There's something wonderfully nostalgic about a sweet mint that melts in your mouth with a creamy peppermint punch. This Grinch Green Peppermint Cream Cheese Mints Recipe is a festive twist on classic holiday confections that’s as fun to make as it is to eat.

A pile of light green round cookies stacked on a white plate, each cookie has five parallel indent lines across the top giving a striped texture, and a small bright red heart-shaped decoration near the edge. The cookies have a smooth, matte finish and some show faint green specks. The plate sits on a white marbled surface, soft natural light brightens the scene, highlighting the gentle softness of the cookies. 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 Green Peppermint Cream Cheese Mints Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Grinch Green Peppermint Cream Cheese Mints Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Grinch Green Peppermint Cream Cheese Mints Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I honestly never thought cream cheese and peppermint could make such a perfect pair until I tried these little mints. Their bright green color and smooth, cool flavor are instantly eye-catching and refreshing—ideal for holiday parties or just a fun treat to brighten your day.

Easy to Make: Only a handful of ingredients and no complicated steps means these mints come together quickly.
Perfect Texture: Cream cheese gives a soft, melt-in-your-mouth feel unlike regular hard mints.
Fun & Festive: The neon green color and red heart sprinkles add a playful holiday vibe that's sure to impress.
Customizable Flavor: You can easily adjust peppermint strength to suit your taste buds.

The image shows several small round cookies with a soft, light yellow-green color and a slightly cracked texture. Each cookie has four straight, thin grooves pressed across the top. A tiny bright red heart shape is placed near the center on most cookies, providing a sharp color contrast. Some small green sprinkles and tiny white round sprinkles are scattered around the cookies on a crinkled white wrapper that lies on a white marbled surface. The photo is shot from above with even lighting, making the colors clear and the textures visible. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

These ingredients each play a crucial role in balancing flavor and texture, making sure the mints aren’t just pretty but perfectly delicious. A few tips before you shop: choose full-fat cream cheese at room temperature for easier mixing, and use neon green coloring sparingly to get that signature Grinch green without it getting too intense.

Flat lay of a small block of fresh cream cheese with smooth surface, a pat of unsalted butter with a creamy texture, a small white ceramic bowl filled with clear peppermint extract, a tiny white ceramic bowl holding bright neon green liquid food coloring, a simple white ceramic bowl heaped with fine powdered sugar, and a scattering of glossy red heart-shaped sprinkles arranged neatly on a white ceramic plate, 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: Adds richness and softness, giving the mints a creamy texture that’s not too chewy.
Unsalted Butter: Blends seamlessly for a smooth dough and helps balance the peppermint’s sharpness.
Peppermint Extract: Provides that cool, refreshing flavor; start small—you can always add more!
Neon Green Food Coloring: Creates the iconic Grinch-like color; a little goes a long way.
Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and thickens the mixture; sifted for a lump-free dough.
Red Heart Sprinkles: Add adorable, festive pops of color and a touch of crunch.

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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 Green Peppermint Cream Cheese Mints Recipe depending on the season or my mood. Sometimes I up the peppermint for a more intense kick, other times I add a hint of vanilla to soften the flavor. Don’t hesitate to experiment with what you like best—you'll enjoy making these truly your own.

Stronger Mint: I’ve found that doubling the peppermint extract to ½ teaspoon gives these mints that classic “cool” burst, perfect if you want them to stand out at a party.
Color Variations: If neon green feels a bit too bright, try mixing a drop of traditional green food coloring with it. It tones things down while keeping the festive vibe.
Allergy-Friendly: For those avoiding dairy, you can substitute cream cheese with a vegan alternative, but expect a slightly different texture.

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

Step 1: Soften and Blend the Cream Cheese Mixture

Start by letting the cream cheese come to room temperature—this is key for an easy blend without lumps. In a large bowl, combine the cream cheese, softened butter, peppermint extract, and green food coloring. I use a hand mixer to get everything super smooth and evenly mixed. This ensures the color and flavor are consistent throughout your batch. If the mix looks a bit streaky, just keep mixing for another minute.

