I’ve always had a soft spot for homemade candy, especially around the holidays. There’s something special about making treats that melt in your mouth and leave everyone asking for the recipe. But I’ll be honest – I’m not one for complicated candy making with thermometers and precise timing.

That’s why these orange cream cheese mints have become my go-to when I want something that feels fancy but is actually super easy to make. They’re soft, creamy, and have just the right amount of citrus flavor. I can whip up a batch while dinner is in the oven, and they’re ready to serve in no time.

Want something minty? These work perfectly. Prefer a citrus twist? The orange flavor has you covered. Honestly, once you try these, you’ll wonder why you ever bought store-bought mints again.

Why You’ll Love These Orange Cream Cheese Mints

Simple ingredients – You probably have most of these pantry staples on hand already, making this an easy treat to whip up anytime.
No-bake recipe – These mints come together without any oven time, so you can make them even on hot summer days or when your oven is busy with other dishes.
Perfect for entertaining – The bright orange flavor and pretty color make these mints a lovely addition to parties, holidays, or gift-giving occasions.
Quick preparation – In just over an hour, you’ll have homemade mints that taste so much better than store-bought versions.
Customizable flavor – The orange extract gives these mints a fresh, citrusy taste that’s not too sweet, and you can adjust the intensity to your liking.

What Kind of Cream Cheese Should I Use?

For these orange cream cheese mints, you’ll want to use regular full-fat cream cheese rather than the low-fat or whipped varieties. The full-fat version gives you the best texture and helps the mints hold their shape once they’re formed. Make sure your cream cheese is properly softened at room temperature before you start – this usually takes about 30 minutes out of the fridge. If you’re in a hurry, you can soften it quickly by cutting it into small cubes, but avoid using the microwave as it can make the cream cheese too warm and affect the final texture of your mints.

Options for Substitutions

These little mints are pretty forgiving when it comes to swaps, so here are some options if you need to make changes:

Orange extract: If you don’t have orange extract, you can use lemon extract, vanilla extract, or even peppermint extract for a completely different flavor profile. Start with ¼ teaspoon and taste as you go since some extracts are stronger than others.
Orange zest: Fresh orange zest gives the best flavor, but if you don’t have oranges on hand, you can use lemon zest or skip it entirely – the extract will still give you that citrus taste.
Cream cheese: Make sure your cream cheese is fully softened – this is key for smooth mints. You can’t really substitute this ingredient since it’s what gives the mints their creamy texture and helps them hold their shape.
Butter: The butter needs to be softened just like the cream cheese. If you’re out of butter, you can try using the same amount of softened coconut oil, but the texture might be slightly different.
Food coloring: The orange coloring is totally optional – your mints will taste just as good without it. If you want color but don’t have orange, try yellow or even leave them white for a classic look.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Making

The biggest mistake when making cream cheese mints is adding the powdered sugar too quickly, which creates a lumpy, difficult-to-work-with mixture – instead, add it gradually while mixing to achieve a smooth, pliable dough.

Another common error is using too much orange extract, since this flavoring is quite potent and can easily overpower the delicate mint texture, so start with less and taste as you go.

Make sure your cream cheese and butter are properly softened at room temperature before mixing, as cold ingredients won’t blend smoothly and will result in a grainy texture.

Finally, if your dough becomes too sticky to handle, chill it in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes before shaping, and dust your hands with powdered sugar to prevent sticking while rolling the mints.

What to Serve With Orange Cream Cheese Mints?

These little orange mints are perfect for serving at the end of a dinner party or holiday meal when you want something light and refreshing to cleanse the palate. They pair beautifully with coffee or tea, especially after a rich or heavy meal since the citrus flavor helps cut through any lingering richness. I love setting them out alongside other small sweets like chocolate truffles or petit fours for a nice variety on a dessert table. You can also serve them with sparkling water or champagne for a fancy touch, or simply enjoy them on their own as a sweet little treat with your afternoon tea.

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: These little orange cream cheese mints stay soft and creamy when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. I like to place parchment paper between layers to keep them from sticking together. They actually taste even better after a day or two when the flavors have had time to meld!

Freeze: You can freeze these mints for up to 3 months in a freezer-safe container with parchment paper between layers. They’re perfect for making ahead for holidays or special occasions since they thaw quickly and taste just as good as fresh.

Serve: Let frozen mints thaw at room temperature for about 10-15 minutes before serving. If they’ve been in the fridge, you can serve them straight away or let them sit out for a few minutes to soften slightly. They’re delicious either way!

Preparation Time	10-15 minutes
Cooking Time	0-5 minutes
Total Time	70-80 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

Calories: 1750-1850
Protein: 3-5 g
Fat: 40-45 g
Carbohydrates: 370-390 g

Ingredients

4 oz cream cheese, softened
1 tbsp butter, softened
1/2 tsp orange extract or orange oil
4 cups confectioners’ sugar
1 tsp finely grated orange peel
1-2 drops orange gel coloring (optional)

Step 1: Soften Cream Cheese and Butter; Prepare Orange Zest

4 oz cream cheese, softened
1 tbsp butter, softened
1 tsp finely grated orange peel

Place the cream cheese and butter in a small bowl and microwave them for about 20 seconds, just until softened.

Meanwhile, finely grate an orange to obtain the required amount of orange peel (zest) for the recipe.

I find softening both ingredients together helps them blend much more smoothly.

Step 2: Combine Wet Ingredients With Orange Flavor

softened cream cheese (from Step 1)
softened butter (from Step 1)
1/2 tsp orange extract or orange oil
1 tsp finely grated orange peel (from Step 1)

In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, softened butter (from Step 1), orange extract or orange oil, and the finely grated orange peel.

Mix everything together thoroughly until smooth and evenly incorporated.

Step 3: Add Sugar and Food Coloring; Form Dough

4 cups confectioners’ sugar
1-2 drops orange gel coloring (optional)
cream cheese mixture (from Step 2)

Gradually add the confectioners’ sugar to the cream cheese mixture, about 1/2 cup at a time, mixing well after each addition.

Continue until all the sugar is incorporated and the mixture forms a dough-like consistency that isn’t sticky.

If you’d like, add 1–2 drops of orange gel coloring to the mixture for a vibrant color, mixing until the color is uniform.

I like to use gel coloring for a deeper shade without changing the texture.

Step 4: Shape and Chill the Orange Cream Cheese Mints

orange mint dough (from Step 3)

Scoop out the dough and roll it into 1/2-inch balls.

Place the balls onto a parchment paper-lined baking sheet.

Using the tines of a fork, gently press each ball down to flatten them slightly and create a decorative pattern on top.

Transfer the baking sheet to the refrigerator and chill the mints for at least one hour before serving.

The chilling step helps them set and develop their creamy texture.