If you’ve ever dreamed of making a nostalgic holiday treat that’s bursting with pepperminty goodness and melts in your mouth, you’re in luck. This Homemade Christmas Peppermint Patties Recipe is just the ticket. I absolutely love how these patties come together—soft, creamy centers with just the right pop of festive color. Plus, they’re surprisingly easy to make! Whether it’s for gifting, a holiday party, or just because, these patties have become a beloved tradition in my kitchen, and I’m excited to share my tips for nailing them perfectly with you.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Super Simple Ingredients: You only need a few pantry staples and the magic of peppermint extract to create these little holiday delights.
- Easy to Customize: You can play with colors to make them perfect for your holiday theme or even add a little extra peppermint kick.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: They set beautifully at room temperature and store well, so you can prep them early and impress your guests stress-free.
- Family Favorite: My family goes crazy for these patties every Christmas, and I bet yours will too!
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients come together in a way that gives you a creamy, perfectly balanced peppermint patty that’s not too sweet or too sticky. You want to look for good quality peppermint extract and fresh cream cheese to get that smooth texture I’m obsessed with.
- Granulated Sugar: This is for coating your patties at the end, adding a lovely crunch and contrast to the soft center.
- Cream Cheese: Room temperature is key here—it blends best and makes the dough silky.
- Unsalted Butter: Also room temperature, it adds richness and helps the dough hold together.
- Light or Clear Corn Syrup: I use Karo brand; it keeps the patties soft and adds a little chewiness without overpowering the flavor.
- Peppermint Extract: The star of the show! Use good quality for that fresh, bright peppermint kick.
- Powdered Sugar: Divided into amounts—much of it goes into the dough to firm it up, and a little extra helps when kneading colored dough.
- Green and Red Liquid Food Coloring: These give the patties their cheerful Christmas colors; liquid works fine, but I prefer gel for deeper tones without making dough too sticky.
Variations
I like to mix things up sometimes depending on the vibe of the holiday season or if I feel like trying something a little different. Feel free to personalize your batch — it’s surprisingly forgiving and fun to experiment with!
- Chocolate Dipped: One year, I dipped half of the patties in melted dark chocolate. They were a massive hit, adding a rich contrast to the mint.
- Gel Food Coloring Swap: If you want more vibrant colors without extra moisture, switch to gel food coloring — I’ve found mine last longer on the shelf, too.
- Extract Variations: You could try mixing in a tiny splash of vanilla or almond extract along with the peppermint for a subtle twist on the traditional flavor.
- Diet-Friendly: To make these keto-friendly, substitute powdered sugar with a low-carb sweetener blend and use a sugar-free corn syrup alternative.
How to Make Homemade Christmas Peppermint Patties Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Workspace and Ingredients
First off, line a large rimmed baking tray with parchment paper—trust me, it’s a lifesaver when it comes to removing your patties without any sticking. Pour your granulated sugar into a small bowl and set it aside; you’ll be using this later to coat the patties and add that subtle crunch we all love.
Step 2: Beat the Cream Cheese Mixture
In a large bowl, grab your handheld mixer and beat the cream cheese, unsalted butter, corn syrup, and peppermint extract together on low speed for about a minute. You’re aiming for a smooth, creamy consistency here—no lumps! When I first tried this, I was surprised at how important this step is for the texture of the dough.
Step 3: Incorporate the Powdered Sugar
Slowly add powdered sugar—about half a cup at a time—while mixing on low. The dough will thicken gradually, and near the end, it’ll get too stiff for the mixer. This is where I switch to a sturdy spatula or wooden spoon to finish mixing by hand. This is also my “test for texture” moment: you want dough that’s firm but not overly stiff or sticky.
Step 4: Divide and Color the Dough
Turn your dough out onto parchment paper dusted with powdered sugar, and divide it into three equal portions. Two portions will be colored—one with red food coloring and one with green—and the last will remain white. Here’s a tip I discovered: knead your colored dough balls carefully and add small amounts of powdered sugar as needed, since the liquid food coloring can make things a bit sticky. Take it slow—adding too much sugar at once can dry out your dough.
