Description
Peppermint Meltaways are delicate, buttery cookies infused with peppermint flavor and topped with a creamy peppermint cream cheese frosting, finished with crushed candy canes for a festive touch. Perfect for holiday gatherings or a refreshing treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Peppermint Meltaways:
- 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
Peppermint Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 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)
Instructions
- Prepare dry ingredients: In a small mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour and cornstarch thoroughly, then set this mixture aside for later use.
- Cream butter and sugar: In a separate mixing bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter and powdered sugar until smooth and fluffy. Add the peppermint extract and mix well.
- Combine dough: Slowly add the flour and cornstarch mixture into the butter and sugar mixture, stirring consistently until a soft dough forms. Cover and refrigerate the dough for one hour to chill and firm up.
- Preheat and shape cookies: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius). Remove the chilled dough and roll it into balls about 1 to 1-1/2 inches in diameter. Place these balls approximately 2 inches apart on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Bake cookies: Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes or until the edges just begin to lightly brown. Remove from the oven and allow them to cool completely on the baking sheet.
- Make frosting: While the cookies cool, prepare the peppermint cream cheese frosting by creaming together the softened cream cheese and salted butter until smooth. Add peppermint extract and then gradually add the sifted powdered sugar, mixing until well combined and creamy.
- Frost and garnish: Once the cookies are fully cooled, spread a generous amount of the cream cheese frosting on each cookie. Top with crushed peppermint candy canes for added texture and festive flavor.
Notes
- Chilling the dough is essential to prevent spreading and to achieve the perfect meltaway texture.
- Use room temperature ingredients to ensure even mixing and smooth dough consistency.
- Crush candy canes finely for a better sprinkle on the frosting without making it too hard to bite.
- Store these cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator to keep the frosting fresh.
- These cookies can be made a day ahead and frosted just before serving to maintain their fresh texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 17g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 1.5g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
