Peppermint Patties made with sweetened condensed milk, peppermint extract, confectioners’ sugar, and melted chocolate for a classic homemade treat.
Every family has that one recipe people cling to like it’s part of the holiday survival kit, right? For mine, it’s Peppermint Patties. And somehow — honestly, I still don’t know how this happened — I became the “official maker” of these peppermint treats. One year I brought a batch to Christmas Eve, thinking it was just a fun little experiment, and suddenly everyone acted like I’d reinvented winter. My uncle even said, “These taste like the holidays should taste,” which is funny because the man swears he can’t taste anything once the temperature drops below 50°F.
Remember it later!
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
Remember it later!
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
The truth is, these Peppermint Patties always remind me of a weirdly specific childhood memory — my mom blasting Nat King Cole while we rolled dough at the kitchen table, the heater making that loud ticking sound it only made in December, me trying so hard not to sneeze from all the confectioners’ sugar floating around the room like fake snow. I swear the smell of peppermint is like a time machine. Does scent do that to you too? One whiff and suddenly you’re eight years old again and wearing something itchy because your grandma insisted it “looked nice.”
And I don’t know… maybe I keep making these homemade patties every year not just for tradition but because they help me hold onto those little moments. Even the messy ones.
Here’s a quick peek at what’s inside:
Table of content
Why You’ll Love This Peppermint Patties Recipe?
Okay, so maybe I’m biased, but these Peppermint Patties have this uncanny ability to feel both nostalgic and weirdly modern at the same time. They’re simple — almost embarrassingly simple — but they never feel boring. The centers are soft and cool, like that first breath of winter air when you step outside and instantly regret forgetting your scarf. And the chocolate shell? It snaps in the most satisfying way, like cracking the top of a crème brûlée… except, you know, way easier.
What I really love — and this might just be me overthinking it — is that these peppermint candies don’t pretend to be perfect. Sometimes they’re lopsided. Sometimes the chocolate drips weirdly on one side. Sometimes you can tell I dipped them while also trying to answer three text messages and stop my cat from stealing the parchment paper. But honestly? Those quirks make them feel more real. And people always say they taste “homemade,” which is the highest compliment a peppermint treat can get, right?
Ingredient Notes:
Let’s take a quick stroll through what goes into these Peppermint Patties, because even though it’s a small list, each ingredient has a personality of its own. And yes, I’m giving ingredients personalities now — just roll with it.
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Sweetened Condensed Milk: Thick, sweet, unapologetic. It’s the glue of the whole peppermint candy situation. If you’ve never eaten a spoonful straight from the can… I admire your restraint.
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Peppermint Extract: Bold, bracing, that friend who always speaks a little too loudly but somehow pulls it off. It gives the patties their “winter breath” vibe — in a good way.
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Confectioners’ Sugar: Basically edible snow. It turns everything into a firm dough you can shape. Also gets everywhere. I’ve accepted this.
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Chocolate Chips: Semisweet is my go-to because it balances the peppermint without making things overly sweet, but listen — if you’re in a milk chocolate mood, I’m not here to judge.
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Shortening: The quiet hero. It keeps the chocolate smooth so it doesn’t seize or get cranky halfway through dipping.
How To Peppermint Patties?
Let’s make these Peppermint Patties together — you grab the bowl, I’ll grab the storyline.
Step 1: Prep Time, aka “You’ll Thank Yourself Later”
Line a baking sheet with waxed paper. Not parchment. Waxed. I’ve mixed them up before and… yeah, let’s not relive that. Just trust me.
Step 2: Mix the Peppermint Dough
Stir the condensed milk and peppermint extract together, then gradually add confectioners’ sugar until it becomes a dough that doesn’t cling to your hands. For a minute it’ll feel like it’ll never come together, and then suddenly — bam — it’s perfect. Life is funny like that sometimes.
Step 3: Shape Your Peppermint Patties
Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and flatten them gently. They’ll probably come out in different sizes. That’s okay. Nobody measuring these with a ruler. Let them dry for about two hours. Yes, it feels long. Yes, it’s worth it.
