Yummy Homemade Peppermint Patties Recipe

It’s embarrassing to say how incredibly easy it is to make this homemade peppermint patties recipe. They are so good, you’d think they were the store-bought York Peppermint Patty version.

All you need are a few pantry staples and some melting chocolate to whip up this creamy, minty delight. They are the perfect addition to a Christmas cookie board or cookie exchange because they’ve been loved by so many!

Horizontal close up image of homemade peppermint patties in a kraft brown bakery box with white wax paper and red ribbon, next to a red and black plaid fabric with greenery in the background,
Everyone will think these homemade peppermint patties are just like store-bought candy.

RELATED READING: Dark Chocolate Peppermint Fudge Wins Holiday Treat of the Year! It’s one of our favorite fudge recipes!

Chocolate Covered Peppermint Patties

Here at Ruffles and Rain Boots, we may have a bit of a sweet tooth. I especially love recipes that are easy enough for little ones to help put together. As we get closer to the holidays and it’s time to think about gift giving, something homemade, like these patties or peppermint bark is always a win.

I love to get my daughter into the kitchen with me to do some baking, especially with Christmas around the corner. This easy Christmas cookie idea is something the kids can give to friends, family, and teachers.

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If you need to check your pantry or want to spend some extra time bashing peppermints or a candy cane into tiny pieces, save this to a desserts pin board or share it to Facebook. Using those sharing buttons makes it easy and will help you find this when you’re ready to begin.

Vertical close up of a pile of chocolate dipped peppermint patties with one half patty on a weathered wood surface next to a black and red piece of fabric and holiday greenery.
These homemade peppermint patties have a velvety chocolate exterior and a creamy mint interior.

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Tips for Melting and Dipping Chocolate

  • When melting chocolate in the microwave, it is crucial you don’t use full power or melt for longer than 20-30 seconds at a time. Chocolate chips, especially white chocolate, can be very finicky to work with. It can burn and seize easily.
  • If you don’t have a microwave or prefer not to use it for this, a double boiler is an ideal way to melt chocolate. Bring a pot of water to boil, place a larger glass bowl of chocolate on top and stir consistently until the chocolate is melted.
  • If you need to add a liquid to the chocolate to be melted, never use water as it will make the chocolate virtually impossible to work with. Instead, use milk, heavy whipping cream, or a bit of coconut oil a very small amount at a time, incorporating after each addition. Be sure not to use corn syrup as it will make your mixture seize.
  • When dipping cookies, fruit, truffles, homemade Christmas candy, or peppermint patties, I recommend a dipping tool designed for chocolate instead of a fork or spoon. In our experience, a fork is too small to handle the dipping properly.
Square close up of a stck of homemade peppermint patties with a whole patty on the bottom and 4 half patties on top and beside, with holiday greenery and a black and red plaid fabric on a weathered wood surface.
Make gift-giving a treat with these homemade peppermint patties. These are the perfect cookie exchange idea.

Ingredients and Step By Step Instructions

If you’re a baker, you might have all of this to make this fun Christmas candy recipe. already. If not, don’t worry – all of these ingredients are found in the bakery aisle of the grocery.

  • Powdered sugar
  • Sweetened condensed milk
  • Peppermint extract
  • Dark chocolate wafers
  • Vegetable shortening
  • Holiday sprinkles
Vertical overhead of the homemade peppermint patties recipe ingredients.

Each step is detailed below so it’s easy to follow. Keep this page open while you are learning how to make peppermint patties, a creamy and delicious dessert. If you would like to work from a printable recipe, scroll down and select the print button.

Vertical overhead image of a large round glass bowl and a black hand mixer with sweetened condensed milk with sprinkles in white square bowls, a glass round bowl of candy melts and a black spoon next to black and white fabric on a white marble surface.

Step 1:  In a large mixing bowl, add the sweetened condensed milk and the peppermint extract.

Vertical overhead image of a large round glass bowl and a mixer beaters with sweetened condensed milk with sprinkles in white square bowls, a glass round bowl of candy melts and a black spoon next to black and white fabric on a white marble surface.

Step 2: Slowly add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, to the consistency of cookie dough.

