Unleash the perfect fusion of refreshing mint and rich chocolate with these irresistible Chocolate Mint Cream Cheese Buttons. Imagine bite-sized wonders: soft, mint-flavored cream cheese confections, each cradling a luscious dollop of decadent chocolate ganache. These delightful candies are not just a treat for the taste buds but also a feast for the eyes, making them an ideal choice for any gathering, holiday celebration, or just a sweet escape. Prepare to enchant your friends and family, especially those who cherish the classic combination of chocolate and mint!

Why You’ll Fall in Love with These Chocolate Mint Buttons

For years, I’ve had friends and readers ask about my go-to cream cheese mints recipe. While I’ve always made them, they never quite made it to the blog – until now! And what better way to introduce them than with a decadent chocolate twist, just in time for celebrations like St. Patrick’s Day or any event craving a touch of elegance?

These aren’t just any candies; they’re a revelation. Here’s why these Chocolate Mint Cream Cheese Buttons are destined to become your new favorite:

• Effortlessly Easy: Despite their gourmet appearance, these candies are surprisingly simple to make, requiring minimal baking skills and basic kitchen tools.
• Crowd-Pleasing Perfection: This recipe yields a generous SIX DOZEN candies, ensuring there’s plenty to go around, whether you’re hosting a large party, preparing for a bake sale, or simply want to stock up on delicious homemade treats.
• Decadent Flavor Profile: The refreshing coolness of spearmint perfectly complements the rich, deep notes of chocolate ganache, creating a balanced and utterly addictive flavor combination.
• Versatile for Any Occasion: While they shine brilliantly as St. Patrick’s Day treats with their optional green hue, their elegant design and timeless flavor make them suitable for weddings, baby showers, holiday parties, or as a thoughtful homemade gift.
• Customizable Fun: From choosing your preferred mint flavor (spearmint for green, peppermint for pink!) to experimenting with different ganache fillings, these buttons offer endless possibilities for customization.

I typically make them bite-sized, using about a level teaspoon of dough for each mint. This ensures consistency and makes them perfectly portioned for easy enjoyment. While a simple Hershey’s Kiss can make for a quick center, nothing quite compares to the silky smooth indulgence of a homemade chocolate ganache filling. Because, let’s be honest, everything is better with ganache!

Crafting Your Mint Masterpieces: Ingredients & Tips

Creating these delightful chocolate mint cream cheese buttons is an enjoyable process, and understanding each ingredient’s role can elevate your baking experience. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need and some expert tips for optimal results.

The Perfect Mint Dough:

• Cream Cheese (Softened): This is the heart of our mints, providing a tangy richness and a wonderfully smooth texture. Ensure it’s properly softened to room temperature for effortless mixing and a lump-free dough.
• Powdered Sugar: Also known as confectioners’ sugar, this fine sugar is crucial for the mints’ smooth, melt-in-your-mouth consistency. Its texture prevents a gritty feel, which granulated sugar would cause.
• Mint Extract: Crucially, this recipe calls for spearmint extract for that classic green mint flavor. If you prefer peppermint, you can certainly use it, but I’d recommend coloring your candies pink in that case for clear differentiation.
• Green Gel Food Color: A few drops of gel food coloring are preferred over liquid coloring because gel adds vibrant color without introducing excess moisture to the dough, which could alter its texture. This helps visually communicate the mint flavor to your guests!

Decadent Chocolate Ganache:

• Heavy Whipping Cream: The base for our luxurious ganache, heavy cream contributes to its smooth, rich texture and helps create a stable emulsion with the chocolate.
• Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: These provide the perfect balance of sweetness and deep chocolate flavor. High-quality chocolate chips will yield the best-tasting ganache, so choose wisely!

