Pattie or Patty?

With chocolate being a primary gift at Valentine's, what is more refreshing than a peppermint pattie? or is it patty? Um-m-m-m? Pattie refers to a meat product. According to the dictionary, patty is more correct for the candy. Perhaps this one was a matter of choice by the candy companies. Since it is commonplace to dine out on Valentine's evening, more than likely at the end of the meal you will enjoy a cool, refreshing, minty chocolate peppermint. Betcha' won't leave it simply because it is spelled with the "ie"...pattie!

One of the most well-known peppermint patties on the market is the York Peppermint Pattie. The year 1940 marks the first production of the peppermint creme confection encased by rich dark chocolate. It was first produced in York, Pennsylvania, by Henry C. Kessler at his York Cone Company. Many chocolate-covered peppermints had been made before the York came on the market, but Kessler's version was firm and crisp, while the competition was soft and gooey.

BUT WAIT! There is another Peppermint Patty and this one is definitely spelled ending in the "y". She is a fictional character featured in Charles M. Schulz' comic strip Peanuts. She made her first appearance on August 22, 1966. Peppermint Patty had a strong friendship with Snoopy. For a long time she seemed unaware that Snoopy was a dog, referring to him as "the funny looking kid with the big nose." Valentine's is special for Peppermint Patty since she developed a crush on Pig-Pen for a while in 1980. Charlie Brown set them up on a date for a Valentine's Day dance. Just another love story...

With those tidbits of trivia behind us, let's go forth and celebrate. Make this day a truly minty day but only if it is covered in chocolate!

February 11 is...

Peppermint Patty (or Pattie) Day

 It's all about the candy!

Peppermint patties are readily available in store and online but that's not all...you can make your own. Yep! Homemade! Take a close look at the image. Is it store bought or homemade? Click the image to find out...

Five Food Finds about Peppermint Patties

1.  In 1940 York Cone Co. produces the first Peppermint Patties.
2.  Peppermint Patties were sold only in northeastern states until 1975.
3.  Peppermint Patties have one of the least about of calories and fat compared to other nationally popular candy bars.
4. Charles Schulz introduced “Peppermint Patty” to his Peanuts comic strip on August 22, 1966.
5.  Patricia Reichardt is Peppermint Patty’s actual name.

On this day, you are not limited just to eating the pattie (or patty)! Check out these scrumptious recipes...

Peppermint Patty Chocolate Drop Cookies (Recipe)

Everyone will love these chocolate and peppermint bark cookies topped with a candy cane Hershey Kiss. Fun and festive!

Peppermint Patty Flourless Chocolate Cake (Recipe)

It has the depth of chocolate flavor that only a flourless chocolate cake can capture.  Then the cake is topped with a layer of peppermint-flavored white chocolate. Finally the whole thing is topped with bittersweet chocolate ganache. Sounds totally sinful!

Hershey's, the largest candy maker in the U.S., closed its manufacturing plant in Reading, Pennsylvania on February 20, 2009. York Peppermint Patties will now be produced at their new factory in Monterey, Mexico.

York Peppermint Patty Brownies (Recipe)

Recipe is on the back of the bag of York miniature Peppermint Patties.

Chocolate Peppermint Patty Cookies (Recipe)

This is definitely a decadent chocolate cookie recipe!

 
 Peppermint Patty Sandwich Cookies ( Recipe)

A Food Network fav from the kitchen of Giada De Laurentiis!

Chocolate Peppermint Cupcakes (Recipe)

 These Chocolate Peppermint Cupcakes show off an easy homemade chocolate cupcake topped with peppermint frosting and cute little mini York Peppermint Patties.

 

 

 

yum, yum, yum . . . yummy!