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; Optional: 1 drop red or pink food coloring; 1/4 cup (40g) crushed candy canes (about 2–3 large candy canes)

There’s something downright magical about biting into a cookie that practically melts on your tongue, and that’s exactly what you get with this Peppermint Meltaway Cookies Recipe. Soft, buttery, and infused with just the right hint of peppermint, they’re the ultimate holiday treat you’ll want to make (and make again).

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

I’ve made my fair share of holiday cookies, but these peppermint meltaways always steal the show – every single time. What makes them stand out is their texture: part shortbread, part cake, all butter-soft perfection. Plus, the peppermint buttercream frosting on top? Pure bliss.

Texture That Melts: Thanks to cornstarch and confectioners’ sugar, these cookies are tender with a soft crumb that dissolves in your mouth.
Perfect Peppermint Flavor: The subtle peppermint extract in both the dough and frosting gives a refreshing holiday twist without overpowering.
Easy Frosting Upgrade: The buttercream frosting is simple yet festive – and adding crushed candy canes gives a delightful crunch and look.
Bake Ahead Friendly: You can make the dough up to 3 days ahead or freeze the cookies, which makes holiday baking so much easier.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in the Peppermint Meltaway Cookies Recipe plays a special role in creating that tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture and minty flavor. Picking good-quality butter and pure extracts really makes a difference here.

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: Creaming the butter properly helps incorporate air and makes the cookies tender and soft.
Confectioners’ Sugar: This fine sugar contributes to the meltaway texture—you won’t get the same cookie with granulated sugar.
Egg Yolk: Adds richness and moisture without making the dough too wet.
Pure Vanilla Extract: Balances the peppermint with warm, classic flavor notes.
Peppermint Extract: Key to the holiday vibe—just the right amount brightens the cookie without overpowering.
All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure, but combined with cornstarch it keeps the cookies soft.
Cornstarch: The secret weapon for the tender, crumbly texture that melts away.
Baking Powder: Lightens the cookie to prevent it from being too dense.
Salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances sweetness.
Milk: Adjusts frosting consistency for perfect spreading.
Crushed Candy Canes: For festive crunch and a pop of color 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

One of the best parts about making this Peppermint Meltaway Cookies Recipe is how easy it is to tweak the flavor or frosting to suit your taste or occasion. I love adding a little food coloring around the holidays to make them extra festive.

Variation: Once, I swapped peppermint extract for almond extract to create a different flavor vibe, which family members surprisingly loved just as much.
Dairy-Free Option: Use a plant-based butter and your favorite nondairy milk to keep it vegan-friendly without sacrificing softness.
Chocolate Peppermint: Mix mini chocolate chips into the dough before baking for a decadent twist.

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 the Butter and Sugar Until Fluffy

This is where the magic starts. Using a stand mixer or handheld mixer with a paddle attachment, beat your softened butter on medium speed until it's creamy—about a minute. Then add the confectioners’ sugar. Start slow to avoid a sugar cloud, then crank it up and beat for a full 2 minutes. This step helps give the cookies that tender, airy texture. Remember to scrape down the bowl so everything blends evenly!

Step 2: Add Egg Yolk and Extracts

Mix in your egg yolk, vanilla, and peppermint extracts on high speed until they’re fully incorporated. This adds richness and that festive mint flavor we all look forward to during the holidays.

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients and Chill the Dough

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt. Adding these dry ingredients slowly on low mixer speed ensures you don’t end up with a floury mess or overworked dough. Once combined, cover your dough tightly and pop it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes—trust me, chilling is a must for the signature meltaway texture.

Step 4: Shape and Bake Your Cookies

Scoop dough balls about 1 tablespoon each and place them 3 inches apart on lined baking sheets. Give each ball a gentle press with your palm until they’re just under 2 inches wide. This helps them bake evenly without spreading too thin. Bake at 350°F (177°C) for 13–14 minutes until the edges set but don’t brown—these cookies stay pale, so watch closely to avoid overbaking!

