Peppermint Meltaway Cookies are soft, buttery holiday cookies that practically dissolve the moment you bite into them. They're lightly sweet, coated with a festive peppermint glaze, and perfect for anyone who loves the cozy flavors of Christmas baking.
This recipe takes me back to the simple peppermint treats I used to make with my mom back home in northern New York, with the same melt in your mouth texture I always adored. It reminds me of the Candy Cane Cookies I used to make with mom every year for the holidays, bringing cool peppermint to the season.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
Soft Texture: these cookies are incredibly tender from the cornstarch rich dough.
Holiday flavor: the fresh peppermint glaze and crushed peppermint candies gives each bite a little sparkle.
Easy prep: this meltaway cookie recipe uses simple pantry staples with no complicated steps.
Key Ingredients for Peppermint Glazed Cookies
See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and instructions.
- Butter: creates a soft, delicate crumb that gives these cookies their signature "meltaway" feel.
- Powdered sugar: sweetens while keeping the dough light and smooth.
- Peppermint extract: adds a cool holiday flavor without overpowering.
- Flour and cornstarch: this blend gives the cookies their tender, melt in your mouth texture.
- Peppermint candy: crushed candy adds a festive finish for this Christmas cookie recipe.
Ingredient Substitutions
- Use almond extract instead of peppermint for a non-minty meltaway.
- Swap white chocolate drizzle for the glaze.
- Replace crushed peppermint candy with holiday sprinkles for a kid-friendly option.
Variations on Peppermint Meltaway Cookies
- Add mini chocolate chips to the dough for a peppermint mocha twist.
- Form the dough into slice and bake logs for peppermint shortbread meltaways.
- Tin the cookie dough light pink and the glaze white for a candy cane swirl look.
Helpful Tips for Better Cookies
- Chill the dough for the full hour. It helps the cookies hold shape and stay tender.
- Let the cookies rest one full minute on the baking sheet before moving; they're delicate when hot.
- For the glaze, start with 1 tablespoon of milk and add more slowly for the right drizzle consistency.
How to Store
Store these Peppermint Meltaway Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
Serve With..
These peppermint meltaways fit right in with your holiday dessert table alongside Lime Shortbread Cookies, Red Velvet Peppermint Thumbprints, and Hazelnut Shortbread Cookies.
More Christmas Cookie Recipes You'll Love
You may also enjoy my Lime Pistachio Cookies for a bright citrus bite, Kitchen Sink Cookies for a classic nutty treat, my Nanny's Ginger Molasses Cookies for a warm spice flavor, and Santa's Whiskers Cookies for a fun vintage-style cookie.
When you make this recipe, please comment below and let me know what you think. I'd love it if you tag me on Instagram @grumpyshoneybunch or #grumpyshoneybunch so I can see your photos!
If you love this recipe, please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating
📖 Recipe
Peppermint Meltaways
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Ingredients
Cookie dough
- 1 cup butter
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon peppermint extract
- 1¼ cup flour
- ½ cup cornstarch
Glaze
- 1½ cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons Butter softened
- ¼ teaspoon peppermint extract
- 1-2 tablespoons milk , glaze should be thick enough to drizzle
- 2 drops red food color , optional
- ½ cup Peppermint candy , crushed
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, using a hand mixer on medium speed, combine 1 cup butter, ½ cup powdered sugar and ½ teaspoon peppermint extract until creamy.
- In a medium mixing bowl, mix together flour and cornstarch. Gradually add flour mixture to butter mixture until well combined.
- Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate 60 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Remove cookie dough from fridge and using a 1 teaspoon sized cookie scoop, scoop dough and shape into dough balls.
- Place dough balls 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheets and sprinkle with crushed peppermint candies.
- Bake cookies for 13 minutes until edges are lightly browned.
- Remove cookies from oven Let stand 1 minute (important!); remove from cookie sheets. Cool completely.
- Combine 1-½ cups powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons butter, ¼ teaspoon peppermint extract, red food coloring (if using), and enough milk for desired glazing consistency in small bowl. Stir in food color. Drizzle over cooled cookies and immediately sprinkle with crushed candy.
Dina says
i'm on a peppermint kick lately--i'd love to try these!
Teanna says
Those are beautiful! And perfect for Christmas! I never even had a meltaway, so I wonder what they taste like!
Tracy says
Hmmm ... if memory serves me right, I tried a similar cookie last year and had trouble with it. Pretty pics though!
theUngourmet says
I do like peppermint. These are so pretty! I've been thinking of making a chocolate/peppermint treat of some kind.
Robin Sue says
These cookies are so dainty and pretty. Anything with a pound of butter in it is a friend of mine!
pegasuslegend says
I love the pink on these they are so pretty....the mint gets you in the spirit for christmas baking!
Ingrid says
They're very pretty and I'm certain they will "meltaway" at your party.
I just spotted those eggnog thumbprints of yours so I gotta run!
~ingrid
CookiePie says
I'm sorry these gave you trouble - they sure look beautiful!!
teresa says
oh my gosh, i loooove peppermint anything, these look outstanding!
Patsyk says
I hate when cookies don't appear to come out the way I expect them to. At least they were yummy... and your photos look wonderful!
Jessie says
great holiday cookies and so pretty to look at. I love the decorations too all the trouble was worth it!
Laura says
Yum-O. I love peppermint. And shortbread type cookies. These look fabulous. Were they all the same temp when they entered the oven or were some warmer than others?
Mari @ Once Upon a Plate says
Shelby, they are so pretty! I'm sure we would like these...
It's so strange that some truly DID melt-away before your very eyes, hmmm maybe that's the key to the name. hehe!
I'm sure they will disappear at your Holiday party. 🙂 Lucky co-workers!
Dawn says
shelby shelby shelby! a girl after my own food-heart. I love these, must make them asap!
tamilyn says
Hmm, could you crumble up the melted one for an ice cream topping?
My daughter sent me a link for a peppermint brownie she saw. I didn't even know she like peppermint!
Katy ~ says
Little meltaways are such a delicate cookie, melting in the mouth as soon as they hit the taste buds. Peppermint sounds so good, especially this time of year. what is it about peppermint and Christmas?
Stephanie says
They look absolutely DELICIOUS!!! I cannot wait to try them!! I'm sorry that they were such a grief to make... 🙂 I'm glad you did though!! 🙂
Barbara Bakes says
Sorry you had trouble with them. They sure are a pretty cookie!
Helene says
They are so nice. I like peppermint so I would probably enjoy these cookies.
Mags says
How cute for Christmas! I love peppermint, especially this time of year.