These Peppermint Candy Cookies are a festive holiday treat that combines the richness of buttery shortbread with the cool, sweet crunch of peppermint. The dough is tender and crumbly, providing the perfect vessel for a luscious cream cheese filling infused with red food coloring and crushed peppermint candy. Each bite offers a delightful contrast between the soft, creamy interior and the crisp, sugary exterior. Ideal for Christmas cookie exchanges, holiday parties, or as a charming addition to your holiday baking lineup, these cookies look stunning and taste even better. They are relatively simple to assemble, requiring only basic pantry staples plus some peppermint candies, making them an accessible yet impressive dessert for any occasion.
Peppermint Candy Cookies
Description
These Peppermint Candy Cookies are a festive holiday treat that combines the richness of buttery shortbread with the cool, sweet crunch of peppermint. The dough is tender and crumbly, providing the perfect vessel for a luscious cream cheese filling infused with red food coloring and crushed peppermint candy. Each bite offers a delightful contrast between the soft, creamy interior and the crisp, sugary exterior. Ideal for Christmas cookie exchanges, holiday parties, or as a charming addition to your holiday baking lineup, these cookies look stunning and taste even better. They are relatively simple to assemble, requiring only basic pantry staples plus some peppermint candies, making them an accessible yet impressive dessert for any occasion.Ingredients
Directions
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In a small bowl, combine the crushed peppermint candy and 1/2 cup confectioner's sugar to create the candy mixture. Set aside.
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In a separate bowl, blend together the softened cream cheese, milk, red food coloring, and the remaining 1/2 cup confectioner's sugar until smooth.
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Stir 3 tablespoons of the peppermint candy mixture into the cream cheese filling. Set the filling aside.
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In a large bowl, cream the softened butter, 1/2 cup confectioner's sugar, and vanilla together until light and fluffy.
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Add the flour and chopped walnuts to the butter mixture and blend until a cohesive dough forms.
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Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour to firm up.
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Preheat the oven to 350F (175C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
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Remove the chilled dough from the refrigerator. Pinch off a rounded teaspoon of dough and roll it into a ball.
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Press your thumb into the center of the dough ball to create a small indentation or compartment.
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Fill the indentation with about 1/4 teaspoon of the peppermint cream cheese filling.
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Pinch the dough back together to enclose the filling, then roll it gently between your palms to form a smooth ball.
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Place the filled dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
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Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are just set but the centers are still soft. Do not allow the cookies to brown.
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Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
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Once completely cool, roll the cookies in the remaining peppermint candy mixture to coat the exterior.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 36
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 1292.1kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 69.6g108%
- Saturated Fat 32.7g164%
- Cholesterol 129.0mg43%
- Sodium 389.8mg17%
- Total Carbohydrate 149.0g50%
- Dietary Fiber 6.5g26%
- Sugars 31.4g
- Protein 20.2g41%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Note
Ensure the butter and cream cheese are properly softened to room temperature for easy mixing. If the dough is too sticky after chilling, refrigerate it for an additional 15 minutes.
The cookies should not brown in the oven; if they start to color too quickly, reduce the oven temperature by 25F or remove them a minute earlier.
Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer storage, freeze the unbaked dough balls or baked cookies for up to 3 months.
You can substitute walnuts with pecans or omit nuts entirely for a nut-free version.
If you prefer a less sweet garnish, you can roll the cookies in just crushed peppermint candy without the confectioner's sugar, though the sugar helps the candy adhere better.
