Welcome to a world of festive delight with our irresistible Peppermint Meltaways! These charming cookies are a holiday staple, known for their remarkably soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture that lives up to their name. Each bite delivers a refreshing burst of vibrant peppermint flavor, perfectly balanced by a sweet, creamy frosting. This recipe is wonderfully easy to follow, making it a perfect choice for bakers of all skill levels looking to add a touch of magic to their holiday season.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Peppermint Meltaways Recipe
You will quickly discover why these delightful minty treats become a go-to holiday favorite. They are incredibly simple to prepare, yet offer a truly impressive result that everyone adores.
- Enjoy an incredibly tender and delicate texture that truly melts away in your mouth.
- Savor the vibrant, refreshing peppermint meltaways flavor that perfectly captures the holiday spirit.
- Appreciate their festive and appealing appearance, especially with bright red frosting and crushed candy.
- Discover a simple, straightforward baking process, perfect for beginners and seasoned bakers alike.
- They are ideal for holiday gifting, cookie exchanges, or simply enjoying with a warm cup of cocoa.
Ingredients for Peppermint Meltaways
Gather these fresh ingredients to create your batch of these delightful holiday cookies.
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
FROSTING:
- 2 tablespoons butter, softened
- 2 tablespoons 2% milk
- 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract
- 2 to 3 drops red food coloring, optional
- 1-1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar
- 1/2 cup crushed peppermint candies
Notes & Substitutions
Achieving the perfect texture for your Peppermint Meltaways often comes down to a few key ingredient considerations. Ensure your butter is properly softened for both the cookies and frosting, as this creates a light and fluffy base when creamed. Confectioners’ sugar is crucial for the cookies’ delicate texture, providing a fine sweetness unlike granulated sugar. Be mindful of peppermint extract strength; a little goes a long way. The cornstarch is vital for that signature tender, crumbly melt-in-your-mouth quality. For the frosting, you can easily substitute dairy milk with almond or oat milk. Feel free to use different crushed candy options like white chocolate or sprinkles if you prefer.
Equipment
You won’t need many specialized tools to make these wonderful Peppermint Meltaways.
- A set of essential mixing bowls in various sizes.
- A hand mixer or stand mixer simplifies creaming butter and making frosting.
- Reliable baking sheets are necessary for baking the cookies evenly.
- A cookie scoop ensures uniformly sized cookies, leading to even baking.
- Wire cooling racks allow cookies to cool completely and prevent sogginess.
How to Make Peppermint Meltaways (Step-by-Step Instructions)
Follow these simple steps to create perfect Peppermint Meltaways that everyone will love. Baking these festive treats is a joyful experience.
First, prepare the cookie dough base. In a small bowl, use a hand mixer or stand mixer to cream the butter and confectioners’ sugar together. Beat them until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, which usually takes three to four minutes. Next, beat in the peppermint extract until fully incorporated.
In a separate, medium-sized bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and cornstarch until well combined. Gradually beat this dry mixture into the creamed butter mixture. Mix only until everything is just combined; avoid overmixing the dough.
Cover the bowl with storage wrap and refrigerate the cookie dough. Chill it until it is firm enough to easily handle, which typically takes about 30 minutes. While the dough chills, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Once the dough is firm, remove it from the refrigerator. Shape the dough into uniform 1-inch balls. A cookie scoop works wonders for consistent sizing. Place the dough balls about 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets.
Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 9 to 11 minutes. Look for the bottoms to be lightly browned, indicating they are done. Carefully remove the baked cookies from the pans and transfer them onto wire racks. Let the cookies cool completely to room temperature before frosting. This prevents the frosting from melting.
Now, prepare the refreshing peppermint frosting. In a small bowl, beat the softened butter with a hand mixer or stand mixer until it becomes fluffy. Beat in the milk, the remaining peppermint extract, and if desired, a few drops of red food coloring for a festive touch. Gradually beat in the confectioners’ sugar until the frosting is smooth and creamy.
Finally, spread the finished frosting generously over each cooled cookie. Finish your delectable Peppermint Meltaways by sprinkling them with crushed peppermint candies. These cookies are now ready to enjoy.
