If you’re craving something festive, minty, and utterly delightful this holiday season, you’re going to adore this Christmas Peppermint Patties Recipe. I absolutely love how these little treats turn out—soft, sweet, and with that cool peppermint zing that instantly makes everything feel like Christmas. Trust me, once you try this recipe, you’ll want to make a batch every year!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy to Make: Just a few simple ingredients and about 10 minutes prep, perfect for busy holiday moments.
- Customizable Colors & Flavors: You can tint them festive red and green or mix in your favorite extracts for a unique twist.
- Perfectly Pepperminty: That refreshing peppermint extract gives these patties a cool, crisp flavor that’s iconic for Christmas treats.
- Great for Gifting: These patties store well and look adorable wrapped up in cellophane or festive boxes.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in this Christmas Peppermint Patties Recipe plays its part beautifully to create that melt-in-your-mouth texture and signature peppermint punch. Don’t worry, you probably have most of these around the house already!
- Butter: Using softened butter makes the dough pliable and creamy without being greasy.
- Light corn syrup: Adds that perfect chewiness and a subtle sweetness that balances the powdered sugar.
- Peppermint extract: The star flavor! I recommend getting pure peppermint extract for that authentic holiday taste, but feel free to experiment with mint or vanilla too.
- Powdered sugar: Divided use here helps you get the right dough consistency — not too sticky, not too dry.
- Food coloring (gel or paste preferred): Gel colors won’t thin out your dough and will give you vibrant festive reds and greens.
- Granulated sugar: Rolling the patties in this adds a delicately crunchy outer coating—a little extra magic in every bite.
Variations
I love making these peppermint patties my own by switching up colors and flavors — it’s so much fun and lets you personalize your holiday treats.
- Chocolate-Coated Peppermint Patties: I discovered this trick when I dipped some of these in melted dark chocolate for a rich, decadent version my family goes crazy for.
- Other Extracts: Try vanilla or almond extract for subtle flavor shifts that are equally delicious and surprising.
- Gluten-Free Version: These patties are naturally gluten-free since they rely on sugar and butter—great if you’re cooking for friends with sensitivities.
- Color Customization: Beyond red and green, I’ve experimented with pastel blues and pinks for other holidays — so versatile!
How to Make Christmas Peppermint Patties Recipe
Step 1: Mix the base ingredients
Start by softening your butter to room temperature—it’s key for an easy blend. Combine the butter and light corn syrup in a small bowl and stir them together until smooth. Then, add your peppermint extract or any extract you prefer. This base is where your patties get their signature creaminess and minty freshness.
Step 2: Add powdered sugar and knead
Now, add 2 cups of powdered sugar to the mixture and stir well. Stir in another cup afterward and then knead the dough with your hands—this is where you’ll get a feel for the perfect consistency. It should be smooth and not sticky; if it feels tacky, sprinkle extra powdered sugar ¼ cup at a time. This part always reminds me of playing with soft clay, and it’s pretty therapeutic!
Step 3: Color and shape the dough
Divide the dough into three equal parts. Use gel or paste food coloring to tint one portion red and one green—leave the last one white for a classic look. If the colors cause stickiness, just knead in powdered sugar bit by bit. Shape the dough into roughly ¾-inch balls—this size gives you just the right bite—and roll each ball in granulated sugar for a little sparkle and crunch.
Step 4: Flatten and set
Gently flatten each sugared ball with a fork, which gives them a charming texture and helps them set evenly. Here’s the secret I learned: don’t press too hard, or the patties lose their softness. Let your candies stand uncovered at room temperature for about a day. This resting time is crucial because it lets them firm up perfectly without losing that tender chewiness you want.
Pro Tips for Making Christmas Peppermint Patties Recipe
- Softening Butter Properly: I used to rush this step and ended up with lumps, so letting it come to room temp is a game changer for silky dough.
- Kneading Consistency: Add powdered sugar gradually so you don’t accidentally dry out the dough—sticking is easier to fix than crumbling!
- Coloring Dough: Gel or paste colors work best—liquid colors can make the dough too wet, affecting texture.
- Setting Time is Key: Don’t skip the rest day; letting patties sit uncovered helps develop their classic chewy texture.
How to Serve Christmas Peppermint Patties Recipe
Garnishes
I usually keep it simple and elegant by dusting a bit of extra granulated sugar on top—it gives a subtle crunch and a festive shimmer. Sometimes I add finely crushed candy canes on a few patties for that extra peppermint punch and a beautiful speckled look that’s perfect for holiday parties.
Side Dishes
These peppermint patties are fantastic on their own, but if you’re serving a dessert platter, I love pairing them with warm hot cocoa and soft gingerbread cookies to mix and match flavors and textures. They also complement a cheese board surprisingly well, where the minty patty balances rich cheeses.
