These Peppermint Meltaway Cookies are as festive as they are delicious, with a delicate, melt-in-your-mouth texture and a refreshing peppermint flavor. Perfect for the holiday season, these cookies are topped with a creamy peppermint frosting and sprinkled with crushed candy canes for a burst of holiday cheer. They’re easy to make and ideal for gift-giving, cookie exchanges, or simply indulging in a sweet, minty treat at home.
Ingredients
Cookies
- 1¼ cups (178g) all-purpose flour, scooped and leveled
- ½ cup (68g) cornstarch, scooped and leveled
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup (68g) powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon peppermint extract
Peppermint Frosting
- 2 tablespoons (28g) salted butter, softened
- 2 tablespoons half-and-half
- ¼ teaspoon peppermint extract
- 1½ cups (200g) powdered sugar
- ¼ cup (42g) finely crushed peppermint bits or candy canes, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place a sheet of parchment paper on a baking tray for easy cleanup.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, and salt until well combined.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and powdered sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Add the peppermint extract and mix until combined.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the flour mixture to the creamed butter mixture, beating until just combined.
- Form Cookies: Using a tablespoon or small cookie scoop, roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Carefully press each ball down using the back of a spoon or your fingertips.
- Bake: Bake the cookies for 9-11 minutes, or until the edges are set but not browned. Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for a few minutes before moving them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Cream Butter and Add Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, beat the softened butter until smooth. Add the half-and-half, peppermint extract, and powdered sugar, and beat until the frosting is creamy and smooth. Adjust the consistency by adding more half-and-half if the frosting is too thick, or more powdered sugar if it’s too thin.
- Frost and Garnish: Once the cookies have cooled completely, spread a small amount of frosting on each cookie and sprinkle with crushed peppermint bits or candy canes for a festive touch.
- Serve or Store: Serve immediately, or store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Conclusion:
These Peppermint Meltaway Cookies are the ultimate holiday treat, combining a light, tender cookie base with a refreshing peppermint frosting and crunchy candy cane topping. Each bite melts in your mouth, delivering a festive peppermint flavor that’s perfect for the season. Easy to make and beautiful to present, these cookies are sure to add a sweet, cheerful touch to any holiday celebration.
