Craving a little holiday magic? Whether it’s for a festive gathering or just a cozy night at home, Peppermint Sugar Cookies are the perfect way to indulge your sweet tooth. These delightful cookies combine the buttery richness of traditional sugar cookies with the cool, invigorating flavor of peppermint. And to take things to the next level, crushed candy canes sprinkle a festive crunch into every bite!
Key Ingredients for Peppermint Sugar Cookies
Before we dive into the steps, let’s take a look at what you’ll need to whip up these delicious peppermint goodies.
Ingredient Breakdown:
- 2½ cups All-Purpose Flour:
Flour is the backbone of these cookies, giving them shape and structure. For best results, always spoon your flour into measuring cups and level it off to avoid packing. - 1 teaspoon Baking Powder:
This helps give the cookies a light, fluffy texture, ensuring they bake up nice and soft. - ¼ teaspoon Salt:
Don’t skip this tiny pinch! A bit of salt enhances all the flavors, ensuring your cookies aren’t overly sweet. - 1 cup (2 sticks) Unsalted Butter (At Room Temperature):
Butter makes everything better! At room temperature, it ensures a smooth dough and adds that rich, tender taste. - ¾ cup Powdered Sugar:
Instead of granulated, we use powdered sugar for a melt-in-your-mouth texture. - 1 Large Egg Yolk + 2 Large Egg Whites:
The egg yolk adds richness, while the egg whites help bind the dough together, adding a little lightness. - ½ teaspoon Peppermint Extract (NOT Mint or Spearmint):
This is the key to that cool peppermint bite. Be mindful—peppermint extract is potent, so a little goes a long way. - ½ cup Crushed Peppermint Candies/Candy Canes (About 3 Ounces):
These add a sweet, festive crunch and what’s more holiday-appropriate than candy canes in cookies? - Additional Powdered Sugar (For Rolling):
A light dusting of powdered sugar on the dough ball before baking adds sweetness and a hint of texture to these festive cookies.
Must-Have Kitchen Tools
Before getting started, it’s always helpful to have the right tools on hand for your cookie baking adventure. Here’s what you’ll need for your Peppermint Sugar Cookies:
- Electric Mixer (Hand or Stand):
Creaming butter and sugar to the perfect fluffy texture is much easier with a mixer. Whether you use a hand mixer or a stand mixer, make sure to beat the ingredients well for a light and airy dough. - Mixing Bowls:
At least two bowls—one for your dry ingredients and one for the wet mixture. Using separate bowls keeps your process clean and straightforward. - Baking Sheets:
Lining your sheets with parchment paper or Silpat mats will help prevent the cookies from sticking and ensure even baking. - Plastic Wrap:
To chill your dough, which helps intensify the flavors and make the cookies easier to roll without spreading too much in the oven. - Fork for Crisscrossing:
A fork will help you create the traditional crisscross pattern on the top of each cookie, giving them that classic pressed look.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Now that you’re armed with the ingredients and tools, let’s get into the fun part: making the dough!
1. Sifting the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl , sift together your dry ingredients—2½ cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, and ¼ teaspoon salt . Make sure they’re well combined—this ensures that your baking powder is evenly distributed, giving your cookies a nice lift. Once done, set the bowl aside.
2. Creaming the Butter and Sugar
Next, in a large mixing bowl , use your electric mixer to beat together 1 cup unsalted butter (at room temperature) and ¾ cup powdered sugar . Start slow so the sugar doesn’t puff up, then increase the speed to medium-high and beat until the mixture is light and fluffy—about 2-3 minutes. Properly creamed butter and sugar are key to cookies with a tender crumb.
3. Adding the Egg Yolks, Whites, and Peppermint Essence
Once your butter and sugar are fluffy, add in that extra richness—1 large egg yolk . Beat it until blended. Then toss in the 2 large egg whites , and ½ teaspoon peppermint extract . Don’t worry if the mixture looks a bit grainy—this is completely normal at this stage. The wet ingredients just need to be thoroughly combined.
4. Incorporating the Dry Ingredients
Gradually add your sifted flour mixture into the butter and egg mixture. Set your mixer to low speed as you slowly mix everything together. Don’t rush this step—adding the flour mixture bit by bit helps ensure an even, smooth dough. Once everything is combined, stir in your ½ cup crushed peppermint candies or candy canes . This gives your cookies that festive crunch.
5. Chill the Dough
Now it’s time for some patience. Gather the dough into a ball and wrap it in plastic wrap . Let it chill in the fridge for about 1 hour . Chilling is crucial because it firms up the dough, making it easier to roll into balls, and it prevents the cookies from spreading too much while baking.
Shaping and Baking the Peppermint Sugar Cookies
After your cookie dough has chilled for about an hour, it’s game time! You’re just a few simple steps away from enjoying these festive treats.
1. Preheat the Oven
About 10 minutes before you’re ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) . Make sure your oven is fully preheated before popping the cookies in—this ensures that the cookies bake evenly.
2. Prepare Your Baking Sheets
Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper or silpat mats , or, if you don’t have any on hand, you can lightly spray the sheets with nonstick spray . This prevents the cookies from sticking to the baking sheets and helps with even baking.
