Introduction

Peppermint Kiss Cookies are a festive treat combining soft, buttery cookies with a sweet, melting peppermint center. Perfect for the holidays or any time you want a little minty magic in your baking. These colorful cookies add both flavor and cheer to your cookie platter.

The image shows a pile of small round cookies on a white plate with a white marbled texture underneath. Each cookie has two layers: the base is a soft, slightly cracked dough dotted with either red or green sugar crystals, and the center holds a single red and white striped peppermint candy shaped like a small swirl with a pointed top. The cookies are stacked tightly together, showing a mix of the two sugar crystal colors throughout the pile. The white plate contrasts with the festive colors of the cookies. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

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

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
Step 2: In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
Step 3: Using an electric mixer, cream the softened butter and 3/4 cup sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Add the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
Step 4: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and stir until just combined. Divide the dough in half into two separate bowls.
Step 5: Add 1 tablespoon of green sugar to one bowl and 1 tablespoon of red sugar to the other. Mix each gently to combine.
Step 6: Divide the remaining 1/2 cup sugar into two shallow bowls. Add 1 teaspoon green sugar to one bowl and 1 teaspoon red sugar to the other.
Step 7: Scoop 1-inch dough balls, roll each in your palm, then roll the green dough balls in the green sugar mixture and the red dough balls in the red sugar mixture. Place on a cookie sheet.
Step 8: Gently press each dough ball with your finger to flatten slightly. Bake for 8-10 minutes.
Step 9: Remove cookies from oven and cool on a rack for 2-3 minutes. Press one unwrapped Peppermint Kiss into the center of each cookie. Allow cookies to cool completely without moving to let the peppermint melt gently.
Step 10: Store cooled cookies in an airtight container.

Tips & Variations

You can use as many colored sugars as you like; just divide the dough accordingly for more color variations.
For a stronger peppermint flavor, add a few drops of peppermint extract to the dough along with vanilla.
Try using other peppermint or chocolate candies in place of Peppermint Kisses for different festive twists.

Storage

Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. They keep well without refrigeration. To refresh slightly before serving, warm them briefly in a low oven or microwave just until soft. Avoid moving the cookies until fully cooled after baking to prevent the peppermint kisses from smudging.

How to Serve

The image shows close-up round cookies with small colored sugar crystals on the surface; some cookies have green crystals and others have red crystals, creating a speckled effect. Each cookie has one red and white striped candy piece pressed in the center, shaped like a small spiral drop with a smooth and shiny texture. The cookies appear soft with a slightly crumbly texture. The background is a white marbled texture that adds a clean and bright look to the image. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking. Allow it to come slightly to room temperature for easier handling.

What if I don’t have coarse colored sugar?

Regular granulated sugar can be used, or you can make your own by mixing granulated sugar with a few drops of food coloring and letting it dry before using.

Peppermint Kiss Cookies Recipe

Print Recipe

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4.5 from 57 reviews

Peppermint Kiss Cookies are festive, soft sugar cookies divided and flavored with green and red colored sugars, topped with a melting peppermint kiss chocolate. These holiday treats combine classic sugar cookie flavors with a minty chocolate center for a delightful festive dessert perfect for Christmas or any seasonal celebration.

Author: Maya
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 36 cookies 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients

1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
3/4 cup sugar, plus 1/2 cup for garnish
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Colored Sugars

1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon coarse green sugar*
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon coarse red sugar*

Other

36 Peppermint Kisses (unwrapped)

Instructions

Preheat Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) to prepare for baking the cookies.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Set this mixture aside for later use.
Cream Butter and Sugar: Using an electric mixer, cream together the softened butter and 3/4 cup sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Then, mix in the eggs one at a time and stir in the vanilla extract for flavor.
Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined. Avoid overmixing to maintain tender cookies. Divide the dough into two equal portions and place each in separate bowls.
Add Colored Sugar to Dough: Add one tablespoon of coarse green sugar to one bowl of dough and stir well to combine. In the other bowl, add one tablespoon of coarse red sugar and mix thoroughly.
Prepare Colored Sugar Coatings: Divide the remaining 1/2 cup sugar evenly into two shallow bowls. Mix one teaspoon green sugar into one bowl and one teaspoon red sugar into the other.
Form and Sugar the Dough Balls: Using a spoon, cookie scoop, or your fingers, scoop out 1-inch dough balls. Roll each dough ball between your palms to smooth, then roll the green sugar dough balls in the green sugar mix and the red sugar dough balls in the red sugar mix to coat. Place the sugared dough balls evenly spaced on a cookie sheet.
Flatten Dough Balls and Bake: Gently press each dough ball with a finger to slightly flatten it. Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes until lightly golden around the edges.
Cool and Add Peppermint Kisses: Remove the cookies from the oven and transfer them to a cooling rack. After 2-3 minutes, place one unwrapped peppermint kiss on top of each cookie, gently pressing it into the warm cookie so it melts slightly. Avoid touching the cookies until completely cool to prevent disrupting the melted chocolate.
Store Cookies: Once completely cooled, store the Peppermint Kiss Cookies in an airtight container to keep fresh.

Notes

You can use as many colored sugars as you’d like—simply divide the dough accordingly.
Ensure peppermint kisses are unwrapped before placing on cookies to avoid any wrapping melting.
Softening the butter before creaming helps achieve a light and fluffy dough for tender cookies.
Do not overbake; cookies should be just set and lightly golden at edges for the best texture.
Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, or freeze for longer storage.

Keywords: Peppermint Kiss Cookies, holiday cookies, sugar cookies, peppermint chocolate cookies, Christmas cookies, festive cookies