Step 2: Gradually Add Powdered Sugar

Next, add the powdered sugar slowly, about half a cup at a time. Mixing in stages gives you control over the dough’s texture. You want a firm but pliable dough that doesn’t stick to your hands. I usually stop when it feels like a soft clay, ready to roll but not crumbly.

Step 3: Shape and Decorate the Mints

Roll the dough into small, ½-inch balls and place them on a parchment-lined tray. Press each one gently with a fork to flatten just a bit, which gives a nice texture and classic look. Then, top each mint with a tiny red heart sprinkle—this little detail always brings smiles and makes them perfect for gifting.

Step 4: Chill Before Serving

Pop the tray into the fridge for about an hour. This chilling step firms the mints up so they hold their shape and develop that creamy peppermint flavor that’s so irresistible. Trust me, the wait is worth it!

Top Tip

I’ve made these mints dozens of times, and a few little tricks have saved me from sticky messes or flavor flops. Here are some tips that helped me turn this recipe into a breeze.

Room Temperature Matters: Always soften your cream cheese and butter fully before mixing—it makes a huge difference in texture and ease.
Powdered Sugar Patience: Add sugar slowly and mix thoroughly between additions to avoid clumps.
Color Control: Neon green is bold, so add food coloring drop by drop to reach your perfect shade without overpowering flavors.
Don’t Skip Chilling: Giving the mints time in the fridge helps them set up and taste their best—plus, it helps make them less sticky to handle.

How to Serve Grinch Green Peppermint Cream Cheese Mints Recipe

Peppermint Cream Cheese Mints - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I always add those red heart sprinkles because they contrast so beautifully with the green and add a pop of cheer. Sometimes I dust a tiny sprinkle of edible glitter or crushed candy canes on top for extra sparkle and crunch—holiday magic in every bite.

Side Dishes

These mints pair wonderfully with a warm cup of cocoa or peppermint tea. They also make a delightful companion to holiday cookies and fudge on your dessert table, giving guests a refreshing palate cleanser between richer sweets.

Creative Ways to Present

I like to line them up in festive mini cupcake liners or arrange them on a tiered dessert stand. For parties, try placing them in small mason jars with ribbon and tags—instant homemade gifts your friends will adore. Once, I even shaped some into little Christmas trees using colored sugar sprinkles for a thematic twist!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge, and they’ll stay fresh for up to two weeks. I usually separate layers with parchment paper to keep them from sticking together, which makes grabbing one (or five) a breeze.

Freezing

You can freeze these mints for up to a year without losing texture or flavor. Just wrap them well in plastic wrap and pop them in a freezer-safe container. When you’re ready to enjoy, let them thaw at room temperature for about an hour—they’ll be just like fresh.

Reheating

These mints are best served cool, so no reheating needed. If you find they’re too firm after chilling or freezing, just let them sit out for 10 minutes to soften to their ideal creamy texture.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make these mints without food coloring?

Absolutely! The food coloring gives that signature Grinch green look, but the mints will still taste delicious without it. You could also try natural colorings like spinach or matcha powder for a different twist.

How long do these mints last?

Stored properly in the fridge, these mints last up to two weeks, making them great for prepping ahead of holiday events. Just keep them in an airtight container to maintain freshness and prevent drying out.

Can I use different extracts instead of peppermint?

Yes! While peppermint is classic, you can experiment with vanilla, almond, or even chocolate extracts to create mints with a unique flavor profile. Just start with smaller amounts as some extracts can be potent.

What’s the best way to avoid sticky dough?

The key is adding powdered sugar gradually and mixing well to reach a dough that’s firm but pliable. Also, chilling the dough helps reduce stickiness. Keeping your hands lightly dusted with powdered sugar or using a fork to shape can help too.

Final Thoughts

This Grinch Green Peppermint Cream Cheese Mints Recipe holds a special place in my holiday heart. They remind me of all the laughter and joy of baking with family, and the delight on faces when they discover that perfect little burst of minty creaminess. I hope you enjoy making them as much as I do—they’re a sweet, simple way to add some extra cheer to your celebrations.