Festive Peppermint Butter Cookies: Your Ultimate Guide to Holiday Baking

Prepare to delight your taste buds with these exquisite Peppermint Butter Cookies, a true celebration of classic holiday flavors. Crafted with simple, wholesome ingredients, these tender, buttery cookies are then elegantly dipped in rich melted chocolate and generously sprinkled with vibrant crushed peppermint candy. The result is a symphony of crisp texture, delicate sweetness, and refreshing minty zest that makes them an absolute essential for any Christmas cookie platter or festive gathering.

These delightful peppermint butter cookies aren’t just a treat; they’re a holiday tradition in the making. Universally adored and Santa-approved, their irresistible charm stems from the perfect blend of crunchy candy canes, smooth chocolate, and a buttery, melt-in-your-mouth cookie base. Each generous batch yields several dozen cookies, ensuring there’s always enough to share with family, friends, and neighbors, spreading joy with every sweet bite.

What Makes These Peppermint Butter Cookies So Special?

Our candy cane butter cookies take the beloved classic butter cookie to a festive new level. You know those iconic, old-fashioned Danish butter cookies found in blue tins – the ones that often become a cherished sewing kit container after the last cookie is savored? This recipe captures that same soft, pliable dough that pipes beautifully, resulting in cookies with that familiar crisp edge and tender center.

But we’re not stopping there. We infuse these buttery delights with the spirit of the holidays by adding a touch of peppermint extract directly into the dough, then elevating them further with a luxurious dip in melted chocolate and a dazzling shower of crushed candy cane pieces. This combination creates a stunning visual appeal and an unforgettable flavor experience that balances the richness of butter with the cool, refreshing kick of mint and the indulgence of chocolate. They are truly a treat for both the eyes and the palate!

Essential Ingredients for Peppermint Butter Cookies

Crafting these delectable peppermint butter cookies begins with a selection of readily available ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need and why each component is crucial for achieving that perfect festive treat:

• Butter: You’ll need 2 cups (which is equivalent to 4 sticks) of unsalted butter, softened to room temperature. Room temperature butter is paramount for proper creaming with sugar, creating a light and fluffy base that contributes to the cookies’ delicate texture.
• Sugar: 1 ⅓ cups of granulated sugar provides the ideal level of sweetness and helps achieve that characteristic crispness in every bite.
• Eggs: Two large eggs plus one extra egg yolk are essential for richness and binding the dough. The additional yolk adds extra tenderness and a beautiful golden hue to your cookies.
• Milk: 4 tablespoons of milk help achieve the perfect dough consistency, making it smooth enough to pipe effortlessly.
• Salt: 1 teaspoon of salt is a flavor enhancer, balancing the sweetness and bringing out the depth of the other ingredients.

• Vanilla Extract: A teaspoon of good quality vanilla extract adds a warm, aromatic depth that complements the vibrant peppermint. Using pure vanilla extract will yield the best flavor, but use what you have on hand.
• All-Purpose Flour: The structural backbone of our cookie dough, you’ll need 4 ⅔ cups of all-purpose flour. Make sure to measure it correctly to avoid a dense or overly crumbly cookie.
• Peppermint Extract: ½ teaspoon of peppermint extract is the star of the show, delivering that unmistakable cool and refreshing minty flavor. For a more intense mint, you can add a tiny bit more, but be careful not to overpower the other flavors.
• Chocolate Chips: For dipping, ⅔ cup of chocolate chips, melted, will provide a glossy, delicious coating. Semi-sweet or dark chocolate works wonderfully, but milk chocolate can also be used for a sweeter finish.
• Crushed Candy Canes: ⅓ cup of crushed candy canes adds a festive crunch, a burst of peppermint flavor, and a beautiful visual appeal to the finished cookies.

