Candy Corn Peppermint Patties

A Busy Mom's Delight: Candy Corn Peppermint Patties

Life as a working mom is a whirlwind. Between juggling work deadlines, school pick-ups, and ensuring everyone gets a healthy and delicious dinner on the table, finding time for anything else feels like a luxury. But let’s be honest, sometimes a little indulgence is exactly what we need to recharge. That's where these Candy Corn Peppermint Patties come in.

I stumbled upon this recipe during one of my rare moments of peace (a stolen hour scrolling through baking blogs, of course!). The vibrant colors immediately caught my eye, but it was the simplicity of the recipe that truly sold me. I knew, even with my limited free time, I could tackle this. And let me tell you, the result was worth every minute. The festive candy corn colors are perfect for any occasion, adding a touch of whimsy to the everyday and holiday gatherings.

The incredible thing about this recipe is how adaptable it is. You can make them as thin or thick as you like. The taste is equally delightful; a perfect blend of sweet and minty, with a satisfyingly smooth texture. The peppermint extract adds a refreshing twist that perfectly complements the sweet candy corn flavors. I've even experimented with different extract strengths to find my perfect level of minty goodness. For those with a sweeter tooth, you can absolutely reduce the extract to your preference.

And the best part? These patties are surprisingly easy to make. The process is straightforward, requiring minimal baking and even less cleanup. This is crucial for a busy mom who values spending time with her family over slaving away in the kitchen. I typically prepare the dough in the evening, chill it overnight, and then finish the dipping process in the morning while the kids are getting ready for school. This allows me to accomplish my baking goals without sacrificing quality family time.

Beyond the ease of making them, these Candy Corn Peppermint Patties have become a true family favorite. The kids love helping me cut out the shapes and dip them in chocolate, making it a fun and interactive activity. It’s a wonderful way to spend quality time together, creating lasting memories and a delicious treat in the process. My husband also thoroughly enjoys them as an afternoon pick-me-up or a little sweet treat after dinner.

So, if you're a busy mom, a working professional, or anyone who appreciates a delicious, festive treat that doesn't demand hours of kitchen time, this recipe is for you. The Candy Corn Peppermint Patties are a perfect blend of flavor, ease, and festive appeal that's sure to become a new go-to in your recipe book.

Tips for Success:

• Adjust the peppermint extract: Feel free to adjust the amount of peppermint extract to your liking. More extract equals a stronger minty flavor.
• Don’t overwork the dough: Overworking the dough can make it tough. Gently knead it just until it’s smooth.
• Chill thoroughly: Make sure to chill the dough completely before cutting and dipping. This helps them hold their shape and prevents them from melting.
• Use good quality chocolate: The quality of your chocolate significantly affects the final product. I prefer Merckens chocolate wafers, but you can use any brand you prefer.
• Get creative with colors: Don't be afraid to experiment with different food coloring combinations to create your own unique candy corn designs.

These Candy Corn Peppermint Patties aren’t just a dessert; they’re a symbol of taking a moment to indulge in something sweet, beautiful, and enjoyable, proving that even the busiest schedules can make room for a little bit of joy, one delicious peppermint patty at a time.

Step-by-step

• Beat 4 1/2 cups confectioners sugar with corn syrup, water, peppermint extract, shortening, and a pinch of salt using an electric mixer (with paddle attachment if using a stand mixer) at medium speed until just combined. Knead on a work surface dusted with remaining 1/2 cup confectioners sugar until smooth.
• Divide dough into 3 equally big sections. Color them yellow, orange and leave one section white.
• Roll each dough individually between two pieces of parchment paper. Dust the parchment paper with additional powdered sugar if needed.
• You need to make sure that layers of each dough are similar in size. I found that it helps to roll each dough into a "snake" shape of certain length and then just roll into a rectangle shape.
• You don't have to roll them too thin, just into a similar size.
• Layer white, orange and yellow or yellow orange and white layers on top of each other.
• Very gently using a rolling pin, roll out layered colored layers, so the dough is evenly thick throughout. I like my patties fairly thin, about 3/16 of an inch(about 4mm).
• Chill the dough covered for 30 minutes.
• Using a small round cookie cutter, cut out as many rounds as you can. Making sure you cut them really closely you don't have a lot of scraps.
• Gently gather scraps, don't knead it. Roll the dough out again and cut out marbled patties.
• Chill cut out patties until hard.
• Layer a tray with wax paper.
• Have dipping fork ready ( or a medium size meat fork).
• Melt the dipping chocolate wafers and dip each chilled peppermint patty in the chocolate and then nest it on the tray lines with wax paper. Once you are done dipping return tray with chocolate coated patties into the fridge. Returning tray into the fridge help the chocolate to set shiny.
• Store in the cool, dry place, in the airtight container, layered between pieces of wax paper.