Silky Peppermint Meltaway Cookies Recipe

Dreamy Silky Peppermint Meltaway Cookies Recipe / Soft & Sweet

Soft, buttery cookies that melt peppermint meltaway cookies on your tongue dance with festive holiday cheer.

These delicate treats promise a delightful burst of minty freshness.

Each bite offers a delicate crumb that practically dissolves in your mouth.

The powdered sugar coating adds a subtle sweetness that complements the cool peppermint flavor.

Crisp edges give way to a tender center that feels like a winter whisper.

You’ll find these cookies are perfect for sharing during Christmas gatherings or enjoying with a warm cup of cocoa.

Let these irresistible peppermint meltaways become your new favorite seasonal indulgence.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 133 kcal

Servings: 24

What You Need for Peppermint Meltaway Cookies

For Cookie Base:
  • Butter: Provides rich, creamy texture and helps cookies melt in your mouth, choose unsalted for better flavor control.
  • Powdered Sugar: Creates delicate, soft cookie crumb and adds subtle sweetness, sifted for smoother mixing.
  • Peppermint Extract: Delivers vibrant, cool minty flavor, use pure extract for most intense taste.
  • Flour: Gives structure to cookies, select all-purpose for consistent results.
  • Cornstarch: Ensures ultra-tender, delicate cookie texture, helps prevent tough cookies.
  • Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness, use fine sea salt for even distribution.
For Glaze:
  • Powdered Sugar: Creates smooth, glossy coating with perfect drizzling consistency.
  • Milk: Thins glaze and helps achieve ideal spreading texture, adjust amount for desired thickness.
  • Peppermint Extract: Reinforces mint flavor in glaze, adds extra refreshing kick.
  • Gel Food Coloring: Optional for creating festive appearance, use sparingly for pastel tint.
For Topping:
  • Candy Canes: Adds crunchy texture and extra peppermint punch, crush finely for even distribution.
  • Large mixing bowl: Essential for creaming butter and mixing dough.
  • Measuring cups and spoons: Precise ingredient measurements are key.
  • Baking sheets: Two lined with parchment paper for even cookie baking.
  • Wire cooling rack: Perfect for letting cookies cool completely.
  • Small bowl: For preparing the peppermint glaze.
  • Spoon or hand: Used to flatten cookie dough and drizzle glaze.
  • Whisk: Helps create smooth, lump-free glaze.

Peppermint Meltaways from Start to Finish

  • Butter Up the Kitchen

Grab your mixing bowl and blend soft butter with powdered sugar until it looks cloud-like and fluffy.

  • Flavor Explosion

Pour in peppermint extract and gently mix, creating a minty base that’ll make taste buds dance.

  • Flour Power

Slowly incorporate flour, cornstarch, and salt, stirring until the dough comes together smoothly.

  • Dough Shaping Adventure

Roll tiny cookie balls and place them on parchment-lined baking sheets, leaving space between each one.

  • Oven Magic

Slide the trays into a 350F oven and bake for 10-12 minutes until edges turn a delicate golden hue.

  • Cooling Countdown

Let cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling.

  • Glaze Glory

Whip up a quick glaze by mixing powdered sugar, milk, and peppermint extract until silky smooth.

  • Festive Finish

Drizzle the glaze over cooled cookies and quickly sprinkle with crushed peppermint candies for a festive touch.

Tips to Customize Peppermint Cookies

  • Perfect Chilling Technique: Refrigerate the dough for 30 minutes before shaping to prevent spreading and maintain crisp cookie edges.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare cookie dough in advance and freeze for up to 3 weeks, allowing you to bake fresh cookies anytime.
  • Gluten-Free Option: Swap regular flour with a 1:1 gluten-free blend to accommodate those with wheat sensitivities without compromising texture.
  • Dairy-Free Adaptation: Replace butter with coconut oil or vegan butter and use plant-based milk in the glaze for a dairy-free version that's equally delicious.
  • Flavor Twist: Experiment with different extracts like almond or vanilla for unique cookie variations that complement the peppermint base.

