There’s something magically festive about homemade peppermint treats, and this Peppermint Cookies Recipe brings that charm right into your kitchen. These little bites of minty joy melt in your mouth and boast a perfect balance of creamy, sweet, and cool flavors—so worth the effort, especially around the holidays.

A white bowl filled with three kinds of small round cookies, each cookie having a ridged pattern on top. The cookies are stacked unevenly showing three colors: red, green, and white, with a light sugar dusting on top. Around the bowl are scattered cookies of the same colors and pattern, all placed on a white marbled surface. In the background, there are small decorative trees in green, gold, and white colors. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Peppermint Cookies Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Peppermint Cookies Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Peppermint Cookies Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This peppermint cookies recipe is one I’ve come back to festival after festival. What I adore is how incredibly simple it is, yet the result looks so delightful and tastes just like those classic Christmas mints—but homemade, fresher, and customizable.

Easy-to-make dough: No baking or complicated steps—just mix, color, shape, and chill.
Customizable colors and flavors: You get to decide how festive or subtle your peppermint treats look and taste.
A showstopper for any party: These candies are pretty enough to gift and sweet enough to disappear fast.
Long-lasting freshness: Stored right, they keep well so you can spread holiday joy over days or weeks.

A white divided dish with three sections stacked with small round cookies, each having ridged patterns on top and a light dusting of sugar. The top section holds bright red cookies, the middle section has white cookies, and the bottom section contains vibrant green cookies. Around the dish, there is a white marbled surface decorated with small festive bells in red, green, and cream colors, and glittery holiday ornaments in gold, silver, white, and green. A white cloth with black tree patterns is partially visible in the corner. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Peppermint Cookies Recipe plays a simple but vital role to create that creamy, melt-in-your-mouth texture with a fresh peppermint zing. Shopping tip: grab quality cream cheese and unsalted butter for the best flavor and consistency right from the start.

Flat lay of a small mound of granulated sugar, a smooth block of cream cheese, a few pats of unsalted butter, a small white bowl filled with clear light corn syrup, a tiny white bowl holding peppermint extract, a small heap of powdered sugar, a small white bowl with vivid green liquid food coloring, a small white bowl with bright red liquid food coloring placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Granulated sugar: Adds a subtle crunch and a little coating for firmness on the outside.
Cream cheese: The secret to that creamy, soft texture that just melts away.
Unsalted butter: Provides richness and helps balance sweetness.
Light corn syrup: Keeps the candies smooth and prevents crystallization, aiding that perfect bite.
Peppermint extract: Pure peppermint flavor that wakes up your taste buds.
Powdered sugar: The bulk of the candy base, giving structure and sweetness.
Liquid food coloring (red & green): Classic holiday colors that make these candies visually festive.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the best parts about this Peppermint Cookies Recipe is that it’s totally flexible. Over the years, I’ve played around with color intensity and even swapped peppermint extract for spearmint or added a hint of vanilla for a unique twist. Feel free to tweak it to your liking.

Variation: I once added crushed candy canes to the dough for an extra festive crunch—totally recommend trying that for holiday gatherings!
Dietary Swap: Want to try a dairy-free version? Using vegan cream cheese and butter substitutes works well if you add a touch more powdered sugar to compensate for moisture.
Seasonal Flair: You can play with pastels or even gold dust for a New Year’s party vibe.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Peppermint Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Beat It Till Smooth

Start by blending room temperature cream cheese, butter, light corn syrup, and peppermint extract with a handheld mixer on low. I give mine a full minute until it’s smooth and creamy—this makes for the softest, most luscious base.

Step 2: Powdered Sugar Magic

Add the powdered sugar gradually, mixing on low speed. As the dough thickens, switch to a spatula to finish kneading by hand. This dough will be thick but pliable—don’t rush it or add too much sugar at once; you can always add more if needed.

Step 3: Color Your Candy Canvas

Divide the dough into three parts. Make a well in two of them to add red and green liquid food coloring, leaving one plain white. Knead each one well—this is where additional powdered sugar might come in handy to tame any stickiness.

Step 4: Shape and Slice

Roll each colored dough into an 18-inch rope, about one inch thick. Slice them into ½-inch pieces, then roll those pieces into balls. The rolling makes the candies perfectly uniform and ready for that classic shape.

Step 5: Sugar Coat and Flatten

Toss the dough balls in granulated sugar for a delicate crunch and place them on parchment-lined trays. Use a fork to gently press each into a disc, creating charming little ridged patterns. Let them air out at room temperature for up to 24 hours to set perfectly.

Top Tip

I've found that the key to these peppermint cookies looking and tasting their best is patience during the kneading and resting stages. Here are the tips I swear by:

Slow Sugar Addition: Adding powdered sugar gradually protects you from ending up with dry or crumbly dough.
Food Coloring Balance: Use liquid food coloring sparingly to avoid overly sticky dough—you can always add extra powdered sugar little by little.
Resting Time is Key: Let your peppermint candies dry at room temperature; it enhances the texture and helps them hold their shape beautifully.
Use Parchment Paper: I always line my trays to prevent sticking without extra oils or sprays, keeping those crisp edges tender.

How to Serve Peppermint Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

For a festive presentation, I keep it simple with a sprinkle of crushed candy canes or a dusting of powdered sugar right before serving. Sometimes, I dip half of the peppermint treats in dark chocolate for an elegant contrast that guests adore.

Side Dishes

I love pairing these cool peppermint cookies with warm drinks like mulled wine, hot cocoa, or peppermint tea. Their refreshing taste provides such a lovely counterpoint to the cozy beverages, making your holiday table feel extra special.

Creative Ways to Present

For gift-giving, I arrange these peppermint treats in clear jars or festive tins layered with wax paper. Another fun idea I tried was threading them onto twine like little edible garlands—kids loved helping make those at our holiday party!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

The best way I’ve found to keep these fresh is an airtight container in the refrigerator. They stay perfect for up to two weeks, retaining their buttery texture and peppermint punch without drying out.

Freezing

If I want to bake a big batch in advance, freezing is my go-to. I pop the candies into a freezer-safe container, and they keep beautifully for up to three months. When it’s time to enjoy, just thaw them slowly in the fridge overnight.

Reheating

Since these are no-bake peppermint cookies, reheating isn’t necessary. If they’ve chilled in the fridge or freezer and seem a bit firm, just let them come to room temperature for 20 minutes—that soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture comes right back.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use gel food coloring instead of liquid?

Yes! Gel food coloring works wonderfully for this Peppermint Cookies Recipe. It offers vibrant colors with less moisture, which helps keep the dough from getting too sticky. Just add it sparingly and knead in extra powdered sugar if needed.

How long do these peppermint cookies last?

Stored properly in an airtight container in the fridge, these peppermint cookies last up to two weeks without losing their texture or flavor. If frozen, they can keep for up to three months.

Can I make these ahead for holiday parties?

Absolutely! I often make these peppermint cookies days or even weeks ahead. They store well refrigerated or frozen, so you can prepare in advance with no stress.

What’s the best way to avoid sticky dough?

The key is adding powdered sugar gradually and kneading carefully. If the dough feels sticky after adding food coloring, sprinkle in small amounts of extra powdered sugar until it's just right. Avoid adding too much to keep the candies tender.

Final Thoughts

This Peppermint Cookies Recipe is one of those cozy traditions I genuinely love to revisit every year. They’re simple to make, full of nostalgic flavor, and bring that extra sparkle to any holiday table. I hope baking these fills your kitchen with as much warmth and joy as it does mine—give them a try, and I promise you won’t be disappointed!