Peppermint Meltaways Cookies Recipe
These Peppermint Meltaways Cookies are delicate, buttery treats infused with refreshing peppermint flavor. Soft and tender with a melt-in-your-mouth texture, they’re topped with a creamy peppermint frosting and garnished with crushed peppermint candies for an extra festive touch. Perfect for the holidays or any time you crave a light, sweet minty cookie.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: About 18 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- ⅓ cup unsalted butter (very soft, room temperature)
- ⅓ cup sweetened condensed milk
- ½ teaspoon peppermint extract
- 1 cup cornstarch (plus 1–2 tablespoons as needed)
Frosting
- 1 cup powdered sugar (sifted)
- 1½ tablespoons unsalted butter (melted and cooled)
- 1½ tablespoons heavy cream
- ⅛ – ¼ teaspoon peppermint extract (depending on preferred peppermint flavor)
Garnish
- Crushed peppermint candies
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and set it aside to prepare for baking.
- Mix Base Ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine the very soft unsalted butter, sweetened condensed milk, and ½ teaspoon peppermint extract. Using a handheld mixer on medium-high speed, beat until the mixture is smooth and no lumps of butter remain.
- Add Cornstarch: Add 1 cup cornstarch to the bowl and mix on low speed until fully incorporated and the batter is smooth. Add additional cornstarch (1-2 tablespoons) if the dough feels too sticky for shaping.
- Shape Cookies: Use a 1 tablespoon cookie scoop to measure and scoop a level portion of dough. Place each scoop onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches of space between cookies to allow for slight spreading.
- Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or just until the edges of the cookies begin to turn a light golden color.
- Cool Cookies: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to firm up. Then transfer them to a wire cooling rack to cool completely before frosting.
- Prepare Frosting: While the cookies bake and cool, combine the powdered sugar, melted butter, heavy cream, and ⅛ to ¼ teaspoon peppermint extract in a medium bowl.
- Beat Frosting: Beat the frosting mixture until it is thick, smooth, and spreadable yet able to hold its shape. Adjust consistency by adding extra heavy cream (1 teaspoon at a time) if too thick, or powdered sugar (1-2 tablespoons at a time) if too thin.
- Frost Cookies: Spread approximately 2 teaspoons of frosting on each cooled cookie.
- Garnish: Sprinkle crushed peppermint candies over the frosting to add a festive crunch and peppermint boost.
- Serve and Enjoy: Plate the cookies and serve immediately, or store in an airtight container to keep fresh.
Notes
- For best results, use room temperature butter to ensure smooth mixing.
- If dough is sticky, add extra cornstarch a tablespoon at a time until manageable.
- Adjust peppermint extract in frosting according to taste preference.
- Allow cookies to cool completely before frosting to prevent melting.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.
- Crushed peppermint candies can be replaced with mini chocolate chips for variation.
Keywords: peppermint cookies, meltaway cookies, peppermint meltaways, holiday cookies, peppermint frosting, Christmas cookies, buttery cookies, easy baked cookies
Find it online: https://thefoodrecipe.com/peppermint-meltaways-cookies-recipe/