How to Serve Peppermint Meltaway Treats

  • Holiday Cookie Platter: Arrange these delicate peppermint meltaways on a festive ceramic tray alongside other seasonal cookies like gingerbread and sugar cookies for a stunning dessert display.
  • Gifting Delights: Package these cookies in clear cellophane bags tied with red and white ribbons, perfect for homemade holiday presents or teacher appreciation gifts.
  • Dessert Pairing: Serve these cookies alongside hot cocoa, peppermint tea, or vanilla bean ice cream to enhance their cool, minty flavor profile and create a delightful winter treat experience.
  • After-Dinner Treat: Offer these meltaways as a light, refreshing dessert following a hearty holiday meal, providing a sweet and crisp palate cleanser that guests will adore.
  • Smart Storage Solutions: Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
  • Freezing Magic: Wrap unbaked cookie dough balls in plastic wrap, store in freezer-safe bags, and freeze for 2-3 months. Thaw in refrigerator before baking.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare cookie dough up to 3 days in advance and refrigerate. Let dough sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before scooping and baking.
  • Glaze Prep Tricks: Mix glaze just before decorating for best consistency. Store leftover glaze in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week, stirring before reusing.
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Silky Peppermint Meltaway Cookies Recipe

Silky Peppermint Meltaway Cookies Recipe


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4.6 from 37 reviews

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 25 1x

Description

Delightful peppermint meltaway cookies provide a festive winter treat with classic holiday flavors. Crisp butter cookies melt delicately on palates, offering pure seasonal comfort for cookie enthusiasts.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (226 g / 8 oz) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 ¼ cups (156 g / 5.5 oz) all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup (60 g / 2.1 oz) cornstarch
  • ½ cup (60 g / 2.1 oz) powdered sugar
  • 1 cup (120 g / 4.2 oz) powdered sugar
  • ½ tsp peppermint extract
  • ½ tsp peppermint extract
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 2 tbsps milk (plus more as needed)
  • Optional: red or green gel food coloring
  • Crushed candy canes or peppermint candies

Instructions

  1. Oven Preparation: Preheat the oven to 350F (175C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper for optimal cookie placement.
  2. Butter Mixture: Cream butter and powdered sugar in a large mixing bowl until light and fluffy, then blend in peppermint extract to infuse aromatic flavor.
  3. Dough Formation: Gently fold flour, cornstarch, and salt into the butter mixture, mixing until ingredients are just combined and a cohesive dough emerges.
  4. Cookie Shaping: Scoop 1-inch dough balls onto prepared baking sheets, spacing them 2 inches apart, and delicately flatten each ball using the back of a spoon or fingertips.
  5. Baking Process: Bake for 10-12 minutes, monitoring for subtle golden edges that indicate perfect doneness, then allow cookies to rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire cooling rack.
  6. Glaze Creation: Whisk powdered sugar, milk, and peppermint extract in a small bowl until achieving a smooth, silky consistency, adjusting thickness with additional milk if needed and optionally incorporating gel food coloring.
  7. Finishing Touch: Once cookies have completely cooled, drizzle or spoon glaze over each cookie and immediately garnish with crushed candy canes or peppermint candies while the glaze remains wet.

Notes

  • Soften Butter Strategically: Ensure butter is at room temperature but not melted for optimal creaming, creating a light and fluffy cookie texture.
  • Handle Dough Delicately: Avoid overmixing after adding flour to prevent tough cookies; mix just until ingredients combine to maintain a tender crumb.
  • Control Glaze Consistency: Start with small amounts of milk when making the glaze, adding gradually to achieve the perfect drizzling thickness without becoming too runny.
  • Customize Flavor Variations: Experiment with different extracts like vanilla or almond for alternative taste profiles, or swap candy cane toppings with crushed chocolate or nuts for unique twists.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 25
  • Calories: 124
  • Sugar: 9.6 g
  • Sodium: 14 mg
  • Fat: 8.7 g
  • Saturated Fat: 5.3 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 3.4 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 13.5 g
  • Fiber: 0.2 g
  • Protein: 1.1 g
  • Cholesterol: 30 mg
Emily Lawson

Emily Lawson

Content Creator & Culinary Specialist

Expertise

  • Creative Content Writing and Blogging​
  • Plant-Based and Alternative Grilling Recipes​
  • Food Styling and Visual Storytelling​
  • Nutritional Analysis and Healthy Cooking

Education

Oregon Culinary Institute
Diploma in Culinary Arts
Focus: Emphasis on farm-to-table cooking, sustainable practices, and the fusion of global flavors with traditional grilling methods. ​


Emily Lawson is the content creator at Daves Grill, turning tasty ideas into clear, easy recipes. Based in Portland, she trained at the Oregon Culinary Institute and loves cooking with fresh, seasonal ingredients, especially grilled veggies and global flavors.

Emily mixes food writing with hands-on cooking to bring you recipes that feel fun, not stressful. Her goal is to make every dish simple, flavorful, and worth coming back to. Together, she and Dave serve up real food, one recipe at a time.

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