Step 5: Prepare the Peppermint Buttercream Frosting

While your cookies cool, whip up the frosting by beating softened butter until creamy. Add confectioners’ sugar, milk, vanilla, and peppermint extracts, then beat until fluffy. If it’s too thick, add a splash more milk; if too thin, add more sugar. You can even add a drop of red or pink food coloring for a festive look before spreading it on your cooled cookies.

Step 6: Frost and Garnish

Spread a generous layer of the peppermint buttercream on each cookie, then sprinkle crushed candy canes on top for a festive crunch and beautiful sparkle.

Top Tip

Making the perfect peppermint meltaway cookies took me a few tries, and the secret really lies in chilling the dough and watching your bake time closely. These tips helped me nail it every time, and I’m confident they’ll do the same for you.

Chill Time Is Crucial: Don’t skip refrigerating the dough — it helps the cookies hold their shape and creates that tender texture.
Don’t Overbake: Since the cookies don’t brown much, rely on the edges being set to know when they’re done. Overbaking dries them out.
Use a Paddle Attachment or Hand Mixer: It really helps get that perfect creamy consistency when creaming butter and sugar.
Flatten Gently: Press dough balls just enough to spread but not so much that they turn flat — this keeps them soft and tender inside.

How to Serve Peppermint Meltaway Cookies Recipe

peppermint meltaway cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love topping these cookies with crushed candy canes—not only do they add a festive crunch, but the red and white speckles make them look so pretty on a holiday platter. Sometimes, I even dust them lightly with extra confectioners’ sugar for a snowy effect.

Side Dishes

These cookies are fantastic alongside a hot mug of peppermint hot chocolate or a classic cup of coffee. They also pair wonderfully with eggnog or a glass of cold milk to balance out the sweetness.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday parties, I like arranging these cookies in a circular wreath shape on a festive plate and garnish the center with fresh holly or evergreen sprigs. You can also stack them in pretty jars tied with red ribbon as charming edible gifts.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover frosted peppermint meltaway cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator to keep the frosting fresh—it helps them last up to 5 days without drying out. If un-frosted, the dough balls can stay in the fridge up to 3 days before baking.

Freezing

To freeze, I bake the cookies completely, then let them cool and frost before wrapping tightly in plastic wrap and placing in a freezer-safe container. They freeze beautifully for up to 2 months. When you’re ready, thaw overnight in the fridge.

Reheating

If you want that freshly-baked warmth, I pop one or two cookies in the microwave for about 10 seconds—just enough to soften the buttercream and release the peppermint aroma without melting the frosting completely.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use granulated sugar instead of confectioners’ sugar?

No, confectioners’ sugar is essential for achieving the meltaway, tender texture of these cookies. Granulated sugar will make the cookies more crumbly and won't provide the delicate softness this recipe delivers.

Why is chilling the dough so important?

Chilling solidifies the butter and helps the dough set, preventing the cookies from spreading too much when baking. It also enhances the texture, allowing them to bake into soft, tender meltaway cookies rather than thin and crispy ones.

Can I substitute peppermint extract with another flavor?

Yes! If you want to try different flavors, vanilla alone, almond extract, or even orange extract can be delightful alternatives. Just keep the quantity similar to avoid overpowering the cookie.

How do I prevent the frosting from being too sweet?

If the frosting tastes too sweet for you, adding a tiny pinch of salt balances the sugars nicely. Also, adjusting the amount of confectioners' sugar and milk allows you to customize the sweetness and texture to your liking.

Final Thoughts

Honestly, this Peppermint Meltaway Cookies Recipe has become one of my absolute favorites to bake every holiday season—and I hope it becomes yours too. Their uniquely tender texture and fresh peppermint flavor make them the perfect cozy treat to share with friends and family. So go ahead, give this recipe a try—I promise, you’ll find yourself reaching for these cookies again and again (and sneaking a few bites when no one’s looking!).