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These Leftover Mashed Potato Peppermint Patties have only 4 ingredients and are so easy to make! Use any flavor of mashed potatoes to create this simple candy that taste just like a York Peppermint Patty!

 

 

 

Have you ever asked the question, “What can I make with Leftover Mashed Potatoes?”

Or perhaps you’ve searched Google or Pinterest for ‘Leftover Mashed Potato Recipes”?

I certainly have over the years.

It’s been one of my goals over the last 2 years to create recipes that re-purpose leftover Mashed Potatoes into new and exciting recipes.

Mashed potatoes are a year round side dish that just about everyone loves.

Which is why there is an unwritten rule that you must make twice as many potatoes as you need.

Because we all want leftovers!  Right?!

However, sometimes you make too many mashed potatoes and ask what to do with leftover mashed potatoes.  

I say re-purpose them into tasty new recipes that will make your taste buds do a jig!

Adding mashed potatoes into various recipes is smart thinking and a great way to use them up!

When I take food to my daughters school, it’s not an uncommon question for them to ask if mashed potatoes are hiding inside the baked goods.

Questions like that always make me smile.

 

 

I feel a bit like a parent hiding a vegetable inside a smoothie or cookie, just to get my kids to eat them.

Here’s a fun fact, you may or may not relate to.

My kids HATE mashed potatoes.

They refuse to eat them and are pretty sure I’m trying to poison them every time I serve them.

Despite their dislike of mashed potatoes they LOVE all the recipes that I make that have mashed potatoes hiding inside.

My Leftover mashed potato cinnamon rolls are hands down the best ever.  

And my kids LOVE them.  

Despite my kids disliking mashed potatoes, they sure do like these Leftover Mashed Potato Peppermint Patties.

These Leftover Mashed Potato Peppermint Patties has them all stumped though.

 

 

They can’t seem to wrap their minds around the fact that they are eating highly sugared mashed potatoes dipped in chocolate.

That’s because these TASTE LIKE a peppermint patty.

They do not taste like last nights garlic mashed potatoes.

Nor do they taste like grandma’s dry mashed potatoes.

Instead they taste just like a peppermint patty.

The trick to these is you need to use REAL mashed potatoes, made with REAL potatoes.

No flakes, or substitutes, we’re talking the real deal.

What if you want to make these but don’t have leftover mashed potatoes on hand?

Instead of whipping up a fresh batch of mashed potatoes, you can purchase some pre-made REAL mashed potatoes, OR just bake or boil up some potatoes and use those! 

 

 

If you’ve never used peppermint extract before then I’ll clue you in to why your flavor of mashed potatoes doesn’t matter.

Peppermint extract is really strong. 

The potatoes will absorb the flavor of the extract and that will overpower any flavor of mashed potatoes you start with.

I should put a disclaimer here that I’ve tried several kinds of mashed potatoes and every time all I taste is a homemade peppermint patty.

If you have different results, please let me know!

This year, you’re probably making homemade caramels, peanut brittle and candied nuts.

All of which are delicious and make great gifts.

However, if you have a fridge full of leftover mashed potatoes, you should skip the other homemade candy and try this homemade Peppermint Patty recipe instead!

 

 

What is the history of the Peppermint Patty?

Peppermint Patty candy was created in 1940 by Henry Kessler of York, Pennsylvania.   The name York originates from both the city in which the peppermint patty was originally created as well as Mr. Kessler’s company name York Cone Company.  

One of the distinct features a York Peppermint Patty has in comparison to other peppermint candy is the snap in which it gives when broken in half.  The snap is not a vocal snap, simply the candies ability to break in the center without bending.  If a good snap occurs then the product is perfect.  If the patty bends, it’s imperfect.

 

 

Where did Peanuts character Peppermint Patty get her name?

If you have ever wondered if the name Peppermint Patty in the Peanuts comic strip had any correlation to the candy, you would be correct.  

Originally named Patricia Reichardt, “Peppermint Patty” went by the name patty after Schulz’s favorite cousin.  

Peppermint Patty is known for her tom boy look, ignorance to common sense and her crush on Charlie Brown.  There is no proof that his favorite cousin had any of these same characteristics, just the name.

Peppermint Patty is also the only character that called Charlie “Chuck” and his sister Lucy as “Lucille.”  She is an Auburn brunette with freckles and generally found in shorts and sandals.

It wasn’t until Schulz saw a bowl of Peppermint Patty Candy in his home that he thought of using the name on his cartoon character.  Shulz thought the name was so good, he started using it before any other artist could come up with the same idea. 

 

 

What other recipes can I make with leftover mashed potatoes?

• Loaded Mashed Potato Cakes
• Leftover Mashed Potato Cinnamon Rolls
• Porcupine Meatballs over Mashed Potatoes
• Shepherd’s Pie
• Leftover Mashed Potato Bread
• Cranberry Chili Meatballs over Mashed Potatoes
• Salisbury Steak Casserole
• Leftover Mashed Potato Rolls
• BBQ Sirloin Tips over Mashed Potatoes

Leftover mashed potatoes can be transformed into a myriad of possibilities.

Instead re-purpose them into these tasty Leftover Mashed Potato Peppermint Patties!  

Everyone, including yourself, will be surprised at how a few simple ingredients can taste nothing like mashed potatoes!  

A fun treat for anyone who is a York Peppermint Patty fan!

 

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