3. Form the Dough Balls
Take the chilled dough out of the fridge. Scoop and roll the dough into 1-inch balls (about the size of a large marble). Want uniform cookies? You can use a cookie scoop if you prefer, which will help ensure they bake evenly.
4. Coating the Dough Balls
This is where the magic happens! Roll each dough ball lightly in powdered sugar . This coating will give the cookies an extra touch of sweetness and create a delicate exterior that contrasts beautifully with the peppermint crunch inside.
5. Flatten with a Fork
Once your dough balls are coated in powdered sugar, place them on the prepared baking sheets, ensuring that they are spaced about 2 inches apart —the cookies will spread slightly during baking.
Next, use the tines of a fork to gently press down on the dough balls, flattening them slightly and creating a crisscross pattern on the tops. Don’t flatten them too much, just a gentle press to give them that classic sugar cookie look.
6. Bake the Cookies
Pop your baking sheets in the oven and bake the cookies at 350°F for 10 to 12 minutes . You’ll know they’re ready when the bottoms are slightly golden but the tops are still light in color.
Keep an eye on your oven starting around 10 minutes to avoid over-baking. The cookies should feel soft when they first come out but will firm up as they cool—this helps keep them tender and chewy in the center.
7. Cooling the Cookies
After baking, take the cookies out of the oven and let them rest on the baking sheets for about 2 minutes . Then, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Cooling them on a rack ensures that they cool evenly without becoming soggy on the bottom.
Tip: If you like, you can dust them with a little extra powdered sugar after baking for an even more festive look!
Serving, Decorating, and Storing the Peppermint Sugar Cookies
Now that your cookies are freshly baked and filling the kitchen with a delightful peppermint aroma, it’s time to think about how to serve, decorate, and store them to keep them at their best!
1. Serving Suggestions
Peppermint Sugar Cookies are perfect for sharing with family and friends during the holidays—or any time of year when you’re craving a minty-sweet treat! Here are some fun and festive ideas for serving these cookies:
- Cookie Tray Centerpiece : Arrange them on a holiday-themed platter alongside other festive cookies like gingerbread men or chocolate crinkles for a dessert display that’s perfect for holiday parties.
- Gift with a Cup of Cocoa : Pair a few of these peppermint cookies with a peppermint hot cocoa mix or gourmet coffee in a cute mason jar, and you have the ultimate DIY gift!
- Ice Cream Sandwiches : For a fun twist, sandwich a scoop of vanilla or peppermint ice cream between two cookies. The combination of cold, creamy ice cream and pepperminty cookies is out of this world!
2. Decorating Your Cookies
While your crisscross-patterned Peppermint Sugar Cookies are beautiful as-is, you can take them up a notch with a few decorative touches if you’re feeling creative! Here are some ideas:
- Drizzle with White Chocolate : Melt some white chocolate and drizzle it lightly over the cooled cookies. This adds a sweet, creamy contrast to the minty flavor and gives the cookies a fancy finish.
- Festive Sprinkles : Add some red, green, or silver holiday sprinkles to the tops of your cookies after baking while they’re still warm. The sprinkles will stick to the surface and give the cookies a holiday glow.
- Candy Cane Dust : Crush some extra candy canes and lightly dust them over the cookies while they’re still a bit warm for an extra peppermint punch.
3. Storing Your Peppermint Sugar Cookies
If you somehow manage to resist eating all the cookies in one sitting, here’s how to keep them fresh:
- Room Temperature Storage : Store your Peppermint Sugar Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days . To retain their softness, consider placing a slice of soft bread in the container—the cookies will absorb the moisture from the bread and stay soft longer.
- Freezing the Cookies : Want to save some for later? These cookies freeze beautifully! Once the cookies have completely cooled, arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet, then place them in the freezer for 1-2 hours. Once frozen solid, transfer them to an airtight, freezer-safe container or bag. They can be frozen for up to 3 months . To enjoy, just thaw them at room temperature, and they’re ready to be devoured.
4. Final Peppermint Twist
For those looking to elevate the peppermint flavor further, you can try these additions or variations:
- Chocolate-Dipped Peppermint Cookies : Once the cookies are completely cooled, dip half of each cookie into melted dark or milk chocolate. Let the chocolate set before serving to create an extra indulgent peppermint-chocolate cookie, which is a perfect flavor pairing!
- Add Mini Chocolate Chips : Stir a handful of mini chocolate chips into the dough for a mint-chocolate combo that’s irresistibly festive.
Conclusion
And there you have it—your homemade Peppermint Sugar Cookies are ready to be shared (or secretly enjoyed all by yourself!). These cookies are a delightful balance of buttery sweetness and refreshingly cool peppermint, with candy cane crunch that makes them perfect for the holiday season. With just a few simple ingredients, they’re easy to whip up and even easier to eat!
Whether you’re serving them at a holiday gathering, packing them as gifts, or freezing a batch for later, these cookies are sure to put a smile on everyone’s face.
So preheat that oven, put on a classic holiday playlist, and enjoy the simple joy of making (and savoring) these Peppermint Sugar Cookies . Happy baking!