Peppermint Sugar Cookies

Don’t you love a good sugar cookie? Whether baked to golden perfection with nothing but a good dough or dolled up for Christmas like these Peppermint Sugar Cookies, they are probably the best homemade cookie. Ok, maybe a tie with chocolate chip cookies.

peppermint sugar cookies dipped in chocolate with candy canes


 

Christmas Sugar Cookies

Christmas, and really the whole holiday season, comes with a few special flavors and scents. Pumpkin spice, eggnog, apple pie, turkey and of course, peppermint or candy canes.

These sugar cookies utilize a standard dough tinted red, although this is totally optional, and then a quick chocolate dip followed by a peppermint sprinkle.

red cookies with peppermint on a piece of parchment paper

All the flavors of Christmas in one festive and eye catching cookie.

Ingredients

The ingredients are standard fridge and pantry staples.

ingredients for sugar cookie dough
  • Unsalted butter– if you use salted, omit the salt below.
  • Sugar
  • Egg
  • Vanilla
  • Peppermint Extract– if you want a hint of peppermint, but not “in your face” flavor, opt to use all vanilla extract.
  • Flour
  • Fine sea salt
  • Red gel food coloring– liquid works as well, but dark reds are hard to get (they turn out pink). For best results, try to find a gel.
  • Almond bark– Chocolate melting wafers work too. These are both already tempered. If you use plain chocolate chips, add 1 teaspoon of shortening, butter or lard. Almond bark comes in both white or milk chocolate, feel free to use either.
  • Peppermint candies or candy canes

How to Make Peppermint Sugar Cookies

ONE. Make the dough. Don’t skip beating the butter well OR sifting flour. Both of these elements greatly impact the texture of cookies. Skipping them could mean brittle or dry, flat cookies.

sugar cookie dough in a clear glass mixing bowl

TWO. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour. Dough can be made ahead and chilled for longer, but it is sticky and in order to get it to roll into balls, it needs to be at least slightly chilled.

red cookie dough in a bowl

THREE. Roll dough into 1-2 inch balls. Lightly press down each cookie ball using a flat bottom glass dipped in water to flatten to about 1/4-1/2 inch thick.

raw sugar cookies on a baking sheet

FOUR. Bake the peppermint sugar cookies on parchment paper or a silicone baking sheet to prevent sticking.

FIVE. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until edge are set and slightly golden brown, but not too burn. They might looks a little under baked, but this is the perfect time to take them out.

SIX. Remove to wire rack and cool completely. Letting them cool on a hot baking sheet means that they are continuing to cook instead of cool.

SEVEN. Melt chocolate in microwave safe bowl. Dip edge of cookie into chocolate and immediately sprinkle with crushed peppermint.

red sugar cookies with peppermint

EIGHT. Set on wire rack or piece of parchment paper to harden.

Storage & Freezing

Cookies are always best enjoyed within days after baking, but they will still be good up to a week. Store in an airtight container at room temperature.

peppermint sugar cookies in a pile

Peppermint sugar cookies can also be frozen for up to 3 months.

They are perfect for making ahead and then using for a cookie exchange or Christmas party.

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close up of peppermint sugar cookies

Peppermint Sugar Cookies

5 from 5 votes
With basic pantry ingredients and some crushed peppermint, you are on your to making these delicious and festive Peppermint Sugar Cookies!
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Chill Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 17 minutes
Servings: 36

Ingredients

Instructions

  • In a large bowl mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the butter until light and fluffy.
  • Add sugar beat until well combined and fluffy and pale.
  • Beat in the egg, vanilla and peppermint extracts. Stir until just mixed.
  • Sift flour with salt. Slowly add to wet ingredients.
  • Gradually add the flour and beat until well combined.
  • Add red food coloring, if desired.
    red sugar cookie dough
  • Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour.
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Roll chilled dough into 1-2 inch balls and place on prepared baking sheet.
  • Lightly press down each cookie ball using a flat bottom glass dipped in water.
    pressed sugar cookies on a tray
  • Bake for 8-10 minutes or until edge are set and slightly golden brown, but not too burn. They might looks a little under baked, but this is the perfect time to take them out.
  • Remove to wire rack and cool completely.
  • Melt chocolate in microwave safe bowl.
  • Dip edge of cookie into chocolate and immediately sprinkle with crushed peppermint.
  • Set on wire rack or piece of parchment paper to set.
  • Store at room temperature in an airtight container. Cookies can be stacked after chocolate has hardened.
  • If you've tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was in the comments or ratings.

Nutrition

Calories: 101 kcal, Carbohydrates: 11 g, Protein: 1 g, Fat: 6 g, Saturated Fat: 4 g, Cholesterol: 18 mg, Sodium: 36 mg, Potassium: 11 mg, Fiber: 1 g, Sugar: 5 g, Vitamin A: 164 IU, Calcium: 3 mg, Iron: 1 mg
Author: Jessica Formicola
Calories: 101
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Christmas cookies, peppermint cookies, peppermint sugar cookies
Did you make this recipe?I’d love to see your recipes – snap a picture and mention @savoryexperiments or tag #savoryexperiments!
peppermint sugar cookie pin
Jessica Formicola in her ktichen

About the Author

Jessica Formicola

Jessica the mom, wife and food lover behind Savory Experiments. She is obsessed with butter, salt and bacon and spends all her time in the kitchen and behind a camera. Jessica is a contributor to PopKitchen by Parade, Better Homes & Gardens, The Daily Meal Food + Travel and more!

Read More About Jessica

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Questions and Reviews

  1. 5 stars
    These cookies are absolutely perfect for the holiday! I can’t wait to make these cookies, my kids would be really happy.