Frosted Peppermint Cookies are a delightful treat that perfectly blend the flavors of sweet sugar and refreshing peppermint. With a combination of soft dough and a rich buttercream icing, these cookies are ideal for festive gatherings or cozy family evenings.
Using simple ingredients like softened butter, granulated sugar, and peppermint candy, this candy cane cookie recipe comes together quickly. The addition of crushed candy canes not only enhances their flavor but also adds a festive touch to these peppermint cookies. A hint of peppermint extract in the vanilla buttercream elevates the overall experience, creating a harmonious balance of taste and texture.
Frosted Peppermint Cookies: A Festive Treat for the Holiday’s
These Candy Cane Cookies can easily become a holiday favorite, offering a unique twist on traditional recipes. Their festive appearance and delicious taste make them a crowd-pleaser that everyone will enjoy. Whether they are for a special occasion or just a sweet treat at home, frosted peppermint cookies are sure to impress!
With the holiday’s upon us, there is nothing I love more than to bake Christmas cookies with my kids. This simple cookie recipe is one of our favorites! The cookies are soft, have great flavor, and the peppermint vanilla buttercream is absolutely amazing. My kids love to help every step of the way, from mixing the dough, scooping onto cookie sheets, frosting, and of course, sprinkling with crushed peppermint pieces!
Why you’ll love this Christmas Cookie Recipe
- Simple steps. The peppermint cookie recipe is straightforward, making it easy for bakers of all skill levels. It includes common ingredients, which are often already in the pantry. This dessert comes together quickly and easily!
- Taste & Texture! The texture of these cookies is soft and chewy. This is complemented by the creamy buttercream frosting that adds richness. Their minty flavor combined with the sweet vanilla buttercream creates a satisfying taste experience.
- Family fun. These cookies can serve as a fun activity for family and friends. Decorating the cookies allows for creativity and personalization. Their appealing taste and festive appearance also make them a thoughtful choice for sharing during celebrations!
Frosted Peppermint Cookies Ingredients
Butter: You need ½ cup of butter (1 stick), softened, for rich and flavorful cookies.
Sugar: Adding 1 cup of granulated sugar will make these treats sweet and chewy.
Egg: Help bind the ingredients together using 1 egg.
Milk: Use ¾ cup of milk to give them the moisture to stay soft as they bake.
Vanilla extract: Enhance the amazing flavors in these cookies by adding 1 tsp of vanilla extract.
Flour: The structural base of this recipe is 2 ½ cups of all-purpose flour.
Baking soda: Add ½ tsp of baking soda to help the cookies puff up nicely as they bake.
Salt: Balance the sweetness of these cookies by adding ½ tsp of salt to the dough.
Peppermint candy: You will need ¾ cup of peppermint candy for these cookies. I used a combination of peppermint baking chips and crushed candy cane pieces for amazing taste and texture.
Vanilla Buttercream
Butter: Use ½ cup of room temperature butter (1 stick) for the base of this amazing frosting.
Peppermint extract: Give the topping a festive flavor by adding 1 tsp of peppermint extract.
Vanilla extract: For more great taste add 1 tsp of vanilla extract to the mixture too.
Milk: Help thin out the frosting with 2-3 TBSP of milk. More may be needed depending on your desired spreading consistency.
Powder sugar: For a sweet and smooth frosting, you need 3 rounded cups of powdered sugar.
Candy canes: Top the cookies with ½ cup of crushed candy cane pieces, divided.
How to Make the Peppermint Cookies
Prep
Get started by preheating your oven to 400 degrees F. Also, line two baking sheets with parchment paper, or silicon mats, and set them aside.
Dough
Next in a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar using an electric mixer, for 1 minute. Then add in the egg, milk, and vanilla extract. Mix again until smooth.
In a separate bowl combine the dry ingredients, the flour, baking soda, and salt. Then add half of the dry ingredients to the bowl of wet ingredients, mix. Continue to add the other half of the dry ingredients and the crushed peppermint candy. Mix again until well combined and no white streaks of flour show. The dough will be sticker than normal cookie dough.
Proceed to scoop the cookie dough using a 2 TBSP sized scoop, placing them onto the parchment-lined cookie sheets.
Bake
Place the cookies in the preheated oven and bake for 9-10 minutes. Let them cool for an additional two minutes on the cookie sheets before transferring them to a cooling rack.
Peppermint Vanilla Buttercream
In a mixing bowl, whip the butter on medium speed for about 3 minutes, until whipped and light in color.
Next add in the vanilla and peppermint extract, milk, and 1 cup of powdered sugar.
Mix for 1 minute, then add in the remaining 2 cups of powdered sugar and mix on medium speed for 3-4 minutes. Add additional milk, if needed, until the desired consistency is achieved.
Once the cookies are fully cool, frost each one with about 1 TBSP of the homemade buttercream frosting. Then top with more crushed candy cane pieces.
