipe for these cream cheese mints remains remarkably simple and easy to follow. While the original three ingredients have increased to five, you can still whip up a batch in mere minutes, making them an ideal choice for last-minute gifts or spontaneous sweet cravings. To ensure your homemade mints turn out perfectly every time, here are a couple of essential tips I’ve gathered over years of making these delightful treats, ensuring optimal flavor and texture:
- Choose the Right Cream Cheese: I highly recommend using the lower-fat Neufchatel cream cheese. Its softer consistency makes the dough significantly easier to mix and work with, even when used straight from the fridge without softening. Neufchatel is still a real food product; the primary difference is that it’s made with all milk, whereas regular cream cheese includes cream. If you opt for regular cream cheese, ensure it’s fully softened to room temperature to avoid a lumpy or difficult-to-handle dough. This will ensure a smooth, uniform mint base.
- Opt for Pure Peppermint Extract: This is a crucial distinction for the best flavor. Always use pure peppermint extract, not peppermint “flavor.” Peppermint flavor is typically an oil-based product that can separate or curdle in this application, leading to an undesirable texture and less potent, artificial-tasting flavor. Pure peppermint extract, being alcohol-based, blends seamlessly into the cream cheese mixture, providing that clean, vibrant, and authentic mint taste you’re aiming for. It’s truly worth seeking out the pure extract.
Dipping or Fully Coating with Chocolate: Your Aesthetic Choice
When it comes to the chocolate application, you have a couple of delightful options, each offering a slightly different experience. You can, of course, coat the entire mint with chocolate, creating your very own homemade version of classic peppermint patties. This offers a fully immersive chocolate-mint experience, perfect for those who adore a thicker, all-encompassing chocolate shell and a purely decadent bite. This method gives a uniform, glossy finish to each candy.
However, our preferred method, and one that offers a beautiful presentation, is to dip just one side of each mint. Dipping one side is not only quicker and requires slightly less chocolate, but it also creates a visually appealing black and white contrast. This elegant two-tone look makes them even more attractive on a dessert platter or when packaged as a gift. You still get all the rich dark chocolate flavor with every bite, beautifully balanced with the creamy mint, along with the fun aesthetic of the partial coating. Experiment with both methods to discover your personal favorite, or even do a mix for variety!
Cream Cheese Mints: The Perfect Edible Gift Idea
While these dark chocolate cream cheese mints are an absolutely fantastic addition to any holiday cookie plate alongside other festive goodies – perhaps with some whole grain cut out cookies, rich mocha chip cookies, or decadent caramel coconut bars – they truly shine as a sweet little gift all on their own. Their homemade charm and gourmet taste make them incredibly special, particularly when presented thoughtfully and creatively.
Imagine these delightful mints nestled in a charming vintage mason jar, perhaps tied with a festive ribbon, a personalized tag, or a sprig of fresh mint. This presentation elevates them from a simple treat to a heartfelt, handcrafted gift that feels both personal and luxurious. Beyond the holidays, these versatile mints are classic additions to dessert tables at a variety of special events. Think elegant wedding favors, sweet accents for baby showers, or celebratory treats at graduation parties. Their universally loved flavor profile ensures they’ll be a hit at any gathering, leaving a memorable impression on your guests.
With this easy and impressive recipe in your culinary arsenal, you might just become known as the “homemade mint queen” among your friends and family. Or, at the very least, you’ll be the one who consistently brings those delicious, much-anticipated mints to every party and celebration. They are a simple gesture that delivers big on flavor and thoughtfulness, making them a go-to for any occasion that calls for a sweet, personal touch.
Expert Tips for Perfect Mints Every Time
Achieving perfectly smooth, moldable mint dough is key to beautiful, delicious cream cheese mints. After combining your cream cheese and peppermint extract, slowly incorporate the powdered sugar, beating it in gradually. The goal is a firm, yet pliable dough that doesn’t stick excessively to your hands or the fork. If the dough feels too soft or sticky, gradually add more powdered sugar, a tablespoon at a time, until it reaches the right consistency. Conversely, if it seems too dry and crumbly, add a tiny bit more cream cheese or a few drops of milk to bring it together, ensuring it’s easy to shape.
When shaping your mints, work with about a teaspoon of dough per mint for consistent sizing. Roll each portion into a small, smooth ball before placing it on a large parchment-lined baking sheet. Using a fork, gently press down to create a classic ridged disc. If you find the fork sticking, lightly oil the back of the fork tines with a neutral oil or cooking spray, wiping it clean as needed. As you work, if the dough in your bowl starts to dry out, simply cover it with a damp cloth to maintain its pliability. Allowing the shaped mints to air dry on the cookie sheet for at least one to two hours before dipping helps them firm up, which prevents them from softening too much in the warm chocolate and ensures a better, more stable coating.
For the chocolate coating, always use a good quality dark chocolate for the best flavor and melting consistency. You can melt the chocolate chips or chopped bars with a teaspoon of butter (or coconut oil) using either a microwave or a double boiler. When using a microwave, heat in short bursts (15-30 seconds), stirring well between each interval, until smooth and fully melted. This prevents scorching the chocolate. A double boiler offers a gentler, more controlled melting process, which is ideal for maintaining the chocolate’s temper and preventing seizing. Ensure no water gets into the chocolate, as even a tiny drop can cause it to seize. Once melted and smooth, dip one side of each dried mint, allowing excess chocolate to drip off before returning it to the parchment paper to harden. For a quicker set, especially if you’re in a hurry, you can pop the tray into the refrigerator for a few minutes until the chocolate is firm.
