There's something truly magical about the cool, refreshing taste of peppermint paired with rich chocolate. This Homemade Peppermint Patties Recipe is a delightful treat, perfect for sharing or sneaking a few for yourself. Trust me, once you make these chewy, minty delights from scratch, store-bought just won't cut it anymore!

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

I absolutely love how simple and satisfying this Homemade Peppermint Patties Recipe is to pull together. It feels like a special indulgence but with just a handful of everyday ingredients. Every batch I've made has brought smiles, whether for holiday gifts or a quiet night in.

Simple Ingredients: You don't need anything fancy — just five ingredients you might already have around.
Perfectly Minty: The peppermint flavor shines through without being overpowering, offering just the right balance.
Fun To Make: Rolling, coating, and decorating these patties is a joyful, hands-on process, perfect for involving kids or friends.
Beautiful & Festive: Adding colorful sprinkles makes them look as good as they taste, ideal for gifting or holiday celebrations.

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

This recipe shines because of the balance between creamy, sweet, and minty elements. The combination creates a filling that's both smooth and firm enough to hold its shape, while the chocolate coating adds that irresistible snap. Before you start, make sure to grab good quality peppermint extract — it really makes the difference!

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: Acts as the creamy binder, giving the filling a smooth texture and sweetness without needing extra sugar.
Peppermint Extract: The star of the show — delivers that unmistakable mint flavor. Be sure to taste your dough, since potency can vary by brand.
Powdered Sugar: Thickens the filling and adds sweetness with a light texture that's easy to work with.
Semi-sweet Chocolate Chips: Melts easily for coating, balancing the minty sweetness perfectly with a rich chocolate flavor.
Coconut Oil or Shortening: Helps smooth out the melted chocolate, giving the coating a glossy finish and preventing cracking.
Christmas Sprinkles: Adds festive color and a fun crunch that completes these patties beautifully.

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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 like to tweak this Homemade Peppermint Patties Recipe depending on the season or occasion. For example, swapping out sprinkles lets me match themes, and sometimes I add a drop or two of green food coloring to the filling for a festive twist. Feel free to get creative — peppermint and chocolate are pretty forgiving!

Variation: I once experimented with dark chocolate instead of semi-sweet, and it gave the patties a richer, slightly less sweet finish that I really enjoyed.
Dietary Switch: For a dairy-free version, try using sweetened condensed coconut milk and a vegan chocolate coating — the texture changes a bit but it's still delicious.
Extra Minty Kick: Adding crushed candy canes to the chocolate coating gives a delightful crunch and amplifies the peppermint flavor.

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

Step 1: Mix the Peppermint Filling

Start by combining the sweetened condensed milk and peppermint extract in your stand mixer bowl or a large bowl if using a hand mixer. I add the powdered sugar about a cup at a time, mixing after each addition until a stiff, smooth dough forms. Don’t rush this part — the dough should be firm but pliable, not sticky. If it feels too soft, a little extra powdered sugar helps. Taste a pinch here to make sure the peppermint level is just right for you.

Step 2: Shape & Dry the Patties

Here’s where the fun begins! Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to portion out 1-inch balls on a lined baking sheet. I like to press each ball gently with my palm or the bottom of a glass to flatten it into a little patty shape around the size of a ping pong ball. Let these rest uncovered for about two hours so they set — flipping them halfway ensures they dry evenly on both sides. This drying step is key; it helps the chocolate stick better later and makes the patties less fragile.

Step 3: Melt and Temper the Chocolate

While the patties dry, melt the chocolate chips and coconut oil in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly until smooth. This combo gives the chocolate a glossy, even coating that hardens just right. Be careful not to overheat or scorch the chocolate—it’s best to remove it from heat just as it’s fully melted and silky.

Step 4: Dip & Decorate

Use tongs or a fork to dip each patty fully in the melted chocolate, letting any excess drip off before placing it back onto a lined sheet. I sprinkle festive Christmas sprinkles on top while the chocolate is still soft — it’s the perfect way to add a pop of color and a little texture. Let everything set at room temperature or pop the tray in the fridge to speed it up.

Top Tip

Over the years, I’ve learned a few tricks that make these Homemade Peppermint Patties come out perfect every time. These tips really saved me from some early frustration and I’m confident they’ll help you too!

Drying Time Is Crucial: Don’t skip or rush the two-hour drying. It makes dipping less messy and prevents the filling from melting too quickly inside the chocolate shell.
Use Quality Peppermint Extract: Cheap extracts can taste artificial; a good one makes the mint flavor shine naturally.
Chocolate and Oil Ratio: Exactly two teaspoons of coconut oil with your chocolate chips helps the coating flow smoothly and harden with a nice sheen.
Handle Patties Gently: The filling is delicate, so when dipping, use a fork or dipping tool carefully to avoid breaking the edges.

How to Serve Homemade Peppermint Patties Recipe

Garnishes

I usually stick with classic red, green, and white Christmas sprinkles because they bring that festive vibe we all love during the holidays. Sometimes, I’ll add crushed peppermint candies on top for a little extra crunch and sparkle. A few edible glitter flakes would also be stunning if you want to glam them up for a party.

Side Dishes

These patties pair beautifully with a warm cup of peppermint tea or hot cocoa to double down on minty goodness. I’ve also served them alongside coffee after dinner — the chocolate-mint combo feels like a fancy little palette cleanser.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday gatherings, I like placing the patties in colorful mini cupcake liners arranged on a festive platter. Another fun trick is stacking them in a jar layered with peppermint candies and ribbons as gifts. They make charming stocking stuffers or secret Santa surprises!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftover peppermint patties in an airtight container in the fridge, usually between layers of parchment paper so they don’t stick together. They last really well for about a week, though they rarely hang around that long in my house!

Freezing

If you want to save them longer, I recommend freezing the patties in a single layer on a baking sheet first, then transferring them to a freezer-safe bag or container. They freeze beautifully and thaw within an hour at room temperature without losing their texture or taste.

Reheating

Since these are no-bake candies, reheating really just means bringing them back to room temp before serving. Avoid microwaving, as the chocolate coating can soften too much and the filling might get sticky.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use a different extract besides peppermint?

Absolutely! You can swap peppermint extract with vanilla, almond, or even orange extract to create uniquely flavored patties. Just keep the amount the same and adjust to taste during mixing.

Why do I need to let the patties dry for two hours?

Letting the patties dry helps firm up the filling so when you dip them in chocolate, they hold their shape and don't get soggy or messy. Flipping them halfway improves even drying and makes the coat stick better.

Can I make these patties gluten-free?

Yes! This Homemade Peppermint Patties Recipe is naturally gluten-free as it uses no flour or gluten-containing ingredients, making it safe for gluten sensitivity or celiac diets. Just double-check your sprinkles and extracts to confirm.

How long do these peppermint patties last?

Stored properly in an airtight container in the refrigerator, the peppermint patties can last up to a week. For longer storage, freeze them as directed, and they'll keep well for up to 2 months without losing flavor or texture.

Final Thoughts

I honestly find this Homemade Peppermint Patties Recipe so rewarding — it takes just a bit of time and a few simple ingredients to create a delicious, nostalgic treat that feels handmade with love. Whether you’re gifting them this season or keeping them as a cozy treat, I hope you enjoy every minty, chocolatey bite as much as I do. Go ahead, make a batch and surprise someone with these festive delights—they’ll thank you!