Sweet & Dreamy Peppermint Meltaways Recipe for Holiday Magic

These delicate peppermint meltaways dance between crisp and creamy, melting softly with a cool minty whisper that captures holiday cheer.

Winter gatherings call for sweet treats that spark conversation and warm hearts.

Each buttery cookie carries a delicate peppermint essence that lingers delightfully on the palate.

The recipe combines simple ingredients with elegant technique, creating morsels that look professionally crafted.

Powdered sugar dusts these tender cookies like fresh snowfall, adding a festive touch.

Light, airy, and irresistibly smooth, these meltaways promise to become your new favorite seasonal indulgence.

Serve them alongside hot cocoa and watch everyone’s eyes light up with pure delight.

FAQs

• Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?

Yes, but reduce added salt in the recipe to prevent oversalting.

• How can I prevent cookies from spreading too much?

Chill the dough thoroughly and ensure your butter isn’t too soft before mixing.

• What if I don't have peppermint extract?

You can substitute with vanilla extract for a classic sugar cookie flavor, or use almond extract for a different twist.

• Is it necessary to use cornstarch in this recipe?

Cornstarch helps create a softer, more delicate texture in the cookies, but you can omit it if needed, though the texture might be slightly different.

Sweet Holiday Treats: Reasons to Savor Each Bite

• Whip Up Holiday Cheer: These peppermint cookies bring festive joy with their simple ingredients and delightful flavors that capture the magic of the season.
• Master Beginner-Friendly Baking: Perfect for novice bakers, this recipe requires basic kitchen skills and minimal complicated techniques, making it a stress-free holiday treat.
• Create Crowd-Pleasing Dessert: Guaranteed to impress family and friends, these cookies offer a classic combination of buttery texture and refreshing peppermint that appeals to all ages.
• Customize with Ease: Flexible recipe allows for personal touches like food coloring or extra peppermint candies, letting bakers add their own festive flair to the classic cookie.

What’s Needed for Sweet Holiday Treats

• Butter: A rich, creamy base that provides flavor and helps create a tender texture in the cookies.
• Confectioners' Sugar: Adds sweetness and contributes to the light, delicate texture of the cookies.
• Flour: The primary structure-building ingredient that gives the cookies their classic shape and consistency.
• Cornstarch: Helps create a softer, more delicate cookie texture.

• Peppermint Extract: Provides a cool, refreshing mint flavor characteristic of holiday treats.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor profile of the cookies.

• Milk, Food Coloring, Crushed Peppermint Candies: Optional additions that add visual appeal and extra flavor to the holiday cookies.

How to Prepare Sweet Holiday Treats

Step 1: Craft Creamy Base

Grab your electric mixer and blend softened butter with powdered sugar until the mixture becomes light and airy.

Pour in the peppermint extract and mix thoroughly to infuse that delightful holiday flavor.

Step 2: Combine Dry Elements

• All-purpose flour
• Cornstarch
• Salt

Slowly incorporate these dry ingredients into the butter mixture, stirring gently until a smooth dough forms.

Step 3: Chill and Rest

Cover your cookie dough with plastic wrap and tuck it into the refrigerator.

Let it relax and firm up for a minimum of 30 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the texture to become perfect.

Step 4: Preheat Oven

Warm up your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, creating the ideal baking environment for these delicate treats.

Step 5: Shape Delicate Cookies

Roll the chilled dough into small, uniform balls about 1 inch in diameter.

Arrange these little gems on ungreased baking sheets, spacing them 2 inches apart to ensure even baking.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Slide the baking sheets into the preheated oven.

Bake for 9-11 minutes, watching for a subtle golden brown color on the bottom edges of the cookies.

Step 7: Prepare Creamy Frosting

Whip up a dreamy frosting by beating butter until smooth.

• Powdered sugar
• Milk
• Peppermint extract
• Optional food coloring

Mix until the frosting reaches a silky, spreadable consistency.

Step 8: Decorate with Festive Flair

Once the cookies have completely cooled, generously spread the peppermint frosting on top.

Sprinkle crushed peppermint candies over the frosted cookies for a delightful crunch and extra holiday spirit.

