A refreshing and creamy homemade peppermint filling coated in rich dark chocolate, perfect for the holiday season or a sweet treat any time of year. These irresistible peppermint patties offer a cool, minty center surrounded by a decadent chocolate shell that melts in your mouth.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
These homemade peppermint patties are a game-changer. Unlike store-bought versions, you control the ingredients, making them adaptable for various dietary needs. They're surprisingly simple to make with just a handful of ingredients, and the result is a professional-looking treat that's perfect for gifting or enjoying yourself. The contrast between the cool mint filling and rich chocolate coating creates a flavor combination that's both refreshing and indulgent. Best of all, these can be made sugar-free and paleo-friendly without sacrificing taste.
Ingredients
(Tip: You'll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Powdered monk fruit sweetener provides sweetness without the sugar, making these patties suitable for those following paleo or low-carb diets. It dissolves smoothly into the filling, ensuring a perfect texture. Regular powdered sugar works wonderfully as a traditional alternative.
Coconut flour serves as the base of the filling, adding structure and a subtle coconut undertone that pairs beautifully with mint. Its absorbent nature creates the perfect dough-like consistency needed for these patties.
Coconut oil contributes moisture and helps bind the filling ingredients together. When chilled, it solidifies, giving the patties their distinctive firm yet melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Peppermint extract delivers the characteristic cool, refreshing flavor that defines these treats. A little goes a long way, so measuring carefully prevents an overwhelming mint taste.
Unsweetened almond milk adds just enough moisture to bring the dough together without making it too wet. Any plant-based or regular milk can work as a substitute.
Dark chocolate chips form the luxurious outer shell that contrasts beautifully with the sweet mint center. Choose sugar-free varieties for a keto-friendly version, or use regular dark chocolate for a traditional approach.
Directions
- In a medium-sized bowl, combine powdered monk fruit sweetener (or powdered sugar), coconut flour, melted coconut oil, peppermint extract, and almond milk. Stir until fully combined. The mixture should have a thick, dough-like consistency.
- Scoop out about a tablespoon of the mixture and roll it into a ball. Then, flatten the ball into a disc shape. Repeat with the remaining mixture.
- Place the discs on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze for at least 30 minutes to firm up.
- While the peppermint patties are freezing, melt the dark chocolate chips and 1 tablespoon coconut oil together in a heatproof bowl over a pot of simmering water (double boiler method) or in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between.
- Once the patties are firm, dip each one into the melted chocolate, ensuring it is fully coated. Place the coated patties back onto the parchment paper.
- Freeze the patties for an additional 15-20 minutes to set the chocolate.
- Enjoy these homemade peppermint patties as a delicious treat or store them in an airtight container in the fridge.
Servings and Timing
This recipe yields approximately 12 peppermint patties, making it perfect for small gatherings or as a special treat for yourself. The preparation takes about 10 minutes of active time, with just 5 minutes of cooking time (for melting chocolate). Including the freezing time, expect the entire process to take around 45 minutes. Each patty contains approximately 80 calories, making them a reasonable indulgence for most dietary plans.
Variations
Chocolate Mint Thins: Make the patties thinner for a more delicate treat similar to After Eight mints.
White Chocolate Coating: Substitute white chocolate for the dark chocolate coating for a sweeter variation.
Peppermint Crunch: Add crushed candy canes to the top of the chocolate coating for a festive holiday treat with extra texture.
Double Chocolate: Mix mini chocolate chips into the mint filling for chocolate lovers.
Flavor Twists: Replace peppermint extract with orange, raspberry, or almond extract for different flavor profiles.
Coconut-Coated: Roll the chocolate-dipped patties in toasted coconut flakes for added texture and flavor.
Storage/Reheating
Store your homemade peppermint patties in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. The cool temperature keeps the filling firm and prevents the chocolate from melting.
For longer storage, peppermint patties freeze exceptionally well. Place them in a single layer inside a freezer-safe container with parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. They can be frozen for up to three months.
When you're ready to enjoy frozen patties, allow them to thaw in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes. These treats are best enjoyed cold straight from the refrigerator, as reheating is not recommended and will cause them to lose their distinct texture.
FAQs
Why did my peppermint filling turn out too crumbly?
If your filling is too crumbly, you likely need more moisture. Add additional almond milk or coconut oil, one teaspoon at a time, until the mixture comes together into a moldable dough. Remember that coconut flour is highly absorbent, so small adjustments can make a big difference.
Can I use regular flour instead of coconut flour?