Step 4: Melt the Chocolate
Melt the chocolate and shortening over low heat. Keep an eye on it — chocolate is dramatic. One second too hot and it throws a tantrum. Stir often, maybe hum a Christmas song while you do it.
Step 5: Dip + Chill
This part feels like arts and crafts. Dip each peppermint patty using a fork so the chocolate drips off evenly (or unevenly — again, no stress). Slide the patties onto waxed paper and chill until firm. And suddenly… they’re gorgeous. Even the ones that look a little goofy.
Storage Options:
One thing I love about these Peppermint Patties is how well they store. Pop them into an airtight container and refrigerate them — they stay fresh for up to two weeks. If you somehow still have extras, they freeze beautifully. I’ve pulled them out in February before and thought, “Oh wow, past me was really looking out.”
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Variations and Substitutions:
Peppermint Patties are forgiving and fun to customize — kind of like decorating a tree where the ornaments never fall off.
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Dark chocolate for the “I want something moodier” days
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White chocolate when you’re feeling whimsical
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Mint vs. Peppermint extract (I swear they taste different — do you agree?)
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Food coloring to tint the dough a pale green or soft pink
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Candy cane pieces sprinkled on top, which makes them look fancy even if your kitchen is chaos
What to Serve with Peppermint Patties?
These peppermint treats pair with… honestly, just about anything. But here are my favorites:
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A mug of hot chocolate (peppermint patties + hot chocolate = holiday happiness)
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Coffee, especially something dark and rich
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Vanilla ice cream topped with chopped patties — seriously try this
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A holiday dessert board if you’re showing off
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Movie nights where nobody can agree what to watch
Frequently Asked Questions:
My dough is too sticky. Did I mess something up?
Nope! Add more confectioners’ sugar. Happens to me every time it’s humid.
Can I use different chocolate?
Absolutely. I’ve used dark, milk, white — even a mix once when I ran out mid-dip.
Can I freeze Peppermint Patties?
Yes! They freeze beautifully and thaw in minutes. Perfect for last-minute gifting… or snacking.
Okay, now I’ve gotta ask — are you making these Peppermint Patties because you’re feeling festive, or did the craving just hit out of nowhere like it always does for me? Either way, I genuinely can’t wait to hear how your batch turns out.
Remember it later!
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
Remember it later!
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
Keep the Flavor Coming – Try These:
Peppermint Patties
Ingredients
- ¾ cup sweetened condensed milk
- 1 ½ teaspoons peppermint extract
- 4 cups confectioners’ sugar
- 3 cups semisweet chocolate chips
- 2 teaspoons shortening
Instructions
Prepare the Baking Sheet:
- Line a baking sheet with waxed paper, ensuring the surface is fully covered for easy removal of the finished patties.
Create the Peppermint Dough:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the sweetened condensed milk and peppermint extract. Gradually incorporate the confectioners’ sugar, adding it a small amount at a time. Continue mixing until a stiff, moldable dough forms and no longer adheres to your hands.
Shape the Patties:
- Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them onto the prepared waxed paper. Gently flatten each ball with your fingers to form round patties. Allow the patties to dry at room temperature for approximately two hours, turning them once halfway through the drying period.
Melt the Chocolate Coating:
- In a medium saucepan set over low heat, combine the semisweet chocolate chips and shortening. Stir continuously until the chocolate is fully melted and the mixture is smooth. Remove from heat.
Dip the Peppermint Patties:
- Using a fork, submerge each peppermint patty into the melted chocolate. Tap the fork lightly on the side of the pan to remove excess chocolate. Transfer the coated patties back onto the waxed paper.
Chill and Set:
- Place the tray of dipped patties into the refrigerator and chill until the chocolate has fully set. Once firm, the patties are ready to serve or store.
Notes
- Confirm that the confectioners’ sugar, chocolate chips, and shortening are certified gluten-free, as cross-contamination can occur in manufacturing.
- Most sweetened condensed milk brands are gluten-free, though checking the label is recommended.
I’m Bitty, owner of nodashofgluten.com, where I share simple, delicious recipes for all tastes, including gluten-free. Check out my “About Me” page for more info!
