If you’re looking for a festive treat that tastes like the holidays in every bite, you’re going to love this Homemade Christmas Peppermint Patties Recipe. I absolutely love how these little candies turn out—minty, creamy, and perfectly sweet with that classic peppermint crunch. Every year, making these feels like a warm hug from my kitchen to yours, and I promise once you try this recipe, you’ll want to make them again and again.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Authentic Holiday Flavor: The peppermint and cream cheese blend gives these patties the perfect balance of minty freshness and creamy smoothness.
- Fun to Make & Customize: Coloring the dough red, green, and white adds a festive touch that your family and friends will adore.
- Great for Gifting: These patties hold up well and look beautiful wrapped up, making them a fantastic homemade gift idea.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The ingredients in this Homemade Christmas Peppermint Patties Recipe come together to create a creamy, minty dough that’s easy to work with and tastes incredible. Nothing too fancy—just simple pantry staples that transform into a festive delight.
- Granulated sugar: Used for coating the finished patties, it gives a delightful crunch and sparkle.
- Cream cheese: Make sure it’s room temperature to blend smoothly into the dough for that creamy texture.
- Unsalted butter: Also at room temperature for even mixing, adding richness without overpowering.
- Light/clear corn syrup: Helps keep the dough pliable and adds the slight chewiness these mints are known for.
- Peppermint extract: The star of the show—be generous to get that signature mint flavor.
- Powdered sugar: The bulk of the dough, it adds sweetness and turns the mixture into a dough that’s easy to roll.
- Green & red liquid food coloring: For that classic Christmas look—add a few drops and knead in for perfect hues.
Variations
I love experimenting with this Homemade Christmas Peppermint Patties Recipe—it’s so flexible! Don’t hesitate to make it yours by tweaking colors or flavors to suit your holiday vibe or dietary needs.
- Flavor variation: I once added a drop of vanilla extract along with peppermint for a subtle twist, and it was delightful.
- Color swap: Use gel food coloring instead of liquid if you want a more intense, vibrant color without changing dough consistency.
- Diet-friendly: You can substitute the butter with vegan butter and choose a dairy-free cream cheese to make these patties vegan-friendly.
- Size adjustment: Make larger patties rather than ½-inch discs for bite-sized guests or smaller ones for a sampler platter.
How to Make Homemade Christmas Peppermint Patties Recipe
Step 1: Gather and Prep Your Ingredients
Line a large rimmed baking tray with parchment paper—it’ll be your patty rest spot. Then measure out your granulated sugar into a small bowl for coating later on. This prep step keeps things smooth and organized, trust me, it makes rolling the patties so much easier.
Step 2: Beat Together the Cream Cheese, Butter, Corn Syrup & Peppermint
Using a handheld mixer on low speed, blend the cream cheese, soften butter, light corn syrup, and peppermint extract until smooth—about a minute. I like to watch closely here so the mixture doesn’t get lumpy. This base will give your patties that luscious creamy texture.
Step 3: Slowly Add Powdered Sugar to Form a Dough
Add powdered sugar half a cup at a time with the mixer on low. As the dough thickens, the mixer will struggle a bit—this is when I switch to a spatula or wooden spoon and finish mixing by hand. Your dough should be firm but not sticky, so feel free to add a bit more powdered sugar if it’s too wet.
Step 4: Color and Knead the Dough
Transfer the dough onto a parchment-lined counter dusted with powdered sugar, then divide into three equal portions. Make shallow wells in two portions, adding red food coloring in one and green in the other. The third stays white. Knead each piece gently, adding small amounts of powdered sugar as needed—this step is crucial to get the right consistency and vibrant colors without the dough getting sticky or dry.
Step 5: Roll, Slice, and Form Patties
Roll each colored dough ball into an 18-inch rope about 1 inch thick. Slice into ½-inch pieces, then roll each piece into a small ball with your palms. This is a fun part—I like to think of it as crafting little gifts!
Step 6: Coat and Flatten
Toss 2-3 dough balls at a time in the granulated sugar bowl to coat them. Place coated balls on your tray and use a fork tip to gently flatten them into discs. Not only does this give them that signature patty shape, but the fork’s tines add a festive striped pattern that looks so pretty on the finished candies.
Step 7: Let Them Set
Allow your Christmas peppermint patties to sit out at room temperature for up to 24 hours before serving—this drying time is key for the perfect texture. I remember the first time I skipped this part, and the patties were too soft—lesson learned!
Pro Tips for Making Homemade Christmas Peppermint Patties Recipe
- Room Temperature Ingredients: I can’t stress enough how smoother the dough mixes when cream cheese and butter aren’t cold—it’s a game changer.
- Gradual Sugar Addition: Adding powdered sugar slowly helps you control the dough’s consistency and avoid it getting too dry or crumbly.
- Handling Food Coloring: Use liquid food coloring sparingly; I’ve found gel colors even better because they add intense color with less moisture—especially helpful on warmer days.
- Don’t Skip the Setting Time: Let those patties rest at room temperature. I’ve skipped this before, and they just don’t hold their shape as nicely.
How to Serve Homemade Christmas Peppermint Patties Recipe
Garnishes
I love sprinkling a few crushed candy canes or edible glitter over the patties when serving. It adds a wonderful sparkle and an extra peppermint punch. Plus, it makes the whole platter look so inviting at holiday parties.
Side Dishes
These peppermint patties pair beautifully with hot cocoa or a cozy cup of coffee. For a real treat, serve alongside a cheese board with mild cheeses and nuts—the peppermint helps cleanse the palate between bites.
