Pin it
I always get excited about baking these Peppermint Cookies when the holidays roll around. They bring together everything wonderful about Christmas treats - those soft, buttery sugar cookies, that tangy cream cheese topping, and the cool peppermint kick. The sparkly crushed candy canes on top look like tiny bits of holiday cheer sitting right there in your kitchen. The sweet minty smell that fills my home whenever I bake them just can't be beat.
Why These Treats Stand Out
The best thing about these cookies is how they're so easy but look so fancy. You don't need to wait for the dough to get cold - just mix and bake. The cream cheese gives the topping this nice tang that cuts through the sweetness. Guests always gasp when they see those pretty red and white swirls - each cookie feels like its own little party.
What You'll Want to Grab
- Unsalted Butter: Soft at room temp for cookie dough, but keep it chilled for the perfect topping.
- Sugar: Plain granulated stuff for cookies, and the powdery kind for a smooth topping.
- Flavorings: Vanilla and peppermint team up for that holiday taste everyone loves.
- Cornstarch: My hidden trick for cookies that stay wonderfully soft.
- Cream Cheese: This makes the topping taste extra rich and not too sweet.
- Red Gel Food Coloring: Creates those pretty candy cane-like patterns.
- Candy Canes: The glittery finishing touch that brings smiles all around.
Creating Your Sweet Holiday Treats
- Building Your Base
- I start by combining all the dry stuff - flour, cornstarch and salt. Then comes the fun bit where I beat butter and sugar until it's super fluffy. Adding those extracts makes my kitchen smell just like Christmas morning.
- Baking Time
- After rolling and cutting the cookies, they go in the oven. That 8-10 minute wait feels so long because they smell amazing! I keep an eye on them - we want just a hint of gold around the edges.
- Whipping Up The Topping
- While they cool, I make the topping. Using cold butter and cream cheese is key - it helps everything stay firm. A bit of peppermint extract really makes the flavor pop.
- Decorating Magic
- This is where things get fun! I pipe red topping in a star shape, then fill the gaps with white. Those crushed candy canes sprinkled on top look like tiny sparkling gems.
Tricks For Perfect Results
I've made these so many times and learned a few things. Using a kitchen scale gets your measurements just right. Don't cook them too long - the middle should stay soft. Keep your topping cold for clean decorating lines. And go easy with peppermint extract at first - you can always add more!
How Long They'll Last
These goodies store really well. After decorating, they'll stay good at room temp for a couple days, or nearly a week in the fridge. I often make the parts ahead - cookies and topping ready to go. Then I can put them together whenever I want. Just remember to let them warm up a bit before serving.
Great For Any Holiday Gathering
These cookies have come to my rescue at so many Christmas get-togethers! They're great for parties, cookie swaps, or as a sweet gift to brighten someone's day. I love watching people's eyes widen when they see those pretty peppermint swirls. And pairing them with hot cocoa? That's just pure Christmas magic in every bite.
Fun Design Ideas
Let me share some cool decorating ideas I've tried. Sometimes I use different tips to make unique patterns or add a bit of edible sparkle for extra shine. At holiday parties, I've swapped candy canes for pieces of peppermint bark. My newest trick? Mixing red and green for the topping turns them into adorable little Christmas wreaths.
Adjusting For Different Needs
I love how flexible these cookies can be. For friends who can't have dairy, plant-based butter and cream cheese work great - they're still super tasty. When I need gluten-free options, a good all-purpose gluten-free flour mix does the trick. Just make sure everything (even those candy canes) fits your dietary requirements.
Baking With The Family
Some of my favorite holiday moments come from making these cookies with my family. The kids go crazy crushing candy canes (in a ziplock bag of course!) and helping decorate. Even tiny tots can sprinkle the crushed candies on top. Our designs aren't always magazine-worthy, but those slightly messy cookies made by little hands turn out to be the most treasured ones.
The Taste That Wows
What really makes these cookies knock your socks off? It's how all the flavors work together - that buttery cookie base, the slight tang from cream cheese in the topping, and the cool peppermint pop. They don't just look pretty - they taste amazing. Everyone who tries them asks for my recipe, shocked that something so festive could be so simple to make.
Ways To Present Them
I enjoy setting these cookies out with other holiday goodies. They're perfect with hot chocolate for the ultimate comfort treat. Sometimes I'll set up a coffee bar with these cookies nearby - peppermint goes so well with morning coffee or afternoon lattes. At parties, I arrange them on multi-level stands mixed with other Christmas cookies for a truly festive look.
Gifting These Goodies
These cookies make fantastic presents. I like to pack them carefully in holiday tins with parchment paper between layers. Sometimes I'll include a note with serving ideas or the recipe if someone wants it. There's something really special about giving someone homemade cookies, especially ones this pretty. During December, I always keep extra supplies handy for last-minute gifts.
Our Cookie Custom
These Peppermint Cookies have become a must-have in our holiday routines. Whether they're displayed on a dessert table, bringing joy at a cookie swap, or wrapped up as gifts, they just make everything more festive. It's amazing how a simple cookie can capture so much holiday spirit - the joy of making something pretty, the fun of sharing with others, and those perfect minty sweet flavors that just scream Christmas.
Pin it
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Why is cold cream cheese better?
- It helps the frosting stay firm, making it easier to pipe detailed peppermint designs without getting too soft.
- → Can I prep them ahead?
- Yep! Unfrosted cookies freeze up to a month. Once frosted, store them airtight for 3-4 days.
- → Why avoid browned cookies?
- If they brown, they’re likely overbaked and might turn dry. Take them out when they’re puffed but still light in color.
- → Is salted butter okay?
- Unsalted is best for controlling salt levels. If salted is all you have, skip or reduce the added salt.
- → Why use a scale?
- Weighing ingredients is more exact than measuring cups, so your baking turns out consistently great every time.