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Peppermint Meltaways – Soft, Buttery & Perfect for Christmas

These Peppermint Meltaways are soft, buttery Christmas cookies that dissolve instantly on your tongue. Light, sweet, delicately flavored with peppermint, and topped with creamy icing plus crushed candies, they are the perfect holiday cookie. Easy to make, simple ingredients, and a festive finish — these cookies bring winter magic to every bite.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
bake & Cooling + Icing time 32 minutes
Total Time 42 minutes
Servings: 26 meltaways
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Cookie Dough
  • 1 1/8 cups Butter softened
  • 1/2 cup Cornstarch
  • 1 1/4 cups All-purpose flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon Salt
  • 3/4 teaspoon Peppermint extract
For the Peppermint Icing
  • 2 cups Powdered sugar
  • 2 tablespoons Milk
  • 2 drops Red food coloring
  • Optional: A tiny drop of peppermint extract
For Topping
  • Crushed peppermint candies

Equipment

  • Mixing bowls
  • Electric mixer
  • Rubber spatula
  • Measuring cups & spoons
  • Baking sheets
  • Parchment paper
  • Cooling rack
  • Small spoon or piping bag

Method
 

  1. 🔹 PART 1 — MAKE THE COOKIE DOUGH
Step 1 — Preheat the Oven
  1. Heat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
Step 2 — Cream the Butter
  1. Add softened butter to a mixing bowl.
  2. Beat until light and creamy.
  3. This creates the meltaway texture.
Step 3 — Add Dry Ingredients
  1. Add cornstarch, flour, and salt.
  2. Mix on low until dough begins to come together.
  3. Cornstarch gives these cookies their signature softness.
Step 4 — Add Peppermint Extract
  1. Add peppermint extract.
  2. Mix until the dough is smooth and even.
Step 5 — Chill the Dough
  1. Chill for 15 minutes to make shaping easier.
  2. 🔹 PART 2 — SHAPE AND BAKE
Step 6 — Roll Dough Balls
  1. Scoop about 1 tablespoon of dough.
  2. Roll into smooth balls.
  3. Place on baking sheets, spaced slightly apart.
Step 7 — Bake
  1. Bake 10–12 minutes.
  2. Tops should look dry but NOT browned.
  3. These cookies stay pale and soft.
Step 8 — Cool Completely
  1. Let rest on baking sheet 5 minutes.
  2. Transfer to cooling rack.
  3. Cooling is important before icing.
  4. 🔹 PART 3 — MAKE THE ICING
Step 9 — Prepare the Icing
  1. In a bowl mix:
  2. Powdered sugar
  3. Milk
  4. Red food coloring
  5. Optional peppermint extract
  6. Stir until smooth and creamy.
Step 10 — Frost the Cookies
  1. Spoon or pipe a small amount of icing onto each cooled cookie.
  2. Spread gently.
Step 11 — Add Crushed Peppermint
  1. Sprinkle crushed peppermint candies immediately.
  2. Let icing set before storing.

Notes

🧊 Storage
Room Temperature
Keep in airtight container 4 days.
Refrigerator
Saves up to 1 week.
Freezer
Freeze cookies without icing for 2 months.
Ice them after thawing.
🥄 Variations
1. Pure White Meltaways
Skip red food coloring for classic white cookies.
2. Vanilla Meltaways
Replace peppermint with vanilla extract.
3. Chocolate Peppermint Meltaways
Add 1 tablespoon cocoa powder to dough.
4. Green Peppermint Meltaways
Use green food coloring for Christmas contrast.
5. Lemon Meltaways
Swap peppermint for lemon extract + zest.
6. Sprinkle Meltaways
Mix holiday sprinkles directly into the dough.
❓ 10 FAQs
1. Why did my meltaways spread too much?
Butter too soft — chill dough longer.
2. Why are they crumbly?
The dough wasn’t mixed long enough.
3. Can I make them gluten-free?
Yes — use a 1:1 GF flour.
4. Can I skip icing?
Yes — they’re delicious plain.
5. How strong is the peppermint flavor?
Mild — increase extract if you want stronger.
6. Why is my icing runny?
Add more powdered sugar.
7. Can I freeze the dough?
Yes — freeze in balls and bake later.
8. Can kids eat these?
Yes — totally kid-safe.
9. Can I use butter substitute?
Not recommended — needs real butter.
10. Should the cookies brown?
No — they stay pale and soft.
🏁 Conclusion
These Peppermint Meltaways are everything a Christmas cookie should be — soft, buttery, festive, and full of sweet holiday peppermint. With their delicate crumb, smooth icing, and candy topping, they’re the perfect treat for holiday parties, gifting, cookie swaps, or cozy nights at home. Easy to make and beautifully festive, these cookies bring winter joy in every bite. A true holiday favorite.