Light and airy, these Peppermint Meltaways are the perfect addition to your Christmas cookie tray. These cookies are topped with a creamy peppermint frosting and sprinkled with peppermints for that added taste. Enjoy!
These Peppermint Meltaways are the fluffy and full of flavor. Peppermint is laced throughout this cookie and it has a shortbread cookie feel. They quickly became a favorite at our house and are the perfect Christmas flavor.
Cookies for cookie trays are important around the Holidays. It is fun to host or go to a cookie exchange; the ones where everyone brings a certain type of cookie then exchanges it for ones other's bring. Cookies such as these Meltaways, Christmas Cake Mix Cookies, Caramel Shortbread Cookies and Gingersnap Cookies work great for a cookie exchange.
Ingredients
- butter - real butter is a must, no margarine
- cornstarch - helps the cookies to be fluffy
- peppermint extract
- crushed peppermints - a candy cane will work
- powdered sugar
- flour
- salt
- egg yolk
Margarine won't hold its shape so butter is a must.
Mixing the dough
The dough is a little tougher to mix together as it is a drier dough. It will take a little elbow grease - you can use a mixer if that is easier. However, the best way towards the end is to just use your hands.
Tip
- It helps to have the butter at room temperature or even a little warmer before you start to make these cookies. The butter needs to be able to stir into the cookies.
- Also, if the cookies are very dry, you can add just a small amount (about 1-2 teaspoons) of milk to the dough to help with the moisture content.
Rolling out the dough
Use a 1 inch scoop to scoop out the dough from the bowl, then roll it in your hands. Place it on a cookie sheet, then take the bottom of a flat cup and press lightly on the dough so the cookie will flatten. The cookie will not flatten well on its own so be sure to do that before baking.
FAQ
A simple frosting can be used (recipe below) or a cream cheese frosting is also good.
Yes! Vanilla or almond work very well in this dough.
No, you don't. Christmas sprinkles work so well!
Bake
Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes or until cookies are firm.
Pin for later!
📖 Recipe
Peppermint Meltaways
Print PinEquipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter softened to room temperature
- ½ cup cornstarch
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
- 1 candy cane or peppermints crushed
For The Frosting
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon peppermint extract
- 2 tablespoons butter softened
- 1 tablespoon milk
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350℉.
- In a large mixing bowl, mix butter, egg yolk and powdered sugar together.
- Stir in salt, cornstarch and flour. Add in peppermint extract.
- Mix until well combined. This is a dry batter. If needed, add 1 Tablespoon milk then stir.
- Using a 1 inch scoop, roll into balls and place on an ungreased cookie sheet.
- Take the bottom of a cup and lightly press down on the top of the dough. If the dough sticks, use a little flour.
- Bake until cookies are firm.
- Remove from oven and let cool.
For The Frosting
- Whisk the softened butter, milk, powered sugar and peppermint extract together in a medium bowl. Whisk until completely blended. If needed add a little more powdered sugar to the mixture until you reach the desired consistency.
- Frost cooled cookies with the frosting and sprinkle crushed peppermints on top, if desired.
Kim says
These cookies were very easy to make and taste great. They are definitely very soft and I understand why they are called "Meltaways". My olny issue was the printed version of the recipe does not have the bake time. I did however look at the other recipe and it says 15 minutes there.