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National Peppermint Patty Day

Food · February 11

A day for the peppermint patty, the round, flat candy with a cool mint fondant center and a thin coat of dark chocolate.

National Peppermint Patty Day falls on Thursday, February 11, 2027. That is 107 days away.

A peppermint patty is a flat disc of soft, sugary mint filling dipped in chocolate. The center is a kind of fondant, sweet and smooth, flavored with peppermint. The coating is usually dark chocolate, which keeps the whole thing from tasting like pure sugar.

The pleasure is mostly in the temperature trick. Peppermint carries menthol, which makes the mouth feel cool even when the candy is at room temperature. Bite one and the chocolate goes first, then the filling, which can be firm and snappy or soft enough to bend, depending on the maker.

Most people mark the day the obvious way, by eating one or two. Some keep them in the freezer, where the filling firms up and the chill feels doubled. Others make their own at home. The usual recipe mixes powdered sugar, a little butter or cream, and peppermint extract into a stiff dough, which is rolled, cut into rounds, chilled and dipped in melted chocolate. Nothing in it needs baking, and extract goes a long way, so a few drops at a time is plenty.

Homemade patties tend to be thicker and less tidy than the wrapped kind. The edges come out uneven and the chocolate pools at the bottom, which mostly means there is more chocolate.

Ways to celebrate

• Try a peppermint patty straight from the freezer.
• Make a small batch at home with powdered sugar and peppermint extract.
• Compare a store-bought patty with a homemade one.
• Share a few with coworkers or neighbors.
• Crumble one over a scoop of chocolate ice cream.

Dates

All national days on February 11

Also on February 11

• National Latte Day
• National Make a Friend Day
• National Inventors' Day
• National Don't Cry Over Spilled Milk Day
• Get Out Your Guitar Day

Categories: Food days