Smooth, minty, and fresh, these Peppermint Patties feature a classic dark chocolate coating and creamy mint filling that melt in your mouth, and leave you wanting more!
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Our Favorite Soft Peppermint Patties, Perfect for the Holidays!
Christmas candy is kind of a big deal around here, and we have a lot of favorites. From fudge and peanut butter candies to meringues, caramels, and more, my family loves celebrating Christmas with all kinds of sweet treats. Peppermint is a must, of course – and what better way to indulge in a minty candy than with a soft homemade peppermint patty?
It also helps that these are one of the easiest candies to make. Even the chocolate-tempering process is unnecessary if you use chocolate melting wafers. With just a handful of ingredients and a simple, no-bake process, you can make these adorable candies easily. Great for giving as gifts, or just because.
What Is a Peppermint Patty?
“Peppermint Patty” might be more famous as Charlie Brown’s baseball-loving friend from the comic strip Peanuts, but in this recipe, we’re talking chocolate and peppermint – one of my favorite flavor combinations.
A peppermint patty is made with a disc, or patty, made out of sweet peppermint paste. The texture of the peppermint patty is thicker than frosting, but thinner than dough, and it’s definitely on the sweet side. To offset that sweetness and add another layer of flavor, the patty is dipped in dark chocolate. York Peppermint Patties are a commercial version of this candy that you can find in stores, but homemade peppermint patties are even better!
(Looking for more peppermint treats? Try these Peppermint Oreo Truffle Balls, Peppermint Patty Cookies, and Chocolate Peppermint Dream Cake!)
The Ingredients You’ll Need
To make this iconic candy, you only need four simple ingredients! This is a very easy recipe that’s fun to make, and fun to share.
- Sweetened Condensed Milk: This makes a creamy, sweet base for the peppermint mixture.
- Peppermint Extract: To give it that perfect peppermint candy taste – just right for the holidays.
- Powdered Sugar: To thicken the peppermint mixture and make it moldable.
- Chocolate Melting Wafers: These are easy to work with and don’t have to be tempered.
Is There a Difference Between Sweetened Condensed Milk and Evaporated Milk?
These two dairy products are similar, but can’t be substituted in most cases. The reason? Sugar! Evaporated milk is basically milk that’s been heated to release much of its water content as steam. The result is a thickened, creamier-tasting milk that’s shelf-stable when canned.
Sweetened condensed milk is similar, with much of the water evaporated out. However, it’s also heavily sweetened with sugar, resulting in a thick, caramel-y product that works well for making candies and desserts.
Let’s Make Peppermint Patties!
The filling for these peppermint patties is made similarly to frosting, but with a thicker consistency. From there, it’s formed into patties, chilled, and coated in chocolate. Here’s how to do it, step by step.
- Make the Peppermint Filling. In the bowl of a stand mixer (or in a large mixing bowl), whisk the condensed milk and peppermint extract together. Then add in half of the powdered sugar, and beat to combine. Pour in the other half of the powdered sugar, and beat again. At this point, if the mixture is too thick to stir, add a tablespoon of water at a time until the dough is stiff but workable.
- Shape the Patties. Line a large baking pan with parchment paper. Then, using a 1-inch cookie scoop, scoop out a ball from the peppermint filling. Wet your hands, and roll it with your hands to smooth it out. Repeat this process to get 30 – 35 balls of peppermint filling. Place a sheet of parchment paper on top of the balls, and use the bottom of a drinking glass to press each one into a ¼-inch thick disc.
- Chill. Place the pan of peppermint patty discs in the freezer for 2 hours, to firm up. They need to be cold and solid before dipping them in warm melted chocolate.
- Melt the Chocolate. Melt the chocolate melting wafers in a microwave-safe bowl. It’s best to microwave chocolate in short bursts of 10 seconds or so, stirring after each burst.
- Dip the Patties in the Chocolate. Place the bowl of melted chocolate on your work surface, and get the pan of peppermint patties. Working quickly, place a patty on the tines of a fork, and dip it into the chocolate. Lift it back out and let the excess drip off. Then place the patty back on the baking pan. Repeat until all of the patties are coated. (If the patties soften up too much, put them back in your freezer for 10 – 15 minutes to firm up again.)
- Rest and Serve. Let the peppermint patties set, until the chocolate has fully hardened. Once the chocolate is completely set, serve or store – and enjoy!
Recipe Notes and Variations
These notes are my top tips and tricks for making homemade peppermint patties, or a fruity variation of the original – read on, and enjoy!
- Melting Wafers vs. Chocolate Chips: I like to use chocolate melting wafers because they are easy to melt and you don’t need to worry about tempering chocolate. However, you can also use regular chocolate chips if you prefer!
- Extract vs. Oil: Make sure to use peppermint extract, not peppermint oil. Peppermint oil is much more potent and will give the candy too strong of a mint taste.
- Chocolate Raspberry Patties: Substitute about ⅓ cup of raspberry powder for the same amount of powdered sugar in the filling, and omit the mint extract.
- Chocolate Orange Patties: Use orange extract instead of mint extract for a classic chocolate orange flavor.
How to Store Peppermint Patties
These peppermint patties can be stored at room temperature, making it so easy to have them on hand and ready to eat (I know, I know… a double-edged sword!). Just keep them in an airtight container – a clean cookie tin would be perfect, or a plastic food storage container – whatever you like. They should keep for up to 10 days.
Can Homemade Peppermint Patties Be Frozen?
Yes, you can freeze these for up to 2 months. Place them in an airtight container, and to prevent sticking, layer sheets of wax paper or parchment between layers of patties.
Peppermint Patties Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ cup sweetened condensed milk
- 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
- 3 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 2 10-oz bags dark chocolate melting wafers
Instructions
- Whisk the condensed milk and peppermint extract together in the bowl of a stand mixer, or in a large mixing bowl.
- Add half of the powdered sugar to the bowl and beat with an electric mixer to combine. Pour in the other half of the powdered sugar and beat again to combine. If mixture is too thick to stir, add in a tablespoon of water at a time until the dough is stiff, but still workable.
- Line a 12×16-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- Then using a 1-inch cookie scoop, scoop out 30-35 balls from the dough. Wet your hands and roll each of the balls with your hands to smooth them out.
- Place a sheet of parchment paper on top and use the bottom of a glass to press each of the balls into a ¼-inch thick patty.
- Freeze the pan of peppermint patty centers in the freezer for 2 hours.
- Melt the chocolate wafers in a medium size microwave safe bowl. Then, working quickly, dip the patties one at a time in the chocolate using a fork to drain the excess chocolate and place them back on the pan lined with parchment paper.
- If the patties start to soften too much while you’re dipping them, place them back in the freezer for 10-15 minutes.
- Let the chocolate harden fully before serving or storing.
Nutrition
More Christmas Candy Ideas
- Soft Rum Caramels
- The Best Christmas Crack (Saltine Cracker Toffee)
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Bark
- Homemade Butter Mints
- Coconut Saltine Cracker Toffee
- Rocky Road Fudge
- Sponge Candy (Honey Comb Candy)
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