Peppermint Meltaways

These must try festive Peppermint Meltaway Cookies are the ultimate Christmas treat! Soft, buttery cookies infused with peppermint flavor, topped with creamy icing and crushed candy canes for the perfect holiday sparkle. They truly melt in your mouth and make a beautiful addition to any holiday cookie platter or Christmas cookie exchange.

Try my grandma’s shortbread, cranberry pistachio shortbread cookies, peppermint chocolate chip whipped shortbread next!

this recipe!

The Best Christmas Peppermint Cookies That Melt in Your Mouth

These easy peppermint meltaway cookies with candy cane topping are absolutely delicious! The exquisite texture of the crumb in this cookie is so fine that it literally ‘melts’ in your mouth.

With every bite, you get a burst of sweet peppermint from the creamy icing and crushed candy canes — no wonder these cookies disappear fast from any holiday cookie platter!

Every year I love trying new holiday baking recipes, and there’s always one that surprises me. These shortbread cookies were a big hit even with non peppermint lovers —no one asked for them until they took a bite!

Why you’ll love this recipe

• Other than the 1 hour chill time, these are really quick and easy to prepare and make little mess in the kitchen
• Minty fresh flavor with melt in your mouth shortbread deliciousness
• These cookies are a total show off holiday cookies dressed to impress
• Easily customized and not just for Christmas but for Halloween and Easter
• I really like how this recipe makes a relatively small batch of 30.

Ingredients

• All purpose flour
• Cornstarch
• Salt
• Unsalted butter
• Salted butter
• Powdered sugar
• Peppermint extract
• Half and half cream
• Crushed peppermint candy canes

NOTE: the original recipe calls for unsalted butter in the cookie dough and salted in the icing. I realize that not everyone has both types on hand and I tested the cookies with salted butter as well and they tasted delicious and NOT salt-flavoured at all. So, don’t be running to the grocery store if you don’t need to.

How to make these peppermint Christmas cookies

Cookie Dough

STEP ONE – In a medium mixing bowl, combine the flour, cornstarch and salt.

STEP TWO – Using a stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment, or medium bowl with mixer, cream together the butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy.

STEP THREE – Add in the peppermin extract and mix for 10 seconds, just to combine.

STEP FOUR – Gradualy add in the flour mixture and mix until well combined.

STEP FIVE – Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill in refrigerator for 1 hour.

Meanwhile, Make the Peppermint Frosting for Cookies

STEP SIX – In a stand mixer, beat together butter and powdered sugar. Add in the half and half and beat for 1 minutes.

You might need to add a little more of the half and half to reach a spreadable consistency. Add 1 teaspoon at a time.

STEP SEVEN – Once the dough is done chilling, use a cookie scoop to measure out 1 Tablespoon of dough and roll into balls. Place the cookie dough balls 2 inches apart on a parchment-lined baking sheet (or silicone baking mat).

STEP EIGHT – Bake in 350°F oven for 10 – 12 minutes. The bottoms will be very lightly browned.

STEP NINE – Cool the bakes cookies on the cookie sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to wire racks.

STEP TEN – Once cool, frost each cookie with frosting and sprinkle with crushed peppermint candy canes on top of each cookie.

How to make the crushed candy cane topping

To crush candy canes, break them up into pieces and place in a zippered plastic bag and seal.

Using a chopping board and a rolling pin, firmly press down to break candy canes into bits continuing until they reach desired size.

Makes 30 cookies.

Variations

One of the best thing about these peppermint cookies is that they are so easy to customize to make them the perfect cookie for your holiday theme like Halloween, Easter and even baby or bridal showers.

You could use a cream cheese frosting, buttercream and even chocolate frosting. Use food coloring in the frosting to get your desired color for your holiday theme.

Add in your favorite chopped nuts like pistachio, pecans, hazelnuts or walnuts to the dough or frosting or both.

Sandra’s tips for making the best peppermint meltways

• Use butter and eggs at room temperature for the best baking results
• Using the best quality ingredients always make a big difference in baking cookies
• Measure the flour properly using the scoop and level off method
• Do not over work the dough
• Use a cookie scoop to get nice uniform cookies

Storage

You can store in an airtight container for 2 days or in the fridge for 5 – 7 days. Use parchment paper to separate the layers of cookies.

Freeze using a freezer-safe container for 2 -3 months, using parchment paper to separate the cookie layers.

Thaw in the fridge or at room temperature before serving and enjoying.

Keep in my the consistency of the icing can change in the freezer, but this icing is thicker which can freeze better.