Tips for Best Results
- Make sure the butter is very soft before beating; cold or firm butter will leave lumps and prevent the dough from coming together smoothly.
- Add cornstarch gradually if your dough feels too loose—humidity and butter softness can affect consistency. The dough should be soft but not runny.
- Don’t overbake; pull the cookies as soon as the edges are just turning golden to keep the centers tender and meltaway-soft.
- Crush peppermint candies or candy canes fairly small so they stick well to the frosting and are pleasant to bite into.
Storage, Freezing, and Make-Ahead
- Store peppermint meltaways in an airtight container at cool room temperature for 3–4 days, layering with parchment if needed to protect the frosting.
- For longer storage, refrigerate for up to a week; bring to room temperature before serving for the best texture.
- You can freeze unfrosted cookies for up to 2 months, then thaw and frost with fresh peppermint frosting before serving. Frosted cookies can also be frozen, but the candy pieces may soften slightly.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I use regular milk instead of sweetened condensed milk in the cookies?
No. Sweetened condensed milk is much thicker and sweeter than regular milk and is essential for the structure and sweetness of these cookies; regular milk would make the dough too thin and not sweet enough.
2. How strong is the peppermint flavor?
Using 1/2 teaspoon in the cookies plus 1/8–1/4 teaspoon in the frosting gives a noticeable but not overpowering mint flavor. Start with the lower amount in the frosting and adjust to taste so it doesn’t become too intense.
3. Can I tint the frosting?
Yes. A drop or two of red or pink gel food coloring in the frosting can give a festive look without altering the flavor. You can also swirl white and pink frosting together for a candy-cane effect.
4. What if I don’t want peppermint candy on top?
You can leave off the crushed candy and use holiday sprinkles instead, or keep the cookies plain with just the frosting. They’ll still have plenty of peppermint flavor from the extract.
Peppermint meltaways are the kind of delicate, festive cookie that makes a holiday tray feel special with only a handful of simple ingredients. When you bake a batch, experiment with frosting strength, candy textures, or sprinkle toppings, and note which version your readers or family love most so you can create a go-to peppermint cookie they ask for every December.