Introduction
Oh, the holidays! Does anything say “festive” quite like the invigorating scent and taste of peppermint? I remember as a kid, peering into goodie bags at holiday parties, and there they were – those beautiful, minty delights. Making them at home feels like capturing a little bit of that pure joy, and guess what? It’s ridiculously easy!
This Easy Christmas Peppermint Patties recipe is a true gem. It’s the kind of treat that looks like you spent hours on it, but in reality, you can whip up a batch in a flash. Perfect for when that unexpected holiday guest arrives or when you just need a little burst of Christmas cheer.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fast: Seriously, you can have these ready in no time, perfect for last-minute gifts or cravings.
- Easy: No complicated steps here! If you can stir, you can make these.
- Giftable: Package them up in pretty tins or cellophane bags for the most charming homemade holiday gifts.
- Crowd-pleasing: Who doesn’t love a cool, minty bite? These are always a hit at cookie exchanges and parties!
Ingredients
Let’s gather our simple treasures for these delightful peppermint patties. You probably have most of these in your pantry already!
- ¼ cup butter, softened: Make sure it’s nice and soft, almost like a spread, so it mixes in smoothly.
- ⅓ cup light corn syrup: This is our secret weapon for that perfect chewy texture.
- ½ teaspoon peppermint extract: This is where all the festive flavor comes from! Adjust a tiny bit more or less if you’re a huge peppermint fan.
- 4 cups powdered sugar, divided: This sweet, fluffy magic is what brings it all together. We’ll use it in two stages.
- Food coloring (gel or paste recommended): For that beautiful Christmas red, green, or even a fun swirl! Gel or paste gives the best vibrant color without making the dough too wet.
- ½ cup granulated sugar: This is for a lovely little coating that gives them a bit of sparkle and prevents sticking.
How to Make It
Alright, let’s get our hands a little sweet and create some holiday magic!
- Cream it up: In a medium bowl, grab your softened butter and the light corn syrup. Beat them together until they look all smooth and creamy. It’s like creating a lovely base for our sweet creation.
- Add the minty zing: Now, stir in that peppermint extract. Breathe it in – smells like Christmas, right?
- Start the sweetness: Gradually add about 2 cups of the powdered sugar. Mix it in as you go until everything is nicely combined. It will start to get a bit thicker.
- Color your world: Time for some holiday flair! Add a few drops of your chosen food coloring. Mix it in gently until you achieve that perfect festive shade you’re dreaming of. You can even do a swirl if you’re feeling extra creative!
- Firm it up: Now, it’s time to add the remaining 2 cups of powdered sugar. Keep mixing until you get a firm dough that’s easy to handle – almost like playdough, but way tastier! If it feels a little too sticky, you can add a tablespoon more of powdered sugar at a time.
- Sugar bath prep: Pour that ½ cup of granulated sugar into a shallow dish or small plate. This is where our little patties will get their beautiful, sparkling coat.
- Roll ’em up: Take your dough and roll it into little balls, about 1 inch in diameter. They should be nice and uniform, like tiny snowballs!
- Sugar sparkle: Gently roll each little ball in the granulated sugar until it’s completely coated. This adds a delightful crunch and prevents them from sticking together.
- Drying rack (sort of!): Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This is super important to prevent any sticking. Place your beautifully sugared peppermint patties onto the parchment-lined sheet.
- Let them rest: Now, the hardest part – waiting! Let these little beauties sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes. This helps them firm up perfectly so they hold their shape and are ready to be devoured.
Substitutions & Additions
Feeling adventurous? Or maybe you’re missing an ingredient? No worries, we’ve got you covered!
- Butter alternative: While butter gives a lovely richness, you could try using a vegan butter substitute if you need to make these dairy-free.
- Extract variations: Want to mix it up? A little almond extract or even a hint of vanilla can add a different flavor dimension, though peppermint is classic for a reason!
- Coloring fun: Don’t have gel or paste? Liquid food coloring works, but use it very sparingly as it can change the dough consistency.
- Fancy toppings: Before they set, you could press a few festive sprinkles onto the tops for extra sparkle!
