There’s something magical about Christmas baking—the warm oven, the sweet aroma filling the air, and the joy of sharing your creations with loved ones. These Peppermint Kiss Cookies capture all that magic in every bite. With a sugar cookie base topped with a peppermint kiss, they offer a delightful twist on the classic peanut butter blossoms. Perfectly festive and irresistibly delicious, these cookies are a must-have for your holiday treat lineup.
Print
Peppermint Kiss Cookies
Soft, minty, and kissed with chocolate 🍪💋—Peppermint Kiss Cookies are the perfect festive treat for your holiday baking! 🎄✨ #PeppermintPerfection #HolidayBakingJoy #MintyDelights #KissedWithChocolate #CookieLoversUnite #ChristmasCookies #BiteSizedBliss #FestiveFlavors #SweetHolidayMagic #DessertDreams
- Total Time: 30 minutes
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup sugar, plus 1/2 cup for garnish
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon coarse green sugar*
- 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon coarse red sugar*
- 36 Peppermint Kisses, unwrapped
Instructions
- preheat the oven
- Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. This ensures your cookies bake evenly.
- prepare the dry ingredients
- In a bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- cream the wet ingredients
- Using an electric mixer, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. This will take about 2-3 minutes.
- Add the eggs, one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Stir in the vanilla extract for a touch of warmth and depth.
- combine the dough and add color
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined.
- Divide the dough into two separate bowls.
- Add one tablespoon of green sugar to one bowl and mix well. Repeat with red sugar for the other bowl, creating festive holiday colors.
- prep the sugar for rolling
- Divide the remaining 1/2 cup of sugar into two shallow bowls. Add 1 teaspoon of green sugar to one and 1 teaspoon of red sugar to the other.
- roll and sugar the dough
- Scoop out 1-inch portions of dough using a spoon, cookie scoop, or your hands.
- Roll each piece into a ball and coat it in the corresponding colored sugar (green dough in green sugar, red dough in red sugar).
- Place the sugared dough balls on a prepared cookie sheet, ensuring there’s enough space between them.
- bake the cookies
- Gently press down on each dough ball to slightly flatten it before baking.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes, watching carefully to avoid overbaking.
- add the peppermint kisses
- Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on a wire rack for 2-3 minutes.
- Gently press a peppermint kiss into the center of each cookie while they are still warm. Allow the cookies to cool completely before handling, as the kisses melt easily.
Notes
- colored sugar flexibility: If you’d like to add even more holiday cheer, divide the dough into three or four sections and incorporate additional festive colors, like blue or gold.
- alternative toppings: No peppermint kisses on hand? Try using chocolate kisses or even a small dollop of white chocolate.
- flavor variations: Enhance the sugar cookie base with a dash of almond or peppermint extract for an extra burst of flavor.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
Let’s dive into the details of what makes these cookies a holiday favorite and guide you through crafting these delightful bites of joy.
ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup sugar, plus 1/2 cup for garnish
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon coarse green sugar*
- 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon coarse red sugar*
- 36 Peppermint Kisses, unwrapped
instructions
preheat the oven
- Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. This ensures your cookies bake evenly.
prepare the dry ingredients
- In a bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
cream the wet ingredients
- Using an electric mixer, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. This will take about 2-3 minutes.
- Add the eggs, one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Stir in the vanilla extract for a touch of warmth and depth.
combine the dough and add color
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined.
- Divide the dough into two separate bowls.
- Add one tablespoon of green sugar to one bowl and mix well. Repeat with red sugar for the other bowl, creating festive holiday colors.
prep the sugar for rolling
- Divide the remaining 1/2 cup of sugar into two shallow bowls. Add 1 teaspoon of green sugar to one and 1 teaspoon of red sugar to the other.
roll and sugar the dough
- Scoop out 1-inch portions of dough using a spoon, cookie scoop, or your hands.
- Roll each piece into a ball and coat it in the corresponding colored sugar (green dough in green sugar, red dough in red sugar).
- Place the sugared dough balls on a prepared cookie sheet, ensuring there’s enough space between them.
bake the cookies
- Gently press down on each dough ball to slightly flatten it before baking.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes, watching carefully to avoid overbaking.
add the peppermint kisses
- Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on a wire rack for 2-3 minutes.
- Gently press a peppermint kiss into the center of each cookie while they are still warm. Allow the cookies to cool completely before handling, as the kisses melt easily.
the flavors, textures, and aromas
These cookies bring together the sweetness of sugar cookies and the refreshing zing of peppermint. The soft, chewy texture of the cookies contrasts perfectly with the smooth, melt-in-your-mouth peppermint kiss on top. The festive green and red sugar coating adds a delightful crunch and visual appeal. The aroma is pure holiday bliss, combining buttery sweetness with minty freshness.
tips for success
- colored sugar flexibility: If you’d like to add even more holiday cheer, divide the dough into three or four sections and incorporate additional festive colors, like blue or gold.
- alternative toppings: No peppermint kisses on hand? Try using chocolate kisses or even a small dollop of white chocolate.
- flavor variations: Enhance the sugar cookie base with a dash of almond or peppermint extract for an extra burst of flavor.
serving and storage
Serve these cookies as part of a festive holiday spread, pairing them with hot cocoa or spiced cider for the ultimate winter treat. To keep the cookies fresh, store them in an airtight container for up to a week. For longer storage, freeze the baked cookies and defrost them as needed.
why you’ll love these peppermint kiss cookies
These cookies are more than just a treat; they’re a celebration of the season. From their colorful presentation to their sweet and minty flavor, they bring joy with every bite. Easy to make and perfect for sharing, these Peppermint Kiss Cookies are sure to become a cherished holiday tradition.
Gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and let’s make your Christmas baking extra special this year!