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If you’re a fan of that classic combination of cool peppermint and rich dark chocolate, you’re in for a treat. This homemade York peppermint patties recipe requires minimal effort, but the results are nothing short of spectacular. You only need 5 ingredients and they’re just like those minty, chocolatey treats you know and love! These festive sweet treats are the perfect combination of dark chocolate and peppermint. They’re sweet, soft and perfect with an after-dinner coffee, for gifting, or to serve up as a snack.
Make delicious homemade York peppermint patties in just 15 minutes plus chilling time. The dark chocolate and peppermint is a winning flavor combination.
Want to make more homemade candies? You might also like divinity candy, gumdrop nougat, Butterfinger bites, and chocolate truffles.
Why You’ll Love It
So delicious: These peppermint patties taste just like the ones you can buy. Actually, I think they taste even better than those. You won’t be disappointed!
Simple to make: You don’t need any complicated equipment like candy thermometers and you won’t have any bubbling pots on the stove. This recipe is super-easy.
A versatile treat: This homemade peppermint patty recipe is worth making in bulk. It pairs with any kind of drink (I love it with hot chocolate!) and you can even wrap some in cellophane and give it as a thoughtful gift.
Everyone loves them: This is one of the best family friendly recipes for the holidays!
DIY York Peppermint Patty Ingredients
A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Powdered sugar: To make a sweet filling without the grainy texture of regular white sugar.
Evaporated milk: Also for the filling. Don’t use sweetened condensed milk or regular milk.
Corn syrup: Adds even more sweetness to the peppermint mixture.
Peppermint extract: For a cooling, refreshing flavor.
Dark chocolate chips: To enclose the minty mixture.
How to Make Peppermint Patties
For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.
Prepare the peppermint filling: Whisk the powdered sugar, corn syrup, evaporated milk, and peppermint extract together in a large bowl. Work the mixture into a ball, adding more powdered sugar to stop it sticking to the bowl. Chill it for half an hour and then cut into circles.
Freeze the filling: Freeze the peppermint patty circles on a parchment lined baking sheet or cookie sheet for half an hour.
Coat them in chocolate: Melt the chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl in the microwave. Stir occasionally until completely melted. Dip the peppermint patties into the melted chocolate chips, letting any excess chocolate drip off, and put them back on the parchment paper lined sheet pan. Freeze for half an hour to let the chocolate harden before serving.
Substitutions and Variations
Gluten-free option: If you want a gluten-free version, ensure your dark chocolate chips are gluten-free. Most brands are, but it’s worth checking the label to make sure.
Dark chocolate coating: The rich dark chocolate coating pairs perfectly with the chewy peppermint inside, but you can use semi sweet chocolate or milk chocolate chips if you prefer. Use regular chocolate chips or dark chocolate candy melts. Even white chocolate would work for these if that’s your favorite!
Add extra crunch: Crushed candy canes can be added to the filling. They’ll add a nice crunch to the finished peppermint patties.
Change the flavor: Swap half the mint extract for vanilla extract for a different taste.
Make the center green: Add food coloring for a green filling.
Melting the chocolate: You can use a double boiler instead of the microwave.
Double chocolate coating: Once the chocolate coating is set, you can melt more chocolate chips and dip them a second time if you want a thicker chocolate coating. Use the same kind of chocolate for this second layer or mix things up by using a different kind!
Serving Suggestions
As a sweet treat: Pair your homemade peppermint patties with a cup of coffee or hot chocolate. They’d also be good with lemonade.
For dessert: Enjoy them after dinner, either by themselves or with a scoop of ice cream. If you’re crazy for peppermint, consider mint choc chip ice cream!
For gifting: Wrap some peppermint patties in cellophane and add a decorative ribbon. I recommend putting wax paper between each one so they don’t stick together in there. You could gift boozy hot chocolate kits too!
How to Store Copycat Peppermint Patties
Store: Keep these in an airtight container for up to 2 months in the refrigerator.
Freeze: They’ll be good for 3 or 4 months in the freezer.
Thaw: The peppermint filling will never freeze completely solid, so the patties can either be served straight from the freezer or left on the counter for about half an hour to thaw out completely. Don’t let them get too warm though or they’ll start to melt.
Top Tips
Stop it sticking: Coat the peppermint dough in powdered sugar so it doesn’t stick to the bowl.
Firm them up: Make sure your peppermint patties are firm when you dip them. If they’re too soft, they’ll lose their shape when dipped in the melted chocolate. It’s easier to dip in batches than try to reshape your patties after dipping them.
Dip quick: The peppermint patties are going to soften pretty fast when you take them out of the fridge, so you’ll need to work quickly when dipping them and might need to work in batches. If your patties get too soft, they’ll be a pain to dip and will lose their shape.
Peppermint Patty FAQs
Your peppermint filling shouldn’t stick to the counter very much. But if it is sticking, work an extra half a cup of powdered sugar into the “dough”. Using a spatula will also help you get your disks off the counter without deforming them.
They’ll be fine in the fridge or freezer for months. Just make sure to keep them in an airtight bag or container to prevent the chocolate coating from oxidizing. If the air gets to them, they’ll develop white patches on the chocolate. They’ll still be safe to eat and taste the same but they won’t look as good if oxidized.
Best Peppermint Patties Recipe
Homemade York Peppermint Patties
Equipment
- Round Cookie Cutter 3-Inch
Ingredients
- 7 Cups powdered sugar
- ½ Cup evaporated milk
- ⅓ Cup corn syrup
- 2 Teaspoons peppermint extract
- 3 Cups dark chocolate chips
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, slowly whisk together the powdered sugar, corn syrup, evaporated milk, and peppermint extract until a “dough” forms and starts to pull away from the sides of the bowl.
- Use your hands to work the mixture into a ball and coat it with a little extra powdered sugar to help keep it from sticking to the mixing bowl.
- Put the ball in the bowl and chill it in the fridge for 30 minutes.
- Use a rolling pin to roll the ball out a sheet about ¼-inch thick.
- Use a glass or biscuit cutter to cut out 3-inch circles and arrange them on a large baking sheet covered with parchment or wax paper.
- Chill the disks in the freezer for 30 minutes.
- After 25 minutes of the chilling time, melt your chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl. Start with 45 seconds at half power and then stir the chocolate.
- Continue with 45 second intervals at half power until the chocolate is completely melted.
- Use a fork to dip your peppermint patties in the melted chocolate and then return them to the baking sheet.
- Chill for an additional 30 minutes in the freezer before serving.
Notes
Firm them up: Make sure your peppermint patties are firm when you dip them. If they’re too soft, they’ll lose their shape when dipped in the melted chocolate. It’s easier to dip in batches than try to reshape your patties after dipping them.
Dip quick: The peppermint patties are going to soften pretty fast when you take them out of the fridge, so you’ll need to work quickly when dipping them and might need to work in batches. If your patties get too soft, they’ll be a pain to dip and will lose their shape.
Nutrition
Homemade peppermint patties are simple to whip up and they taste amazing – just like the York peppermint patties we all know and love. The combination of rich dark chocolate and zingy peppermint is a classic choice and your sweet tooth is going to love these festive sweet treats with their creamy peppermint center. They’re so much tastier than store bought peppermint patties!
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Bella Bucchiotti
Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.
I can’t get enough of the perfect balance of peppermint and chocolate!