Description
These Peppermint Sugar Cookies are a festive favorite, bringing together the nostalgic comfort of classic sugar cookies with the cool twist of peppermint. With soft, buttery centers and a sweet peppermint frosting topped with crushed candy canes, these cookies are visually stunning and incredibly easy to make. Ideal for quick holiday desserts, cheerful food ideas for parties, or cozy baking sessions with kids. This is an easy recipe that’s perfect for your Christmas cookie list, and fits right into your rotation of quick breakfast bakes, healthy snack swaps (use organic candies!), or new dinner ideas when you’re craving something sweet afterward.
Ingredients
1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup powdered sugar
½ cup unsalted butter (softened, for frosting)
1 teaspoon peppermint extract
2 tablespoons milk (as needed for frosting)
Pink food coloring (optional)
½ cup crushed peppermint candies or candy canes
Instructions
1. Beat butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
2. Add egg and vanilla extract, mixing until smooth.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt.
4. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet, mixing until dough forms.
5. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll dough into balls and flatten on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
6. Bake for 8–10 minutes or until edges are lightly golden. Cool completely.
7. For frosting, beat butter until creamy. Add powdered sugar, peppermint extract, and milk until smooth. Tint pink if desired.
8. Frost cooled cookies and sprinkle with crushed peppermint. Let set before serving.
Notes
For best results, don’t overbake. Cookies should still look pale when done.
Store unfrosted cookies in freezer up to 1 month and frost after thawing for best texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 65mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Keywords: holiday cookies, peppermint sugar cookies, Christmas cookies, easy recipe, food ideas