If you have a sweet tooth and love treats with a creamy twist, you are going to adore this Cream Cheese Candy Recipe. It’s like a little bite of velvety sweetness that melts in your mouth, combining the tangy charm of cream cheese with the sugary delight of powdered sugar and a splash of fruity strawberry. Whether it’s for a party, special occasion, or just a fun kitchen project, this candy recipe is simple, colorful, and absolutely irresistible. Get ready to whip up a batch that will have everyone asking for more!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting your ingredients together is the first exciting step. Each one plays a crucial role in balancing the creaminess, sweetness, and festive look of this candy. The list might seem long, but they come together so effortlessly to create that perfect texture and flavor you’ll love.
- Cream cheese (8 ounces, softened): The star of the recipe, providing that rich, creamy base with a slight tang.
- Butter (2 tablespoons, softened): Adds smoothness and helps the candy hold together without being too dense.
- Powdered sugar (8 cups, plus more for rolling): Key for sweetness and achieving the perfect playdoh-like consistency.
- Strawberry extract (1 1/2 teaspoons): Injects a fresh, fruity flavor that pairs beautifully with the cream cheese.
- Red gel food coloring: Gives vibrant color for festive flair.
- Pink gel food coloring: Adds a softer, romantic touch to your candy’s palette.
- Valentine’s sprinkles (1 tablespoon): For that charming, decorative crunch packed with sweetness and color.
How to Make Cream Cheese Candy Recipe
Step 1: Cream Together Cream Cheese and Butter
Start by placing your softened cream cheese and butter into the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Beat them together until the mixture is smooth and completely combined. This step ensures the creamy base is silky and free of lumps, giving your candies that luscious melt-in-the-mouth texture.
Step 2: Add Strawberry Extract and Powdered Sugar
Next, stir in the strawberry extract for a lovely burst of fruity flavor, followed by 2 cups of powdered sugar. Mixing these in gradually helps the sweetness blend seamlessly without clumping, setting the stage for a more manageable dough.
Step 3: Beat on Low to Incorporate
Keep your mixer on low speed to carefully incorporate the extract and sugar into the creamy blend. This gentle mixing prevents sugar dust from creating a mess while ensuring everything is fully combined before adding more sugar.
Step 4: Add Remaining Powdered Sugar
Continue to add the powdered sugar one cup at a time, keeping the mixer on low. This slow addition is important because it allows the mixture to reach the perfect playdoh-like consistency — firm but pliable, neither sticky nor crumbly.
Step 5: Separate and Color the Dough
Divide your dough evenly into three bowls. Color one batch red and the other pink using the gel food coloring, and leave the third dough plain but toss it with the Valentine’s sprinkles for a fun, textured effect. This makes your candy not just delicious, but wonderfully festive!
Step 6: Roll Out the Dough
Roll each portion of dough out with a rolling pin until it’s about ¼ to ½-inch thick. This thickness is perfect for cutting out shapes that hold their form and are easy to bite into.
Step 7: Create Texture with a Fork
To add a charming detail, drag the tines of a fork down the rolled-out dough, creating delicate lines that catch light and add that homemade touch these candies deserve.
Step 8: Cut Out Shapes
Using a tiny heart-shaped cookie cutter, cut your candy into adorable bite-sized pieces. Place them carefully on a tray lined with parchment paper to keep them from sticking and to facilitate drying.
Step 9: Let the Candy Air Dry
Let your candies air dry for 2 to 4 hours, or for best results, overnight. This drying process helps the outside firm up just enough to hold the shape while keeping the inside soft and creamy. Patience here truly pays off!
How to Serve Cream Cheese Candy Recipe
Garnishes
A light sprinkle of extra powdered sugar or a few scatterings of Valentine’s sprinkles adds a lovely final touch and makes the candies look as delightful as they taste. A tiny edible flower petal or a drizzle of melted white chocolate can also add elegance when serving to guests.
Side Dishes
Serving cream cheese candy alongside a cup of rich hot chocolate or a warm cup of coffee creates a delightful flavor contrast that excites your palate. These candies also pair beautifully with fresh berries or light cheesecake bites for a charming dessert platter.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange your candy hearts in colorful glass jars or tiered trays to wow at parties or holiday gatherings. Wrapping a few pieces in clear cellophane tied with a ribbon makes for a thoughtful homemade gift that friends and family will treasure.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you manage to save any of these enchanting Cream Cheese Candy Recipe treats, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to four days. Keeping them dry ensures the texture stays just right and the candy remains deliciously fresh.
