There’s something utterly magical about making your own festive treats, and this Homemade Christmas Peppermint Patties Recipe nails that holiday spirit perfectly. The refreshing burst of peppermint combined with a creamy, sweet center coated in a shiny candy shell is a nostalgic favorite that never gets old. I love whipping these up during the holiday season—they’re great for gifting, party snacks, or just sneaking a few while wrapping presents.

What makes this Homemade Christmas Peppermint Patties Recipe truly special is how simple the ingredients are, but how elegant the final result feels. No complicated candy-making skills required! You’ll appreciate how forgiving the process is, and how customizable it can be with your favorite festive colors or layering flavors.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The ingredients for this recipe come together like a dream, balancing creamy and minty flavors with just the right sweetness. Using room temperature cream cheese and butter is key here—it makes mixing a breeze and ensures the texture turns out smooth and spreadable.

Granulated sugar: Adds just enough sweetness and crunch to the peppermint filling—make sure it’s finely granulated for easier incorporation.
Cream cheese: Using full-fat, room-temperature cream cheese ensures a creamy and smooth peppermint center.
Unsalted butter: Softened butter blends perfectly into the filling, giving richness without overpowering flavors.
Light/clear corn syrup: This keeps the filling pliable and adds shine—using a reliable brand like Karo works best.
Peppermint extract: The star of the recipe, so don’t skimp! I’ve found that 1 teaspoon delivers a bright minty punch without being overpowering.
Powdered sugar: The bulk of the filling, powdery and smooth, helps you get that familiar peppermint patty texture. Be sure to divide it as the recipe calls for to control consistency.
Green and red liquid food coloring: Classic Christmas colors for a festive touch—just a few drops are enough to bring your patties to life.

Variations

I’m all about making recipes my own, and this Homemade Christmas Peppermint Patties Recipe is super flexible if you want to play around. Here are a few tweaks I’ve tried and loved over the years—don’t hesitate to make them your own!

Chocolate-dipped variation: For an extra decadent twist, dip the patties in melted dark or white chocolate. I did this once for a holiday party, and they disappeared in minutes!
Vegan adaptation: I’ve swapped cream cheese for vegan cream cheese and butter for coconut oil, which surprisingly works well while keeping it dairy-free.
Natural food coloring: Use beet or spinach powder mixed with water instead of artificial colors if you prefer a natural look with great color vibrancy.
Extra peppermint kick: Add a little crushed peppermint candy or candy cane pieces inside the filling for texture and festive crunch.

How to Make Homemade Christmas Peppermint Patties Recipe

Step 1: Cream together the base

Start by mixing granulated sugar, softened cream cheese, and butter in a large bowl. I find using a hand mixer helps get it super smooth and lump-free, which sets a silky tone for your patties. Once everything’s blended, stir in the corn syrup and peppermint extract. This step ensures all your flavors combine perfectly before you add powdered sugar.

Step 2: Add powdered sugar gradually

Start folding in 4 cups of powdered sugar bit by bit until the mixture becomes dense but pliable. The secret here is patience—don’t dump it all at once, or you might end up with a filling that’s too dry or stiff. If needed, add the remaining powdered sugar to achieve a dough-like consistency that’s easy to shape but not crumbly.

Step 3: Color your patties

Divide your dough into three portions—leave one plain (white), add 6 drops of green to the second, and 6 drops of red to the third. Knead each portion gently to incorporate the color evenly. I always wear gloves here because that food coloring can stain your fingers for days otherwise!

Step 4: Shape the patties

Roll each colored dough into small balls and flatten them into circles about half an inch thick using your hands or a rolling pin. For consistent sizes, I use a round cookie cutter and leftovers get re-rolled into more patties. Place shaped patties on parchment-lined trays to prevent sticking.

Step 5: Chill before serving

Set the trays in the fridge for at least an hour so the patties firm up and the flavors meld. This chilling step is a game-changer in getting the right texture and snap when you bite into these Homemade Christmas Peppermint Patties Recipe treats.

How to Serve Homemade Christmas Peppermint Patties Recipe

The image shows six white round dishes arranged on a white marbled surface. Starting from the top left, the first dish is filled with dry white granulated sugar. Next to it on the right is a dish holding a light beige block of butter. Below the sugar are four white sugar cubes placed loosely beside the dishes. To the left below the cubes is a bowl with dark brown vanilla extract. Beneath the vanilla are two smaller dishes; one contains a light green liquid and the other a red liquid. On the right side below the butter is another dish filled with white powdered sugar, heaped slightly into a mound. The image is bright and evenly lit. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

When I serve these, I love adorning the plating with crushed candy canes or a sprinkle of edible glitter—adds just the right sparkle for holiday festivities. Sometimes, a small drizzle of melted chocolate on top brings a nice contrast and makes the patties look even more irresistible.

