Name: Peppermint Meltaways Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup unsalted butter, softened; 1/2 cup powdered sugar; 1 teaspoon peppermint extract; 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour; 1/2 cup cornstarch; Crushed candy canes for garnish; 1 package cream cheese (8 oz.), softened; 1/2 cup salted butter, softened; 1 cup powdered sugar, sifted; 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract (added to frosting)

If you’re on the hunt for a cookie recipe that screams holiday cheer with every bite, you’re going to absolutely love this Peppermint Meltaways Cookies Recipe. These delicate, buttery cookies topped with a luscious peppermint cream cheese frosting and a sprinkle of crushed candy canes are just the treat you need to cozy up with a cup of cocoa. I’ve made these year after year, and each time they disappear faster than I can slice them, so trust me when I say you want to keep reading to snag this fan-freaking-tastic recipe!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Buttery, Tender Texture: Thanks to the mix of butter and cornstarch, these cookies practically melt in your mouth.
Refreshing Peppermint Flavor: The peppermint extract and crushed candy canes give each bite a festive, minty kick.
Easy to Make: Simple steps and common pantry ingredients mean you can whip these up anytime the craving hits.
Perfect for Gifting: These meltaways look beautiful and taste amazing, making them great for holiday presents or cookie swaps.

The image shows soft, thick cookies with a light beige color, each topped with a swirl of creamy white frosting. The frosting is smooth and piped in a circular, rose-like fashion on the center of each cookie. Small pieces of red and white candy, resembling crushed peppermint, are sprinkled on top of the frosting and scattered around the cookies. The cookies are arranged close together on a white marbled surface, filling the frame with a cozy and inviting look. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Peppermint Meltaways Cookies, holiday peppermint cookies, buttery peppermint cookies, peppermint dessert recipes, Christmas cookies

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of these Peppermint Meltaways Cookies Recipe lies in using quality ingredients that complement each other perfectly. Softened butter gives them that tender crumb, while cornstarch adds a subtle softness you won’t find in typical cookies. And trust me, don’t skip on the peppermint extract—it’s what truly brightens the flavor.

Flat lay of a small white ceramic bowl of softened unsalted butter, a small white ceramic bowl filled with powdered sugar, a small white ceramic bowl containing all-purpose flour, a small white ceramic bowl with cornstarch, a small white ceramic bowl holding crushed candy canes, a small white ceramic bowl of cream cheese block, a small white ceramic bowl of softened salted butter, a few whole uncracked brown eggs (representing freshness although not used in this recipe), and a small white ceramic bowl of clear peppermint extract liquid, all arranged symmetrically and balanced, with fresh natural textures and colors, 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 - Peppermint Meltaways Cookies, holiday peppermint cookies, buttery peppermint cookies, peppermint dessert recipes, Christmas cookies

Unsalted Butter: Use real butter, softened—not melted—to get the right dough consistency.
Powdered Sugar: The finer texture helps make the cookies smooth and tender.
Peppermint Extract: A little goes a long way, so measure carefully—it gives that bright peppermint punch.
All-Purpose Flour: The base of the cookie providing structure.
Cornstarch: Secret ingredient for that melt-in-your-mouth feel.
Candy Canes (crushed): For garnish and extra peppermint crunch on top.
Cream Cheese (for frosting): Adds tangy richness to balance the sweet peppermint frosting.
Salted Butter (for frosting): Enhances flavor and gives the frosting a creamy texture.
Sifted Powdered Sugar (for frosting): Prevents lumps and gives you smoother frosting.

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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.

Variations

I love to play around with this Peppermint Meltaways Cookies Recipe depending on the season and mood. You can really make this your own! Whether you prefer a gluten-free twist or want to dial back the peppermint for a subtler touch, there’s an option here for everyone.

Gluten-Free Version: I’ve swapped all-purpose flour for a gluten-free blend with great success, just be sure to add a little xanthan gum for structure.
Chocolate Peppermint: For a festive upgrade, try folding in mini chocolate chips into the dough—my family goes crazy for this combo!
Less Peppermint: If peppermint hits too strong for you, reduce the extract by half and garnish with just a sprinkle of crushed candy canes.
Vegan Adaptation: I’ve experimented with vegan butter and cream cheese alternatives; the texture changes slightly but still delicious!

How to Make Peppermint Meltaways Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Mix Dry Ingredients

Start by combining your all-purpose flour and cornstarch in a small bowl. This step is key because the cornstarch lightens the flour, making these cookies extra tender. Give it a good whisk to ensure they’re evenly blended, then set this aside while you work on the wet ingredients. Trust me, prepping your dry mix first saves so much time!

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar, Add Peppermint

In another bowl, cream your softened unsalted butter with powdered sugar until fluffy—this usually takes about 3 to 4 minutes with a mixer on medium speed. You’ll want a light, airy texture here since this helps the cookies melt just right. Then, add in the peppermint extract carefully. I learned the hard way that too much makes them overpowering. A teaspoon hits the flavor just right without being overwhelming.