Pro Tips & Troubleshooting
Making perfectly tender mint cookies every time is simple with these expert tips. Avoid overmixing the cookie dough; this develops gluten and can make your Peppermint Meltaways tough instead of tender. Ensure you give the cookie dough proper chilling time as this helps prevent spreading during baking and makes it easier to handle. Always use a cookie scoop for consistent size, promoting even baking and a uniform appearance. Cool your cookies fully on wire racks before you apply the frosting; warm cookies will cause the frosting to melt and slide off. If your frosting is too thick, add a tiny splash more milk; if it is too thin, beat in a bit more confectioners’ sugar. Finally, remember these cookies are delicate, so handle them gently when transferring them.
Understanding the impact of overmixing flour is crucial for achieving the desired delicate texture in cookies. According to an article by Taylor Chip, overmixing cookie dough can lead to excessive gluten development, resulting in a tougher cookie instead of a tender one.
Serving, Storage & Variations
Enjoy these frosted mint cookies fresh for their optimal texture and vibrant flavor. They are a delightful treat for any occasion, especially during the holidays. For storage, place any leftover Peppermint Meltaways in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay fresh and delicious for up to 3-5 days. You can also freeze unfrosted cookies for longer storage. Simply bake, cool completely, and then freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months. When ready to serve, thaw, then frost and decorate.
Consider a simple vanilla glaze as an alternative if you’re not a fan of peppermint frosting. You can also try piping the frosting onto the cookies for a more elegant presentation. Feel free to switch out the peppermint extract for almond or orange extract for different flavored meltaways. For varying toppings, consider mini chocolate chips, sprinkles, or a dusting of cocoa powder. You can even dip half the cookie in melted dark chocolate for an extra indulgent touch.
Nutrition Information
Enjoying these delightful Peppermint Meltaways can be part of a balanced diet. Here’s a breakdown of the nutritional content per cookie, based on the recipe yields around 30 cookies.
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 126 |
| Fat | 7g |
| Saturated Fat | 4g |
| Cholesterol | 18mg |
| Sodium | 56mg |
| Carbohydrate | 15g |
| Sugars | 9g |
| Fiber | 0g |
| Protein | 1g |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can I make Peppermint Meltaways ahead?
A: Yes, you can prepare the cookie dough ahead of time and chill it for up to two days. For best results, freeze unfrosted cookies and decorate them just before serving.
Q: Why are my Peppermint Meltaways crumbly?
A: This often happens from overmixing the dough, which makes them tough. Ensure you mix only until just combined. Insufficient chilling time can also contribute to a crumbly texture.
Q: How can I change the frosting’s thickness?
A: To thicken the frosting, gradually beat in more powdered sugar until desired consistency. To thin it, add a very small splash of milk at a time until it’s perfect.
Q: What’s the best way to crush peppermint candies?
A: You can use a food processor for a fine crush, or place candies in a sturdy freezer bag and crush them with a rolling pin or the bottom of a heavy pan.
Q: Are these cookies suitable for shipping?
A: These delicate cookies ship best unfrosted. Package the unfrosted cookies carefully, then send the frosting and crushed candies separately for decoration upon arrival.
Conclusion
These Peppermint Meltaways are truly a celebration in cookie form. Their irresistibly soft texture and bright peppermint flavor make them a festive delight for any occasion, especially during the holidays. We know you will love baking these easy and appealing treats. So, gather your ingredients, embrace the joy of baking, and share a batch of homemade Peppermint Meltaways with your loved ones. Happy baking!
Peppermint Meltaways Recipe – Soft and Perfect for Christmas
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a bowl, cream butter and confectioners’ sugar until light and fluffy, then beat in peppermint extract. In a separate bowl, whisk flour and cornstarch, then gradually beat the dry mixture into the creamed mixture until just combined.
- Cover the dough and refrigerate for about 30 minutes until firm enough to handle. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Shape the chilled dough into 1-inch balls and place them 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake for 9 to 11 minutes, or until the bottoms are lightly browned, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
- For the frosting, beat softened butter until fluffy, then mix in milk, peppermint extract, and optional red food coloring. Gradually beat in confectioners’ sugar until the frosting is smooth; spread over cooled cookies and sprinkle with crushed peppermint candies.