Peppermint Patties

Peppermint patties have been an integral part of my holidays for years. And I’m officially obsessed with these homemade versions I just made!

They’re creamy, minty, and wrapped in a perfect layer of chocolate. 

They can be a little messy with all the powdered sugar, but they’re absolutely worth it. They also make excellent gifts for friends, co-workers, or neighbors.

After making these, you might never buy store-bought peppermint patties again. 

Why You’ll Love These Peppermint Patties

Minty Magic: These patties deliver an irresistible blend of cool peppermint and rich chocolate. They’re a refreshing treat perfect for after-dinner indulgence.

Party-Perfect: They’re bite-sized and easy to make in large batches. That makes them ideal for holiday gatherings, cookie exchanges, or special celebrations.

Great for Beginners: With just a handful of ingredients and no baking required, these patties are super simple. They come together easily through straightforward mixing, rolling, and dipping.

Fun Family Activity: Because the recipe is so simple, you can let your children help! It’s a fun, interactive experience the whole family can enjoy together.

Ingredients

• Sweetened Condensed Milk: Thick and sweet, it serves as the creamy base for the peppermint filling. It also helps bind the ingredients together.

• Peppermint Extract: A concentrated flavoring that provides the signature cool, minty peppermint patty taste.

• Powdered Sugar: Creates the filling’s smooth, firm texture and adds sweetness. The fine texture allows it to blend seamlessly into the mixture.

• Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: Use dark chocolate with approximately 60% cocoa content. It’ll melt smoothly to create a crisp outer shell while providing a balanced chocolate flavor.

• Shortening: A solid fat that helps thin the chocolate coating. It also creates a glossy finish and improves the chocolate’s ability to set properly.

• Sprinkles: Decorative sugar or candy pieces add a festive touch and subtle crunch to the finished patties. Use them or leave them off as you prefer. 

How to Make Peppermint Patties

Follow these quick and easy steps to make your homemade peppermint patties: 

1. Prepare the dough. Mix the sweetened condensed milk and peppermint extract in a large bowl. Then, slowly mix in the powdered sugar a cup at a time until a stiff dough forms. 

2. Knead. Transfer the dough to a powder sugar-dusted surface. Knead until smooth and no longer sticky, adding extra sugar as needed. 

3. Shape the patties. Roll the dough into 1/4-inch thickness and cut out small round circles with a cookie cutter. Arrange on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. 

4. Dry the patties. Let the patties dry at room temperature for 2 or more hours on each side. 

5. Melt and dip. Melt the chocolate chips and shortening, stirring until smooth and glossy. Then, lower each patty into the melted chocolate with a fork. Ensure both sides are evenly coated. Let the excess chocolate drip off before returning them to the baking sheet. 

6. Decorate. If desired, add sprinkles on top of the still-wet chocolate patties. 

7. Set and serve. Let the chocolate harden completely (at room temperature or in the fridge). Then, serve and enjoy! 

Tips for the Best Peppermint Patties

This recipe is just as easy as I promised. And these tips will make it even simpler: 

• Purchase peppermint extract, not oil! The two are very different things, and peppermint oil is far too strong. It will overpower the patties. 

• Quality is key. Stick to a high-quality peppermint extract and chocolate from brands you enjoy. I’m a Ghirardelli fan, but Guittard also makes exceptional chocolate chips. 

• Be strategic with your sugar. Generously sprinkle powdered sugar on your work surface AND rolling pin to prevent sticking. Also, ensure the dough is smooth and non-sticky by adding extra powdered sugar as needed. 

• No small cookie cutters? Use the rim of a small, round shot glass instead. Shot glasses are actually the perfect size for these peppermint patties. Just wipe the rim clean as needed for better cuts. 

• Chill the filling. The filling should be completely dry before you dip it in the chocolate. That’s where the 2 hours of drying time for each side come in. The patties will be much easier to work with if you also refrigerate them for about 30 minutes after drying. 15 minutes in the freezer will also suffice. 

• Don’t overheat the chocolate! Melt it gently over a double boiler or in short bursts in the microwave. If you heat it too quickly, it will scorch. 

• Have fun and be creative. For a festive twist, add red or green food coloring to the dough. You can also experiment with flavor extracts like orange or vanilla. Dipping only half of each patty in chocolate will also give you a gorgeous, two-tone effect. 

How to Store

When stored properly, peppermint patties last for quite some time. That’s why they make such nice gifts. 

To Store: Refrigerate the patties in an air-tight container, separating the layers with wax paper. They should remain fresh for up to 2 weeks. 

To Freeze: Freeze in an air-tight, freezer-safe container with parchment paper between layers. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before serving.