Step 3: Combine and Chill Dough

Slowly incorporate your flour and cornstarch mixture into the butter mixture, mixing just until combined. The dough will be soft but not sticky. Here’s a little trick I discovered: refrigerate the dough for at least an hour before shaping. This makes rolling easier and helps the cookies hold their shape while baking.

Step 4: Roll, Bake, and Cool

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll the chilled dough into 1 to 1-1/2-inch-sized balls, then place them onto a parchment-lined cookie sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10-12 minutes – you’re looking for just a slight browning at the edges. Don’t overbake, or they’ll lose that meltaway texture. Once out, let them cool completely on a wire rack before frosting.

Step 5: Make the Peppermint Cream Cheese Frosting

While the cookies cool, whip up the frosting. Cream together cream cheese and salted butter until smooth and fluffy. Then, add peppermint extract along with the sifted powdered sugar slowly—this helps you get a smooth, sweet-but-not-too-sweet frosting. I always find that sifting sugar really makes a difference to avoid graininess.

Step 6: Frost and Garnish with Crushed Candy Canes

Once the cookies have cooled, spread or pipe a generous swirl of frosting on top. Then sprinkle crushed candy canes over them while the frosting is still soft. This adds a lovely crunch and a burst of peppermint flavor in every bite. I promise your guests will ooh and aah over these!

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Pro Tips for Making Peppermint Meltaways Cookies Recipe

Use Room Temp Butter: Softened butter creams better with sugar, which helps create that tender crumb.
Don’t Overmix: Once you add the dry ingredients, mix just until combined to avoid tough cookies.
Chill the Dough: Refrigerating the dough makes rolling easier and prevents spreading in the oven.
Timing is Everything: Take cookies out at the first sign of browning at the edges for that perfect meltaway texture.

How to Serve Peppermint Meltaways Cookies Recipe

The image shows soft cookies with three layers: the base cookie layer is light beige and has a slightly cracked texture, topped with a swirl of smooth white frosting with a hint of cream color, finished with scattered small red and white crushed candy pieces. One cookie is broken in half showing a soft, airy inside. The cookies rest on a white plate with scalloped edges, placed on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Peppermint Meltaways Cookies, holiday peppermint cookies, buttery peppermint cookies, peppermint dessert recipes, Christmas cookies

Garnishes

I keep it simple with crushed peppermint candy canes which add a festive crunch and a pop of color. Occasionally, I dust a bit of edible glitter for a magical holiday sparkle—my kids love this extra touch when we’re gifting cookies.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair beautifully with hot chocolate topped with whipped cream or a mellow cup of black coffee. For a party spread, I also serve them alongside spiced nuts and cranberry orange scones for a balanced holiday snack table.

Creative Ways to Present

One of my favorite presentation tricks is stacking these cookies in a clear glass jar tied with a red ribbon — instantly festive and gift-worthy. For cookie platters, I arrange them around a peppermint bark centerpiece, creating a stunning holiday display that guests can’t resist.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover Peppermint Meltaways Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, layering them between sheets of parchment to prevent sticking. They stay fresh for up to a week, though they rarely last that long in my house!

Freezing

You can freeze un-frosted cookie dough balls for up to 3 months. I wrap them individually in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer bag. When you’re ready, bake straight from frozen, adding a couple of extra minutes to the bake time. I also freeze baked cookies without frosting—they thaw perfectly with no loss in texture.

Reheating

If you want freshly baked warmth, pop unfrosted cookies in the oven at 300°F for 5 minutes before frosting. For frosted ones, I recommend eating them chilled or at room temp to preserve frosting texture. Avoid microwaving, which can make the frosting melt undesirably.

FAQs

Can I use peppermint oil instead of peppermint extract in this recipe?

Yes, peppermint oil can be used, but it’s much stronger than extract, so use sparingly—start with half the amount and adjust to taste. Too much peppermint oil can make the cookies overly intense and sometimes bitter.
Do I have to chill the dough before baking?

Chilling is highly recommended. It firms up the dough, making it easier to roll into balls and prevents the cookies from spreading too much, maintaining their soft, meltaway texture.
How long will these cookies stay fresh?

Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, they stay fresh for about a week. Beyond that, they can start to dry out or lose their soft texture, though refrigerating or freezing can extend their life.
Can I make the frosting ahead of time?

Absolutely. You can make the peppermint cream cheese frosting a day ahead and keep it stored in the fridge. Just bring it back to room temperature and give it a quick whip before frosting your cookies to restore its creamy texture.
Are these cookies gluten-free?

The original recipe uses all-purpose flour, which contains gluten. However, you can substitute a gluten-free flour blend to make these cookies gluten-free. Just be sure to select one that works well for baking to maintain the right texture.

Final Thoughts

I truly adore this Peppermint Meltaways Cookies Recipe because it blends simplicity with holiday magic — buttery, soft cookies infused with refreshing peppermint and topped with the creamiest frosting. I’ve enjoyed making these with my family for years, and they’ve become a tradition I eagerly look forward to each winter. I hope you’ll try them soon and see why these cookies have a special spot in my heart (and my cookie jar!). Happy baking, friend!