Vertical overhead shot of flattened patties next to a bowl of chocolate candy melts, a chocolate dipper and a glass bowl of sweetened condensed milk next to black and white fabric on a white marble surface.

Step 3: Roll dough into 1” balls and place on a cookie sheet lined with waxed paper. Flatten with the palm of your hand.

Vertical image of a large glass bowl with vegetable shirtening and chocolate candy melts, next to a smaller bowl of chocolate candy melts and a pan of a few flattened peppermint patties next to black and white fabric on a white marble surface.

Step 4: In a microwave-safe, medium-sized mixing bowl, melt the chocolate wafers and the shortening in the microwave.

Vertical image of a large round glass bowl of melted chocolate, next to a pan of flattened peppermint patties with a hand holding a candy dipper and a dipped peppermint patty on a white marble surface.

Step 5: Using a candy dipper or a fork, dip the patties, one at a time in the melted chocolate.

Vertical shot of dipped peppermint patties with sprinkles next to a bowl of melted chocolate next to black and white fabric on a white marble surface.

Step 6: Add sprinkles or jimmies and allow to dry completely before serving.

Things to Keep in Mind While Making This Candy Recipe

  • Use waxed and not parchment paper to dry the patties. If you use parchment paper, the patties will stick.
  • Allow the patties to dry completely. If you do not, they will fall apart when you try to lift them off the wax paper.
  • If you try to lift a chocolate-covered patty from the wax paper and it sticks, let it dry a bit longer. A totally dry peppermint patty dessert will easily lift off the surface of the waxed paper.

More Homemade Recipes You Might Like

Please Save or Share This Cookie Exchange Recipe

Your shares are how this site grows and I sincerely appreciate it. Please save this on your favorite dessert or Christmas recipes pin board or share it with a foodie group on Facebook.

Vertical overhead image of a bowl of 3 peppermint patties and 3 peppermint patties on the side with greenery on the side on a weathered wood surface.
Make the holidays sweet with these homemade peppermint patties
Yield: 36

Homemade Peppermint Patties Recipe

Square close up of a stck of homemade peppermint patties with a whole patty on the bottom and 4 half patties on top and beside, with holiday greenery and a black and red plaid fabric on a weathered wood surface.

This chocolate-dipped Homemade Peppermint Patties Recipe has a cool and refreshing creamy filling that tastes just like store-bought candy.

Prep Time 30 minutes
Additional Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 30 minutes

Ingredients

  • 6 cups of powdered sugar
  • 1 3/4 cups of sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 tablespoon of peppermint extract
  • 3 cups of dark chocolate candy wafers
  • 2 tablespoons of shortening
  • Holiday sprinkles or jimmies

Instructions

  1. In a large mixing bowl, add the sweetened condensed milk and the peppermint extract. Using an electric hand or stand mixer, beat until well mixed (about 2 minutes).
  2. Slowly add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, to the consistency of cookie dough.
  3. Roll dough into 1” balls and place on a cookie sheet lined with waxed paper. Flatten with the palm of your hand or a small glass and allow to dry for 3 hours.  Flip over and dry for 1 additional hour. 
  4. In a microwave-safe, medium-sized mixing bowl, melt the chocolate wafers and the shortening in the microwave, at 50% power in 20-second increments. Stir and repeat until completely melted and smooth.
  5. Using a candy dipper or a fork, dip each peppermint patty in the melted chocolate, making sure each patty is completely covered, and place each patty on a clean sheet of wax paper.
  6. Add sprinkles or jimmies and allow to dry completely before serving.

Notes

Leave off the sprinkles for a different look or make designs in the top.

Stack peppermint patties into a handmade cookie box (search Ruffles and Rain Boots for the free template) and add a holiday bow for a quick and easy Christmas gift idea.

Recommended Products

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Nutrition Information:

Yield:

36

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 206Total Fat: 6gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 9mgSodium: 34mgCarbohydrates: 36gFiber: 0gSugar: 34gProtein: 2g

All nutrition information is estimated. For accuracy, please calculate your exact brands and ingredients if accuracy is desired.

Did you make this yummy recipe?

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