This easy homemade peppermint patties recipe is the ultimate holiday treat. A creamy peppermint center is surrounded by dark chocolate and finished off with festive sprinkles. Perfect for gift giving!
If you’re a fan of York Peppermint Patties, you’re going to LOVE this DIY version that tastes so much better than the original. These peppermint patties also happen to be super easy to make which is always a bonus!
This year at Halloween, after sampling every candy imaginable, one of my 6 year olds declared that York Peppermint Patties were her favorite candy. I decided to surprise her with these homemade peppermint patties and she declared them to be WAY better than the store bought version. She’s right, the centers are so much fresher and softer than what you’d get in a store bought peppermint patty. This peppermint patties recipe is also quite easy to make, and is a lovely homemade holiday gift for family and friends.
How to make peppermint patties
The centers for these peppermint patties are just sweetened condensed milk, peppermint extract, vanilla extract and powdered sugar. Stir it all together until a dough forms, then use a cookie cutter to cut out rounds of the peppermint mixture. You can make these patties as big or as small as you like, I use a 1 or 1 1/2 inch cookie cutter. The centers need to be very cold before they get a dip in chocolate, so put them in the freezer before you start this step. You’ll want to work quickly as you dip the patties, I use a fork to toss them in the chocolate, and then I tap the fork to remove any excess chocolate. Add festive holiday sprinkles while the chocolate is still wet, then let cool. You’ll have a fun and delicious holiday treat in no time!
I like to package these homemade peppermint patties in festive tins and deliver them to friends and family around the holidays, it’s always such an appreciated gift. People will be SO impressed to hear that you make them yourself! This is also a great recipe to do with the kids, my girls love rolling out the dough and cutting out the centers. I’m adding these peppermint patties to my must-make list every year, and I love that they don’t take up precious oven space!
More holiday treats
Peppermint Patties Video
Peppermint Patties Recipe
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup sweetened condensed milk
- 1 teaspoon peppermint extract or more to taste
- 1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 cups powdered sugar plus extra for sprinkling
- 3 cups semisweet chocolate chips
- 2 teaspoons shortening
- 1/2 cup holiday sprinkles
Instructions
- Place the condensed milk, peppermint extract and vanilla extract in the bowl of a mixer. Add half of the powered sugar and beat with a mixer on low speed. Gradually add the remaining powdered sugar. Beat until a smooth dough forms.
- Sprinkle powdered sugar over a piece of parchment paper. Place the peppermint dough on the parchment and sprinkle powdered sugar over the top. Roll into a 1/2 inch thick circle.
- Using a 1 or 1 1/2 inch round cookie cutter, cut out circles from the dough. If your dough does not cut easily, simply place it in the freezer for a few minutes to firm up, then try again.
- Transfer the peppermint rounds to a parchment lined baking sheet. Cover and freeze for 10-15 minutes.
- Place the chocolate and shortening in a medium microwave safe bowl. Cook at 30 second intervals until melted, stirring occasionally.
- Using a fork, dip the patties one by one in the chocolate, then place on a piece of parchment. Add sprinkles immediately. Let cool until set, then serve. Store in the refrigerator.
Gigi says
Instead of adding shortening to chocolate look for higher quality chocolate and get one with a slightly higher fluidity. This way you can properly temper the chocolate.
Nikki says
The recipe was a success! These taste great and was a family favorite. Thank you for sharing!
Melissa says
Can you roll these into ball shapes and dip instead
Sara says
That should be fine!
Brooklyn says
Hello,
do you know a non-dairy replacement for the milk?
Thank you very much
Sara says
This recipe requires the thick and sticky texture of the sweetened condensed milk, otherwise the patties will not set up.
Brandi says
My dough turned out extremely hard, I almost blew the motor in my mixer.. I can’t even roll it.. Any suggestions as how to fix this ?
Sara says
Add more condensed milk, 1-2 teaspoons at a time, until you reach your desired consistency!
Jennifer says
How long do they keep in the refrigerator?
Sara says
Up to 2 weeks!
Diane Schlitt says
If using Merkens melting wafers do I still use 3 cups like the chocolate chips?
Sara says
Yes but you don’t need to add shortening!
Sue says
Can I use butter instead of the shortening
Sara says
I don’t recommend using butter, if you don’t have shortening just leave it out.
lois d. says
Can these be shipped?
Sara says
I’ve never tried it, I think they’d melt in warmer temperatures so you’d need to stick to the winter.
Gg Hamelink says
What can be done to make them so they don’t have to be refrigerated? I’d like to make some and share with other Christmas treats.
Sara says
The completed candies can stay at room temperature for a few hours, I just wouldn’t leave them out for too long or in a super warm house because they might soften.
RZ says
You can temper your chocolate or use candy melts. I prefer tempering chocolate. It’s worth the extra work for the texture and flavor!
Brenda says
My dough flops when dipping these in the hot melted chocolate. Help!!
Sara says
Sorry just seeing this now! It’s important that the patties are super cold, and if you’re having trouble you can wait a few minutes for your chocolate to cool to lukewarm. Hope this helps!
dee says
I followed the directions to the T, but my peppermint was almost pourable. Definitely couldn’t roll it! I added more powdered sugar, but I was afraid it was get terribly sweet. What could have gone wrong? I went ahead and made them away, popping them into the freezer, and then adding a bottom coating of chocolate and while they taste great, the chocolate is melting fast in my hands while the filling drools out as I bite into them. Any thoughts? TIA
Sara says
The peppermint should not be pourable, my only thought was maybe it was a measuring issue related to the powdered sugar? The recipe has you add the powdered sugar in two batches, did you add them both? It’s completely fine to add more powdered sugar until you get to the desired consistency, the dark chocolate tempers the sweetness of the filling so you don’t really need to worry about it being overly sweet. Hope that helps!
Anisse says
I was so happy to find this. They are my favourite… Looking forward to making them. Thank you.
Wendy says
Hi! Can I freeze these if I make ahead?
Thanks!
Sara says
Yes you can, just be aware that when you defrost there might be some condensation on the chocolate, so it’s best to serve them right away after defrosting.
Lauran says
What is shortening and what is its purpose? We don’t have it in the UK (Unless it goes by another name), could I leave it out? I don’t really want to use coconut oil as previously suggested.
Sara says
Shortening is a solid vegetable based fat. The purpose is to thin out the chocolate to make it easier for dipping. You can omit it, but you may end up with a thicker chocolate shell on your candy!
Lauran says
Thanks for the reply. Thicker chocolate is not a problem for me! 😂😋