Serve immediately and enjoy!
Decoration and Finishing Touches
Frosted peppermint cookies can be beautifully decorated for any occasion. The vanilla buttercream provides a perfect base for creativity.
- Frosting Techniques: Use a piping bag to create decorative swirls or rosettes. Alternatively, a simple knife spread can give a rustic charm.
- Color Variations: Add food coloring to the buttercream for a festive touch. Red or green can enhance the holiday spirit.
- Presentation Ideas: Arrange cookies on a decorative platter. For a gift, stack cookies in a clear cellophane bag tied with a ribbon.
- Additional Garnishes: Consider adding drizzles of melted white chocolate or a dusting of edible glitter for extra flair.
Attention to detail transforms simple cookies into standout treats. With these finishing touches, they will delight both the eyes and taste buds.
Frosted Peppermint Cookies
Ingredients
- ½ cup butter 1 stick, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg
- ¾ cup milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- ¾ cup peppermint candy I used a combination of peppermint baking chips and crushed candy cane pieces.
Peppermint Vanilla Buttercream
- ½ cup butter 1 stick, room temperature
- 1 tsp peppermint extract
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2-3 TBSP milk
- 3 rounded cups powdered sugar
- ½ cup crushed candy cane pieces
Instructions
- Prep: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper, or silicon mats, and set them aside.
- Dough: In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar using an electric mixer, for 1 minute. Add in the egg, milk, and vanilla extract. Mix again until smooth.
- In a separate bowl combine the dry ingredients, the flour, baking soda, and salt. Add half of the dry ingredients to the bowl of wet ingredients, mix. Continue to add the other half of the dry ingredients and the crushed peppermint candy. Mix again until well combined and no white streaks of flour show. The dough will be sticker than normal cookie dough.
- Scoop the cookie dough using a 2 TBSP sized scoop, placing them onto the parchment-lined cookie sheets.
- Bake: Place the cookies in the preheated oven and bake for 9-10 minutes. Let them cool for an additional two minutes on the cookie sheets before transferring them to a cooling rack.
- Peppermint Vanilla Buttercream: In a mixing bowl, whip the butter on medium speed for about 3 minutes, until whipped and light in color.
- Add in the vanilla and peppermint extract, milk, and 1 cup of powdered sugar. Mix for 1 minute, then add in the remaining 2 cups of powdered sugar and mix on medium speed for 3-4 minutes. Add additional milk, if needed, until the desired consistency is achieved.
- Once the cookies are fully cool, frost each one with about 1 TBSP of the homemade buttercream frosting. Then top with more crushed candy cane pieces. Serve immediately and enjoy!
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Notes
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How do you store these frosted peppermint cookies?
Due to the frosting on the cookies, you can imagine that incorrectly storing the cookies in a Ziploc bag or cookie jar would lead to a messy (but delicious) clump of frosted cookies. I recommend storing them in an airtight container such as a Tupperware container and then laying a piece of cut parchment paper between cookie layers to keep messes minimal.
Can you freeze peppermint cookies?
With or without the frosting these cookies would do well if frozen for up to a few weeks. If you plan to freeze them you may want to omit the additional candy cane pieces sprinkled on top of the frosting because as they thaw they’ll become soft, chewy and possibly allow the red dye to run into the cookies making them look a little less appealing. They’ll still taste great though!
Where can I get the crushed peppermint?
You can buy crushed peppermint candies from the baking aisle at your grocery store (right near the chocolate chips). You can also crush up your own candy canes or those round peppermint breath mint candies. Pretty much any peppermint candy that resembles a candy cane can do great with this recipe.
How can you ensure that the cookies are soft and not over-baked?
Using room temperature ingredients helps achieve a softer texture. Baking for the time specified in the recipe is crucial; checking for a golden edge while keeping the center soft prevents over-baking.
Can the flour be substituted with a gluten-free alternatives?
Yes, a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend can be used as a substitute. Ensure the blend contains xanthan gum for better structure and texture.
How should the Vanilla Buttercream be stored?
Vanilla Buttercream should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It is safe to consume for up to one week when stored properly.
Need more fun holiday recipes? Try some of our favorite here:
- Dutch Apple Bread
- Pumpkin Pudding Cake
- Cranberry Orange Bread
- White Chocolate Cherry Cheesecake
- Gooey Holiday Chex Mix
- Holiday Peppermint Ice Cream Cake Roll
- Holiday Cookie Salad
- Copycat Starbucks Cranberry Bliss Bars
- Christmas Candy Puffcorn
- Christmas Bark
- Christmas Cake Batter Fudge
- Christmas Cream Sodas
- Holiday Sprinkle Sugar Cookies
- Chocolate Caramel Bars
Frosted Peppermint Cookies are soft, pillowy cookies baked with peppermint candy and topped with peppermint vanilla buttercream and candy cane pieces. Perfect Christmas cookie recipe for holiday parties & cookie exchanges!
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