Watch the Magic Happen: A Visual Guide

Sometimes, seeing is believing! To truly understand how incredibly simple these Chocolate Mint Cream Cheese Buttons are to create, I’ve prepared a quick video tutorial. It walks you through each step, making the process even more approachable. You’ll see firsthand how easy it is to mix the dough, form the buttons, and fill them with luscious ganache. It’s super fun, and even the kids can get involved!

While the original source contained an embedded video, you can usually find similar helpful tutorials on platforms like YouTube by searching for “Chocolate Mint Cream Cheese Buttons tutorial.”

More Mint & Chocolate Delights

My love affair with mint and chocolate knows no bounds! This divine flavor pairing is a true classic, and if you’re as enamored as I am, you’ll be thrilled to discover more recipes that celebrate this iconic duo. Be sure to explore these other fantastic mint and chocolate creations:

• Homemade Chocolate Covered Mint Patties: A refreshing and chewy classic, elevated to homemade perfection.
• Fudgy Chocolate Mint Brownies: The ultimate chewy brownie, infused with cool mint and topped with a glorious chocolate ganache.
• Indulgent Mint Chocolate Chip Cheese Ball: A sweet and creamy dessert dip, perfect for sharing.

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Chocolate Mint Cream Cheese Buttons

These Chocolate Mint Cream Cheese Buttons are the ultimate treat for any occasion! Enjoy lovely mint-flavored cream cheese candies generously filled with a rich, decadent chocolate ganache. They’re guaranteed to be a sensational hit with all your chocolate and mint loving friends and family.

Prep Time 30 minutes minutes

Total Time 30 minutes minutes

Yields 6 dozen

Author Trish – Mom On Timeout

Ingredients

• 4 oz cream cheese softened to room temperature
• 4 1/2 cups powdered sugar (confectioners’ sugar)
• 1/2 teaspoon mint extract (spearmint for green mints)
• Several drops of green gel food coloring (optional, for vibrant color)
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 10 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips

Instructions

• Prepare the Mint Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese and one cup of powdered sugar. Use a stand mixer or a hand mixer on medium speed to beat until smooth and creamy, ensuring no lumps remain.
• Add the mint extract and several drops of green gel food coloring (if using). Mix until the color is evenly distributed and the extract is fully incorporated. Start with a few drops and add more gradually until you achieve your desired shade of green.
• Gradually add the remaining powdered sugar, about a cup at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition. The dough will become very thick. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to ensure everything is well combined. If your mixer struggles with the thick dough, don’t hesitate to switch to kneading with your hands; it’s often faster and more effective.
• Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
• Scoop out level teaspoons of the mint dough and roll each portion into a smooth ball using the palms of your hands. Place the balls onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving a small space between each one. Repeat this process until all the dough is used.
• Using the rounded end of a wooden spoon or a small measuring spoon (like a 1/4 teaspoon), gently press an indentation into the center of each mint ball. If the spoon sticks, dust it lightly with powdered sugar. These indentations will hold the delicious chocolate ganache.
• Chill the mints in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour, or until they are firm to the touch. This step is crucial for them to hold their shape when filled.
• Prepare the Chocolate Ganache: Place the semi-sweet chocolate chips in a heat-proof bowl or a large liquid measuring cup.
• In a small saucepan, gently heat the heavy whipping cream until it just reaches a simmer, with small bubbles forming around the edges. Do not bring to a rolling boil.
• Immediately pour the hot cream over the chocolate chips. Let it sit undisturbed for 2 minutes to allow the chocolate to melt. Then, stir gently with a whisk or spatula until the chocolate is completely melted and the mixture is smooth and glossy.
• Transfer the prepared ganache to a Ziploc bag. Allow the ganache to cool and thicken for about 30 minutes at room temperature, or until it reaches a consistency similar to thick yogurt or soft frosting. You can speed this up by placing it in the refrigerator, but keep a close eye on it, as it can firm up very quickly.
• Once the ganache has reached the desired consistency, snip a small corner off the Ziploc bag. Pipe the ganache carefully into the indentations of each chilled cream cheese mint.
• Chill the filled mints again for about an hour, or until the chocolate ganache has completely set.
• Store your delicious Chocolate Mint Cream Cheese Buttons in an airtight container in the refrigerator to maintain their freshness and texture.