Side Dishes

Pair your peppermint patties with a cozy cup of hot cocoa, spiced chai, or even coffee. I’ve also served them alongside sugar cookies during Christmas gatherings, where the minty freshness really balances the buttery sweetness of the cookies beautifully.

Creative Ways to Present

For a festive presentation, arrange the patties in a circular pattern on a pretty holiday platter, and garnish the center with holly sprigs or small ornaments. I’ve also wrapped individual patties in wax paper tied with red and green ribbon to hand out as sweet little gifts—they always get rave reviews!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover peppermint patties in an airtight container layered with parchment paper to keep them from sticking together. They stay fresh in the fridge for up to two weeks, making them a convenient last-minute treat whenever the craving hits.

Freezing

Freeze portions of your homemade peppermint patties by wrapping them tightly in plastic wrap and placing them in a freezer-safe container. From my experience, freezing works wonderfully and the patties thaw well without changing texture—just pop them in the fridge overnight before enjoying.

Reheating

Since these peppermint patties are meant to be enjoyed chilled, I usually just let them come to room temperature for a few minutes when I want to eat them after storage. Avoid microwaving, as it can soften the texture too much and dull the peppermint flavor.

FAQs

Can I use peppermint oil instead of peppermint extract in this Homemade Christmas Peppermint Patties Recipe?

Yes, you can use peppermint oil, but be careful as it’s more concentrated than peppermint extract. Start with a small amount, like half a teaspoon, and adjust to taste so it doesn’t overpower the patties. Always opt for food-grade peppermint oil.
How do I prevent my peppermint patties from sticking together?

To stop patties sticking to each other, separate layers with parchment or wax paper when storing in containers. Also, chilling them thoroughly before storing helps maintain their firmness and prevent stickiness.
Can I turn this recipe into peppermint bark?

Absolutely! You can spread the peppermint filling in a thin layer and drizzle or spread melted chocolate over it for a homemade peppermint bark twist. Let it set until firm, then break into pieces for an easy holiday treat.
Is there a way to make these patties sugar-free?

While this recipe relies heavily on powdered sugar for texture and sweetness, you can experiment with powdered sugar substitutes like erythritol-based powders. Keep in mind, the texture might vary, so adjusting quantities will be necessary.
How long do homemade peppermint patties last?

Stored properly in an airtight container in the fridge, homemade peppermint patties typically last about two weeks. If frozen, they can keep their quality for up to three months.

Final Thoughts

This Homemade Christmas Peppermint Patties Recipe holds a special place in my holiday baking arsenal because it’s easy, festive, and just so delicious. I’m convinced once you try making these yourself, you’ll love customizing them, gifting them, or simply enjoying a moment of peppermint bliss whenever the season calls. Give it a try—you’ll be so glad you did!

Homemade Christmas Peppermint Patties Recipe

★★★★★ 4.8 from 131 reviews

Author: Isabella
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Yield: Approximately 36 peppermint patties 1x
Category: Candy
Method: No-Cook
Cuisine: American

Print Recipe

Description

These Homemade Christmas Peppermint Patties offer a festive and refreshing treat perfect for the holiday season. Made with a creamy, peppermint-flavored filling that is sweetened and softened with cream cheese and butter, these patties are colored in classic Christmas hues of red and green. They are simple to prepare, require no baking, and provide a delightful combination of smooth texture and cool peppermint flavor, ideal for gifting or enjoying at holiday gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale

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

Mix wet ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, unsalted butter, granulated sugar, light corn syrup, and peppermint extract. Use an electric mixer or a sturdy spoon to blend them together until smooth and creamy.
Add powdered sugar: Gradually stir in 4¼ cups of powdered sugar, mixing well after each addition to form a stiff dough. If the mixture is too sticky, add up to ¾ cup more powdered sugar until the dough reaches a firm but pliable consistency.
Divide and color dough: Divide the dough into three equal portions. Leave one portion white, add 6 drops of green food coloring to the second portion and knead until evenly colored, and add 6 drops of red food coloring to the third portion and knead similarly.
Shape patties: Roll each colored dough portion into ¾-inch thick logs, then slice into 1-inch pieces. Flatten each piece into a round patty shape about 2 inches in diameter.
Chill patties: Place the shaped patties on a parchment-lined baking sheet and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour to firm up before serving or packaging.

Notes

The patties can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
For a stronger peppermint flavor, you can add an additional ½ teaspoon of peppermint extract.
If you prefer a firmer texture, add more powdered sugar incrementally until the batter is less sticky.
These patties do not require cooking or baking; they are a no-cook recipe.
Use liquid food coloring for even coloring; gel colors can also be used but may require less volume.

Keywords: peppermint patties, homemade candy, Christmas candy, peppermint recipe, no bake treats