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Peppermint Meltaways Recipe

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★★★★★

5 from 141 reviews

Peppermint Meltaways are delicate, buttery cookies infused with a refreshing peppermint flavor. These soft melt-in-your-mouth treats are topped with a creamy peppermint frosting and garnished with crushed peppermint candies, making them perfect for holiday celebrations or any festive occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Cookies

  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
  • 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup cornstarch
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

For the Frosting

  • 2 tablespoons butter, softened
  • 1 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar
  • 2 tablespoons milk
  • 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract
  • 2–3 drops red food coloring (optional)
  • Crushed peppermint candies, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and confectioners’ sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. Beat in the peppermint extract to infuse a festive peppermint aroma into the dough.
  2. Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the creamed butter mixture, blending thoroughly until a soft dough forms.
  3. Chill the Dough: Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes. This chilling step helps the cookies maintain their shape during baking.
  4. Shape the Cookies: Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Roll the chilled dough into 1-inch balls and place them about 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets to allow room for spreading.
  5. Bake to Perfection: Bake the cookies for 9 to 11 minutes, or until the bottoms are lightly browned. Remove from the oven and transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
  6. Prepare the Frosting: In a small bowl, beat the softened butter until creamy. Gradually add the confectioners’ sugar, milk, peppermint extract, and optional red food coloring. Mix until the frosting is smooth and spreadable.
  7. Decorate: Once the cookies are completely cooled, spread the peppermint frosting over each cookie. Sprinkle crushed peppermint candies on top for a festive garnish. Allow the frosting to set before serving.

Notes

  • Ensure the butter is fully softened before creaming for best texture.
  • Chilling the dough is crucial to prevent spreading during baking.
  • Use parchment paper on baking sheets if you prefer easier cleanup.
  • Adjust the red food coloring amount to achieve your desired shade for frosting.
  • Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

Keywords: peppermint cookies, meltaway cookies, holiday cookies, peppermint frosting, festive dessert, buttery cookies

Find it online: https://ricoloranz.com/peppermint-meltaways-recipe/