Description
Pão de Queijo from Brazil brings cheesy, warm comfort straight to your table with golden, puffy rounds of pure deliciousness. Crispy outside and stretchy inside, these gluten-free cheese breads make snack time feel like a celebration of Brazilian culinary magic.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 ounces (113 g) cream cheese
- 4 cups (480 g) powdered sugar
Supporting Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
Decorative Ingredients:
- Red food coloring
- Green food coloring
- Holiday sprinkles
Instructions
- Soften 4 ounces (113 g) cream cheese at room temperature until it reaches a smooth, spreadable consistency. Use an electric mixer to whip the cream cheese for 2-3 minutes until completely creamy.
- Gradually incorporate 4 cups (480 g) sifted powdered sugar into the cream cheese. Mix at low speed, adding ½ cup at a time to prevent sugar from flying out of the bowl.
- Stir 1 teaspoon peppermint extract and ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract into the dough. Blend until the mixture becomes a soft, pliable consistency that holds together easily.
- Separate the dough into two portions if creating multiple colors. Add 2-3 drops of red or green food coloring to each portion, kneading thoroughly to distribute color evenly.
- Roll the colored dough into small 1-inch balls using your palms. Gently press each ball with a fork to create a classic crosshatch pattern, or carefully press into decorative candy molds.
- Arrange the shaped mints on a parchment-lined baking tray. Allow them to dry at room temperature for 2 hours, ensuring they become firm and hold their shape.
- Once completely set, transfer the peppermint cream cheese mints to an airtight container. Store at cool room temperature for up to 5 days.
Notes
- Cream cheese works best at room temperature for easier mixing and smooth texture.
- Add food coloring gradually to control the intensity and avoid oversaturating the dough.
- Use a fork or candy mold to create interesting textures and shapes that make these mints unique.
- Store in a cool, dry place to maintain the mint’s firmness and prevent sticking or melting.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Breads
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: Brazilian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 3600 kcal
- Sugar: 480 g
- Sodium: 160 mg
- Fat: 320 g
- Saturated Fat: 192 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 128 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 480 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg