There’s just something magical about the cool, bright burst of mint wrapped in smooth chocolate that instantly brings a smile. This Homemade Peppermint Patties Recipe is a simple, nostalgic treat that's both fun to make and wonderfully fresh-tasting—perfect to share or keep all to yourself!

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 remember making peppermint patties with my family during the holidays years ago, and the joy this recipe brings never fades. It’s quick, requires just a handful of ingredients, and nails that perfect mint-chocolate balance every single time.

Simple Ingredients: Just five ingredients for a fresh, homemade candy that beats store-bought every time.
Customizable Flavors: You can easily adjust the peppermint extract amount to get it just how you like—mild or extra minty.
Festive Fun: Adding Christmas sprinkles makes them perfect for holiday gifting or parties.
No Candy Thermometer Needed: Melt the chocolate right on the stove, making this recipe practical even if you’re new to candy-making.

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

Each ingredient here plays a special role, blending texture, flavor, and ease. From the rich condensed milk to the refreshing peppermint extract, every element combines beautifully to make homemade magic happen in your kitchen.

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 base to bind the powdered sugar, creating that soft, chewy center.
Peppermint Extract: The key flavor powerhouse, choose a good-quality one for an authentic fresh mint taste.
Powdered Sugar: Gives structure and sweetness; sift it to avoid lumps and ensure smooth dough.
Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: Melts easily for coating—balances the sweetness with bittersweet notes.
Coconut Oil or Shortening: Helps melt the chocolate smoothly and adds a nice shine to the coating.
Christmas Sprinkles: Adds festive color and a bit of crunch, making your patties visually irresistible.

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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 tweaking this recipe depending on the season or mood. Sometimes I add a drop of vanilla to soften the mint punch or switch up the sprinkles for a birthday party instead of holiday colors—it’s so flexible and forgiving!

Variation: Once, I used dark chocolate instead of semi-sweet and it gave a richer, more intense contrast to the mint—perfect if you like your peppermint patties a little more grown-up.
Dairy-Free Option: Use dairy-free sweetened condensed milk and vegan chocolate chips for a plant-based version that’s just as dreamy.
Mint Intensity: Start with 1 teaspoon peppermint extract but don’t hesitate to add up to 1.5 teaspoons if you crave extra zing.

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

Step 1: Whip Up the Peppermint Dough

Start by combining the sweetened condensed milk and peppermint extract in a mixing bowl. Using a stand mixer or electric hand mixer, beat in the powdered sugar, one cup at a time. This slow addition helps the sugar fully integrate, preventing a gritty texture. You'll know the mixture is ready when it forms a stiff dough—thick, pliable, and wonderful to handle.

Step 2: Shape Your Patties and Let Them Dry

Use a cookie scoop to portion out one-inch balls, placing them on a non-stick lined baking sheet. Gently press each ball down into a flat patty shape—think about the size of a ping pong ball pressed into a coin. Then, here’s the trick: let these dry at room temperature for two hours. Flip them once halfway through to help them dry evenly. This step is key for that perfect chewy texture that doesn’t melt instantly when dipped in chocolate.

Step 3: Melt the Chocolate Coating

When your patties are almost done drying, gently melt the chocolate chips and coconut oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir continuously for a few minutes until silky smooth. Remove from heat right away to avoid burning—the chocolate should be glossy and fluid, perfect for coating.

Step 4: Dip and Decorate

Carefully dip each patty into the melted chocolate, ensuring it’s fully coated. Let the excess drip off, then place them back on the lined sheet. While the chocolate is still wet, press on your Christmas sprinkles gently—this adds festive charm and a fun textural contrast.

Top Tip

From my experience making these peppermint patties several times, a few small details make a huge difference in achieving candy perfection.

Drying Time: Don’t rush drying the patties before dipping. If the centers are too sticky, the chocolate won’t set properly and could get messy.
Melt Chocolate Slowly: Stir the chocolate and coconut oil continuously over medium heat to prevent scorching and keep it glossy.
Use a Cookie Scoop: This keeps your patties uniform in size, so they set evenly and look professional.
Sprinkle Right Away: Apply sprinkles while the coating is still wet, so they stick nicely without sliding off.

How to Serve Homemade Peppermint Patties Recipe

Garnishes

I like to keep it simple and festive by adding classic red, white, and green Christmas sprinkles. Sometimes I sprinkle a tiny pinch of crushed candy cane on top for an extra peppermint pop that pairs beautifully with the smooth chocolate.

Side Dishes

Since these patties are rich treats, I enjoy serving them with hot beverages like peppermint mocha or vanilla chai tea. They also make a sweet finish after a holiday meal or a fun addition to a festive dessert platter.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, I arrange these patties on a pretty tiered tray, surrounded by holly leaves or mini candy canes. Wrapping each in a tiny cupcake liner or cellophane and tying with a ribbon makes charming gifts, too—you’ll delight friends and family with these personal touches.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature if eating soon—usually they last up to a week perfectly! Avoid storing in the fridge if you want to keep the chocolate smooth and shiny, as condensation can dull the finish.

Freezing

These peppermint patties freeze wonderfully! I layer them with parchment paper between to prevent sticking, then freeze in an airtight container. When you’re ready, just thaw at room temperature for 15–30 minutes.

Reheating

No reheating needed—just enjoy them straight from the container! If your chocolate loses a bit of its snap or shine, letting them sit at room temp for a little while revitalizes that perfect texture.

Frequently Asked Questions:

How long do homemade peppermint patties last?

When stored in an airtight container at room temperature, they stay fresh for up to 1 week. Avoid refrigeration to keep chocolate from dulling or sweating.

Can I use different types of chocolate for coating?

Absolutely! Semi-sweet chocolate works beautifully, but dark or milk chocolate are great alternatives depending on your taste preferences. Just melt gently and watch the chocolate texture while coating.

Is this recipe suitable for beginners?

Yes! This recipe doesn’t require candy thermometers or complex techniques. The step-by-step drying and dipping process is simple to follow and perfect for first-timers wanting to make peppermint patties from scratch.

Can I customize the peppermint flavor strength?

Definitely! Start with 1 teaspoon of peppermint extract and taste the dough. If you want a stronger mint flavor, carefully add a little more extract until it's just right for you. This makes the patties perfect for all palates.

Final Thoughts

Making these Homemade Peppermint Patties Recipe has become one of my favorite kitchen rituals—each batch reminds me of cozy winter evenings and the joy of homemade gifts. I really hope you give them a try; they’re such a delightful crowd-pleaser and a joyful way to celebrate any season with a cool, minty twist.