Tips for Success & Variations

Achieving perfect Chocolate Mint Cream Cheese Buttons is easy with a few simple tricks and endless possibilities for customization.

Expert Tips:

• Room Temperature Cream Cheese: This is key! Cold cream cheese will result in a lumpy dough that’s difficult to work with.
• Gradual Sugar Addition: Adding powdered sugar slowly helps prevent a cloud of sugar dust and ensures a smooth, well-incorporated dough.
• Don’t Over-Color: Gel food coloring is potent. Start with a tiny amount and add more until you get a pastel green, rather than an overly vibrant or artificial shade.
• Chilling is Crucial: Don’t skip the chilling steps! It ensures the mints hold their shape and the ganache sets beautifully.
• Ganache Consistency: The ganache needs to be cool enough to hold its shape when piped, but not so cold that it’s rock solid. A yogurt-like consistency is ideal.
• Use a Level Teaspoon: For uniform sizes, use a level measuring teaspoon to scoop the dough. This makes for a more professional-looking tray of treats.

Creative Variations:

• Different Flavor Extracts: While mint is classic, consider almond, vanilla, or even a hint of lemon extract for other cream cheese button flavors.
• Alternative Fillings: Instead of ganache, you could fill the indentations with a small dollop of melted caramel, peanut butter, or even a mini M&M for a colorful crunch.
• Holiday Hues: For Christmas, use red and green food coloring with peppermint extract. For Valentine’s Day, make them pink with strawberry extract!
• Decorative Toppings: Before the ganache sets, sprinkle with finely chopped nuts, festive sprinkles, or a tiny mint leaf for an elegant garnish.
• Chocolate Coating: For an extra layer of chocolatey goodness, once the ganache is set, you can dip the entire button in melted tempered chocolate.

Serving and Storing Your Delicious Buttons

These elegant candies are perfect served as part of a dessert platter, alongside coffee or tea, or as a sweet ending to any meal. Their vibrant color and enticing flavor make them a standout.

To keep your Chocolate Mint Cream Cheese Buttons at their best, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will remain fresh and delicious for up to 1-2 weeks. For longer storage, you can freeze them for up to 1 month. Thaw in the refrigerator before serving.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Got questions? We’ve got answers!

• Can I make these ahead of time? Absolutely! These mints are perfect for making in advance. They can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. The ganache can also be made ahead and stored in the fridge, then gently rewarmed and cooled to piping consistency.
• What if my dough is too sticky? If the dough feels too sticky to handle, add a small amount more powdered sugar, a tablespoon at a time, until it reaches a manageable consistency. Ensure your cream cheese was well-softened, as this can affect stickiness.
• Can I use dark chocolate for the ganache? Yes, you can! Dark chocolate will result in a more intense, less sweet ganache, which is a fantastic contrast to the sweet mints. Adjust sweetness by adding a tiny bit of sugar to the ganache if needed, or simply enjoy the bittersweet balance.
• My ganache is too thin/thick. What do I do? If your ganache is too thin, let it cool longer at room temperature or in the fridge, stirring occasionally. If it becomes too thick or solid, gently rewarm it over a double boiler or in the microwave in short bursts (10-15 seconds), stirring until it’s pliable again.
• Do I have to use food coloring? No, food coloring is entirely optional. The mints will taste just as delicious without it. However, the green color helps guests identify the mint flavor!

These Chocolate Mint Cream Cheese Buttons are more than just a dessert; they are a delightful experience, a burst of fresh mint and rich chocolate in every bite. They are the perfect way to add a touch of homemade charm and irresistible flavor to any occasion. So go ahead, whip up a batch (or two!) and prepare to become everyone’s favorite host. Happy baking!