I have several pops posts, and am ready to change things up a bit with a completely new type of pop filling that doesn’t involve cake at all. As I mentioned in my cream cheese mints post, I got bored just cutting the dough into squares, and decided to combine it with chocolate in pop form.
This photo was taken by Jen in the break room at work after I handed her a bag of Peppermint Pops in exchange for some delicious chocolate sheet cake that she made. I had to use it because it’s a much more attractive photo of the insides than the atrocity below. Thanks, Jen!
The method for these is the same as making cake pops, just with a different filling. Take a batch of cream cheese mints, roll it into balls, insert sticks, dip in chocolate. And voila, peppermint pops! It’s simple and even easier than cake pops because it doesn’t require any baking. And the taste? Well, if you like mint chocolate, you’re going to love these. The mint center is soft and creamy and the dark chocolate coating is classic. Think York peppermint patties with a softer, creamier center and slight tang. Bonus: it’s on a stick! Wheeeeeeeee!
Peppermint Pops
Printable recipe
Printable recipe with picture
1 (8-oz) package cream cheese, room temperature
1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
2 lbs. powdered sugar
2 (12 oz) bags semisweet chocolate chips
2 teaspoons oil or shortening
50 lollipop sticks
50 (3″x4″) clear treat bags (optional)
curling ribbon (optional)
Beat the cream cheese until creamy, then beat in the extract. Beat in the powdered sugar until well blended. Depending on your mixer, you may have to use your hands to fully incorporate the sugar. The mixture will be smooth and like a stiff dough. Pinch off pieces of the mixture and roll into 1″ balls; place on rimmed baking sheet. You will get 40-50 balls. Cover and refrigerate two hours or overnight.
I had several mint projects going at once-classic party mints (left), peppermint pops, and peppermint patties (not pictured).
Gently melt chocolate with oil in double boiler or microwave. Dip ends of sticks in chocolate, then insert into the flat end (the end that has been resting on the baking sheet) of the mint balls. As you insert sticks, place the pops upside down on the baking sheet until all the balls have sticks. Refrigerate until chocolate around stick is set.
Now you can see evidence of the peppermint patties! The square mints are long gone…in mah bellah.
Dip each pop in chocolate and gently shake off excess while holding upside down. Don’t tap, as you would a cake pop, because the mint balls are more prone to fall off the sticks. Insert pops right-side-up into a large foam block. Once all pops are dipped, place foam block in refrigerator and let sit until chocolate is hardened, about half an hour. If you would like to package them, slip a treat bag over each pop, and tie curling ribbon around the base.
After writing this, I just can’t resist saying, “on a steeeeek.” :)
Veronica's Cornucopia 
Very cute! I love this idea!
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Very nice, and I love the idea! I just love peppermint! I want to try these. They look super easy to make :)
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I love peppermint at Christmas, and we often make treats for neighbors, teachers, and friends at Christmastime. This recipe is going into my Christmas folder. Now, I just need to come up with a way to make them look more festive. (In addition to red and green curling ribbon.) Thank you!
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Try red and green sprinkles or red and green candy coating.
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These look so yummy. Something I will be sure to make at Christmas. Here is a recipe I thought I would share with you that I just received from the Pillsbury site see that you like pops so much. I can’t wait to try them either.
http://www.pillsbury.com/Cooking-Occasions/Doughboy-Dish/Cherry-Pie-Pops?ESRC=16033&WT.mc_id=partner_facebook_pillsbury
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Love the Peppy Pops….;) you are awesome V………….
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Veronica you’re so clever. These are awesome!
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Love this idea. YUM!
Lisa~~
Cook Lisa Cook
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I love these! I wish I had the patience to make any of the pops on your blog.
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This will make a brilliant breath-cleanser…I’ll take a pop over gum anyday! :-)
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What a good idea! Peppermint patties are a favorite in my home, my mom would be delighted if I made some for her!
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I just keep coming back & looking at these. Guess I’m going to have to make them because they look so delicious.
I couldn’t figure out what “mah bellah” was until I said it out loud, then I laughed out loud. You are too funny! :)
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those are just adorable and they have my mouth watering right now! What a perfect thing to make for a wedding/baby shower! have to keep these in mind should I need to plan one in the future!
PS…I laughed out loud at your comment on the winner of my last giveaway! Thanks for the chuckle! ;)
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I think your the Queen of Pops!! :)
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Given my adoration of mint chocolate…these are way better than cake pops!
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I love York Peppermint Patties! These look even better! YUM
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I love this! I’ve made cake pops before, but the peppermint spin you’ve added sounds fantastic :) I’ll definitely be making these before Christmas, but can see them being a definite hit at that time of year.
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These are super cute on a stick! I bet they’d make the perfect holiday gift too! (Yup, I’m already thinking about the holidays, lol!)
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These sound wonderful! My son LOVES mint & chocolate! Looking for fun stuff to send him while he is on deployment over in Iraq! These will be perfect once it cools off over there!! Thanks for sharing!!! :))
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SOS!
let me preface by stating, i left this page open on my computer for about 5 days (maybe a full week, not sure) and am FINALLY able to find time to make them. looks SO YUM!
here’s my SOS call: i can not get the balls to form- it’s just too sticky. did i overmix? the bowl is in the freezer, trying to firm up so i can roll them. any suggestions?
TIA
aloha from ewa beach <3
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The dough should be very stiff and your mixer should have been straining a little to mix it. If that is not the case, you will have to add more powdered sugar until it is very thick and feels dry to the touch.
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thank you for your quick reply :) much appreciated.
I had already added extra powdered sugar (about 10oz) hoping to create that effect, but it didn’t quite get to the firm/dry-to-the-touch feeling. I’ve been scooping them onto parchment paper (kind of like in cookie dough form) and putting them in the freezer for a few minutes, then going back to create an actual ‘ball’. it’s working, lol, but quite a slow process…
I was hoping to avoid using my oven today, hence the attempt at these yummy-licious pops. I wonder if it might be the humidity- I am literally a stone’s throw from the ocean and all my windows are open. I see a long night ahead of me, but results should prove worthy ;) mahalo <3
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Yes, I’m sure that’s the problem. The softer the cream cheese is, the more difficult it will be to get the right consistency. I live in a fairly mild climate, so I didn’t foresee this problem and am sorry you ran into it. Next time, I would try refrigerating the dough after mixing it up before trying to shape it into balls, as adding the additional powdered sugar might make them too sweet.
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Why are your pops different colors on the inside ? Was that just for fun? They look great!
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Well, I made the cream cheese mints in different colors and then when I got bored of cutting them into little pillows (you know, like baby shower mints), I created these pops with the leftover. You can see the mints here: https://veronicascornucopia.com/2011/07/27/cream-cheese-mints-peppermint-patties/
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