How to Make Peppermint Butter Cookies: A Step-by-Step Guide

Follow these detailed steps to create your own batch of delicious peppermint butter cookies:

1. Cream the Butter and Sugar: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, add your softened butter and granulated sugar. Beat them together on high speed for about 2 minutes. Continue mixing until the mixture becomes wonderfully creamy and fluffy, indicating that air has been incorporated, which is key for a light cookie.
2. Incorporate Wet Ingredients: Add the two whole eggs and the extra egg yolk to the butter mixture. Beat for just 15 seconds, enough to fully combine. Next, pour in the milk, salt, vanilla extract, and the peppermint extract. Beat again until all these liquid ingredients are well mixed and integrated into the creamy base.
3. Add the Flour: Gradually add the all-purpose flour to the wet ingredients. Mix on low speed until the flour is just combined and no streaks remain. Be careful not to overmix, as this can develop the gluten too much, resulting in tougher cookies.
4. Prepare for Piping: Once the dough is ready, carefully spoon it into a piping bag. Ensure your piping bag is fitted with a large star tip. This tip is ideal for creating the classic butter cookie shape.
5. Pipe the Cookies: Hold the piping bag at a 90-degree angle, perpendicular to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Gently pipe the cookies into a beautiful circular pattern. As you pipe, ensure each cookie is placed approximately 2 inches apart. This spacing is crucial to prevent them from overlapping or touching during baking, allowing them to bake evenly and maintain their distinct shapes.

6. Chill the Dough: This is a crucial step for maintaining the cookies’ shape. Place the baking sheet with the piped cookies into the fridge and chill for at least 1 hour. Chilling helps the butter solidify, which prevents the cookies from spreading too much in the oven.
7. Bake the Cookies: Once your cookies are thoroughly chilled, preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 C). Transfer the baking sheet from the fridge directly into the preheated oven. Bake for approximately 12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the centers are just set.
8. Cool Completely: After baking, carefully remove the cookies from the oven. Allow them to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Cooling on a wire rack ensures air circulation, helping the cookies become perfectly crisp.
9. Decorate with Chocolate and Peppermint: Once the cookies are entirely cooled (this is important, as warm cookies will melt the chocolate), gently dip half of each cookie into the melted chocolate. Immediately after dipping, sprinkle the chocolate-coated portion with the crushed candy canes.
10. Allow Chocolate to Set: Let the decorated cookies sit at room temperature or, for faster setting, place them in the fridge until the chocolate has fully hardened. Once set, your festive peppermint butter cookies are ready to be enjoyed!

Tips for Perfect Peppermint Butter Cookies Every Time

• Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure your butter and eggs are at room temperature. This helps them emulsify properly, creating a smooth, homogenous dough that pipes beautifully and bakes evenly.
• Don’t Overmix the Flour: Once you add the flour, mix only until just combined. Overmixing develops gluten, leading to tougher cookies.
• Proper Piping Technique: Practice on a separate piece of parchment paper if you’re new to piping. Holding the bag at a consistent 90-degree angle and applying even pressure will yield uniform shapes.
• Crucial Chilling Time: Do not skip the chilling step! It’s essential for preventing the cookies from spreading too much in the oven, ensuring they retain their intricate piped designs.
• Cool Completely Before Decorating: Patience is key. If the cookies are even slightly warm, the melted chocolate will not set correctly and will create a messy finish.
• How to Crush Candy Canes: Place candy canes in a Ziploc bag, seal it, and gently crush them with a rolling pin or the bottom of a heavy pan. Don’t overdo it, as some larger pieces add great texture.

Storage Solutions for Your Peppermint Butter Cookies

Wondering how to keep your delightful peppermint butter cookies fresh and delicious? Here’s how to store them effectively:

• Room Temperature: For immediate enjoyment, these cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. This is ideal if you plan to serve them within a short period.
• Refrigeration: To extend their freshness, store them in the same airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. The cooler temperature helps maintain their crispness and flavor.

Can I Freeze Peppermint Butter Cookies?

