Cream Cheese Melts

Delicate homemade mints can be colored any shade of the rainbow. Perfect for weddings, showers or as a special gift.

Ingredients:

• 1 8 oz pkg cream cheese
• 1/4 cup soft butter
• 2 lbs powdered sugar
• Few drops food coloring; red, yellow and green
• 1/2 tsp peppermint, wintergreen or lemon extract

Directions:

Combine cream cheese and butter in a heavy saucepan. Stir over low heat until cheese is soft, butter is melted, and mixture is thoroughly blended. Add powdered sugar and stir until well combined. Add food coloring and flavoring. If desired, you may divide entire batch to make 2-3 color choices, adding extract to taste. Roll into 1 inch balls and place on a sheet of waxed paper. Press with a fork, or stamp with decorative cookie form to form a design on top. Let stand, uncovered, about 4 hours or overnight until mints are firm and outside is dry, but inside is still moist and creamy.

Number of Servings: about 8 dozen mints

Notes from the Cook: These mints make excellent gifts, packaged in pretty tins, or glass jars.