Freezing
For longer storage, these candies freeze well. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid, then transfer to a sealed freezer bag or container. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw at room temperature for about 30 minutes to preserve that creamy texture.
Reheating
Because these candies are best enjoyed cool or at room temperature, reheating is not recommended. Warming them could change the texture and melt the candy, so it’s best to enjoy them fresh or thawed after freezing.
FAQs
Can I use flavored cream cheese for this candy?
While it’s tempting, it’s best to use plain cream cheese for this Cream Cheese Candy Recipe to keep the flavors balanced and allow the strawberry extract to shine through without competing tastes.
Is it necessary to air dry the candy for so long?
Yes! The air drying step firms up the candies, making them easier to handle and giving them a pleasant texture that’s somewhere between soft and chewy.
Can I substitute the strawberry extract with another flavor?
Absolutely! Vanilla, lemon, or even almond extract can be fun alternatives, but remember to pick a flavor that complements the cream cheese base without overpowering it.
What if my dough is too sticky or too dry?
If your dough feels sticky, add more powdered sugar a little at a time until it’s manageable. If it’s too dry or crumbly, a tiny bit of softened butter can help bring it together.
Do I need a stand mixer to make this candy?
While a stand mixer makes the process easier and quicker, you can also use a hand mixer or even beat by hand—just make sure the cream cheese and butter are really softened to avoid lumps.
Final Thoughts
This Cream Cheese Candy Recipe is genuinely one of those treats that feel like a warm hug in candy form. Its creamy texture, festive colors, and delightful strawberry flavor make it a crowd-pleaser every time. I encourage you to gather your ingredients, roll up your sleeves, and dive into making this deliciously simple candy—it’s a joyful kitchen adventure you won’t regret!
Print
Cream Cheese Candy Recipe
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours 30 minutes (including air drying time)
- Yield: Approximately 100 pieces
- Category: Candy
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Cream Cheese Candy is a delightful no-bake treat made with a creamy blend of cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and strawberry extract. Colored with vibrant red and pink gel food coloring and decorated with Valentine’s sprinkles, these bite-sized candies offer a perfect balance of sweet and tangy flavors. The dough is rolled thin, textured with fork lines, and cut into tiny heart shapes before being left to air dry, resulting in charming, melt-in-your-mouth candies ideal for special occasions.
Ingredients
Base Candy Dough
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 2 tablespoons butter, softened
- 8 cups powdered sugar (plus more for rolling)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons strawberry extract
Coloring and Decoration
- Red gel food coloring
- Pink gel food coloring
- 1 tablespoon Valentine’s sprinkles
Instructions
- Cream the Fats: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the softened cream cheese and butter until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Add Flavor and Sugar: Incorporate the strawberry extract and 2 cups of powdered sugar into the mixture.
- Mix Thoroughly: Beat on low speed until all ingredients are fully combined.
- Add Remaining Sugar: Gradually add the remaining powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, beating continuously until the dough reaches an almost playdoh-like consistency that is no longer sticky.
- Divide and Color: Separate the dough evenly into three bowls. Add red gel food coloring to one, pink gel food coloring to another, and fold in the Valentine’s sprinkles into the third bowl.
- Roll Out Dough: Using a rolling pin, roll each colored dough ball to a thickness between 1/4 to 1/2 inch on a clean surface.
- Texture the Surface: Drag the tines of a fork down the surface of each rolled dough sheet to create linear indentations for added texture.
- Cut Shapes: Using a tiny heart-shaped cookie cutter, cut out candies from the dough and place them on parchment paper-lined trays.
- Air Dry: Leave the cut candies to air dry at room temperature for 2 to 4 hours or overnight until they firm up.
Notes
- The candy dough should have a playdoh-like consistency, not sticky, to ensure easy rolling and cutting.
- Air drying is essential to set the candies properly. Do not skip the drying time.
- You can substitute strawberry extract with any other flavoring if desired.
- If the dough is too sticky, add a little more powdered sugar until the right consistency is reached.
- Store the candies in an airtight container once fully dried to maintain freshness.
- These candies are no-bake and do not require refrigeration but should be kept in a cool, dry place.