Creative Ways to Present
For gift-giving or holiday gatherings, I wrap each patty individually in wax paper or little foil squares—they look so pretty lined up in a decorative tin or clear jar. Another idea I tried was stacking assorted colored patties on a festive stick, like mini peppermint lollipops—huge hit with kids and adults alike!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover Christmas Peppermint Patties in an airtight container at room temperature—this keeps them perfectly soft and delicious for up to a week. If you’re in a humid climate, a cool, dry cupboard is best. My family loves grabbing these straight from the container for an instant holiday pick-me-up.
Freezing
I’ve had great success freezing these patties when I’ve made extra batches early on. Wrap them tightly in parchment or wax paper, then place them inside a freezer bag or airtight container. When you’re ready, just thaw them at room temperature for a few hours—the texture stays just as good as fresh!
Reheating
These patties are best enjoyed at room temperature, so after thawing from the freezer, I let them sit out for about 20 minutes before serving. If you like them softer, a quick 5-second zap in the microwave can do the trick—just be careful not to melt them!
FAQs
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Can I use other extracts instead of peppermint in this recipe?
Absolutely! While peppermint extract gives the classic taste, you can experiment with mint, vanilla, almond, or even lemon extract for a different flavor profile. Just adjust the amount to your taste as some extracts are stronger than others.
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How do I prevent the dough from being too sticky?
Knead in powdered sugar a little at a time until the dough feels smooth and not tacky. Using gel food coloring instead of liquid helps avoid extra moisture. Also, softened butter (not melted) keeps the dough from becoming too wet.
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How long will Christmas Peppermint Patties last?
Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, these patties stay fresh for about a week. They can also be frozen for longer storage, up to a couple of months, while maintaining their texture and flavor.
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Can I dip these patties in chocolate?
Yes! Dipping peppermint patties in melted dark or milk chocolate adds a rich layer of flavor. Chill them afterward until the chocolate sets for an irresistible treat that’s both minty and chocolaty.
Final Thoughts
This Christmas Peppermint Patties Recipe has become one of my all-time favorites for the holidays. I love how it’s simple enough to whip up quickly but still feels festive and special. Every time I make these, I’m reminded of cozy kitchens, holiday gatherings, and the joy of sharing a sweet treat with loved ones. I can’t recommend trying this recipe enough—it’s a fun, flexible, and wonderfully minty addition to your Christmas baking lineup. Give it a go and make your holiday season a little sweeter!
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Christmas Peppermint Patties Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes prep plus 24 hours resting
- Yield: 60 patties
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Easy Christmas Peppermint Patties are a festive and delicious homemade treat perfect for the holiday season. With a smooth, buttery peppermint-flavored center coated in granulated sugar, these patties offer a refreshing minty burst. The recipe is simple, requires no baking, and can be customized with holiday colors to brighten your dessert table.
Ingredients
Base Ingredients
- ¼ cup butter, softened
- ⅓ cup light corn syrup
- ½ teaspoon peppermint extract (or mint extract or any other extract you prefer)
- 4 cups powdered sugar, divided
Coating
- ½ cup granulated sugar (for rolling)
Food Coloring
- Food coloring, preferably gel or paste (red and green for tinting portions of the dough)
Instructions
- Combine Butter and Corn Syrup: In a small bowl, mix the softened butter and light corn syrup until well combined and smooth.
- Add Extract: Stir in ½ teaspoon of peppermint extract or your chosen flavor extract, ensuring it is evenly mixed through the mixture.
- Incorporate Powdered Sugar: Gradually add 2 cups of powdered sugar to the mixture and stir until well combined.
- Mix in More Powdered Sugar: Add an additional cup of powdered sugar and continue stirring, then knead the dough with your hands until the powdered sugar is fully absorbed and the dough becomes completely smooth. Add more powdered sugar as needed to prevent stickiness.
- Divide Dough: Separate the dough into three equal portions.
- Tint Dough Portions: Tint one portion red and another green using gel or paste food coloring. Leave the third portion white. If any portion becomes sticky, knead in an additional ¼ cup of powdered sugar at a time until smooth.
- Shape Patties: Roll the dough into ¾ inch balls, then roll each ball in granulated sugar to coat completely.
- Flatten Patties: Gently flatten each sugar-coated ball with a fork to create a disc shape.
- Set Patties: Let the candies stand uncovered at room temperature for 1 full day to firm up and dry slightly before storing.
- Store Properly: Place the peppermint patties in an airtight container to keep them fresh.
Notes
- The patties are best when allowed to rest for a full day to develop texture and firmness.
- Use gel or paste food coloring to avoid adding extra liquid that could affect the dough consistency.
- Feel free to experiment with extracts like almond or vanilla for different flavor variations.
- Store the patties in a cool, dry place in an airtight container to maintain freshness.
- If the dough is too sticky to work with, gradually add powdered sugar until manageable.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 patty
- Calories: 45
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 10mg
- Fat: 1.5g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 7g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 0.1g
- Cholesterol: 4mg
