If you’re a fan of peppermint and chocolate, you’ll love these homemade peppermint patties. With just five simple ingredients, these melt-in-your-mouth treats are easy to make and even easier to enjoy. Perfect for the holidays, a sweet snack, or a homemade gift, this recipe gives you the iconic combination of smooth peppermint filling and a rich dark chocolate coating. Whether you’re an experienced baker or a beginner in the kitchen, this recipe is perfect for anyone looking to make a homemade candy that rivals store-bought versions.
In this post, we’ll walk you through how to make peppermint patties that are not only delicious but also customizable to your taste. With minimal ingredients and an easy-to-follow process, you’ll be making these little bites of heaven in no time!
Why You’ll Love These Homemade Peppermint Patties
Homemade candy might seem like a daunting task, but this recipe is simple and requires very few ingredients—just five, to be exact. By making peppermint patties at home, you get full control over the flavor, texture, and sweetness. Plus, you can use dark chocolate for a richer taste, or even customize with sprinkles for a festive touch.
These peppermint patties are ideal for sharing with friends and family during the holidays, packaging up as gifts, or simply enjoying as a personal indulgence. The creamy, minty center pairs perfectly with the deep, rich dark chocolate, making these a go-to treat for anyone who loves the refreshing taste of peppermint.
Ingredients:
- ¾ cup sweetened condensed milk
- 1 ¼ teaspoons peppermint extract
- ⅛ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 cups powdered sugar (plus extra for sprinkling)
- 2 cups dark melting/dipping chocolate
- Sprinkles (optional)
Instructions:
Step 1: Mix the Peppermint Filling
Start by adding the sweetened condensed milk, peppermint extract, and vanilla extract into the bowl of a stand mixer. Mix these ingredients on low speed to combine. Once mixed, begin adding half of the powdered sugar. Gradually add the remaining powdered sugar, a little at a time, until a dough-like consistency forms.
Step 2: Knead the Dough
To make the dough easier to handle, sprinkle about 3 tablespoons of powdered sugar onto a clean surface or a sheet of parchment paper. Place the dough onto the powdered surface and knead it a couple of times to ensure everything is well combined. If the dough feels too sticky, feel free to sprinkle a little more powdered sugar as needed.
Step 3: Roll and Cut the Dough
Roll the dough into a ½-inch thick circle. Be sure to keep the dough lightly coated in powdered sugar to prevent it from sticking to the rolling pin or your hands. Once rolled out, use a cookie cutter or the top of a small glass (about 1 to 1 ½ inches in diameter) to cut out perfect rounds.
If the dough is too soft or sticky to cut, don’t worry! Simply place the dough in the freezer for 15 minutes to firm it up, and then try cutting again.
Step 4: Freeze the Patties
After cutting out the circles, transfer them to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Place the baking sheet in the freezer for about 15 minutes to help the peppermint patties firm up before dipping them in chocolate.
Step 5: Melt the Chocolate
While the patties are chilling, it’s time to melt the chocolate. Break the dark melting chocolate into smaller pieces and place them in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat the chocolate in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring each time (even if you think it’s melted) to ensure the chocolate doesn’t burn. Once melted, allow it to sit for 3-4 minutes to cool slightly before dipping.
Step 6: Dip the Peppermint Patties in Chocolate
Using a fork, dip each peppermint patty into the melted chocolate, flipping it to coat both sides. Gently tap the fork on the side of the bowl to remove any excess chocolate. Then, place the chocolate-covered patties back onto the parchment-lined baking sheet. If you’d like to make them even more festive, sprinkle the tops with colorful sprinkles.
Step 7: Chill and Set
Finally, place the baking sheet with the dipped patties into the refrigerator for about 20 minutes, or until the chocolate coating has firmed up completely. Once set, your homemade peppermint patties are ready to be enjoyed!
Tips for Success:
- Powdered Sugar Troubleshooting: If your dough feels too sticky while rolling out, don’t hesitate to add more powdered sugar to help with the texture. However, be cautious not to overdo it, as this can make the filling too dry.
- Melting the Chocolate: Be patient when melting the chocolate—stirring it every 30 seconds ensures the chocolate doesn’t burn. Also, allow the chocolate to cool slightly before dipping; too hot and it will slide off the patties, while too cool and it might harden too quickly.
- Chilling the Patties: Don’t skip the freezing step! Chilling the peppermint patties before dipping them in chocolate helps them hold their shape and prevents the chocolate from melting into the filling.
- Flavor Customization: If you want to adjust the flavor of the filling, try adding a little more peppermint extract for a stronger minty flavor or even a tiny pinch of salt to enhance the sweetness.
- Storage: Store your peppermint patties in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They should stay fresh for about 1-2 weeks—if they last that long!
Conclusion: A Sweet and Simple Treat
These homemade peppermint patties are a perfect treat for any occasion. With just five ingredients and a little patience, you can create an impressive, delicious, and festive dessert that everyone will love. Whether you’re making them for the holidays, a special occasion, or just because, these peppermint patties are sure to be a hit.
The combination of cool, minty filling and smooth, rich chocolate is a timeless flavor pairing that’s perfect year-round. They’re easy to customize with sprinkles or extra mint flavor, so feel free to make them your own. And the best part? You get to enjoy the satisfaction of creating something sweet from scratch—without any complicated ingredients or processes.
So gather your ingredients, roll up your sleeves, and treat yourself (and your loved ones) to a batch of homemade peppermint patties. Happy baking!
Let me know if you’d like more variations or other holiday treats to try out