Name: Peppermint Meltaway Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 1 h
Cook time: 14 min
Total time: 1 h 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup (16 Tbsp; 226g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature; 2/3 cup (80g) confectioners’ sugar; 1 egg yolk, at room temperature; 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract; 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract; 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled); 1/4 cup (30g) cornstarch; 1 teaspoon baking powder; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 6 Tablespoons (85g) unsalted butter, softened; 1 and 1/2 cups (180g) confectioners’ sugar; 1–2 Tablespoons milk, at room temperature (dairy or nondairy); 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract; 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract; 1 drop red or pink food coloring (optional); 1/4 cup (40g) crushed candy canes (about 2–3 large candy canes)

Nothing quite says cozy like soft, buttery cookies with a hint of refreshing peppermint. This Peppermint Meltaway Cookies Recipe brings together that perfect melt-in-your-mouth texture and festive flavor that makes every bite a little celebration. Trust me, once you try these, they'll become your holiday staple!

The image shows a stack of three round, soft cookies with a light beige color. Between each cookie is a thick layer of light pink frosting with small pieces of red and white candy sprinkled inside. The top cookie has a bit taken from it, revealing a soft, crumbly inside. The cookies and frosting rest on a white plate with a wavy edge, placed on a white marbled surface. The background is soft and blurred with more cookies out of focus. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Peppermint Meltaway Cookies Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Peppermint Meltaway Cookies Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Peppermint Meltaway Cookies Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This recipe feels like a warm hug from your kitchen. What makes these cookies stand out is their delicate balance: buttery and tender like shortbread, yet with a slight cakey lift that makes them irresistibly light. Preparing and baking them is straightforward, plus the peppermint frosting adds just the right festive kick.

Unmatched Texture: The cornstarch in the dough creates a soft, meltaway effect you’ll crave.
Perfect Peppermint Flavor: Real peppermint extract in both dough and frosting gives an authentic festive taste without overpowering.
Simple But Elegant: Minimal ingredients combine for a classy cookie that looks and tastes like you worked harder.
Frosting with a Twist: The buttercream frosting is silky smooth, easily customizable with color, and topped with crushed candy canes for crunch.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient plays a crucial role here to achieve those tender, buttery cookies. I always recommend using quality butter and confectioners’ sugar for a light texture and pure flavor. Plus, peppermint extract is a must-have to capture that classic holiday vibe.

Flat lay of a few large cubes of unsalted butter, a small white ceramic bowl filled with fine white confectioners' sugar, one whole clean egg with an uncracked shell, a small white ceramic bowl containing clear vanilla extract, a small white ceramic bowl holding clear peppermint extract, a simple mound of all-purpose flour, a neat pile of fine white cornstarch, a small heap of light beige baking powder powder, a small pinch of fine salt on the white ceramic surface, a small white ceramic bowl filled with pale milk, and a small white ceramic bowl with crushed red and white candy canes, all arranged symmetrically and balanced, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Unsalted butter: Using unsalted butter allows you to control the salt level perfectly, resulting in a buttery, creamy texture.
Confectioners’ sugar: Essential for that soft crumb—it dissolves smoothly, unlike granulated sugar, helping the meltaway effect.
Egg yolk: It enriches the dough, keeping cookies tender and moist without making them cakey.
Vanilla extract: Adds a subtle warmth and depth that complements peppermint beautifully.
Peppermint extract: This gives the signature mint flavor; don’t substitute with mint oil to avoid bitterness.
All-purpose flour: The base of the dough, spooned and leveled for accuracy to keep cookies light.
Cornstarch: The secret weapon! It keeps the cookies soft and crumbly, contributing to that delicate meltaway texture.
Baking powder: Just enough leavening to gently lift the cookies without making them cakey.
Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances flavor.
Milk (for frosting): Helps achieve buttery frosting texture and smooth spreading consistency.
Crushed candy canes (optional): Adds festive crunch and bright pops of flavor on top.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love tweaking recipes a bit, and this Peppermint Meltaway Cookies Recipe is no exception. Whether you want to dial back the peppermint for a subtle hint or spice up the frosting color for an event, it’s all about making this recipe your own.

Less Peppermint: When I first made these, I found the peppermint extract quite bold, so I tone it down halfway through frosting—feel free to adjust to your taste!
Frosting Color Play: For Christmas, I add a tiny drop of red food coloring to the frosting for a pretty pink tint; turquoise or green would be great for other occasions.
Gluten-Free Version: I once swapped in a gluten-free flour blend and cornstarch combination, and the cookies came out just as tender—just be mindful of your blend’s absorption.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Peppermint Meltaway Cookies Recipe

A white marbled surface holds a black cooling rack with two rows of round, light tan cookies. The top row shows seven cookies, each with a smooth layer of pale pink frosting that has a creamy texture and some small red sprinkles on top. Above the rack, a small white bowl holds more of the pink frosting with a black-handled spatula resting inside it. To the left of the rack, a woman's hand is spreading the pink frosting onto one of the cookies. Nearby, a small white bowl with pink crushed candy sits on a white cloth that has two red and white striped candy canes resting on it. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Cream Your Butter and Sugar Like a Pro

Start by beating the softened butter until it’s creamy—this usually takes about a minute on medium speed. Then add the confectioners’ sugar, start low to avoid a sugar cloud, and gradually beat on medium-high for 2 minutes until fluffy and pale. Scrape the bowl sides as you go to ensure everything mixes evenly.

