Easy Homemade Peppermint Patties: Creamy Chocolate Mint Candies (No-Bake!)
Indulge in the refreshing taste of these incredibly easy Homemade Peppermint Patties, featuring a luscious, creamy peppermint center generously coated in rich semi-sweet chocolate. Crafted with just 5 simple ingredients, this no-bake recipe is perfect for any time of year and sure to become a family favorite!
Are you an avid fan of the classic combination of refreshing peppermint and decadent chocolate? If your answer is a resounding yes, then prepare to fall in love with today’s recipe: our exquisite homemade peppermint patties! Forget about merely buying store-bought versions; these from-scratch peppermint patties offer a superior taste and texture that will undoubtedly become a cherished staple in your dessert repertoire.
These delightful chocolate mint candies are crafted entirely from scratch, delivering a taste experience that mirrors, and arguably surpasses, the popular peppermint patties you find on store shelves. The heart of these treats – the creamy, cool peppermint filling – is surprisingly made with just four essential ingredients. Once formed into perfectly round discs, these refreshing centers are then carefully enveloped in a smooth, glossy layer of melted chocolate, creating a striking contrast in both flavor and texture. What makes this recipe even more appealing is its completely no-bake nature, making it an ideal sweet treat to whip up any time of the year, from a refreshing summer snack to a festive holiday delight. The inherent simplicity and minimal effort required make it perfect for beginners and seasoned candy makers alike, promising delicious results every time.
For this particular recipe, we’ve opted for semi-sweet chocolate, which provides a balanced sweetness that beautifully complements the vibrant peppermint flavor, preventing it from being overly sugary. However, the true beauty of homemade treats lies in customization! Feel free to experiment with dark chocolate for a more intense, sophisticated flavor profile that appeals to adult palates, or choose creamy milk chocolate if you prefer a sweeter, more mellow coating. Beyond traditional holidays like Christmas, imagine how wonderfully charming and festive these easy homemade peppermint patties would be for other occasions, perhaps tinted green with food coloring for a fun St. Patrick’s Day treat, or simply enjoyed as an elegant everyday indulgence. Their versatility makes them perfect for parties, gift-giving, or simply a well-deserved personal treat.
Why Choose Homemade Peppermint Patties Over Store-Bought?
While convenience certainly has its place, there’s a special satisfaction that comes with creating your own confections, and peppermint patties are no exception. Beyond the pure joy of a DIY project, making these classic treats at home offers several compelling advantages:
- Unmatched Freshness: Homemade patties boast an unparalleled freshness that store-bought versions simply can’t match. The vibrant peppermint flavor is more pronounced and authentic, and the creamy filling has a truly melt-in-your-mouth quality that distinguishes it.
- Total Flavor & Texture Control: When you make them yourself, you have complete control over every element. Want a bolder mint flavor? Add a little more extract. Prefer a thicker chocolate shell? Simply double-dip them! You can also adjust the sweetness to your liking, creating a patty that perfectly suits your taste buds.
- Simple & Hugely Rewarding: With just a few common kitchen ingredients and straightforward steps, this recipe is surprisingly simple to execute. Despite the ease, the end result is a batch of beautiful, delicious candies that are incredibly rewarding to make and share. The compliments you’ll receive are just an added bonus!
- No-Bake Convenience: Skip the oven entirely! This no-bake recipe is a lifesaver for hot summer days when you want to avoid heating up your kitchen, or during busy holiday seasons when oven space is at a premium. It’s truly a year-round delight.
- Quality Ingredients: You control the quality of every ingredient that goes into your patties, from the butter to the chocolate and the peppermint extract. This means you can choose premium ingredients for an even more exquisite final product, free from artificial preservatives often found in commercial candies.
