Peppermint Meltaways: A Festive Delight Recipe
These Peppermint Meltaways are soft, buttery cookies infused with refreshing peppermint flavor, topped with creamy peppermint frosting and sprinkled with festive crushed peppermint candies. Perfectly tender with a melt-in-your-mouth texture, they make a delightful holiday treat ideal for sharing or gifting.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: About 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 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
Frosting
- 2 tablespoons butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract
- 2 to 3 drops red food coloring (optional)
- Crushed peppermint candies for garnish
Instructions
- Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, use a hand mixer or stand mixer to cream together the softened butter and confectioners’ sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. Beat in the peppermint extract to infuse the dough with a fresh, minty aroma.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the creamed butter mixture, combining thoroughly until a smooth dough forms.
- Chill the Dough: Cover the dough with plastic wrap and chill it in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This step helps the cookies maintain their shape during baking and improves texture.
- Shape the Cookies: Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Shape the chilled dough into 1-inch balls and place them about 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets, allowing space for gentle spreading.
- Bake to Perfection: Bake the cookies for 9 to 11 minutes, or until the bottoms are lightly browned and edges are set. Remove from oven and transfer the cookies to wire racks to cool completely before frosting.
- Make 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, mixing until the frosting is smooth and pipeable.
- Decorate: Spread or pipe the peppermint frosting over the cooled cookies. Immediately sprinkle with crushed peppermint candies for a festive touch. Allow the frosting to set before serving or storing.
Notes
- Be sure to chill the dough well to prevent spreading and preserve the cookie shape.
- Use softened butter to ensure easier mixing and a better texture.
- For a stronger peppermint flavor, add an extra 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract to the dough or frosting as preferred.
- Crushed peppermint candies can be replaced with colored sugar or sprinkles for a different festive look.
- Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days or freeze for longer storage.
Keywords: Peppermint Meltaways, peppermint cookies, holiday cookies, Christmas cookies, meltaway cookies, peppermint frosting, festive desserts
