FROSTED PEPPERMINT COOKIES

Frosted Peppermint Cookies made with simple pantry staples, sweet peppermint candy, and a fluffy peppermint-vanilla buttercream. Topped with crushed candy canes, they’re bursting with holiday flavor!

The holidays are here, and one of my favorite traditions is baking Christmas cookies with my kids. These Frosted Peppermint Cookies are always a hit—soft, flavorful, and topped with the most delicious peppermint-vanilla buttercream. The kids love being involved in every step, from mixing and scooping to frosting and showering each cookie with crushed peppermint!

Ingredients for Peppermint Sugar Cookies

Butter: Using ½ cup softened butter (1 stick) helps create a soft, tender cookie texture.

Sugar: Sweeten the cookies with granulated sugar.

Egg: Bind the dough and add structure to the cookie by adding 1 egg.

Milk: ¾ cup milk keeps the dough soft and creates a pillowy, cake-like texture.

Extract: Vanilla extract enhances overall flavor and balances the peppermint.

Flour: The structural base of this cookie dough is 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour.

Baking soda: Help the cookies rise and stay soft and fluffy by using baking soda.

Salt: Add salt to balance the sweetness and enhance flavors.

Peppermint candies: Adds bursts of peppermint flavor and little bits of festive crunch.

Buttercream Frosting

Butter: Create the creamy base of the frosting with ½ cup room temperature butter (1 stick).

Extracts: Peppermint extract gives the frosting its bold peppermint flavor. While vanilla extract softens the peppermint and adds warmth.

Milk: Adjust the frosting consistency with milk to make it smooth and spreadable.

Powder sugar: 3 rounded cups powdered sugar sweetens and thickens the buttercream.

Peppermint candies: Use ½ cup crushed candy cane pieces. For peppermint candy I used a combination of peppermint baking chips and crushed candy cane pieces.

Save time making these Peppermint Cookies:

• Mix the dough and frosting beforehand, then store in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator until ready to use. This is an easy way to speed up the process when making cookies with kids. I usually make the dough and frosting the night before, then, the next day, when the kids are ready to make Christmas cookies, it’s a faster process.
• You can scoop dough balls out on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper, then freeze until ready to use! When baking, just add 1 to 2 minutes to compensate for frozen dough, unless you’re able to thaw them out prior to baking.
• Did you know you can purchase candy cane pieces already in small bits?! Check the holiday baking aisle of your grocery store and see if they carry them. I love purchasing these because it not only saves me time making the cookies, but I have less dishes to wash as well!

How should I store the Frosted Cookies?

Store frosted cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for 2–3 days, or refrigerate them for up to 5 days.

You can freeze the finished Frosted Peppermint Cookies. Just place them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze the frosting first, then stack them in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers. They freeze well for up to 2–3 months—just thaw at room temperature before serving.

How do I keep buttercream from being too runny or too thick?

If the frosting is too thick, add a splash of milk. If it’s too thin, add more powdered sugar until you reach a smooth, spreadable consistency.

Can I use peppermint extract instead of peppermint candy?

Yes, but use it sparingly—peppermint extract is strong. Start with ¼ teaspoon in the dough and adjust to taste.

Try some of our other favorite Christmas Cookie recipes here:

• Christmas Sprinkle Cookies start with a rich, buttery brown-sugar dough that bakes up soft, chewy, and full of warm flavor. Each cookie is rolled in festive holiday sprinkles, giving them a fun, colorful crunch that makes them perfect for your holiday cookie plate!
• Made with brown sugar, molasses, butter, and a cozy blend of cinnamon and ginger, these Chewy Gingerbread Cookies are full of classic holiday warmth.
• These Christmas Snowball Cookies come together with just a few simple ingredients. Dusted generously in powdered sugar, they’re a classic holiday favorite and perfect for cookie trays, parties, and gift exchanges.
• Peppermint Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies are melt-in-your-mouth cookies studded with crushed candy canes and finished with a glossy pool of rich chocolate fudge in the center!
• Our festive Hot Chocolate Cookie Cups are filled with rich fudge, mini marshmallows, and colorful sprinkles, then topped with a cute candy cane handle for a playful holiday touch. Perfect for gifting, parties, or adding a fun twist to your holiday cookie spread!

Frosted Peppermint Cookies bursting with peppermint candy and topped with creamy peppermint-vanilla buttercream and crunchy candy cane pieces. They’re a festive favorite, perfect for holiday parties, cookie exchanges, or gifting to friends and family!