Essential Ingredients for Crafting the Best Peppermint Patties
When it comes to crafting the perfect peppermint patty, the careful selection of ingredients is paramount to achieving that classic taste and texture. Many recipes for peppermint patties diverge in their approach to creating the creamy filling; some might call for a mixture of corn syrup and butter, while others opt for sweetened condensed milk. Through extensive recipe testing, we’ve consistently found that the combination of corn syrup and butter yields the most authentic and desirable results. This blend creates a filling that is exquisitely sweet, wonderfully creamy, and packed with that signature refreshing peppermint punch you crave. For this definitive homemade peppermint patty recipe, you’ll need just five key ingredients, each playing a crucial role:
- Butter (Unsalted, Softened): We generally recommend using unsalted butter. This gives you ultimate control over the salt content in your recipe, ensuring the flavors are perfectly balanced. However, given that this recipe only requires a modest 1/4 cup of butter (approximately 60 grams), using salted butter should also be perfectly acceptable and won’t significantly alter the final taste. The most crucial tip here is to ensure your butter is softened to room temperature before you begin. This allows it to cream smoothly with the other liquid ingredients, creating a homogeneous and lump-free base for your peppermint filling, which is essential for a smooth patty.
- Light Corn Syrup: This ingredient is vital for achieving that classic, bright white center that peppermint patties are known for. Beyond its color contribution, light corn syrup plays a critical role in the texture of the filling. It helps to keep the filling smooth and pliable, preventing it from becoming too brittle or grainy, a common pitfall in some candy recipes. Its mild sweetness also helps to balance the overall flavor profile without overpowering the delicate peppermint essence. Do not substitute with dark corn syrup, as it will alter the color and flavor.
- Peppermint Extract: Without a doubt, this is the star ingredient that gives these patties their signature, invigorating flavor! In our comprehensive testing, 1 and 1/2 teaspoons of high-quality peppermint extract proved to be the ideal amount, imparting a robust yet perfectly balanced minty flavor that is both refreshing and delightful. However, personal preference plays a big role here. If you prefer a milder mint taste, feel free to reduce the amount to 1 teaspoon. Conversely, if you’re a true peppermint aficionado and want an extra kick, you can certainly add a little more, but be mindful not to overdo it as extracts can be potent. Always add gradually and taste as you go to hit your perfect minty sweet spot.
- Powdered Sugar (Confectioner’s Sugar): Also widely known as confectioner’s sugar or icing sugar, powdered sugar is indispensable for thickening the peppermint filling to the perfect, moldable consistency. Its incredibly fine texture dissolves easily and completely, ensuring a smooth, velvety mouthfeel for the patties, free from any granular bits. It’s also incredibly useful for dusting your work surface and rolling pin before rolling out the mixture, which helps prevent sticking and makes cutting out those perfect, uniform circles a breeze. For the smoothest results, consider sifting your powdered sugar if it tends to be lumpy, to avoid any unwelcome graininess in the final product.
- Semi-Sweet Chocolate (Roughly Chopped): To achieve that classic outer shell, we used three 4-ounce bars (approximately 340 grams) of high-quality semi-sweet chocolate, roughly chopped for easier melting. Brands like Baker’s and Ghirardelli are excellent choices known for their superior melting consistency and rich, deep flavor. The semi-sweet variety offers a delightful contrast to the sweet and cool peppermint filling. However, don’t hesitate to customize this element! If you lean towards a more intense cocoa experience, opt for dark chocolate. For those who prefer a sweeter, creamier exterior, milk chocolate would be a fantastic alternative. Just ensure whatever chocolate you choose is of good quality for optimal melting, dipping, and setting. Chocolate chips can work but often contain stabilizers that can make them thicker and harder to dip.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make Irresistible Homemade Peppermint Patties
Crafting these delicious homemade peppermint patties is a surprisingly straightforward and enjoyable process that even novice candy makers can master. Follow these detailed steps to create your own batch of creamy, chocolate-covered mint wonders:
- Prepare the Peppermint Base: Begin by combining the softened unsalted butter, light corn syrup, and peppermint extract in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Alternatively, a large mixing bowl and a reliable handheld electric mixer will work perfectly. Beat these ingredients together on medium speed until they are thoroughly blended and smooth, forming a cohesive base. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to ensure everything is well incorporated.
- Incorporate the Powdered Sugar: Gradually add the powdered sugar to the mixture, starting on a very low speed to prevent a cloud of sugar from forming. The mixture will initially appear very crumbly and dry – this is completely normal and expected! Don’t be alarmed. Continue mixing for a few minutes. As the ingredients combine and the butter and corn syrup work their magic, the mixture will slowly begin to come together into a more cohesive dough. If you find your mixer struggling, or the mixture remains stubbornly crumbly after a few minutes, don’t hesitate to stop the mixer. Use clean hands to gently press and work the dough together a few times; the warmth from your hands can help. Then, resume mixing until it forms a soft, pliable, and uniform dough.
