Peppermint Meltaways: A Festive Delight Recipe
Peppermint Meltaways are delicate, buttery cookies infused with refreshing peppermint flavor and topped with a smooth peppermint frosting and crushed candy garnish. These festive treats melt in your mouth, making them perfect for holiday celebrations or cozy winter gatherings.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 11 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 1 minute
- Yield: About 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
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, 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 these dry ingredients to the creamed mixture, blending until fully combined into a smooth dough.
- Chill the Dough: Cover the dough with plastic wrap and chill it in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. Chilling helps the cookies maintain their shape during baking.
- Shape the Cookies: Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Roll the chilled dough into 1-inch balls and place them 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets to prevent spreading together.
- Bake to Perfection: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 9 to 11 minutes until the bottoms turn lightly browned. Remove the baking sheets from the 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 confectioners’ sugar, milk, peppermint extract, and if desired, red food coloring. Mix until the frosting is smooth and spreadable.
- Decorate: Spread the peppermint frosting evenly over the cooled cookies. Sprinkle crushed peppermint candies over the frosting for a festive, crunchy garnish. Let the frosting set before serving.
Notes
- Ensure the butter is softened for easy creaming and smooth dough texture.
- Chilling the dough is essential to prevent excessive spreading and maintain the cookie shape.
- Use crushed peppermint candies freshly for best texture; avoid soggy garnishes.
- Optional red food coloring adds a festive touch but can be omitted for a natural appearance.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
Keywords: Peppermint Meltaways, peppermint cookies, holiday cookies, Christmas treats, festive desserts, buttery cookies, peppermint frosting