Freezing these particular cookies, especially once they have been dipped in chocolate and sprinkled with candy cane pieces, is generally not recommended. Here’s why:

• Candy Cane Texture: Upon thawing, the crushed candy cane pieces tend to absorb moisture, becoming chewy, sticky, and losing their desirable crisp texture.
• Chocolate “Sweating”: The chocolate coating can also develop a “sweaty” or mottled appearance as it comes back to room temperature after freezing, affecting both the look and texture.

If you wish to prepare ahead, you can freeze the unbaked cookie dough or bake the cookies plain (without chocolate and candy canes). Once thawed and at room temperature, you can then proceed with the dipping and sprinkling steps for fresh-tasting decorated cookies.

Variations to Elevate Your Holiday Baking

While the classic peppermint butter cookies are perfect as is, you can easily customize them to suit your preferences or create a diverse holiday cookie collection:

• White Chocolate Delight: Instead of dark or semi-sweet chocolate, dip your cookies in melted white chocolate for a lighter, sweeter contrast to the peppermint.
• Colorful Sprinkles: If candy canes aren’t your only festive go-to, try using red and green sprinkles, nonpareils, or edible glitter for a different decorative touch.
• Chocolate Peppermint Cookies: For a double chocolate effect, add ⅓ cup of unsweetened cocoa powder to the dry ingredients (and a tablespoon or two of extra milk if the dough seems too stiff) to create a chocolate butter cookie base before adding the peppermint extract.
• Citrus Twist: While not traditionally peppermint, consider adding a hint of orange or lemon zest to the butter cookie dough for a bright, unexpected flavor pairing if you want to experiment.

Serving and Gifting These Holiday Delights

These beautiful peppermint butter cookies are perfect for a variety of occasions:

• Holiday Cookie Platters: They add vibrant color and refreshing flavor to any assortment of Christmas treats.
• Hostess Gifts: Package a small batch in a decorative tin or cellophane bag tied with a ribbon for a thoughtful homemade gift.
• With Hot Beverages: Pair them with a mug of hot cocoa, coffee, or even a peppermint tea for a cozy winter treat.
• Dessert Spreads: Serve them alongside other holiday desserts for an impressive spread. Their distinct flavor stands out beautifully.

Frequently Asked Questions About Peppermint Butter Cookies

Q: Can I make the dough ahead of time?

A: Absolutely! You can prepare the dough up to 2-3 days in advance. Store it tightly covered in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to bake, let it come to room temperature slightly for easier piping, or pipe it directly from cold if you have a strong piping bag and nozzle.

Q: What if I don’t have a piping bag and star tip?

A: While piping creates the classic look, you can still enjoy these cookies! You can roll the dough into small balls and flatten them slightly with a fork (like peanut butter cookies) or press them into small round molds. The texture will be similar, but the shape will differ.

Q: How can I ensure my candy canes don’t melt on the cookies?

A: Make sure the cookies are completely cooled before applying the chocolate and candy canes. Also, if you live in a very humid environment, candy canes can become sticky more quickly. Store decorated cookies in an airtight container once the chocolate has set.

Check out these other great peppermint cookie recipes

• CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINT COOKIES
• PEPPERMINT COOKIES & CREAM COOKIES
• PEPPERMINT COOKIE BARS
• FROSTED PEPPERMINT COOKIES
• PEPPERMINT FUDGE SUGAR COOKIES
• PEPPERMINT CHOCOLATE SANDWICH COOKIES
• PEPPERMINT VANILLA SHORTBREAD COOKIES
• CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINT BLOSSOMS

Look at these 5 cuties! One of these kids is now an adult. Another is in high school! Time does go by fast!

This peppermint butter cookies recipe is truly a gem to cherish and revisit every holiday season. With its straightforward soft cookie dough base and the festive touch of crushed candy cane pieces, these cookies offer a delightful and refreshing taste. They are not only incredibly delicious but also bring a special festive cheer to your holiday baking, making them a standout treat that everyone will adore. Enjoy the simple pleasure of baking and sharing these delightful minty marvels!