Peppermint Cream Cheese Buttercream (best ever)

INGREDIENTS

1/4 tsp

Peppermint oil, fine quality pure

4 1/2 cups

Confectioners' sugar

1 1/2 tsp

Nielsen-massey vanilla extract, pure such as

(8-ounce/226 grams) package cream cheese

1 cup

Butter, unsalted

Peppermint candies or candy canes, red and white

Pink or green food coloring, kosher or natural, such as ChefMaster®, optional