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Iced Peppermint Cookies Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 107 reviews

These Iced Peppermint Cookies are festive, crisp, and perfectly sweet with a refreshing peppermint flavor in both the cookie and the glossy royal icing. Rolled thin and baked to a light golden brown, they’re ideal for holiday celebrations or any time you crave a cool minty treat.

Ingredients

Scale

Cookie Dough

  • 2 1/4 cups (298 grams) all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt or table salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 cup (230 grams) unsalted butter, at room temperature, plus more for pan
  • 3/4 cup (149 grams) granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg yolk
  • 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract

Royal Icing

  • 3 ¾ cups (454 grams) powdered sugar
  • 3 large egg whites
  • 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
  • Pinch of fine sea salt or table salt
  • 3 drops peppermint extract, plus more to taste
  • Food coloring (red), as needed

Instructions

  1. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, sift together the flour, salt, and baking powder to ensure even distribution.
  2. Cream Butter and Sugar: Using an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the unsalted butter and granulated sugar on medium speed until the mixture is fluffy and lightened in color, about 2 to 4 minutes. Then beat in the egg yolk and peppermint extract until fully combined.
  3. Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Set the mixer to low speed and gradually add the sifted flour mixture, mixing just until incorporated. Scrape down the sides as needed to make sure the dough comes together evenly.
  4. Chill the Dough: Form the dough into a ball and flatten it into a 1-inch-thick disk. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. The dough can be stored refrigerated for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw frozen dough overnight in the fridge before use.
  5. Prepare for Baking: When ready, preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
  6. Roll and Cut Dough: Unwrap the chilled dough and place it between two sheets of parchment paper. Roll it out to about 1/4-inch thickness. Remove the top sheet of parchment and use a floured 2-inch round cookie cutter to stamp out cookies. Arrange them at least 1/2 inch apart on the prepared sheets. Re-roll scraps to make additional cookies.
  7. Bake the Cookies: Bake the cookies for 13 to 17 minutes, rotating the pans halfway through baking until the edges and bottoms are golden brown. Transfer baked cookies to wire racks to cool completely.
  8. Prepare Royal Icing: In a clean mixing bowl fitted with the whisk attachment, combine powdered sugar, egg whites, cream of tartar, salt, and 3 drops of peppermint extract. Whisk on high speed until the mixture is stiff and glossy. Add water a little at a time if icing is too thick for spreading. Taste and adjust peppermint extract as needed to maintain a strong flavor.
  9. Tint the Icing: Divide the royal icing into two small bowls. Cover one bowl with plastic wrap to keep it from drying out — this will remain white. Stir red food coloring into the other bowl until you achieve a vibrant, even color. Tap bowls lightly to remove air bubbles.
  10. Decorate the Cookies: Working one cookie at a time, spoon the red icing onto one half of the cookie, aiming for a clean, straight line through the center. Allow the red icing to dry completely. Then spoon the white icing onto the other half of the cookie and let the icing set fully before handling or storing.

Notes

  • The peppermint flavor in the icing fades over a few days, so increase the peppermint extract if you plan to keep the cookies longer than two days.
  • Dough can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 2 months, making these cookies ideal for preparation in advance.
  • Use parchment paper for rolling the dough to avoid sticking and make transferring easier.
  • Ensure egg whites used in the royal icing are fresh and pasteurized if serving to vulnerable populations.
  • When coloring the icing, mix gently to avoid creating air bubbles that can mar the icing finish.

Keywords: peppermint cookies, iced cookies, holiday cookies, royal icing, peppermint extract, festive cookies

Find it online: https://flavorsbymaya.com/iced-peppermint-cookies-recipe/