Peppermint Patties are a time-honored sweet treat, perfectly balancing the boldness of dark chocolate with the crisp, cool burst of mint. This beloved dessert has its roots deep in American culinary culture and has been a favorite for generations, often enjoyed as a post-meal delicacy or a refreshing snack on hot days. Tracing its origins to the early 1900s, the Peppermint Patty gained widespread popularity in 1940 thanks to the York Cone Company of Pennsylvania. Today, homemade versions have emerged, offering a more sumptuous and tender take on this classic, where the lively flavor of peppermint is beautifully enveloped in a velvety chocolate coating.
Serving these homemade Peppermint Patties is just as delightful as preparing them. They are a superb choice for an after-dinner mint, especially when a full dessert feels too heavy, or as a sublime addition to hot beverages like chocolate or coffee, where they gently melt, creating an irresistibly indulgent experience. For a more extravagant dessert, consider chopping them up and sprinkling them over ice cream, or add them to a cookie assortment for a festive touch. These patties also make exquisite gifts, especially when presented in an attractive box or tin, offering a homemade, minty surprise that friends and family will surely adore.
Ingredients:
1/2 cup condensed milk
1 1/2 teaspoons peppermint extract
3 cups powdered sugar
2 cups dark chocolate chips
2 tablespoons shortening
Instructions:
Peppermint Filling: Begin by mixing condensed milk with peppermint extract in a bowl. Gradually incorporate powdered sugar, stirring until a stiff dough forms. Adjust with more powdered sugar if the mixture is too sticky.
Shaping the Patties: Lightly dust a surface with powdered sugar. Roll out the peppermint dough to about 1/4 inch thickness and use a small cookie cutter or cup to shape round patties. Place these on a parchment-lined tray and freeze for 30 minutes to firm up.
Chocolate Coating: Melt dark chocolate chips and shortening together in a double boiler or microwave, stirring until the mixture is smooth. Remove the peppermint discs from the freezer once set.
Dipping Process: Dip each peppermint disc into the melted chocolate using a fork, allowing excess chocolate to drip off. Place the coated patties back on the parchment paper.
Setting the Chocolate: Allow the chocolate to set at room temperature or in the refrigerator. Once the chocolate is set, store the peppermint patties in an airtight container to maintain their freshness.