There's something utterly magical about biting into a cool, minty center wrapped in smooth chocolate. That’s why I’m excited to share this Homemade Peppermint Patties Recipe with you—it’s simple, nostalgic, and perfect for sharing (or sneaking a few solo!). Trust me, once you try making these at home, you’ll see why they’re so special.

There is a stack of round chocolate-covered treats on a white tray with a red and white cloth underneath. Each treat has a thick dark brown chocolate coating topped with colorful festive sprinkles in red, green, white, yellow, and gold. One treat on top has a bite taken out, showing a creamy white layered inside. The top treat is decorated with small white snowflake shapes, a green Christmas tree shape, and red round sprinkles arranged in a pattern. The background is a white marbled texture. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Homemade Peppermint Patties Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Homemade Peppermint Patties Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Homemade Peppermint Patties Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Making peppermint patties at home is like rediscovering a classic candy with a fresh twist. I love that this recipe is approachable, uses just five ingredients, and lets you control the flavors and textures. The end result is a beautiful, festive treat that feels handmade with love.

Simple Ingredients: No mystery chemicals here—just familiar stuff you probably already have in your pantry.
Customizable Mint Flavor: You can adjust the peppermint extract to be subtle or bold, depending on your taste.
Fun to Make and Decorate: I’ve found that adding colorful Christmas sprinkles makes these perfect for gifting or holiday parties.
Perfect Texture Balance: The peppermint filling is soft but firm, and the chocolate coating gives a smooth snap with every bite.

A white tray holds round cookies covered in smooth milk chocolate, arranged in two rows. Each cookie is decorated with colorful sprinkles: some with small red, green, and white balls; others with white snowflake shapes, tiny red balls, and green Christmas tree candy in the center. The cookies have shiny, glossy chocolate surfaces with various textured sprinkles resting on top. The tray is placed on a white marbled surface, and a red cloth is visible on the side. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

The beauty of this Homemade Peppermint Patties Recipe lies in keeping it simple with the right ingredients that balance flavor and texture. Each one plays a crucial role in getting that classic minty chocolate patty just right.

Flat lay of a small mound of powdered sugar on a white ceramic plate, a small white bowl filled with glossy semi-sweet chocolate chips, a small white bowl holding smooth sweetened condensed milk, a tiny white bowl containing clear coconut oil, a small white bowl with bright green, red, and white Christmas sprinkles, and a clean, whole white egg resting beside a few fresh peppermint leaves, all arranged symmetrically and balanced, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Sweetened Condensed Milk: Adds binding moisture and sweetness, creating a creamy base for the mint filling.
Peppermint Extract: The star of the show for that refreshing mint flavor; I recommend starting with one teaspoon and adjusting to taste.
Powdered Sugar: Builds structure and sweetness—sift it first to avoid lumps in your dough.
Semi-sweet Chocolate Chips: Melts beautifully for coating the patties, providing a rich contrast to the mint.
Coconut Oil or Shortening: Keeps the melted chocolate smooth and glossy, helping it harden with a nice snap.
Christmas Sprinkles (Green, Red, White): Adds festive charm and a little crunch; feel free to use whatever colors or shapes you love.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love that this recipe invites you to get creative. Whether you want more chocolate, extra minty punch, or even try different toppings, playing around is part of the fun. I often tweak the peppermint extract slightly depending on the season or mood.

Variation: Once, I swapped semi-sweet chocolate chips for dark chocolate, and the richer flavor was a real hit with my family—try if you like a deeper cocoa taste.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Homemade Peppermint Patties Recipe

Step 1: Whip Up the Minty Dough

In my stand mixer bowl (or a large mixing bowl with a reliable hand mixer), I start by combining the sweetened condensed milk and peppermint extract. Then, I add the powdered sugar a cup at a time, beating steadily until a stiff, almost dough-like mixture forms. This part is key—don’t rush adding the sugar. If you add it too fast, you risk a lumpy texture.

