Name: Festive Peppermint Patties Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 1 h 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: ⅓ cup granulated sugar; 4 ounces cream cheese room temperature; 2 tablespoons unsalted butter room temperature; 2 tablespoons light/clear corn syrup; 1 teaspoon peppermint extract; 4¼ cups powdered sugar divided; 6 drops green liquid food coloring; 6 drops red liquid food coloring

There’s something undeniably magical about homemade holiday treats, and this Festive Peppermint Patties Recipe really hits that sweet spot. These little beauties are refreshing, colorful, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious—perfect for gifting, snacking, or that festive party you’ve got coming up.

The image shows a white bowl filled with round cookies in three colors: red, green, and white. Each cookie has four parallel lines pressed into its top surface and is lightly covered with granulated sugar, giving a sparkling texture. Around the bowl on a white marbled surface, there are several more cookies scattered in the same colors and style. In the background, another white plate holds a few more cookies. To the left of the bowl, there are small decorative Christmas trees in green, white, and gold, adding a festive touch. 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 Festive Peppermint Patties Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Festive Peppermint Patties Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Festive Peppermint Patties Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I genuinely look forward to making these every holiday season—they’re a tradition in my kitchen now. The balance of creamy peppermint filling coated with a light sugar crunch makes for a bite that just sparkles with festive vibes.

Bright, Fun Colors: The red, green, and white dough balls let you craft patties that look like little winter ornaments, adding a pop of festive color to your dessert table.
Simple Ingredients: You don’t need anything complicated—just pantry staples and peppermint extract to whip these up with ease.
Perfect Party Treat: These candies are bite-sized, easy to serve, and super sharable, making them a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Great Make-Ahead Recipe: You can prepare them in advance, with fantastic storage options that keep them fresh through the holidays.

A white divided dish holds three sections of round, sugar-coated cookies, each with fork-pressed lines on top; the top section has bright red cookies, the middle has white cookies, and the bottom has green cookies, all with a slightly rough sugar texture. Around the dish on a white marbled surface are scattered red, green, and white small jingle bells along with a second white round plate holding green and red cookies. Also, there are decorative glittery pom-poms in gold, silver, white, and green colors placed nearby, and a white cloth with black tree prints is partly visible in the bottom left corner. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

All the ingredients here blend beautifully to create that iconic peppermint patty texture—smooth, creamy, yet firm enough to hold shape once set. Here’s what each does and a few tips to get you the best results.

Flat lay of a small white ceramic bowl filled with granulated sugar, a wedge of creamy room-temperature cream cheese, a chunk of unsalted butter, a small white bowl containing clear light corn syrup, a tiny white bowl with peppermint extract, three separate dough balls in red, green, and white colors placed evenly apart, a small white bowl holding powdered sugar, all arranged in perfect symmetry, 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

Granulated sugar: Used to coat the patties, this adds a delightful sparkle and slight crunch—don’t skip this step!
Cream cheese (room temperature): Makes the patties creamy and gives them that soft, chewy center you’ll adore.
Unsalted butter (room temperature): Adds richness and helps with that smooth consistency.
Light/clear corn syrup: Keeps the mixture pliable and prevents crystallization, which is key for a silky texture.
Peppermint extract: The star flavor—fresh, bold, and unmistakably festive. Taste as you go, since quality varies!
Powdered sugar: Provides sweetness without grit and thickens the dough to the perfect consistency.
Green & red liquid food coloring: These add that classic Christmas cheer to your patties; gel colors work well too, in case you want a more vibrant look without extra moisture.

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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

One of my favorite things about this Festive Peppermint Patties Recipe is how easy it is to tweak. Over the years, I’ve tried a few variations and find that these small shifts keep things feeling fresh and fun around the holidays.

Variation: Last year, I swapped half the cream cheese with mascarpone for an extra silky texture—highly recommend if you want a creamier bite.
Dietary tweak: For those avoiding corn syrup, using golden syrup or a mild honey can work, though you’ll want to adjust powdered sugar a bit as these alter dough moisture.
Seasonal changes: On occasion, I swap peppermint extract for a bit of vanilla and add orange zest—delicious spin for a winter mint-orange fusion.
Color fun: Using gel food coloring lets you play with deeper or pastel shades; just remember not to add too much or it affects the dough's consistency.

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

Step 1: Whip Up the Creamy Base

Start by combining room temperature cream cheese, unsalted butter, light corn syrup, and peppermint extract in a large bowl. I use a handheld mixer on low speed for about a minute until everything is luxuriously smooth—no lumps here. It’s tempting to speed this up, but trust me, go slow to keep the texture silky.