- Roll Out the Peppermint Dough: Once the powdered sugar is fully incorporated and the dough is cohesive, turn the mixture out onto a piece of parchment paper. Before doing so, liberally sprinkle your parchment paper with extra powdered sugar – this is a crucial step to prevent any sticking. Briefly knead the dough a few times directly on the sugared parchment paper until it feels smooth and uniform. Then, flatten it out slightly with your hands into a rough rectangle or circle. Place a second piece of parchment paper on top of the dough. Using a rolling pin, roll the dough out evenly to a thickness of approximately 1/4-inch (about 0.6 cm). Aim for a consistent thickness across the entire surface to ensure all your patties are uniform in size and texture.
- Cut Out the Peppermint Patties: Line a large baking sheet with fresh parchment paper. Now, it’s time to cut out your patty shapes! We recommend using a circular cutter that is between 1 and 1/4 inches to 1 and 1/2 inches in diameter for classic-sized patties. Dip your cutter in powdered sugar periodically to prevent sticking. Carefully place the cut-out circles onto your prepared baking sheet, leaving a little space between each. If, after rolling, you find the dough is a little too soft or sticky to cleanly cut out shapes, simply transfer the parchment-lined dough (on its baking sheet) to the freezer for about 5-10 minutes to firm up, then try cutting again. Gather any dough scraps, gently re-roll them between the parchment papers, and cut out more circles until all the dough has been used.
- Chill the Patties for Dipping: Once all your peppermint circles are cut and arranged on the baking sheets, it’s crucial to firm them up before coating. Transfer the baking sheets with the cut-out peppermint patties into the freezer for approximately 15-20 minutes. This chilling step is absolutely essential as it makes the patties firm enough to handle and dip into melted chocolate without falling apart or losing their shape.
- Melt the Chocolate Coating: While your peppermint patties are chilling in the freezer, prepare your chocolate coating. Place your roughly chopped semi-sweet chocolate into a microwave-safe bowl. Heat the chocolate in short bursts – 20 to 30-second increments – stirring thoroughly after each interval with a dry spatula. Continue this process until the chocolate is completely melted and beautifully smooth, without any lumps. Alternatively, you can use a double boiler method for melting, which offers more gentle, controlled heat and helps prevent scorching.
- Dip and Coat the Patties: Remove the firm peppermint patties from the freezer. Working quickly, use a fork to carefully dip each individual patty into the melted chocolate, ensuring it’s fully coated. Gently tap the fork against the side of the bowl to allow any excess chocolate to drip off, creating a thinner, neater coating. For easy transfer and to help slide the patty off the fork without smudging, use a toothpick to carefully push the chocolate-coated patty onto your clean, parchment-lined baking sheet. Repeat this process for all the remaining patties. If at any point the patties become too soft to dip easily, simply pop them back into the freezer for another 10-15 minutes to re-harden before continuing.
- Set the Chocolate Coating: Once all your homemade peppermint patties are generously coated in chocolate, return the baking sheet to the refrigerator. Allow them to chill for 30-45 minutes, or until the chocolate coating has fully hardened and set completely. This step ensures a crisp, satisfying chocolate shell.
- Serve and Enjoy: Once the chocolate is firm, your delicious homemade peppermint patties are ready to be served and enjoyed! Arrange them on a platter for guests, or simply grab one for yourself. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator to maintain their freshness and firm texture, ensuring they stay delightful for days.
Expert Tips for Perfect Peppermint Patties Every Time
Achieving bakery-quality homemade peppermint patties is easy with these helpful tips and tricks:
- Handling Crumbly Dough: When you initially add the powdered sugar to the butter mixture, the dough will appear very crumbly and dry. This is absolutely normal and expected! Don’t be tempted to add more liquid. Continue mixing, and if needed, stop the mixer and use your hands to press and work the dough together. The natural warmth from your hands will help the ingredients coalesce into a smooth, pliable ball. Persistence is key here, and it will come together.
- Troubleshooting Soft Dough: If, after rolling out your peppermint dough, it feels too soft or sticky to cleanly cut out neat circles, there’s an easy fix. Simply transfer the parchment-lined dough (on a baking sheet) to the freezer for a brief period, usually 5-10 minutes. A quick chill will firm it up significantly, making it much easier to cut precise, clean shapes without distortion.
