Peppermint Patty

  It is officially Christmastime! Why is that important to a chef? Peppermint, that's why. There is no other time of year when it is acceptable to add that sweet and spicy flavor to anything and everything  you so choose. Peppermint is good all alone, it is a natural accompaniment for chocolate of the hot variety, and is a fantastic flavoring for cream cheese candy. These Cream Cheese Peppermint Patties are not only delicious but seriously easy. They require 5 ingredients and need no cooking. The finished product is sweet, festive, and will melt in you mouth. The best thing about them is that with little effort you can make large quantities, perfect for gifts or Christmas parties. Not to mention that all your friends will be so impressed with you candy-making skills!

What You Will Need:

1 8-oz package Cream Cheese
1 2-lb bag Confectioners Sugar
1/2 tsp Peppermint Extract
1 cup Dark Chocolate Morsels
2 ea. Peppermint Candy Canes, crushed

In the bowl of your stand mixer, beat the cream cheese and peppermint together, on high, until soft.

Then with the mixer on low, slowly add the powdered sugar and mix until combined. You may need to scrape the sides of the bowl a few times before it is all mixed together.

When combined, the mixture will look like sugar cookie dough. Next, cover a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Using the 1/2 teaspoon measuring spoon, scoop and roll cherry-sized balls of the cream cheese mixture. Place the balls in rows, about an inch apart, on the cookie sheet. Press the center of each ball with your thumb, creating a dimple in the center. This dimple is important for garnishing.

Continue lining cookie sheets until all of the cream cheese mixture is used. Stack the pans in alternating directions and place in the oven overnight to dry. *Do NOT turn on the oven with the candies inside!* 

When the candies have dried out, it's time to garnish them! 

                                                

Begin by making a double boiler. Place a cup of water in a small sauce pot over medium heat. Place a glass bowl over the top and put in the chocolate morsels. Heat the chocolate until just melted, stirring occasionally. 

Pour the chocolate into a quart-size bag and cut an eighth of an inch off of one corner, creating a makeshift piping bag. Pipe the chocolate back and forth across the mints, making stripes.

 

Finally, place the candy canes in a ziploc bag and crush. I do this using the handle of my knife but a rolling pin works just as well. Once they are smashed, sprinkle the pieces into the dimple in the peppermint patty.

Plate or package as desired and enjoy!

 Sweetened Condensed Version:

What You Will Need:

1 8-oz package Cream Cheese
1 2-lb bag Confectioners Sugar
1/2 tsp Peppermint Extract
1 cup Dark Chocolate Morsels
2 ea. Peppermint Candy Canes, crushed

1. In a stand mixer, cream together the cream cheese and the peppermint extract on high. With the mixer on low, slowly add the sugar. Mix until combined. 

2. Roll the dough into 1/2 inch balls. Place on a parchment covered cookie sheet. Press each ball with your thumb to create a dent.

3. Continue with single layers on cookie sheets until dough is gone. Let stand overnight in a dry place.

4. When mints are dry, melt the chocolate in a double boiler. Place in a ziploc bag and pipe small ribbons onto each mint.

5. Sprinkle with crushed candy canes and enjoy!