Introduction

As the holiday season approaches, the aroma of freshly baked cookies can transform your home into a haven of comfort and joy. Peppermint Meltaways combine a buttery, melt-in-your-mouth texture with a refreshing peppermint zing, making them perfect for festive gatherings or cozy nights in.

A white plate sitting on a white marbled surface holds a neat stack of small, round white treats with a smooth, slightly ridged edge. Each treat is decorated on top with red sprinkles forming star or swirl patterns, giving a festive look. The background is blurred with warm yellow lights, red balls, and greenery, suggesting a holiday theme. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

For the Cookies:

1 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar
1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon salt

For the Frosting:

2 tablespoons butter, softened
1 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar
2 tablespoons milk
1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract
2-3 drops red food coloring (optional)
Crushed peppermint candies, for garnish

Instructions

Step 1: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and confectioners’ sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the peppermint extract for a festive aroma.
Step 2: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, and salt. Gradually add the dry mixture to the creamed butter mixture, blending until a soft dough forms.
Step 3: Cover the dough and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to help the cookies hold their shape during baking.
Step 4: Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Roll the chilled dough into 1-inch balls and place them 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets.
Step 5: Bake for 9-11 minutes, or until the bottoms are lightly browned. Transfer the cookies to wire racks and let them cool completely.
Step 6: To make the frosting, beat the butter in a small bowl until creamy. Gradually add confectioners’ sugar, milk, peppermint extract, and red food coloring (if using), mixing until smooth and spreadable.
Step 7: Spread the frosting over the cooled cookies and sprinkle with crushed peppermint candies. Allow the frosting to set before serving.

Tips & Variations

For a stronger peppermint flavor, add an extra 1/4 teaspoon of peppermint extract to the dough or frosting.
You can substitute crushed candy canes for peppermint candies to vary the texture and look.
Use white food coloring in the frosting to keep a snowy appearance instead of red.
If you prefer, roll the dough in confectioners’ sugar before baking for an extra sweet, powdered finish.

Storage

Store the decorated cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. To preserve the frosting’s freshness, place parchment paper between layers. For longer storage, freeze the cookies unglazed for up to 3 months, then frost after thawing. Reheat gently if desired, but these cookies are best served at room temperature.

How to Serve

A white plate with a stack of nine small, round, white treats arranged in two layers on a white marbled surface. Each treat has detailed red patterns on top, some with small red dots and lines forming star shapes, and others with red sprinkles scattered over the surface. The treats have a smooth texture with vertical ridges on the sides. In the blurred background, there are red and gold round decorations and green pine needles, creating a festive feel. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, the dough can be refrigerated for up to 24 hours before shaping and baking. This helps develop the flavor and makes handling easier.

What can I use if I don’t have cornstarch?

You can substitute cornstarch with an equal amount of arrowroot powder or potato starch to maintain the tender, meltaway texture.

Peppermint Meltaways Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.4 from 110 reviews

Peppermint Meltaways are delicate, buttery cookies that melt in your mouth, perfectly complemented by a light peppermint frosting and crushed peppermint candies. These festive treats combine a soft, meltaway texture with a refreshing peppermint flavor, making them ideal for holiday celebrations, gift-giving, or cozy winter evenings. Easy to prepare and wonderfully festive, these cookies bring joyful holiday spirit to any occasion.

Author: Marco
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 11 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Yield: About 24 cookies 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale

For the Cookies

1 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar
1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon salt

For the Frosting

2 tablespoons butter, softened
1 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar
2 tablespoons milk
1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract
2–3 drops red food coloring (optional)
Crushed peppermint candies, for garnish

Instructions

Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and confectioners’ sugar using a hand mixer or stand mixer until the mixture is light and fluffy. Then, beat in the peppermint extract to infuse the dough with a festive peppermint aroma.
Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, and salt to combine evenly. Gradually add this dry mixture to the creamed butter mixture, blending gently until a soft dough forms.
Chill the Dough: Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes. Chilling helps the cookies hold their shape during baking and enhances the texture.
Shape the Cookies: Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Roll the chilled dough into 1-inch diameter balls. Place the dough balls about 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets to allow even expansion.
Bake to Perfection: Bake the cookies for 9-11 minutes, or until the bottoms are lightly browned, indicating they are done. Remove the baking sheets from the oven, then transfer the cookies to wire racks to cool completely before frosting.
Prepare the Frosting: In a small bowl, beat the softened butter until creamy. Gradually add the confectioners’ sugar, milk, peppermint extract, and red food coloring if using. Mix until the frosting is smooth and spreadable.
Decorate: Spread the prepared frosting evenly over the cooled cookies. Sprinkle crushed peppermint candies on top for garnish and let the frosting set before serving.

Notes

Chilling the dough is essential to maintain the cookie shape and achieve the perfect texture.
For a stronger peppermint flavor, adjust the peppermint extract to taste but avoid overdoing it as it can become overpowering.
Use crushed peppermint candies to add texture and festive color, but ensure they are finely crushed to avoid large chunks.
The frosting can be omitted if you prefer a simpler cookie with just the peppermint flavor in the dough.
Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week to maintain freshness.

Keywords: Peppermint meltaways, holiday cookies, peppermint cookies, buttery melt-in-your-mouth cookies, festive cookies, Christmas treats, peppermint frosting