Step 2: Incorporate the Sugar Slowly

This part takes patience but yields that perfect dough. Add powdered sugar in small batches—you’ll start to feel the dough stiffen as you reach the last additions. When it gets too thick for the mixer, switch to a spatula or wooden spoon to finish mixing by hand. Extra powdered sugar may be necessary, especially after adding colors.

Step 3: Divide and Color Your Dough

Pour a bit of powdered sugar onto parchment paper, then turn out your dough. Divide it into three equal parts. Add red food coloring to one, green to another, and keep the last one white. Knead each carefully, sprinkling a little more powdered sugar if it gets sticky. I can’t stress enough: add sugar gradually—too much and the dough gets dry.

Step 4: Roll and Slice

Roll each colored dough ball into an 18-inch rope about 1 inch thick. Slice into ½-inch pieces, then roll those pieces into little balls with your palms. This hands-on step is fun and really helps you connect to the process—plus, you can sneak a taste along the way!

Step 5: Coat and Shape Your Patties

Toss 2-3 balls at a time into the granulated sugar bowl to coat them evenly. Arrange on a parchment-lined tray, then gently press each candy into a disc using a fork's tines—the delicate striped pattern looks so charming and screams holiday cheer. Let them sit at room temperature for up to 24 hours to firm up before serving.

Top Tip

From my experience making these peppermint patties for years, a few simple tips make all the difference in turning out perfect treats you’ll be proud to share.

Add Food Coloring Slowly: Start with a few drops and knead thoroughly before adding more to avoid an overly wet dough that’s hard to handle.
Don’t Skip Resting Time: Letting the patties set up for 24 hours at room temperature ensures they hold their shape and develop the right texture.
Powdered Sugar Precautions: Dust your hands and workspace to prevent sticking, and remember that it’s easier to add more sugar than to fix a dry dough.
Use Fresh Peppermint Extract: The flavor depends heavily on your peppermint extract’s quality—fresh, natural extracts elevate this recipe tremendously.

How to Serve Festive Peppermint Patties Recipe

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple and let the patties shine on their own, but for a festive touch, try sprinkling a tiny bit of edible glitter or crushed candy canes on top. It adds a lovely sparkle and an extra burst of minty goodness.

Side Dishes

These peppermint patties pair beautifully alongside hot cocoa, spiced cider, or a rich chocolate cake—perfect for those holiday dessert spreads. I’ve also enjoyed serving them with a platter of assorted nuts and dried fruits for a nice contrast.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday parties, I like arranging these in small, festive paper cups on a multi-tiered serving tray—it makes for an eye-catching display. Gift them in decorative tins layered with parchment paper for a thoughtful, homemade present that delights every time.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store your peppermint patties in an airtight container in the refrigerator; they keep fresh for up to two weeks. I find this method preserves their texture and flavor perfectly, so you can enjoy them throughout the holiday season without worry.

Freezing

If you want to make these way ahead of time, freezing works like a charm. I pop them in a freezer-safe container and they last up to three months. When you’re ready to serve, just let them thaw overnight in the fridge and they’ll be ready to sparkle again.

Reheating

These treats don’t require reheating, but if you want them just a little softer, let them sit out at room temperature for about 15 minutes before serving. That gentle time softens them just slightly without melting their defining texture.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use gel food coloring instead of liquid?

Absolutely! Gel food coloring works wonderfully because it won’t add extra moisture to the dough and gives you deeper, more vibrant colors. Just use it sparingly and knead well.

How do I know when the peppermint patty dough is the right consistency?

The dough should be firm enough to hold its shape but still soft and pliable—not crumbly or sticky. If it’s sticky, add more powdered sugar a little at a time. If it feels dry or cracks, you might need a tiny bit more butter or syrup.

Can I make these without cream cheese?

Cream cheese provides that creamy texture so it’s pretty important for this recipe. If you need a substitute, mascarpone cheese is a good option, but skipping the cheese entirely will change the texture drastically.

How long do these peppermint patties last?

Stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, they last up to two weeks. Freezing them extends their shelf life to about three months.

Final Thoughts

This Festive Peppermint Patties Recipe has been a joyful part of my holiday celebrations for years, and it’s one I’m genuinely excited to share. With simple ingredients, beautiful colors, and that classic minty flavor, these candies bring a little sparkle to every occasion. I can’t wait for you to make them your own and see the smiles they bring at your table!