Step 2: Shape and Dry Your Patties

I grab a cookie scoop to portion out 1-inch balls—about the size of a ping pong ball works perfectly. Once scooped onto a baking sheet lined with a non-stick mat, I gently press each ball down to make a flat patty shape. Then, here’s a trick I learned: let them dry for two hours, flipping once halfway through to ensure they set evenly without sticking to the surface.

Step 3: Melt Chocolate and Coat the Patties

Right before the patties finish drying, I heat the semi-sweet chocolate chips with coconut oil in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly. When everything is silky smooth, I remove it from the heat, ready for dipping. Using a fork or dipping tool, I dunk each patty until completely covered, then place it back on the lined sheet.

Step 4: Add Festive Sprinkles and Set

While the chocolate coating is still soft, I gently press a few Christmas sprinkles on top. It’s a simple touch but adds so much holiday cheer! Then, I let the patties sit until the chocolate hardens, which usually takes about 30-60 minutes at room temperature.

Top Tip

Through countless batches, I’ve picked up a few tips that really help nail this Homemade Peppermint Patties Recipe every time.

Texture Test: The dough should feel firm and hold together without being sticky—too little powdered sugar and the patties won’t set right.
Patience on Drying: Don’t skip the two-hour drying step; it keeps the patty from falling apart when dipped.
Chill if Needed: If your kitchen is warm, pop the dipped patties into the fridge to speed up setting without condensation.
Even Chocolate Melting: Stir the chocolate gently to avoid burning—smoothness is key for that shiny finish.

How to Serve Homemade Peppermint Patties Recipe

Garnishes

I typically stick with colorful Christmas sprinkles because they add such a festive vibe and a little bit of crunch. Sometimes, I’ve sprinkled crushed peppermint candies on top for an extra minty texture and a dazzling look—perfect for gifting!

Side Dishes

These patties shine on their own but pair wonderfully with a hot cup of coffee, herbal tea, or even a rich hot chocolate. I’ve brought them to holiday parties alongside other bite-sized treats like biscotti and spiced nuts—it’s a crowd-pleasing combo every time.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday gatherings, I like arranging my peppermint patties in small festive tins or wrapping each individually in shiny wax paper tied with a ribbon. It turns a homemade treat into a charming gift that always impresses friends and family.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover peppermint patties keep really well in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. I recommend layering parchment paper between for easy grabbing, and keeping them somewhere cool to prevent melting.

Freezing

You can freeze these treats if you want to make a bigger batch ahead of time. Lay them flat on a tray in the freezer until firm, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. They maintain flavor and texture beautifully when thawed at room temperature.

Reheating

Since these are no-bake and coated in chocolate, reheating isn’t really necessary. If they feel a bit too firm from the fridge or freezer, just let them sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before enjoying.

Frequently Asked Questions:

How firm should the peppermint dough be before shaping?

The dough should be firm enough to hold its shape when scooped and pressed but not too dry or crumbly. It resembles a thick, sticky dough that sticks slightly to your fingers but cleans up easily. If it’s too soft, add a little more powdered sugar.

Can I use fresh peppermint instead of peppermint extract?

Fresh peppermint leaves don’t have the concentrated flavor that peppermint extract provides, so they won’t give that strong minty taste typical in peppermint patties. Using extract ensures consistent, bold flavor.

What’s the best way to prevent chocolate from seizing while melting?

Keep the heat low to medium, stir continuously, and melt the chocolate gently with a bit of coconut oil or shortening. Avoid any contact with water, as even a drop can cause the chocolate to seize and turn grainy.

Can I make these peppermint patties gluten-free?

Absolutely! All the ingredients in this Homemade Peppermint Patties Recipe are naturally gluten-free, but always check your powdered sugar and chocolate chips labels to be sure, especially if you have a gluten sensitivity.

Final Thoughts

There’s a special kind of joy in making candy from scratch, and this Homemade Peppermint Patties Recipe really delivers. Whether it’s a treat to brighten your afternoon or a sweet gift during the holidays, you’ll appreciate how gratifying and fun these are to make. So go ahead—whip up a batch and share the festive minty goodness with your favorite people. I promise, this recipe will become a staple in your candy-making repertoire!