- Optimal Storage for Freshness: Homemade peppermint patties tend to soften at room temperature, especially in warmer environments, potentially losing their desired firmness. For the best texture and to maintain their delightful cool and firm consistency, we highly recommend storing them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Properly stored, they will stay fresh and delicious for up to one week.
- Preventing Chocolate Seizing: When melting your chocolate, be extremely careful not to overheat it or allow any water, even tiny droplets, to get into it. Water is the enemy of melting chocolate and can cause it to “seize,” turning it into a thick, clumpy, and ultimately unusable mess. Melt slowly, in short increments, and stir often with a dry utensil. Using a double boiler can also provide more controlled heat.
- Achieving a Smooth, Glossy Chocolate Coat: For a super smooth and shiny chocolate coating, ensure your chocolate is melted completely smooth and is not too thick. If it seems too thick for dipping, you can stir in a very small amount (half a teaspoon at a time) of neutral oil (like coconut oil or vegetable oil) or shortening until it reaches a desired, dip-able consistency. For a truly professional-looking finish and to prevent “bloom” (white streaks) if storing at room temperature, consider tempering your chocolate, though it’s not strictly necessary for this recipe.
- Uniform Patty Size: For consistently sized patties, use a specific circular cutter. Dipping the cutter in powdered sugar between cuts can also help prevent sticking and ensure cleaner edges.
- Make it a Gift: These homemade peppermint patties make fantastic edible gifts! Package them in small decorative boxes, tie them with a ribbon, and share them with friends, family, or neighbors. They’re always a welcome treat.
More Delicious No-Bake Candy Recipes To Try!
If you loved making these easy homemade peppermint patties, you’ll be thrilled to explore more of our simple, no-bake candy recipes. These are perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth without turning on the oven, ideal for any season or occasion:
- Decadent Mint Chocolate Truffles
- Classic Peanut Butter Balls (Often known as Buckeye Candies)
- Irresistible Oreo Balls (No-Bake Oreo Truffles)
- Festive Peppermint Bark
- Simple & Creamy Fudge Recipe
Homemade Peppermint Patties
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Ingredients
- ¼ cup (60 grams) unsalted butter, softened
- ⅓ cup (80 ml) light corn syrup
- 1 and ½ teaspoons peppermint extract
- 3 and ½ cups (420 grams) powdered sugar plus extra for sprinkling on work surface
- 12 ounces (340 grams) semi-sweet chocolate roughly chopped
Instructions
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In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, or in a large mixing bowl using a handheld mixer, mix the softened butter, light corn syrup, and peppermint extract together until fully combined.
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Add the powdered sugar and continue mixing on low speed until the mixture starts to come together, this will take a couple of minutes. The mixture will be very crumbly at first. Once the mixture starts to come together but is still a little crumbly, stop mixing and use your hands to work the dough together.
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Sprinkle a piece of parchment paper with powdered sugar and turn the dough out onto the piece of parchment paper. Knead the dough together into a smooth ball, then flatten it out. Place another piece of parchment paper on top and use a rolling pin to roll the dough to ¼-inch thick.
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Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Using a 1.25-1.5 inch circular cutter, cut out pieces of dough, and place onto the prepared baking sheet (if the dough is too soft to work with, place on a baking sheet and freeze for 5-10 minutes). Re-roll scraps of dough and continue cutting out circles until all the dough has been used.
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Place the baking sheets with the cut-out peppermint patties in the freezer for 15-20 minutes to harden.
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Once the patties are almost ready, add the chopped chocolate to a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 20-30 second increments, stirring well after each increment, until completely melted and smooth.
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Remove the baking sheet from the freezer. Use a fork to dip each patty into the chocolate, tap off any excess chocolate in the bowl, and carefully place back on the baking sheet (I use a toothpick to slide it off of the fork). Repeat with the remaining patties until all of them are coated. If the patties become too soft to dip, place them back in the freezer for 10-15 minutes.
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Once all of the peppermint patties are coated in chocolate, place the baking sheet in the refrigerator for 30-45 minutes to allow the chocolate to harden.
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Serve and enjoy or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Notes
Freezing Instructions: Peppermint patties will freeze well for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
Semi-Sweet Chocolate: Feel free to use dark chocolate or milk chocolate instead of semi-sweet!