Step 2: Add Your Egg Yolk and Extracts

Pop in the egg yolk along with vanilla and peppermint extracts, then whip it up on high speed until just combined. This step is key for that smooth, flavorful base, so take your time—scrape down the bowl to catch all that goodness.

Step 3: Blend in the Dry Ingredients Gently

Sift together your flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt. Add them slowly to your creamed mixture and beat on low speed just until combined. The dough should look thick and soft, almost like a creamy paste. Don’t skip chilling the dough—you want it cold to keep the cookie shape and texture intact.

Step 4: Shape and Bake

Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C) and line your baking sheets. Scoop out the dough into 1-tablespoon-sized balls and place them about 3 inches apart. Flatten each gently; I usually press with my palm to get them just shy of 2 inches wide. Bake 13–14 minutes—watch carefully because these cookies don't brown much but should look set around the edges.

Step 5: Prepare the Peppermint Buttercream

Beat softened butter until creamy again, then add confectioners’ sugar, milk, vanilla, and peppermint extracts. Mix low then increase speed for two minutes until light and fluffy. Taste test here—if you want thicker frosting, add more sugar; thinner? A splash more milk. For a festive look, stir in a tiny drop of food coloring.

Step 6: Frost and Garnish

Once your cookies have cooled completely (this is crucial), spread a generous layer of frosting on top using a small spatula or knife. Then sprinkle with crushed candy canes for crunch and that classic look. Let the frosting 'soft-set' for a few hours—meaning it gets slightly firm on top but remains creamy inside.

Top Tip

Through making this Peppermint Meltaway Cookies Recipe several times, I discovered that chilling the dough is non-negotiable—it really transforms the texture and makes shaping manageable. Plus, watching the cookies closely during baking saves them from drying out since they don’t brown much.

Chill Dough Thoroughly: This step firms up the dough so the cookies bake evenly and melt perfectly in your mouth.
Don’t Over-Bake: These cookies stay pale—if they brown, they're overdone and lose that meltaway texture.
Crushed Candy Canes for Texture: Adding the candy on top provides a satisfying crunch that contrasts the soft cookie.
Use Room Temperature Ingredients: This helps the buttercream come together silky smooth and the dough blend evenly.

How to Serve Peppermint Meltaway Cookies Recipe

Peppermint Meltaway Cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

While crushed candy canes are my classic go-to for garnish, I’ve also sprinkled finely chopped white chocolate or even a light dusting of edible glitter for a subtle sparkle. These toppings not only brighten the cookie but also add that extra festive touch I adore.

Side Dishes

Pair these cookies with a hot cup of peppermint tea, classic eggnog, or rich hot chocolate for the ultimate cozy combo. A cheese plate with mild cheeses and fresh fruit can be a surprising, elegant match for those who want something savory alongside sweet.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday gatherings, I like to arrange these cookies on a tiered glass platter with sprigs of fresh pine and holly. Wrapping a few in cellophane tied with a red ribbon also makes for delightful homemade gifts your friends will rave about.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover frosted cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a day. After that, I move them to the fridge to keep the frosting fresh for up to 5 days. Remember: letting refrigerated cookies come to room temp before eating is key to enjoying that meltaway texture again.

Freezing

Freeze unfrosted dough balls tightly wrapped on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 3 months. When you’re ready, thaw overnight in the fridge and bake as usual. You can also freeze baked, unfrosted cookies and frost once defrosted.

Reheating

If you want that freshly-baked feeling later, pop dough balls in a warm oven for 3–4 minutes before frosting, or gently microwave frozen baked cookies for 10 seconds. This softens them beautifully without drying out.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use peppermint oil instead of extract?

Peppermint oil is much more concentrated than extract and can easily overpower the cookies, sometimes giving a bitter aftertaste. I recommend sticking with pure peppermint extract for a balanced flavor.

Why is the dough chilled before baking?

Chilling firms up the butter in the dough, which helps the cookies keep their shape. It also enhances texture, giving you that signature meltaway softness instead of spreading too thin or becoming tough.

Can I make these cookies dairy-free?

Yes! Substitute the unsalted butter and milk with plant-based alternatives like vegan butter and almond or oat milk. Just ensure they’re at room temperature for best results.

How should I store these cookies to keep them fresh?

Store frosted cookies in an airtight container. At room temperature, consume within 24 hours to enjoy optimal freshness. For longer storage, refrigerate up to 5 days and allow them to come to room temp before serving.

Final Thoughts

There’s a reason I keep coming back to this Peppermint Meltaway Cookies Recipe every holiday season — it’s pure comfort wrapped in a little festive flavor. Soft, sweet, with that delightful peppermint finish, these cookies are the kind of treat you want to share (and secretly keep a few for yourself). Give them a shot; I promise they’ll become a favorite in your cookie rotation too!