Indulge in the irresistible cool, minty flavor of your favorite chocolate treat with this incredible Homemade York Peppermint Patties Recipe. This classic candy, beloved by mint enthusiasts everywhere, is surprisingly simple to recreate in your own kitchen. Imagine crisp dark chocolate enveloping a sweet, refreshing peppermint filling – a true copycat delight that will disappear faster than you can say “peppermint!”
For years, Halloween wasn’t complete without those iconic peppermint patties. My kids would eagerly request them, and while store-bought versions were always a hit, there’s something truly special about a homemade rendition. When I finally decided to tackle this Peppermint Patty Candy recipe from scratch, I was astonished by how quickly they vanished. It’s a testament to their deliciousness and the sheer joy of a fresh, homemade treat.
Why You Need to Make These Homemade Peppermint Patties
There are countless reasons to swap your store-bought mints for these delightful homemade versions. Beyond satisfying a craving, making your own peppermint patties offers a rewarding experience:
- Unparalleled Freshness and Flavor: While store-bought peppermint patties are undeniably tasty, nothing quite compares to the vibrant, fresh mint flavor and rich chocolate coating of a homemade batch. You control the quality of ingredients, ensuring a superior taste experience.
- Control Over Ingredients and Size: Making your own means you know exactly what goes into each bite. You can choose high-quality butter, natural peppermint extract, and your favorite dark chocolate. Plus, you’re not confined to standard sizes; make them mini for bite-sized indulgence or larger for a more substantial treat!
- A Fun and Rewarding Kitchen Project: This recipe is more than just making candy; it’s a creative kitchen adventure. It’s an enjoyable way to spend a weekend afternoon, especially with family. The process is straightforward, and the delicious reward at the end is incredibly satisfying.
- Perfect for Gifting and Special Occasions: Homemade candies make heartfelt gifts. Package these elegant peppermint patties in a decorative box or bag for holidays, birthdays, or just because. They’re also fantastic for dessert platters, potlucks, or adding a festive touch to any gathering.
- Customization Potential: Feeling adventurous? While this recipe focuses on the classic York Peppermint Patty, having the base recipe allows for customization. You could experiment with different chocolate types (milk chocolate, white chocolate), add a pinch of sea salt for a salted chocolate mint experience, or even a drop of food coloring to the mint filling for a festive look.
What Our Readers Are Saying:
Don’t just take our word for it! Here’s what delighted home bakers have shared about this recipe:
From Edie on Pinterest: “These are phenomenal!!”
And from Juliana: “I love York’s and these were amazing!!! I wasn’t sure what to expect but I was blown away by how these tasted:) Even my mom who doesn’t really like York’s approved of these.”
Crafting Your Own Peppermint Patties: A Detailed Guide
Making homemade York Peppermint Patties might seem daunting at first, but rest assured, it’s a very approachable process. The key is to embrace the homemade charm; don’t stress if they don’t look like they rolled off a factory line. Their unique, rustic appearance only adds to their appeal. What truly matters is the incredible burst of cool mint and rich chocolate with every bite. Follow these steps for a truly delicious and satisfying homemade candy:
- Prepare the Mint Filling: The journey begins with creating that signature creamy, minty center. You’ll combine powdered sugar with a few key ingredients to form a dough-like consistency. Once the ingredients are mixed, a bit of kneading will ensure the filling is perfectly smooth and consistent, free from lumps. This smooth texture is essential for achieving that melt-in-your-mouth experience.
- Roll and Chill the Filling: To get perfectly uniform patties, roll out the prepared mint filling evenly between two sheets of parchment paper. This method prevents sticking and ensures a consistent thickness. Once rolled to your desired thinness (typically less than ¼ inch), the filling needs a brief stint in the freezer. This firming step is crucial for easy cutting and handling.
- Cut Out Rounds: After chilling, remove the top parchment sheet and use a biscuit cutter or a round cookie cutter to stamp out individual peppermint rounds. Be efficient with your cuts to maximize the number of patties. Gather any scraps, re-roll them, and cut out more rounds until all the filling is used. Place these cut rounds back on a parchment-lined baking sheet and return them to the freezer. Getting them very cold will help them hold their shape and make the chocolate dipping process much smoother.
- Melt the Chocolate: While your mint centers are chilling, it’s time to prepare the luscious dark chocolate coating. Using chocolate melting wafers is highly recommended for their ease of use – they melt smoothly and set beautifully without the need for tempering. Follow the package instructions for melting, typically in a microwave or over a double boiler, ensuring the chocolate is warm, fluid, and ready for dipping.
