Nothing says holiday season quite like a batch of warm, buttery peppermint cookies fresh out of the oven! These cookies are the perfect combination of a classic sugar cookie with a refreshing peppermint crunch—ideal for cozy evenings, holiday gatherings, or as a homemade gift.
Forget store-bought cookies—this easy homemade peppermint cookies recipe will fill your kitchen with the sweet aroma of the holidays in no time. With simple ingredients and quick prep time, you’ll have a delicious treat ready in under 30 minutes!
Whether you’re baking for your family, hosting a holiday party, or just treating yourself, this recipe is a must-try.
➡️ Why You’ll Love This Recipe
✔️ Quick & easy – Ready in just 10 minutes of baking
✔️ Festive & fun – Perfect for Christmas and holiday baking
✔️ Customizable – Add white chocolate, sprinkles, or skip the peppermint
✔️ Great for gifting – A beautiful, homemade holiday treat
Now, let’s dive into the details and make these irresistible peppermint cookies! 🍪✨
Table of Contents
Key Features of This Peppermint Cookies Recipe
These peppermint cookies aren’t just delicious—they’re also effortless to make and have the perfect balance of texture and flavor. Here’s why they stand out:
✔️ Crispy Edges, Soft Centers – These cookies have a slight crunch on the outside while staying perfectly soft inside.
✔️ Perfectly Pepperminty – The combination of peppermint extract and crushed candy canes gives a refreshing minty taste without being overpowering.
✔️ Easy to Customize – Not a fan of candy canes? Swap them for chocolate chips, white chocolate chunks, or festive sprinkles!
✔️ Quick & Simple – Only 10 minutes of baking time and basic pantry ingredients—no fancy equipment required.
✔️ Great for Gifting – These cookies look stunning in a holiday cookie tin, making them a thoughtful homemade gift for friends, family, or coworkers.
Now that you know why these cookies are a must-try, let’s get baking!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s everything you need to make these festive peppermint cookies. Most of these are pantry staples, so you might already have them at home!
🥣 Dry Ingredients
- 1 ⅔ cups all-purpose flour – Provides structure to the cookies. You can use gluten-free flour if needed.
- ½ teaspoon baking soda – Helps the cookies rise and stay soft.
🧈 Wet Ingredients
- ½ cup salted butter, at room temperature – Adds richness and flavor. Use unsalted butter if preferred, but add a pinch of salt.
- ¾ cup granulated sugar – For sweetness. You can substitute with monk fruit sugar or cane sugar.
- 1 large egg – Binds everything together and gives a soft texture.
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract – Enhances flavor.
- 1 teaspoon peppermint extract – Gives a festive, minty touch! You can reduce the amount for a milder flavor.
🍬 Mix-Ins
- ½ cup chopped candy canes – Adds crunch and extra peppermint flavor. Swap with white chocolate chips or holiday sprinkles for variety.
Step-by-Step Instructions: How to Make Peppermint Cookies
These cookies are incredibly easy to make and require minimal prep time. Follow these simple steps for perfect results every time!
Step 1: Prep Your Baking Sheets
Line two medium sheet pans with parchment paper and make space in your fridge for chilling the dough later.
Step 2: Cream the Butter & Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, add ½ cup butter and ¾ cup granulated sugar.
Use an electric mixer to beat until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes). This step creates an airy texture for soft cookies.
Step 3: Add Wet Ingredients
Add 1 egg, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, and 1 teaspoon peppermint extract to the butter-sugar mixture.
Mix until fully combined and smooth.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, sift together 1 ⅔ cups all-purpose flour and ½ teaspoon baking soda.
Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring with a spatula until just combined. (Do not overmix!)
Step 5: Fold in the Candy Canes
Gently fold in ½ cup chopped candy canes. The candy pieces will melt slightly while baking, creating crunchy, minty pockets in the cookies!
Step 6: Scoop & Chill the Dough
Scoop even-sized dough balls onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving 2 inches of space between each cookie.
Refrigerate for 30 minutes – This helps the cookies hold their shape while baking.
Step 7: Bake to Perfection
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Bake cookies directly from the fridge for 9-11 minutes, or until the edges are set but the centers remain soft.
Pro Tip: The cookies may look slightly underbaked when you take them out, but they will firm up as they cool.
Step 8: Cool & Enjoy
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.
Serve and enjoy with a glass of milk or a warm cup of hot cocoa!
Pro Tips for Perfect Peppermint Cookies
Want bakery-quality cookies every time? Here are some expert tips to ensure your peppermint cookies turn out soft, flavorful, and picture-perfect!
1. Don’t Skip the Chilling Time
Refrigerating the cookie dough for at least 30 minutes prevents the cookies from spreading too much in the oven, helping them keep their soft and chewy texture.
2. Use Room Temperature Butter
Cold butter won’t cream properly with sugar, and melted butter will make the dough too runny. Let your butter sit out for about 30 minutes before baking for the perfect consistency.
3. Measure Your Flour Correctly
Too much flour makes cookies dry. Spoon and level your flour instead of scooping directly from the bag. This prevents overpacking and ensures the right balance of ingredients.