Coconut flour has unique absorbent properties that regular flour lacks. If you substitute regular flour, you'll need about 3-4 times the amount and will likely need to adjust the liquid ingredients. For best results, stick with coconut flour or look for a recipe specifically designed for regular flour.
How do I get a smooth chocolate coating without lumps?
For a perfect chocolate coating, make sure your chocolate is melted completely and remains at a consistent temperature during dipping. The addition of coconut oil helps create a smoother texture. Use a fork to dip the patties, allowing excess chocolate to drip off. If the chocolate begins to thicken, gently rewarm it.
Are these peppermint patties keto-friendly?
Yes, when made with powdered monk fruit sweetener and sugar-free chocolate chips, these peppermint patties are keto-friendly. The coconut flour and coconut oil are also compliant with a ketogenic diet, making this a great low-carb treat option.
Why do my patties need to be frozen before dipping?
Freezing the patties before dipping serves two important purposes: it helps them hold their shape during the dipping process, and the cold patty causes the chocolate to set more quickly upon contact, resulting in a more even coating.
Can I make these patties vegan?
Yes! This recipe is already vegan-friendly as long as you use dark chocolate chips that don't contain milk ingredients. Most high-quality dark chocolate (70% cocoa or higher) is naturally vegan, but always check the label to be sure.
My patties melted when I dipped them in chocolate. What went wrong?
If your patties melt during dipping, the chocolate may be too hot or the patties weren't frozen long enough. Make sure the patties are thoroughly chilled and firm before dipping, and allow your melted chocolate to cool slightly before using.
How can I make these patties without coconut flavor?
If you don't enjoy the coconut flavor, use refined coconut oil, which has a neutral taste. For the flour component, you could experiment with a combination of almond flour and tapioca starch, though you'll need to adjust the ratios to achieve the right consistency.
Can I add food coloring to the mint filling?
Absolutely! A drop or two of green food coloring (preferably natural) can be added to the filling mixture for a traditional mint-green center. This makes the patties particularly festive for holidays like Christmas or St. Patrick's Day.
How thick should I make the patties?
Aim for patties that are about ¼ inch thick. If they're too thin, they may break during handling, and if they're too thick, the proportion of filling to chocolate coating may be off. A thickness similar to a store-bought peppermint patty is ideal.
Conclusion
These homemade peppermint patties offer the perfect balance of cool, refreshing mint and rich, decadent chocolate. Not only are they surprisingly simple to make, but they also provide a healthier alternative to store-bought versions, especially when using sugar-free options. The recipe's versatility allows for customization to suit various dietary needs without compromising on taste or texture.
Whether you're preparing them for a special occasion, holiday gifting, or simply to satisfy a sweet tooth craving, these peppermint patties are sure to impress. The joy of creating something so delicious from scratch adds an extra layer of satisfaction to every bite. Give this recipe a try, and you might find yourself never returning to the commercial versions again!
Homemade Peppermint Patties
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 12 patties
- Diet: Vegan
Description
A refreshing and creamy homemade peppermint filling coated in rich dark chocolate, perfect for the holiday season or a sweet treat any time of year.
Ingredients
1 cup powdered monk fruit sweetener or powdered sugar (for a non-paleo option)
½ cup coconut flour
2 tablespoons coconut oil, melted
½ teaspoon peppermint extract
2 tablespoons unsweetened almond milk
½ cup dark chocolate chips (or sugar-free chocolate chips)
1 tablespoon coconut oil (for chocolate coating)
Instructions
- In a medium-sized bowl, combine powdered monk fruit sweetener (or powdered sugar), coconut flour, melted coconut oil, peppermint extract, and almond milk. Stir until fully combined. The mixture should have a thick, dough-like consistency.
- Scoop out about a tablespoon of the mixture and roll it into a ball. Then, flatten the ball into a disc shape. Repeat with the remaining mixture.
- Place the discs on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze for at least 30 minutes to firm up.
- While the peppermint patties are freezing, melt the dark chocolate chips and 1 tablespoon coconut oil together in a heatproof bowl over a pot of simmering water (double boiler method) or in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between.
- Once the patties are firm, dip each one into the melted chocolate, ensuring it is fully coated. Place the coated patties back onto the parchment paper.
- Freeze the patties for an additional 15-20 minutes to set the chocolate.
- Enjoy these homemade peppermint patties as a delicious treat or store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.
Notes
- Store the peppermint patties in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week for best freshness.
- Make sure the filling discs are firm before dipping them into the chocolate to ensure easy coating.
- Use sugar-free chocolate chips if making a sugar-free version.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 patty
- Calories: 80
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 10 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
