Description
These Peppermint Kiss Cookies are delightful holiday treats featuring a soft, buttery cookie topped with a melting peppermint kiss and an optional sprinkle of crushed candy canes for extra festive crunch. Perfect for Christmas celebrations or cozy winter gatherings, these cookies combine classic flavors with a refreshing minty twist.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Topping
- 24 peppermint kisses, unwrapped
- ¼ cup crushed candy canes (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy, which helps create a tender texture.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Mix in the egg and vanilla extract until fully incorporated, ensuring an even distribution of flavor and moisture.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agents and saltiness.
- Form Dough: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, mixing until a soft cookie dough forms. Avoid overmixing to keep the cookies tender.
- Chill Dough: Cover the dough and chill it in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to firm it up, which helps prevent spreading during baking.
- Shape Cookies: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and place them on the prepared baking sheet spaced about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
- Bake Cookies: Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until the edges are just set but the centers still look soft, ensuring a chewy texture.
- Add Peppermint Kisses: Immediately after removing cookies from the oven, press one unwrapped peppermint kiss into the center of each cookie to gently melt it and adhere it to the warm cookie.
- Cool and Garnish: Allow cookies to cool completely on the baking sheet. Optionally, sprinkle with crushed candy canes for added color and crunch before serving.
Notes
- For best results, use room temperature butter to easily cream with sugar.
- Chilling the dough is essential to prevent cookies from spreading too much while baking.
- You can substitute peppermint kisses with chocolate candies if preferred.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
- Crushed candy canes are optional but add a nice festive touch and extra mint flavor.