- Chocolate drizzle: Once they’re firm, a light drizzle of melted dark or white chocolate can take these to a whole new level of deliciousness.
Tips for Success
A few little pointers to make sure your peppermint patties turn out perfectly every single time!
- Soften that butter: It’s crucial that your butter is truly soft. If it’s too cold, it won’t cream properly, and your texture might be off.
- Don’t overmix the sugar: Once you add the last of the powdered sugar and the dough firms up, stop mixing. Overmixing can make them tough.
- Humidity matters: On super humid days, you might find you need a touch more powdered sugar to get the dough to firm up. Conversely, on dry days, it might firm up faster.
- Prep-ahead friendly: You can make the dough a day in advance and store it in an airtight container in the fridge. Let it come to room temperature for about 30 minutes before rolling.
- Clean hands are key: If you’re making multiple colors, wash your hands between colors to avoid muddying them.
How to Store It
These little gems are pretty forgiving when it comes to storage, but here’s how to keep them tasting their best:
- Store your peppermint patties in an airtight container at room temperature.
- They’ll stay delightfully fresh for about 1 to 2 weeks.
- If you’re stacking them, a layer of parchment paper between layers will prevent them from sticking together.
FAQs
Got a few lingering questions? Let’s clear them up!
Q: Can I make these without corn syrup?
A: Light corn syrup really helps with the texture and prevents them from becoming too dry or crumbly. While you could try substituting with another liquid sweetener like honey or agave, it might alter the final texture and taste. For the classic peppermint patty feel, corn syrup is recommended.
Q: My dough is too sticky, what should I do?
A: Don’t panic! This usually means it needs a little more powdered sugar. Add it in, one tablespoon at a time, and mix until it reaches a firm, workable dough consistency. Make sure your hands are lightly dusted with powdered sugar when you’re rolling too!
Q: Can I freeze these peppermint patties?
A: Yes, you can! Once they are fully set, you can freeze them in an airtight container. It’s a good idea to place parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. Thaw them at room temperature before enjoying.
Q: How long do they need to set?
A: We recommend at least 30 minutes at room temperature. This allows them to firm up nicely. If your kitchen is particularly warm, you might let them sit a bit longer. They should feel firm to the touch.
Easy Christmas Peppermint Patties
Equipment
- Medium bowl
- Shallow dish for granulated sugar
- small plate for granulated sugar
- Baking Sheet
- Parchment paper
Ingredients
Main ingredients
- 0.25 cup butter softened
- 0.33 cup light corn syrup
- 0.5 teaspoon peppermint extract
- 4 cups powdered sugar divided
- food coloring gel or paste recommended
- 0.5 cup granulated sugar for coating
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, grab your softened butter and the light corn syrup. Beat them together until they look all smooth and creamy. It's like creating a lovely base for our sweet creation.
- Now, stir in that peppermint extract. Breathe it in – smells like Christmas, right?
- Gradually add about 2 cups of the powdered sugar. Mix it in as you go until everything is nicely combined. It will start to get a bit thicker.
- Time for some holiday flair! Add a few drops of your chosen food coloring. Mix it in gently until you achieve that perfect festive shade you're dreaming of. You can even do a swirl if you're feeling extra creative!
- Now, it's time to add the remaining 2 cups of powdered sugar. Keep mixing until you get a firm dough that's easy to handle – almost like playdough, but way tastier! If it feels a little too sticky, you can add a tablespoon more of powdered sugar at a time.
- Pour that ½ cup of granulated sugar into a shallow dish or small plate. This is where our little patties will get their beautiful, sparkling coat.
- Take your dough and roll it into little balls, about 1 inch in diameter. They should be nice and uniform, like tiny snowballs!
- Gently roll each little ball in the granulated sugar until it's completely coated. This adds a delightful crunch and prevents them from sticking together.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This is super important to prevent any sticking. Place your beautifully sugared peppermint patties onto the parchment-lined sheet.
- Now, the hardest part – waiting! Let these little beauties sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes. This helps them firm up perfectly so they hold their shape and are ready to be devoured.