Vegan Peppermint Patties

Vegan Peppermint Patties

These peppermint patties “taste like the real thing” and they are very easy to make! The most time consuming part is dipping each candy into the melted chocolate. A quicker alternative can be to make all of the peppermint circles and then to drizzle melted chocolate on top, rather than dipping. Either way, chocolate and peppermint taste great together! My recipe is adapted from this recipe.

Ingredients:

·        2 ½ cups powdered sugar

·        1 ½  tablespoons agave nectar

·        1 ½  tablespoons water

·        ½ teaspoon peppermint extract

·        ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract

·        1 ½ tablespoons vegan shortening (I used Crisco)

·        2 cups dark chocolate chips (vegan)

Directions:

1.  In a large bowl, using a mixture, combine the powdered sugar, agave nectar, water, peppermint extract, vanilla, and shortening. The resulting texture should not be sticky, but rather like play-dough. If your dough is sticky, simply add 2 teaspoons of powdered sugar (in intervals), until you reach the consistency.

2.  Sprinkle your work surface with powdered sugar. Roll out the mint dough to be about ¼ inch thick. Stick it into the freezer for 10 minutes.

3.  Using a shot glass or a premade cookie cutter, cut your mint patties. Using the uncut dough remains, make them back into a ball, and repeat steps 2 and 3.

4.  Stick the circular patties into the freezer again for 10 minutes.

5.  Meanwhile, in a microwave safe bowl, melt the chocolate and shortening together, being careful to not burn the chocolate. Microwave for 20 seconds + stir, repeat until the chocolate lumps are gone.

6.  Make your own double boiler by placing your microwave safe bowl over a pan of boiling water (of about equal size). Keep the water hot at medium heat.

7.  Using a fork that will let your candy drain (I used a carving fork, which is ironic since I don’t eat meat) and gently place the chocolate mints onto a pan with a wax paper on top.

8.  Stick them into the freezer to cool and then enjoy!