Peppermint Meltaways Recipe
Peppermint Meltaways are delicate, buttery cookies infused with refreshing peppermint flavor. These soft, melt-in-your-mouth treats are topped with a creamy peppermint frosting and garnished with crushed peppermint candies, making them a perfect festive addition to holiday celebrations or cozy winter gatherings.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: Approximately 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
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, use a hand mixer or stand mixer to beat together the softened butter and confectioners’ sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. Add the peppermint extract and mix well to infuse the cookies with a refreshing mint aroma.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, and salt to combine evenly. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the creamed butter mixture and mix until just combined, forming a soft dough.
- Chill the Dough: Cover the dough with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This chilling step is crucial for helping the cookies hold their shape while baking.
- Shape the Cookies: Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Remove the dough from the refrigerator and shape it into 1-inch balls. Arrange the balls on ungreased baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for slight spreading.
- Bake to Perfection: Bake in the preheated oven for 9 to 11 minutes, or until the bottoms of the cookies are lightly browned. Remove 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 optional red food coloring, mixing until smooth and spreadable.
- Decorate: Spread the peppermint frosting evenly over the cooled cookies. Sprinkle crushed peppermint candies on top for a festive garnish. Allow the frosting to set slightly before serving.
Notes
- Chilling the dough is essential to prevent excessive spreading during baking.
- For a stronger peppermint flavor, adjust the peppermint extract slightly but avoid overpowering the delicate butter taste.
- Red food coloring is optional and adds a festive look but can be omitted for a classic white frosting.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- These cookies pair wonderfully with hot cocoa or peppermint tea to enhance the minty experience.
Keywords: Peppermint Meltaways, peppermint cookies, holiday cookies, meltaway cookies, peppermint frosting, festive desserts, Christmas cookies
Find it online: https://tastygenius.com/peppermint-meltaways-recipe/
