Peppermint Meltaways

Name: Peppermint Meltaways
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: about 2-1/2 dozen.
Ingredients: 1 cup butter, softened; 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar; 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract; 1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour; 1/2 cup cornstarch; FROSTING:; 2 tablespoons butter, softened; 2 tablespoons 2% milk; 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract; 2 to 3 drops red food coloring, optional; 1-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar; 1/2 cup crushed peppermint candies

This recipe for peppermint meltaways is very pretty and festive-looking on a cookie platter. I often cover a plate of these peppermint cookies with red or green plastic wrap and a bright holiday bow in one corner. And yes, they really do melt in your mouth! —Denise Wheeler, Newaygo, Michigan

Ingredients

1 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup cornstarch
FROSTING:
2 tablespoons butter, softened
2 tablespoons 2% milk
1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract
2 to 3 drops red food coloring, optional
1-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
1/2 cup crushed peppermint candies

Directions

In a small bowl, cream butter and confectioners' sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in extract. In another bowl, whisk flour and cornstarch; gradually beat into creamed mixture. Refrigerate, covered, 30 minutes or until firm enough to handle.
Preheat oven to 350°. Shape dough into 1-in. balls; place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake 9-11 minutes or until bottoms are light brown. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool completely.
In a small bowl, beat butter until creamy. Beat in milk, extract and, if desired, food coloring. Gradually beat in confectioners' sugar until smooth. Spread over cookies; sprinkle with crushed candies. Store in an airtight container.

Test Kitchen Tips

Cornstarch in cookies? Its inclusion lends these shortbread cookies a lovely tenderness.

These also would taste great with almond or vanilla extract instead of peppermint, and topped with toasted nuts.

Get more ideas for peppermint cookies.

Nutrition Facts

1 cookie: 126 calories, 7g fat (4g saturated fat), 18mg cholesterol, 56mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein.

Originally published as Peppermint Meltaways in Simple & Delicious November/December 2008

Reviews

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Average Rating:

pcronk

Dec 9, 2018

One of my favorite Christmas cookies, these are on my cookie plates every year! I always double the batch and I just dip the tops in melted white chocolate rather than using frosting. I also use Andes peppermint crunch baking bits instead of peppermint candies to continue the melty theme.
cafritz

Dec 9, 2018

recipe is close to my spritz recipe. Just 1 cup less flour. And of course the peppermint extract. I will try these. I can see why they would melt in your mouth. Oh, I see there is no egg as well.
Teri

Dec 5, 2018

Absolutely delicious! For the so-called experienced baker who claimed they were HORRENDOUS, well maybe YOU don’t know how to bake or missed a ingredient! I think you were a bit harsh with your comment!!!
AnnMarie

Dec 2, 2018

I’m not the best at baking so wasn’t sure how I’d do with these. They taste so delicate how they melt as you chew them. Happily I made these and they came out great! They are now a Christmas cookie staple in our house! This year I’m also going to try cinnamon in place of the peppermint ??
Janet

Dec 18, 2017

Very delicious, light, moist and full of peppermint flavor. I did alter the amount of peppermint to half the amount called for in the recipe as I felt it was a bit to strong. Easy recipe to make and so pretty on a holiday platter.
Heather

Dec 17, 2017

Absolutely awful. Don't waste your time or ingredients. I'm an experienced baker and they were horrendous.
mariekenney

Dec 4, 2017

The best! My whole family loves them! I have also changed the flavor to make lemon and they were great that way too!
suefalk

Dec 3, 2017

Delicious and delicate! Beautiful for a Christmas cookie plate. For the reviewers commenting about the cornstarch: try 1/2 cup Cake Flour in place of cornstarch. It's flour WITH cornstarch.
grandmaconnie

Dec 23, 2016

These are so good and they hold up to their name, meltaways, because they do melt in your mouth! I put them on a tray with other cookies and gave to friends. All of them said they like these the best. It's a keeper!
mommayor

Dec 18, 2016

Delicious! Will be added to my Christmas cookie list to make every year.