Description
Sweet Orange Cream Cheese Mints are a delightful homemade candy combining smooth cream cheese, fresh orange zest, and confectioners’ sugar to create melt-in-your-mouth treats with a refreshing citrus twist. These bite-sized mints feature a vibrant orange color and a characteristic waffle-like texture, perfect for gifting or enjoying as a sweet snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Base Ingredients
- 1 tbsp butter (softened)
- 4 oz cream cheese (room temperature, Philadelphia brand preferred)
Flavorings
- 1/2 tsp orange extract
- 1 tsp grated orange peel (freshly zested for best flavor)
- 1-2 drops orange gel coloring (Wilton brand recommended)
Sweetener
- 4 cups confectioners’ sugar (sifted to remove lumps)
Instructions
- Prepare ingredients: Zest your orange to get fresh grated orange peel, which captures bright citrus oils and flavor far superior to dried zest. Sift the confectioners’ sugar through a fine mesh strainer to remove lumps. Ensure the cream cheese and butter are at room temperature (about 70°F) to blend smoothly without lumps or streaks.
- Combine butter and cream cheese: In a medium mixing bowl, stir the softened cream cheese and butter together with a spatula or wooden spoon for 1-2 minutes until smooth and creamy with no streaks, creating an emulsified fat base to hold flavors evenly.
- Add orange flavor and color: Stir in the orange extract and fresh orange zest until fully combined, about 30 seconds. Add 1-2 drops of orange gel coloring and mix thoroughly until uniform in color, avoiding excess moisture that liquid coloring would introduce.
- Incorporate confectioners’ sugar gradually: Add the sifted confectioners’ sugar in three additions—start with about 1 cup and mix until smooth, then 1.5 cups, and finally the remaining sugar. Stir well after each addition to prevent dryness pockets. The mixture will thicken into a moldable dough; check by squeezing a small piece to ensure it holds together without crumbling or stickiness.
- Form the mints: Pinch off pieces of dough and roll into 1/2-inch balls. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet spaced about 1 inch apart. Flatten each ball gently with the back of a fork to create a waffle-like texture without crushing the candy.
- Chill and set: Refrigerate the baking sheet for 1 hour to allow the mints to firm up and set. After chilling, transfer mints to an airtight container. Store refrigerated up to 2 weeks or at room temperature for a few days if kept cool.
Notes
- Use fresh orange zest for the best citrus flavor rather than dried zest.
- Room temperature butter and cream cheese blend more smoothly to avoid lumps.
- Gel food coloring is recommended over liquid to maintain proper candy texture.
- Gradually adding confectioners’ sugar ensures an even, smooth dough consistency.
- Flattening balls with a fork creates the classic texture and helps mints set.
- Store mints in an airtight container and refrigerate for longevity up to two weeks.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 mint (approx. 5 grams)
- Calories: 35
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 20mg
- Fat: 1.5g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 5g
- Fiber: 0.1g
- Protein: 0.3g
- Cholesterol: 5mg