Step 5: Roll, Slice, and Shape
Roll each dough ball into an 18-inch-long rope about an inch thick. Then slice into ½-inch pieces, and roll those into little balls. I love this part because your kitchen starts smelling like Christmas! Be sure to keep your hands clean while rolling; it helps keep the dough from turning sticky or messy.
Step 6: Coat and Shape Your Patties
Toss a few dough balls at a time in the granulated sugar bowl until fully coated, then place them on your parchment-lined tray. Using the tip of a fork, gently press each ball down into a flat disc—the little fork stripes aren’t just cute, they also help the patties dry evenly.
Step 7: Let Them Set
Let your Christmas peppermint patties sit out at room temperature for up to 24 hours. This step is crucial—it allows them to dry and firm up just right without losing any of the creamy softness inside. I remember skipping this once, and the patties ended up too sticky, so don’t skip this step!
Pro Tips for Making Homemade Christmas Peppermint Patties Recipe
- Room Temperature Ingredients: I can’t stress this enough—cream cheese and butter blend so much better when they’re soft, which makes your dough smooth and easy to work with.
- Gradual Sugar Addition: Adding powdered sugar slowly helps prevent your dough from being too dry or too sticky, which is the key to perfect texture.
- Gentle Kneading: When adding food coloring, knead just enough to evenly distribute it without overworking the dough and making it tough.
- Let Them Rest: Allow the patties to set for up to 24 hours at room temperature; it makes all the difference in getting that classic, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
How to Serve Homemade Christmas Peppermint Patties Recipe
Garnishes
I love dusting my finished patties lightly with a bit of extra powdered sugar for a snowy look before serving. Sometimes I add a sprig of fresh mint or a small candy cane on the platter to amp up the festive vibe. These details make them look extra special, especially if you’re gifting them or having friends over for drinks.
Side Dishes
These peppermint patties are sweet enough to stand alone, but I’ve also paired them with rich hot cocoa or robust coffee for the perfect holiday combo. A platter of mixed Christmas cookies alongside really rounds out any seasonal spread beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
For a party, I like arranging the patties in festive shapes—like a wreath or Christmas tree pattern—right on a platter. Wrapping individual patties in colorful cellophane and tying them with ribbons also makes charming homemade gifts that everyone raves about. It’s a simple way to take presentation from cute to wow!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay soft and flavorful for up to a week. Just make sure you don’t stack them too tightly to avoid squishing those pretty fork stripes!
Freezing
Freezing peppermint patties works really well if you want to make batches ahead of time. I separate layers with parchment paper and freeze them in a sealed container. When ready to enjoy, just thaw at room temperature—no reheating needed. They come out tasting just as fresh.
Reheating
Since these patties are best served cold or at room temperature, I don’t usually reheat them. Simply letting frozen patties thaw on the counter is enough. If they get too soft, a quick chill in the fridge will firm them right back up.
FAQs
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Can I use gel food coloring instead of liquid for this recipe?
Absolutely! Gel food coloring is often preferred because it adds vivid color without making the dough sticky. When I switched to gel, I noticed my patties stayed easier to work with and the colors were much brighter.
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How long do these peppermint patties last?
Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, these patties last well for up to a week, sometimes even longer if kept away from heat or humidity.
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Can I add more peppermint extract for a stronger flavor?
Yes, but be cautious—the extract is potent. I recommend increasing by ¼ teaspoon at a time and tasting as you go, so you don’t overpower the candy’s delicate balance.
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What if my dough feels too sticky while kneading?
Add powdered sugar gradually while kneading, but don’t add too much at once. The dough should be soft but not sticky—this balance is key for the perfect texture.
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Is there an easy way to shape these patties?
Rolling the dough into ropes and slicing is my favorite method because it keeps sizes uniform. Pressing with a fork not only shapes them but gives a pretty festive pattern.
Final Thoughts
This Homemade Christmas Peppermint Patties Recipe is one of those delightful holiday treats that tastes like pure joy and tradition wrapped up in each bite. Over the years, making these with family has become one of my favorite ways to get into the festive spirit. I hope you’ll find them as fun and satisfying to whip up as I do—and that they bring just as much smiles to your holiday table. Trust me, once you try these, they’ll become a staple in your Christmas baking too!