- Dip the Peppermint Rounds: This is where the magic happens! Working quickly, take one frozen peppermint round and carefully submerge it in the melted chocolate using a dipping fork or a regular fork. Ensure both sides are thoroughly coated. Gently tap the fork against the side of the bowl to allow any excess chocolate to drip off, leaving a thin, even layer.
- Allow to Set: Carefully transfer each chocolate-dipped patty back to the parchment-lined baking sheet. The cold filling will help the chocolate begin to set almost immediately. Repeat the dipping process for all remaining rounds. Once all patties are dipped, allow them to sit undisturbed at room temperature or in the refrigerator until the chocolate is completely firm and shiny.
Expert Tips for Perfect Peppermint Patties
- Powdered Sugar is Your Friend: When rolling out the peppermint filling, liberally dust your work surface and your hands with powdered sugar. This prevents sticking and makes the dough much easier to handle and shape, ensuring a smooth finish.
- Peppermint Extract Precision: Be conservative with the peppermint extract. A little goes a very long way, and too much can quickly overpower the delicate mint flavor or even taste medicinal. Start with the recommended amount and add more in tiny increments if you desire a stronger minty kick, tasting as you go. Crucially, always use peppermint extract, not peppermint oil, as the oil is much more potent and can be overwhelming.
- Choose Your Cutter Wisely: The size of your peppermint patties is entirely up to your preference. Use a biscuit cutter or a round cookie cutter in your desired diameter. Smaller rounds (e.g., 1 to 1.5 inches) are generally easier to dip and make for delightful bite-sized treats, while larger ones offer a more substantial indulgence.
- The Secret to Easy Chocolate Coating: For the most hassle-free and professional-looking chocolate coating, opt for good quality chocolate melts or wafers. These are specifically formulated to melt smoothly and set without tempering, preventing the dreaded “blooming” (white streaks or a dull gray appearance) that can occur with regular chocolate bars. If you choose to use couverture chocolate (chocolate bars), you will need to temper it for a glossy, stable finish.
- Creative Dipping Techniques: If you have a candy dipping kit, experiment with the dipping fork to create a decorative pattern on top of each patty. A simple swirl or zig-zag can add visual interest and a professional touch. Don’t worry if your first few aren’t perfect; practice makes progress!
- Embrace Imperfection: Remember, these are homemade! While striving for neatness is good, don’t fret over minor imperfections in shape or coating. The charm of homemade treats often lies in their unique character. What truly matters is the incredible flavor.
- Keep Them Cold: Ensure your peppermint centers are thoroughly chilled, ideally frozen, before dipping them in chocolate. This helps them maintain their shape and allows the chocolate to set quickly and evenly around them, minimizing mess and speeding up the process.
Frequently Asked Questions About Peppermint Patties
The iconic Peppermint Patty, as many know it today, was first introduced in 1940 by Henry Kessler at his York Cone Company in York, Pennsylvania. Initially, they were a regional favorite, primarily enjoyed within a specific area. However, their popularity surged nationally in 1975 when the Peter Paul company took over and began widespread distribution. A classic York Peppermint Patty is characterized by its round, flat shape, encased in a distinctive silver wrapper. It features a sweet, bright white, and intensely minty filling, expertly enrobed in a layer of rich, dark chocolate. These beloved chocolate mint candies are currently manufactured by the Hershey company, continuing their legacy as a refreshing treat.
When stored properly, your homemade peppermint patties will maintain their freshness and delicious taste for a significant period. To ensure optimal quality, place them in an airtight container and keep them refrigerated. Under these conditions, they will remain fresh and enjoyable for at least one month, making them an excellent make-ahead treat or gift.
Generally, the core ingredients used in this homemade peppermint patty recipe—powdered sugar, corn syrup, water, peppermint extract, butter, and dark chocolate melting wafers—do not inherently contain gluten. Therefore, this homemade version should typically be gluten-free. However, it is always crucial to carefully check the packaging of each ingredient you use. Look for “gluten-free” certifications or warnings regarding potential cross-contamination to ensure there are no hidden gluten sources. For reference, the packaged, grocery store brand of York Peppermint Patties is certified gluten-free.
This particular homemade peppermint patty recipe, as written, is not vegan because it includes butter as a key ingredient in the mint filling. Butter is a dairy product, making the recipe unsuitable for strict vegan diets. Similarly, traditional York brand peppermint patties are also not vegan due to dairy content. However, with some modifications, it is possible to adapt this recipe to be vegan by substituting the butter with a plant-based alternative, such as vegan butter or coconut oil, and ensuring your chocolate melting wafers are dairy-free and vegan-friendly.
