Lemon cream cheese bites are a delicious, no-bake mini dessert! Similar to cream cheese mints, make them in any color! Perfect for gifting and the festive season! Needs 4 basic ingredients and just 10 minutes of your time!
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Ever had Cream Cheese Mints
I had never heard of cream cheese mints until I went for a baby shower last year. I thoroughly enjoyed the American-style baby shower.
All their traditions, games, and food were so much different from ours and that was very interesting to me. On the menu, besides many classic American dishes was Cream cheese mints!
I noticed that it was a HIT, especially amongst the kids and they kept coming back for seconds and thirds. This got me intrigued and I tried one for myself. That's when I realized why these tiny delicious bites were getting so much attention from all. They melted in my mouth and were wonderfully sweet with a hint of mint flavor.
I came home and went online to know more about this sweet treat. I got to know that they are also known as wedding mints because they are often served at weddings. It's a classic dessert that has been extremely popular since the 80s. It's popularly served at celebratory events. I figured it will be a hit when served during the holidays or any party. I decided to give it my twist and introduce a new flavor and look!
Lemon flavored food
I love the idea of adding lemon flavor to foods whether it is savory or sweet! They give a refreshing tangy flavor to the dish. It's an instant mood lifter! Instant Pot Lemon Rice, Rose Lemonade, Jalapeno Cucumber Mint Lemonade, and Cherry Lemon Iced Tea are some recipes with strong lemon flavors!
Why make this
If you are looking for holiday recipes that people across ages will love, then bookmark this recipe! I have served it multiple times and it's always a big HIT!
- a no-cook, no-bake mini dessert recipe
- needs 4 basic ingredients
- simple, quick and easy to make
- can be made in 10 minutes
- make it in different colors and flavors
- creamy and delicious
- can be made ahead of time
- stores well for long
- ideal for gifting during the holidays
Ingredients needed 🧾
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Cream cheese - use any brand of cream cheese for this recipe. Just remember to soften it prior to starting the recipe.
Sugar - Powdered sugar works best for this recipe. Use castor sugar or simply powder white sugar and use. Preferably use white sugar for this recipe.
Lemon flavor - this comes from the lemon extract. It's easily available in all leading grocery stores.
Food color - Since these are lemon-flavored sugar cookies, I wanted to give them a beautiful yellow hue. Turmeric powder is natural/not processed and does not interfere with the flavor. You can also use any organic artificial yellow food color instead.
How to make it 🔪
We need softened cream cheese at room temperature for this recipe. Take it out of the fridge well in advance for it to soften. If you forgot, put it in the microwave for 30 seconds.
- Add the softened cream cheese to a mixing bowl. Beat it using a hand mixer or a whisk until stiff peaks are formed.
- Then add turmeric powder, lemon extract and powdered sugar to the bowl.
- Continue to beat till well combined. It should come together like a soft dough. You should be able to shape them like a play-doh. Chef Tip - You can also place it in the fridge after wrapping it in a cling wrap to help set.
- Use your hand to shape them into small ½" balls and place them on a wax paper or parchment lined tray. Chef Tip - Press flat with a fork to give them a design and then chill in refrigerator or freezer for 2-3 hours or until ready to serve.
Serving suggestions 🍽
Serve these lemon cream cheese bites at your next house party or event like birthdays, baby showers, family brunches, game nights, or on a date night! Lemon cream cheese bites can also be packed as food gifts for your loved ones during the holiday/festive season.
Who wouldn't love this no-bake mini lemon dessert for Holi, Diwali, Thanksgiving, or Christmas? This no-bake mini lemon cream cheese dessert is perfect for entertaining.
Top recipe tips 💭
You can also add lemon zest for a more strong lemony flavor. Add a tablespoon of butter to the mixture to make it smooth. Use a tablespoon measuring spoon or small size cookie scoop to get even balls. Instead of turmeric, you can also add yellow food color. In fact, you can make these cream cheese bites in any flavor, color, and shape using mint molds to suit the occasion.
Dip the fork in powdered sugar to prevent it from sticking to the lemon bites. If you are unable to shape the balls, keep the dough (wrapped in cling wrap) in the fridge for an hour. Then shape them into balls or just add more sugar. I am yet to try to make these lemon cream cheese bites vegan. I will update here when I do. However, you are free to try using dairy-free cream cheese and make this recipe.
Recipe FAQs 📖
If you want to go easy on sugar, add just 2 cups of it, and then add around 6-8 tablespoons of almond flour or desiccated coconut to help bind it.
Add more or less till you get the desired consistency. I would suggest you shape them into balls and let them rest in the fridge for an hour or so.
Once they hold the shape, you can do the fork imprint and freeze them. I have tried this method and it works well.
You can store this no-bake mini lemon dessert in an airtight container for two weeks or freeze them for up to two months. They will not harden after freezing though.
Separate each layer with parchment paper or lay them flat in a single layer to prevent sticking.
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Recipe 📖
Lemon Cream Cheese Bites
Equipment
Ingredients
- 8 oz cream cheese
- ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
- Add the softened cream cheese to a mixing bowl. Beat it using a hand mixer or a whisk until stiff peaks are formed.
- Then add turmeric powder, lemon extract and powdered sugar to the bowl.
- Continue to beat till well combined. It should come together like a soft dough. You should be able to shape them like a play-doh. Chef Tip - You can also place it in the fridge after wrapping it in a cling wrap to help set.
- Use your hand to shape them into small ½" balls and place them on a wax paper or parchment lined tray. Chef Tip - Press flat with a fork to give them a design and then chill in refrigerator or freezer for 2-3 hours or until ready to serve.
Want to save this recipe?
We'll email this recipe to you, so that you can look at it later!
Chetana Satish says
What are the storage conditions? I am planning to make these and pack them as a part of party favors bag. I want to prep the boxes previous day. Can they be stored at room temperature for 24 hours?
Priya says
Hi, yes, you can store them for a day. You can also leave them in the fridge. Hope this helps.
Nila says
Besides lemon extract what other flavor I can do?
Priya says
Mint flavor is a popular option. But you can try any extract flavor and color.
Linda says
Is 3 cups sugar correct
Priya says
yes..but you can reduce it a bit
sangeeta Sethi says
Fantastic delicious preparation .Gorgeous presentation
P says
Just regular white sugar as is or ground or powdered sugar ?
Priya says
I have very fine sugar..but you can use ground sugar.
Sandhya says
But how did u get the blue colour
Priya says
I added food color