There’s something magical about these little bursts of holiday cheer—bright green, creamy, with just the right peppermint zing. The Grinch Peppermint Cream Cheese Mints Recipe is a festive treat that feels like a cozy hug from the Christmas season itself.

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 remember the first time I made these mints—it was a whirlwind of nostalgia and holiday fun, and they disappeared almost as quickly as I rolled them out. What makes this Grinch Peppermint Cream Cheese Mints Recipe stand out is the creamy softness balanced with peppermint freshness and that cheerful green hue that’s so hard to resist.

Easy to Make: Just a few simple ingredients come together quickly, making it perfect for holiday prep or last-minute gifting.
Unique Flavor Twist: The cream cheese adds a smooth richness you won’t find in typical peppermint candies.
Festive and Fun: The bright green color and red heart sprinkles make them ideal for holiday parties or stocking stuffers.
Kid-Friendly Activity: Rolling and decorating these mints is a fun holiday project to do with little ones.

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

The magic happens when just a few carefully chosen ingredients blend into a smooth, minty dough that's perfect for shaping. Each element adds texture or flavor, and I always recommend using the freshest cream cheese and pure peppermint extract for the best results.

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 that creamy base and a subtle tang that balances the sweetness beautifully.
Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and helps the mints set up nicely without being too hard.
Peppermint Extract: The essential minty kick—choose a good-quality extract for a fresh, bright flavor.
Neon Green Food Coloring: Gives the mints their signature Grinch-green look; feel free to adjust intensity to your liking.
Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and creates the perfect dough texture—adding it gradually prevents sticky messes.
Red Heart Sprinkles: For that extra pop of holiday charm and a cute, tasty accent.

📝

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 the occasion. Sometimes I make them brighter green for kids’ parties, or dial up the peppermint extract for guests who adore a stronger mint flavor. You can easily customize based on your taste and creativity!

Stronger Mint: I like bumping the peppermint extract to a ½ teaspoon for a bolder, more invigorating peppermint punch—just watch that the flavor doesn’t overpower!
Color Variation: If the neon green seems too yellowish, try blending in a drop of a traditional green food coloring to get a more festive deep green.
Dairy-Free Version: Swap the cream cheese and butter for vegan alternatives if you’re catering to dietary needs—just expect slightly different texture.

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

Step 1: Blend the Base Ingredients

Start by leaving your cream cheese and butter out for about 30 minutes so they soften nicely. In a large bowl, I combine the cream cheese, softened butter, peppermint extract, and green food coloring. Using a hand mixer or sturdy spoon, mix until everything is smooth and evenly colored—this sets the stage for perfect mints.

Step 2: Add Powdered Sugar Gradually

This is the art part—adding powdered sugar little by little (I go ½ cup at a time) while mixing until the dough becomes firm enough to roll but not sticky. Too much powdered sugar will dry it out, too little and it’s a mess. Trust the feel of the dough—soft, pliable, without clinging to your fingers.

Step 3: Shape and Decorate Your Mints

Grab a small amount of dough and roll it into ½-inch balls—don’t worry about perfect size, festive charm loves a little imperfection. Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Then, gently press each mint down with a fork, creating those classic peppermint candy lines. Before chilling, add a red heart sprinkle on top of each one to channel some serious Grinchy holiday spirit!

Step 4: Chill and Set

Pop your tray into the fridge for at least an hour. This lets the mints firm up so they hold their shape and stay creamy when you bite in. I find this chilling step is essential to get that melt-in-your-mouth texture you want.

Top Tip

From many batches (and a fair few “oops”), I’ve learned a few tricks to make your Grinch Peppermint Cream Cheese Mints Recipe truly shine and that you’ll appreciate as much as I do!

Softened Ingredients: Make sure the cream cheese and butter are room temperature so the dough is easy to mix and smooth in texture.
Peppermint Extract Balance: Start small and taste—peppermint can overpower quickly but a little extra goes a long way for that fresh holiday zing.
Gradual Sugar Addition: Add powdered sugar slowly to avoid dryness or crumbliness. Stop once the dough holds together nicely without stickiness.
Press with a Fork: This classic step isn’t just aesthetic—it ensures your mints aren’t too thick and helps them set properly on chilling.

How to Serve Grinch Peppermint Cream Cheese Mints Recipe

Peppermint Cream Cheese Mints - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I typically stick with simple red heart sprinkles, which give these mints a perfect pop of holiday color and a subtle crunch. Sometimes, I’ll dust a few with edible glitter for a sparkly party tray that catches everyone’s eye.

Side Dishes

These mints pair beautifully with hot cocoa or a fresh cup of peppermint tea. They also make a charming little finish alongside Christmas cookies or a dessert platter filled with chocolates and fruitcake bites.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday gatherings, I love arranging these mints in little piles on festive plates lined with evergreen sprigs. Wrapping a few up in small cellophane bags tied with red and white twine makes for an easy and thoughtful gift for neighbors or coworkers.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store your mints in an airtight container in the fridge to keep them fresh up to two weeks. I always recommend separating layers with parchment to avoid any sticky mishaps or crushed mints.

Freezing

Personally, I freeze extras all the time. Wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and placed in an airtight container or freezer bag, these mints can last up to a year. Just thaw them in the fridge for about an hour before serving—still creamy and delicious.

Reheating

No need to reheat! These mints are best served cold—the cool temperature keeps their texture fresh and pleasant on the palate. Just take them out of the fridge a few minutes before serving for the best bite.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use regular green food coloring instead of neon?

Absolutely! If the neon green is too bright or yellowish for your taste, combining it with a drop of traditional green food coloring helps you achieve a deeper, festive green that feels just right.

How do I prevent the mints from being too sticky?

Adding the powdered sugar slowly and mixing well is key. Stop adding sugar once the dough is no longer sticky but still pliable. If it feels too sticky, add a little more sugar, but beware of going too far or the mints get crumbly.

Can I make these mints ahead of time?

Yes! You can make them up to two weeks ahead and keep them refrigerated. For longer storage, freeze them in airtight containers and thaw in the fridge about an hour before serving.

Can I use different extracts instead of peppermint?

Definitely! While peppermint is traditional and gives that festive flair, you can try spearmint, vanilla, or even almond extract for a twist. Just start with less and adjust to taste to avoid overpowering the cream cheese.

Final Thoughts

This Grinch Peppermint Cream Cheese Mints Recipe is one of those festive treasures I keep coming back to every holiday season. It’s simple, joyful, and uniquely delicious—the kind of treat that lights up your kitchen with holiday spirit. I can't wait for you to make them and see how these little mints bring big smiles!