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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- Whip softened butter and powdered sugar in a mixing bowl until light and airy, incorporating peppermint extract for a festive fragrance.
- Sift together flour, cornstarch, and salt in a separate bowl, then gently fold into the creamy butter mixture until a smooth dough forms.
- 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.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper for easy cookie removal.
- Gently roll the chilled dough into uniform 1-inch spheres, positioning them evenly with sufficient spacing to prevent merging during baking.
- Slide the cookie sheets into the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, watching for delicate golden edges as an indicator of doneness.
- While cookies cool completely, prepare the frosting by creaming butter, then gradually introducing powdered sugar, milk, peppermint extract, and optional food coloring.
- 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