🌿🍬 Peppermint Meltaways
Delicately soft, buttery cookies with a creamy peppermint flavor and a sweet glaze that practically melts on your tongue.
These Peppermint Meltaways are wonderfully tender and light, with a subtle crunch around the edges and an irresistible peppermint finish. The cornstarch gives them their signature melt-in-your-mouth texture, while sweetened condensed milk adds richness and sweetness.
Finished with a smooth peppermint glaze, they’re especially beautiful for Christmas cookie trays, holiday parties, cookie exchanges, and edible gifts.
⏱️ Recipe Information
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Chill Time: 20–30 minutes
Bake Time: 10–12 minutes
Total Time: About 1 hour
Yield: 24–30 cookies
Difficulty: Easy
Method: Oven-Baked
🛒 Ingredients
🍪 For the Meltaway Cookies
- ⅓ cup (75 g) unsalted butter, softened
- ⅓ cup (100 g) sweetened condensed milk
- ½ teaspoon peppermint extract
- 1 cup (125 g) cornstarch
- 1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar
🍬 For the Peppermint Glaze
- 1½ tablespoons (21 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1½ tablespoons heavy cream
- ⅛–¼ teaspoon peppermint extract
- ¾–1 cup powdered sugar, as needed for a smooth glaze
Optional Decorations
- Crushed peppermint candies
- Crushed candy canes
- Red or green sprinkles
- White chocolate drizzle
- Finely grated white chocolate
👩🍳 Instructions
🍪 Make the Meltaway Dough
1. Prepare the Oven
Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C).
Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
2. Cream the Butter
Place the softened butter in a large mixing bowl.
Beat with an electric mixer for approximately 1–2 minutes, until smooth and creamy.
3. Add the Condensed Milk
Pour in the sweetened condensed milk.
Beat until thoroughly combined and smooth.
4. Add the Peppermint
Add ½ teaspoon peppermint extract.
Mix briefly until evenly incorporated.
Start with the recommended amount—the peppermint flavor will become more pronounced once the cookies cool and are glazed.
5. Add the Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the cornstarch and powdered sugar.
Mix on low speed until a soft dough forms.
The dough should be smooth and tender.
If it feels slightly sticky, allow it to rest for a few minutes before shaping rather than immediately adding large amounts of extra cornstarch.
❄️ Chill the Dough
6. Refrigerate
Cover the bowl and refrigerate the dough for approximately 20–30 minutes.
Chilling makes the soft dough easier to handle and helps the cookies maintain their shape while baking.
🍪 Shape the Cookies
7. Form the Dough Balls
Scoop out small portions of dough, approximately 1 tablespoon each.
Roll each portion gently between your palms to create smooth balls.
Place them on the prepared baking sheets, leaving approximately 2 inches of space between each cookie.
8. Flatten Gently
Use the bottom of a glass or the back of a fork to gently flatten each dough ball.
Don’t press too thin—the cookies should remain fairly thick and delicate.
For a decorative finish, use a fork to create a subtle crisscross pattern.
🔥 Bake
9. Bake the Cookies
Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the cookies are set.
They should remain very pale.
Avoid waiting for the tops to turn golden brown—the signature of a good meltaway is its delicate, light appearance.
10. Cool
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for approximately 5 minutes.
Carefully transfer them to a wire rack and allow them to cool completely before glazing.
The cookies will be fragile while warm.
🍬 Make the Peppermint Glaze
11. Combine the Butter and Cream
Place the softened butter and heavy cream in a small bowl.
Beat until smooth.
12. Add Peppermint and Sugar
Add ⅛ teaspoon peppermint extract.
Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing until the glaze reaches a smooth, spreadable consistency.
Add more powdered sugar if the glaze is too thin.
If it’s too thick, add a few drops of heavy cream.
Taste and add up to another ⅛ teaspoon peppermint extract if you want a stronger peppermint flavor.
🌿 Decorate
13. Glaze the Cookies
Spread a small amount of peppermint glaze over each completely cooled cookie.
Alternatively, dip the tops into the glaze and gently shake off any excess.
14. Add Decorations
Immediately sprinkle with crushed candy cane, peppermint pieces, or festive sprinkles while the glaze is still wet.
Allow the glaze to set completely before stacking or storing.
⭐ Chef’s Tips
Use softened butter
Butter that is too cold won’t blend smoothly, while melted butter can make the dough too soft.
Don’t overbake
These cookies should stay pale and delicate. Overbaking can make them dry and reduce their melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Chill the dough
Because this is an exceptionally soft dough, chilling makes shaping much easier.
Handle gently
Meltaways are delicate, especially when warm. Allow them to cool before transferring or glazing.
Go easy on the peppermint
Peppermint extract is powerful. Start with the recommended amount and increase gradually if desired.
Let the glaze set
Give the glaze plenty of time to dry before stacking the cookies.
🎄 Easy Variations
Chocolate Peppermint Meltaways
Add 1–2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder to the dough and reduce the cornstarch by the same amount.
White Chocolate Peppermint
Drizzle the finished cookies with melted white chocolate and sprinkle with crushed candy cane.
Candy Cane Crunch
Mix finely crushed peppermint candy into the glaze for extra texture.
Vanilla Peppermint
Add ½ teaspoon vanilla extract alongside the peppermint for a softer, more rounded flavor.
Double Peppermint
Add crushed candy cane to both the glaze and the tops of the cookies for an extra-festive finish.
🎁 Perfect for Gifting
These cookies make beautiful holiday gifts.
Arrange them in:
- Christmas cookie tins
- Small gift boxes
- Cellophane bags
- Festive jars
- Holiday cookie trays
Place parchment paper between layers to protect the delicate glaze and cookies.
🧊 Storage
Store the completely cooled and glazed cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
Place parchment paper between layers if stacking them.
Keep them away from heat and humidity to prevent the glaze from becoming sticky.
❄️ Freezing
Freeze the unglazed baked cookies in an airtight freezer-safe container for up to 2 months.
Thaw at room temperature before glazing.
For best results, decorate after thawing.
🌿🍬 Final Result
These Peppermint Meltaways are everything their name promises—soft, delicate, buttery, and so tender they practically dissolve in your mouth.
The creamy condensed milk and cornstarch create an exceptionally delicate texture, while the peppermint glaze adds a refreshing sweetness and festive finish.
A little cookie with big holiday flavor—and the perfect addition to any Christmas dessert table! 🎄🍪🌿✨