Don’t Waste Leftover Melted Chocolate: Make Nut Clusters!
It’s a common dilemma in the kitchen: what to do with that small amount of delicious melted chocolate left over after dipping your mints? The answer is simple, incredibly satisfying, and helps prevent food waste: make chocolate nut clusters! This is a fantastic way to utilize every drop of that melted goodness and create an additional delightful treat with minimal effort.
Simply grab any roasted nuts you have on hand – almonds, pecans, walnuts, cashews, or even a mix of your favorites work wonderfully. Bonus points if they are these incredible DIY roasted almonds, which add another layer of homemade goodness and a lovely salty crunch. Add the nuts to the leftover chocolate, a handful at a time, stirring until they are thoroughly coated. You want a good ratio of chocolate to nuts, where each nut piece is enrobed in chocolate, but not drowning. Spoon the mixture onto a lined cookie sheet (parchment paper or a silicone mat works best for easy removal) into roughly tablespoon-sized mounds. Don’t forget to scrape every last bit of chocolate from your bowl and add it to the tops of your clusters – we believe in zero waste when it comes to delicious chocolate!
Once all your clusters are formed, place the cookie sheet in the refrigerator to cool and harden completely. This typically takes about 15-30 minutes, depending on the thickness of your chocolate coating and the temperature of your fridge. Once firm, carefully remove them from the pan and transfer them to an airtight container. Store your delicious chocolate nut clusters in the refrigerator or freezer for a perfect, easy-to-grab snack, a quick sweet treat whenever the craving strikes, or even as a thoughtful last-minute gift. They are pure perfection and a testament to making the most of every ingredient!
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Classic Cream Cheese Mints Updated with Dark Chocolate
Ingredients
- 3 ounces cream cheese preferably Neufchatel, or softened regular
- 1/4 teaspoon pure peppermint extract (not ‘flavor’ which is oil-based)
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 ½ cups dark chocolate chips or chopped bars
- 1 teaspoon butter or coconut oil
Instructions
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In a mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese and peppermint extract. Beat vigorously until well combined. Gradually beat in the powdered sugar, about half a cup at a time, until a smooth, firm ball of dough forms. Add more powdered sugar as needed, a tablespoon at a time, until a moldable, non-sticky dough is achieved. The dough should be easy to handle without excessive stickiness.
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Using about 1 teaspoon of dough per mint, roll each portion into a small, smooth ball between your palms. Place the balls on a large parchment-lined cookie sheet, ensuring they are spaced slightly apart. Then, gently press each ball into a flat disc using the tines of a fork to create the classic ridged pattern. If the fork begins to stick to the mints, lightly rub a very small amount of neutral oil (like coconut or vegetable oil) on the back of the fork tines. Continue this process with the remaining dough, keeping any unused dough in the bowl covered with a damp cloth to prevent it from drying out.
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Allow the shaped mints to air dry on the cookie sheet for at least one to two hours at room temperature. This crucial step allows the mints to firm up slightly on the exterior, which helps them hold their shape better and prevents them from softening too much when dipped into the warm chocolate.
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Melt the dark chocolate chips (or chopped bars) with the butter (or coconut oil) until completely smooth and velvety. You can achieve this in a microwave (heating in 15-30 second intervals, stirring well after each burst until fully melted) or by using a double boiler for a more controlled and gentle melting process. Ensure no water or steam comes into contact with the chocolate, as this can cause it to seize.
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Carefully dip one side of each dried mint into the melted chocolate. Allow any excess chocolate to drip off for a few seconds before gently placing the dipped mints back onto the parchment-lined sheet to harden. For a full chocolate experience, you can alternately coat the entire mint in chocolate to create small, homemade peppermint patties. For a quick set, you can place the cookie sheet in the refrigerator for 5-10 minutes.
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Once the chocolate has fully set and is firm to the touch, transfer the mints to an airtight container. Store them in the refrigerator to maintain their freshness, texture, and prevent the chocolate from blooming (developing a whitish film), ensuring they remain delicious for weeks.
Notes
Nutrition
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Explore More Easy Homemade Candy Recipes
If you’ve enjoyed making these decadent dark chocolate cream cheese mints, you’ll love exploring other simple and satisfying homemade candy recipes. Crafting your own confections at home is not only rewarding but also allows you to control the ingredients and tailor flavors to your preference. It’s a wonderful way to create personalized treats for yourself, your family, or to share as thoughtful gifts. Dive into more delicious projects with these additional recipes:
- Dark Chocolate Coconut Clusters (Low Sugar & Just 3 Ingredients): A quick, healthier, and incredibly satisfying option for chocolate and coconut lovers, perfect for a guilt-free treat.
- Easy Homemade Honey Caramel Corn with Moose Munch Variation: Indulge in sweet, crunchy caramel corn, elevated with a honey twist, perfect for movie nights, parties, or just a delicious snack.
- Peanut Butter Chocolate Truffles: A classic and beloved combination in a rich, bite-sized form that melts in your mouth. These are always a crowd-pleaser and surprisingly simple to make.
- Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Truffles (gluten-free & maple syrup sweetened): A safer, delicious way to enjoy cookie dough, naturally sweetened with maple syrup and gluten-free, making them a fantastic option for various dietary needs.
This recipe for Decadent Dark Chocolate Covered Cream Cheese Mints has been thoughtfully updated and expanded to provide you with the best possible experience and guidance. It was first published in December of 2013, and its timeless appeal continues to bring joy to many, evolving into an even more delightful treat for modern palates.