Absolutely! While the classic York Peppermint Patty features dark chocolate, you can certainly use milk chocolate if that’s your preference. The flavor profile will be sweeter and less intense, but equally delicious. Just ensure you use milk chocolate melting wafers for the easiest dipping process, or temper a good quality milk chocolate bar.
If your melted chocolate starts to thicken during the dipping process, it simply means it’s cooling down. You can easily rewarm it gently. Place the bowl back over a double boiler or microwave it in short 15-20 second intervals, stirring well after each interval, until it returns to a smooth, dippable consistency. Avoid overheating, as this can cause the chocolate to seize or burn.
Explore More Mint and Chocolate Delights:
If you love the refreshing combination of mint and chocolate, you’ll adore these other irresistible recipes:
- Mint Chocolate Lasagna from Amanda’s Cookin’
- Swirled Peppermint Bark
- Easy Peppermint Hot Chocolate
- Grasshopper Pie
- Layered Peppermint Bark Snowflakes
- White Chocolate Candy Cane Cookies
- Discover even more of the Best Dessert Recipes on our site!
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Homemade York Peppermint Patty Recipe
1 hour
1 hour 15 minutes
2 hours 15 minutes
24
Craft your own irresistible copycat York Peppermint Patties at home with this easy-to-follow recipe. Enjoy the perfect balance of cool, creamy mint filling enrobed in rich, dark chocolate for a refreshing homemade treat.
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups powdered sugar, divided
- 1 ½ tablespoons light corn syrup
- 1 ½ tablespoons water
- ½ teaspoon peppermint extract (not peppermint oil)
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, softened
- Pinch of salt
- 10 ounces dark chocolate melting wafers*
Instructions
- On medium speed, using a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat 2 ¼ cups of powdered sugar with the corn syrup, water, peppermint extract, softened butter, and a pinch of salt until well combined and smooth.
- Transfer the mixture to a work surface dusted with the remaining ¼ cup of powdered sugar. Knead briefly until the filling is perfectly smooth.
- Roll out the smooth peppermint filling evenly between two sheets of parchment paper into an 8-inch round. Aim for a thickness of less than ¼-inch.
- Place the rolled round, still between the parchment sheets, onto a baking sheet. Freeze for approximately 15 minutes to allow the filling to firm up considerably.
- Remove the top sheet of parchment paper from the chilled round. Lightly sprinkle the exposed surface with powdered sugar. Replace the top parchment sheet, then carefully flip the round over and repeat the sprinkling of powdered sugar on the other side. This helps prevent sticking.
- Using a 1 ¾-inch diameter round cutter (or your preferred size), cut out as many peppermint rounds as possible. Carefully transfer these cut rounds to a clean parchment-lined baking sheet. Freeze until they are very firm, which is essential for easy dipping. Yield will vary depending on your cutter size.
- Melt the dark chocolate melting wafers according to their package instructions. This can typically be done in the microwave in short bursts, stirring frequently, or over a double boiler. Ensure the chocolate is smooth and fluid.
- One at a time, balance a firm peppermint round on a fork. Submerge it completely into the melted chocolate, ensuring both sides are coated. Lift the patty from the chocolate, allowing any excess to drip back into the bowl. You can gently scrape the back of the fork against the rim of the bowl if needed to remove more excess chocolate.
- Return the dipped patty to the parchment-lined baking sheet. Continue to coat the remaining rounds, rewarming the chocolate if it starts to thicken. Let the finished patties stand at room temperature or in the refrigerator until the chocolate is completely set, which usually takes about 1 hour.
Notes
*Alternatively, you can use 10 ounces of good quality bittersweet chocolate. However, if using regular chocolate bars, you will need to temper the chocolate to ensure a glossy finish and prevent it from “blooming” (developing a dull, whitish film) as it cools.
These homemade candies store exceptionally well in the refrigerator. To keep them fresh, place parchment paper between layers of patties in an airtight container. They will last for up to a month.
This recipe is adapted from Epicurious.
Recommended Products
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- Candy Dipping Tools
- Biscuit Cutters
- French Rolling Pin
- Reynolds Cookie Baking Sheets Non-Stick Parchment Paper, 25 Sheet, 4 Count
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
12
Serving Size:
2
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 123Total Fat: 4gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 2mgSodium: 13mgCarbohydrates: 21gFiber: 1gSugar: 18gProtein: 1g
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