Holiday Treats – Tips for Homemade Success

• Refrigerate dough for at least 30 minutes to prevent spreading and maintain cookie shape during baking.
• Use a light touch when forming 1-inch balls, keeping them uniform for even baking and professional appearance.
• Watch cookies closely and remove from oven when bottoms are just lightly browned to ensure soft, tender texture.
• Let cookies cool completely before frosting to prevent melting and ensure a smooth, clean decoration.
• Crush peppermint candies finely for an elegant garnish that adds both crunch and festive holiday flair.

Sweet Holiday Treats: Tasty Variations

• Gluten-Free Peppermint Cookies: Replace wheat flour with almond or coconut flour for a celiac-friendly version, maintaining the same creamy texture and minty flavor.
• Vegan Candy Cane Treats: Swap butter with coconut oil, use powdered sugar alternative, and incorporate plant-based milk for a dairy-free holiday cookie.
• Low-Sugar Peppermint Delicacies: Substitute regular sugar with stevia or monk fruit sweetener, reducing overall calorie content while preserving the festive taste.
• Chocolate-Dipped Peppermint Bites: After baking, partially coat cookies in melted dark chocolate for an extra layer of rich, decadent flavor.

Serving Up Sweet Holiday Treats with Style

• Winter Wonderland Plating: Arrange cookies on a festive white plate with a light dusting of powdered sugar, resembling fresh snow.
• Peppermint Party Presentation: Stack cookies in a clear glass jar, alternating with whole peppermint candies for a colorful holiday display.
• Gift-Ready Packaging: Wrap cookies in clear cellophane with a red ribbon, creating a charming homemade gift perfect for teachers or neighbors.
• Cocoa Companion: Serve alongside a steaming mug of hot chocolate, letting the peppermint cookies complement the warm beverage's rich flavor.

Best Storage for Sweet Holiday Treats

• Store completely cooled cookies in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. These treats stay fresh for up to 5 days at room temperature.
• Wrap unfrosted cookies tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bags. Frozen cookies maintain their quality for 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature before decorating.
• Keep frosted cookies in a single layer to preserve their delicate design. Place wax paper between layers if stacking is necessary. Consume within 3-4 days for best taste and texture.

Peppermint Meltaways Recipe

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4.6 from 22 reviews

• Total Time: 57 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Sweet holiday cheer meets classic Christmas magic in these delightful Peppermint Meltaways, melting smoothly on your palate with creamy butter and cool mint essence. Delicate cookies crumble gently, whisking guests into festive celebrations with one irresistible bite.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 cup (227 grams) butter, softened
• 1 1/4 cups (156 grams) all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup (64 grams) cornstarch

Sweeteners and Flavoring:

• 1/2 cup (60 grams) confectioners’ sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Frosting Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons (28 grams) butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups (180 grams) confectioners’ sugar
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) milk
• 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract
• 2–3 drops red food coloring (optional)
• Crushed peppermint candies for garnish

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Instructions

1. Whip softened butter and powdered sugar in a mixing bowl until light and airy, incorporating peppermint extract for a festive fragrance.
2. Sift together flour, cornstarch, and salt in a separate bowl, then gently fold into the creamy butter mixture until a smooth dough forms.
3. Wrap the dough in plastic film and allow it to rest in the refrigerator for 30 minutes, helping it firm up and develop richer flavors.
4. Preheat the oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper for easy cookie removal.
5. Gently roll the chilled dough into uniform 1-inch spheres, positioning them evenly with sufficient spacing to prevent merging during baking.
6. Slide the cookie sheets into the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, watching for delicate golden edges as an indicator of doneness.
7. While cookies cool completely, prepare the frosting by creaming butter, then gradually introducing powdered sugar, milk, peppermint extract, and optional food coloring.
8. Once cookies have reached room temperature, generously spread the peppermint frosting and garnish with crushed candy cane pieces for a festive touch.

Notes

• Chilling the dough helps prevent spreading and creates a more tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture for the cookies.
• Use room temperature butter for smoother mixing and better incorporation of ingredients into the dough.
• For gluten-free option, substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend that includes xanthan gum for proper texture.
• Crush peppermint candies finely for a more elegant look and even distribution of festive crunch on top of the frosted cookies.

• Prep Time: 45 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 200
• Sugar: 18 g
• Sodium: 50 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 26 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg