If you enjoy these salted chocolate almond butter cups as an alternative to Reese’s peanut butter cups, I think you’ll love the healthy candy makeover I’m sharing today – a real food version of YORK peppermint patties!
Before we dive into the recipe, have I ever told you about the day I opened my microwave – which doubles as an extra pantry cabinet – and found an entire box of Newman’s Own Dark Chocolate Peppermint Cups? Totally happened.
You see, years ago I asked my husband to pick up some healthier peppermint cups because I’d loved YORK peppermint patties as a kid. He did, but soon after that they were discontinued.
Apparently, a lot of other loved those patties as much as I did, because Newman’s Own eventually brought them back. When my husband saw them at our local health food store, he grabbed a whole box for me just in case they changed their minds and discontinued them again.
When I finished the box, I decided to figure out how to make my own without the soy lecithin and powdered milk, which aren’t ideal ingredients. (They’re definitely better than the PGPR, artificial flavor and other additives found in the original, though.)
After experimenting with a few recipes online, I finally settled on a version that is super easy – no need to make a mess dipping the creme filling in chocolate and then watch everything smear all over parchment paper. These patties are just as cool, minty and refreshing as the original, and can be made in about 10 minutes of hands-on time. I hope you love them!
Homemade Peppermint Patties Recipe
Equipment
- small bowl
- mixing spoon
- teaspoon
- muffin tin
- paper cups for muffin tin
Ingredients
For the creme filling:
- 2 tbsp plus 1.5 tsp coconut butter
- 1½ tsp maple syrup
- 1 tsp organic peppermint flavoring (This is an oil-based extract, not an essential oil. It works better than alcohol-based peppermint extract in this recipe.)
- 1½ tsp melted coconut oil
For the chocolate shell:
- 6 tbsp chocolate chips
- 1 tbsp coconut oil
Instructions
- Place the coconut butter, maple syrup, coconut oil and peppermint in a small bowl and mix with a spoon until smooth. Place the mixture in the freezer for 10 minutes.
- While the creme filling is firming up, place 1 tablespoon coconut oil and 6 tablespoons chocolate chips in a small sauce pan and melt over low heat, stirring occasionally. When the chocolate/coconut oil is fully melted, remove the pan from heat and set aside.
- Remove the creme filling from the freezer, scoop out one teaspoon, roll it into a ball, and then press down until you have a small disc. Continue this process until you have 12 discs.
- Line the muffin tin with 12 paper cups and place 1 teaspoon of chocolate mixture in the bottom of each. Place the creme filling in next and press it down into the chocolate.
- Pour ½ teaspoon chocolate over the creme filling.
- Continue this process until all the peppermint patties are complete, then place the muffin tin in the freezer for 20 minutes before serving. If you have any left over, store them in an airtight container the fridge.
Nutrition
More Yummy Recipes To Try
Easy Peanut Butter And Chocolate Swirl Fudge – This creamy, dreamy, peanut-buttery fudge is simple to make and full of nourishing fats.
Homemade Caramels – Soft and chewy, these corn syrup-free caramels are made with just 3 ingredients.
White Chocolate Chip Cookies – These gluten-free cookies are perfect for dunking in a cold glass of milk.
Cut-Out Sugar Cookies – Decorated with naturally colored sprinkles and plant-based, natural food dye, these sugar cookies are easy to make and fun to decorate!
Pat
They sound marvelous but just how healthy are they?? Do you know the carbs, calories etc??
Tinker
That’s right above the last picture. Just divide by the number of disks you get from the recipe.
Yolanda Dobler
I was thinking the same thing, maybe we can use a natural sweetener like allulose
Lori
Love this recipe! And cracked up at your typo of “112 discs”! I was like omg, I only got around 12! Then I realized. I also left the peppermint extract out to see if it would taste like those coconut creme filled fancy chocolates that I love! Chilling now, so I’ll keep you posted! You could do any flavor with these, orange, lemon, vanilla! I’m so excited any time I can make homemade healthy treats! Thanks girl!
Heather
Oops, thanks for catching that!
Carissa Snyder
Can you recommend a substitute for the coconut butter and oil? Thanks!
Katie
I know what kind of coconut cremes you are talking about – yum. How did they turn out?!
Julie Macino
Opps! Did you mean 12 disc’s!? Ps. I’m absolutely making these!
Heather
Yes, I totally did! Thanks for catching that 🙂
Joy
Can I use coconut cream in place of the coconut butter?
Heather
I’m not sure, but I think you might have trouble getting the filling firm enough to form into patties. If you try it, though, please let us know how it works out!
Carla DeSimone
These look amazing!! I’m making them today!! Can you use peppermint essential oil instead of the peppermint extract?
Heather
The liquid from the oil base is needed to get the right consistency, otherwise it would be too dry. 🙂
Delilah Royce
Can I make peppermint oil with oil and my peppermint essential oil??
Eb
That would be possible. The link to the product on amazon showed that it is just organic sunflower oil + organic peppermint oil.
So any good oil + food grade essential oil peppermint would be the same. You’d need to experiment with the amounts of each to see how “pepperminty” you want it.
Sheri
Would peppermint extract work as well, or does it need to be oil? In excited to find a Christmas treat my gf 91st daughter can eat, she’s sad to miss out on all the goodies.
Kristin
Do you think regular butter could be used instead of coconut butter? I have all other ingredients on hand. ?
Heather
I’m not sure. Coconut butter has a firmer consistency that is easier to mold into discs. The butter might work, but it also might melt in your hands as you’re rolling it into a ball. 🙂
Kristin
Thanks! I might give it a go and just work fast. ?
Tinker
Is there an alternative to the coconut oil that you think would work? I just don’t like the taste.
Thanks
Heather Dessinger
Palm shortening would probably work, but I haven’t tested it. I recommend looking for one that is sustainably harvested.
Richard Tunner
The recipe was a success! These taste great and was a family favorite. Thank you for sharing!
Tiffany Pontier
Best. Recipe. Ever. We loved these. My daughter tried peppermint patties and loved them. When I saw this recipe I knew I had to try them. They are four year old approved! Lol.
Lynda Baker
They sound delicious and I will have a go at making them as I’ve not made sweets before.
Katie
Do you use mini muffin tin or regular size one?
Steve
No mention is made of the muffin tin size – mini or normal? I see I am not the first to ask the question, but I do not see an answer. Assuming mini due to the limited size of the ingredients, but it’s best to specify to remove any doubt.
Heather Dessinger
I used a standard size muffin tin (not mini).