4. Don’t Overmix the Dough
Once you add the flour, mix until just combined. Overmixing can make your cookies tough and dense instead of soft and chewy.
5. Bake One Sheet at a Time
For even baking, place one tray in the center of the oven at a time instead of stacking multiple trays. This ensures all cookies bake evenly and don’t brown too much on the bottom.
6. Watch the Baking Time
The cookies should still look slightly soft in the center when you take them out of the oven. They will continue to firm up as they cool on the baking sheet.
7. Customize to Your Taste
Not a fan of candy canes? Try these mix-ins instead:
✔️ White chocolate chips for a creamy sweetness
✔️ Dark chocolate chunks for a rich contrast
✔️ Festive sprinkles for a fun holiday twist
Variations & Substitutions
Want to customize your peppermint cookies to fit different dietary needs or preferences? Here are some great alternatives!
1. Gluten-Free Peppermint Cookies
Simply swap all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour. Look for blends that contain xanthan gum for the best texture.
2. Refined Sugar-Free Option
Replace granulated sugar with:
✔️ Coconut sugar – Gives a slightly caramelized flavor.
✔️ Monk fruit sweetener – A low-carb, sugar-free option.
✔️ Maple syrup or honey – Reduce other wet ingredients slightly to balance the moisture.
3. Dairy-Free Alternative
Swap butter for coconut oil or a plant-based butter substitute. Keep in mind that coconut oil will create a slightly different texture—still delicious but a bit more crisp!
4. Low-Carb/Keto Peppermint Cookies
✔️ Use almond flour (1 ½ cups) or coconut flour (⅓ cup).
✔️ Swap sugar for a keto-friendly sweetener like erythritol or monk fruit blend.
✔️ Skip the candy canes and use sugar-free chocolate chips instead.
5. Extra Chocolatey Version
✔️ Add ¼ cup cocoa powder to the dry ingredients for a chocolate peppermint cookie twist.
✔️ Mix in dark chocolate chunks or white chocolate chips for extra decadence.
6. No Peppermint? No Problem!
✔️ Simply leave out the peppermint extract and candy canes to make these classic vanilla sugar cookies.
✔️ Replace peppermint extract with almond extract or orange zest for a different holiday twist!
Peppermint Cookies
Equipment
- Mixing bowls
- Electric mixer
- Spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Baking sheets
- Parchment paper
- Wire cooling rack
Materials
- 1 ⅔ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ cup salted butter at room temperature
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
- ½ cup chopped candy canes
Instructions
- Line two medium sheet pans with parchment paper and make space in your fridge for chilling the dough.
- In a large bowl, cream together ½ cup butter and ¾ cup sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy (2-3 minutes).
- Add 1 egg, 2 tsp vanilla extract, and 1 tsp peppermint extract. Mix until smooth.
- In a separate bowl, sift together 1 ⅔ cups flour and ½ tsp baking soda. Gradually stir into the wet mixture until just combined.
- Fold in ½ cup chopped candy canes.
- Scoop dough into balls and place on prepared baking sheets, 2 inches apart. Chill in refrigerator for 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Bake chilled cookies for 9–11 minutes, until edges are set but centers remain soft.
- Let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Notes
Bake, Share & Enjoy!
These peppermint cookies are the perfect festive treat—soft, buttery, and packed with holiday flavor. Whether you’re making them for your family, gifting them to loved ones, or simply indulging in a sweet treat with a cup of hot cocoa, they are sure to bring joy to your holiday season.
Now it’s your turn!
👉 Try this peppermint cookies recipe and let me know how they turn out! Leave a comment below and share your experience. If you loved this recipe, don’t forget to rate it and share it with friends and family!
Want more holiday baking inspiration? Check out these delicious recipes:
🔗 chocolate chip cookies
🔗 strawberry cookies
🔗 cheesecake cookies
Happy Baking & Happy Holidays!
FAQ:
What is the secret ingredient to keep cookies soft?
Brown sugar is key—it retains moisture better than white sugar. Cornstarch, molasses, or a bit of honey can also help maintain softness.
Can I add peppermint extract to sugar cookies?
Yes! You can add peppermint extract to sugar cookie dough for a minty flavor. Start with ¼ to ½ teaspoon per batch and adjust to taste.
Is peppermint cookie a healer?
If you’re referring to a character like in a game (e.g., Cookie Run), yes—Peppermint Cookie is classified as a healer in that game.
Can you make peppermint cookies without peppermint extract?
Yes, use crushed peppermint candies or candy canes as an alternative. They add flavor and a festive crunch, though the taste may be slightly different.
What do bakeries use to keep cookies soft?
Bakeries often use ingredients like brown sugar, glucose syrup, and invert sugar, along with careful baking times and storage in airtight containers to retain moisture.
How do I make my cookies chewy instead of crunchy?
Use more brown sugar than white, add an extra egg yolk, and slightly underbake. High-moisture ingredients and minimal mixing also help achieve chewiness.