Creative Ways to Present
For gifting or festive display, I like to wrap the patties individually in wax paper or place them in decorative mini cupcake liners. Arranging them in a shallow box with tissue paper and a festive ribbon makes a charming homemade gift that everyone raves about.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature. They keep beautifully for up to two weeks—if your family doesn’t finish them sooner! I usually keep mine out of direct sunlight and in a cool spot to maintain their texture and freshness.
Freezing
I’ve frozen these peppermint patties before by placing wax paper between layers in a freezer-safe container. When thawed at room temperature, they hold up surprisingly well. Just be sure to let them fully set back to room temp before serving to enjoy their best texture.
Reheating
Since these are no-bake candies, you don’t really reheat them. If stored too cold and they get a bit firm, simply let them sit a while at room temperature to soften before serving. I find this simple step keeps their creamy texture intact.
FAQs
-
Can I use gel food coloring instead of liquid in this Homemade Christmas Peppermint Patties Recipe?
Absolutely! Gel food coloring is a great choice because it tends to be more vibrant and doesn’t add extra moisture, which helps keep the dough from getting sticky. Just add a small amount and knead until you reach your desired color intensity.
-
Do I have to let the peppermint patties set before eating?
Yes, it’s best to let them rest at room temperature for up to 24 hours. This drying time allows the patties to firm up and develop that perfect texture you want. Skipping this step can make them too soft and prone to sticking.
-
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
You can prepare the dough a day ahead and store it tightly wrapped in the fridge to prevent drying out. When ready to use, let it come to room temperature before rolling and shaping for easier handling.
-
What’s the best peppermint extract to use?
I prefer pure peppermint extract rather than imitation—its flavor is more natural and vibrant. If you want extra minty punch, you can add a little more, but start with one teaspoon as per the recipe and adjust based on your taste.
Final Thoughts
This Homemade Christmas Peppermint Patties Recipe has become a holiday tradition in my home, and it feels like such a treat every time I make them. They’re simple to prepare, look festive, and deliver that nostalgic mint flavor we all crave during the season. I can’t wait for you to try this recipe and share it with the special people in your life—you’ll be spoiled for store-bought mints after making these from scratch!
Print
Homemade Christmas Peppermint Patties Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 100 peppermint candies 1x
- Category: Candy
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Christmas Mints are festive, colorful peppermint candies made with cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and peppermint extract. They are easy to prepare, requiring no cooking, and perfect for holiday celebrations. The dough is divided and colored red, green, and white, shaped into small discs with a charming striped fork pattern, and left to set at room temperature to achieve the ideal texture.
Ingredients
Base Ingredients
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
- 2 tablespoons light/clear corn syrup (e.g., Karo brand)
- 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
- 4¼ – 5 cups powdered sugar, divided
Food Coloring
- 6 drops green liquid food coloring
- 6 drops red liquid food coloring
Instructions
- Prepare the baking tray: Line a large rimmed baking tray with parchment paper. Place the granulated sugar in a small bowl and set aside for coating the mints later.
- Mix the dough base: In a large mixing bowl, use a handheld mixer on low speed to beat together the cream cheese, unsalted butter, light corn syrup, and peppermint extract for about 1 minute until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Incorporate powdered sugar: Gradually add 4¼ cups of powdered sugar, half a cup at a time, into the bowl while mixing on low. As the dough thickens and becomes difficult to mix, switch to a spatula or wooden spoon and finish mixing by hand to fully combine the dough.
- Prepare dough for coloring: Lay a piece of parchment paper on a clean surface and sprinkle the remaining ¼ cup of powdered sugar over it. Turn the dough out onto this parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Divide and color the dough: Divide the dough into three equal portions. Make a shallow well in the center of two portions. Add red food coloring to one portion and green food coloring to the other; leave the third portion white.
- Knead the colored dough: Knead each colored dough ball to evenly distribute the food coloring. Add up to an additional ¼ cup powdered sugar as needed while kneading to prevent stickiness caused by the liquid coloring. Knead the white dough lightly if sticky, adding small amounts of powdered sugar as necessary. Be cautious to add powdered sugar gradually to avoid making the dough too dry.
- Roll the dough into ropes: Roll each dough ball into an approximately 18-inch-long rope about 1 inch thick on a clean, flat surface.
- Slice into pieces: Slice each rope into ½-inch thick pieces by cutting from one end to the other, resulting in small individual pieces for mints.
- Shape into balls: Roll each slice gently between your palms to form little balls and set them aside.
- Coat with granulated sugar: Drop 2-3 dough balls at a time into the bowl of granulated sugar and toss to coat evenly. Then place the sugar-coated balls onto the prepared baking tray. Repeat this process until all dough balls are coated and arranged on the tray.
- Flatten and decorate: Using the tip of a fork, lightly press each sugar-coated ball to flatten it into a small disc. The fork tines will create a decorative striped pattern on top of each peppermint patty.
- Allow to set: Let the Christmas peppermint patties sit at room temperature on the tray for up to 24 hours before serving. This resting period helps the mints dry and set properly for the best texture.
Notes
- Yields approximately 100 peppermint candies.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.
- For deeper color, you can add up to ½ teaspoon of liquid food coloring.
- If the dough is too sticky, gradually add more powdered sugar until it reaches the right consistency—not too stiff, but not sticky.
- Gel food coloring works well as it produces vibrant colors without adding extra moisture and is safe for those with nut allergies.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 peppermint mint (approx. 5 g)
- Calories: 25
- Sugar: 3.5 g
- Sodium: 10 mg
- Fat: 1.2 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 3.2 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 0.3 g
- Cholesterol: 5 mg
