Peppermint Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting

Published December 8, 2014. Updated August 26, 2024

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Peppermint Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting are soft, sweet, and packed full of holiday flavor! A tried-and-true sugar cookie recipe is upgraded with a dash of peppermint extract and then topped with a peppermint cream cheese frosting. The final touch? Crushed peppermint candy sprinkling the top. The result is a delightful Christmas cookie, perfect for cookie exchanges, holiday parties, or leaving out for Santa. 

It’s that time of year when I start to get a little obsessed with all things peppermint! One thing I love about seasonal foods, like peppermint-flavored treats, is that they are only around once a year so it gives you just one more thing to look forward to during that time of year.

Peppermint Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting | Cooking Classy

Peppermint Frosting Sugar Cookies

Like fresh berries in the summer, pumpkin in the fall, carrot cake everything in the spring, and peppermint and eggnog during the winter. Another thing I look forward to during this time of year is the snow, call me crazy but I love it!

After it snows and the sun comes out and glistens across the horizon, I just love the way the snow shines and sparkles and that blanket of white that covers everything is truly gorgeous. Each season has its perks and I’m grateful to live in a place that has four seasons. I may not be saying that come February though :).

Peppermint Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting | Cooking Classy

These cookies were adapted from my favorite sugar cookie recipe, these Frosted Sugar Cookies here. They are similar to the Lofthouse-style cookies with just a little more chew to them. The sugar cookie dough has just a half teaspoon peppermint extract for a subtle, cool flavor. You could also stir in a handful of white chocolate chips for even more sweetness.

They are oh-so-soft, and when they are enhanced with peppermint flavor and a cream cheese peppermint frosting amazing things happen! You’ll dream about these cookies. I’ve also enjoyed a dip or drizzle of white chocolate (just a quick melt needed!) with the peppermint crunch for decorating.

They must be good because my husband said they are one of his new favorite things in the world!

Christmas Cookie Recipes

If you love sugar cookies and peppermint you simply have to try these! Consider them a holiday must this year! But in case you need to mix it up, here are a few other great holiday cookie recipes to try.

Happy cookie season!

Peppermint Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting | Cooking Classy

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5 from 2 votes

Peppermint Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting

Deliciously soft Lofthouse style cookies with a sweet frosting and tempting peppermint flavor!
Servings: 15
Prep25 minutes
Cook11 minutes

Ingredients

Peppermint Cream Cheese Frosting

Instructions

  • Sift flour, cornstarch, baking powder and salt into a large bowl, then whisk it just a few times, set aside. In the bowl of an electric stand mixer, on medium speed, whip together butter, shortening and sugar until very pale and fluffy, about 4 minutes, scrapping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Add in egg and mix until combine, then add egg white, vanilla and peppermint extract and mix until combine. With mixer running, slowly add in dry ingredients and mix just until combine. Transfer dough to an airtight container and refrigerate 2 hours. Preheat oven to 375 during the last 10 minutes of refrigeration.
  • Scoop dough out about 3 Tbsp at a time and roll into a ball. Place dough ball on a lightly floured surface, sprinkle top lightly with flour, then using something flat and smooth (such as the storage container lid), press and evenly flatten dough to 1/2" thick. Transfer flattened dough to a Silpat or parchment paper lined baking sheet and repeat process with remaining dough (you'll have to use 2 cookie sheets). Bake in preheated oven 9 - 11 minutes. Allow to cool 5 minutes on baking sheet before transferring to a wire rack to cool. Cool completely then frost with Cream Cheese Frosting and sprinkle with crushed candy canes.
  • For the frosting:
  • In the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, whip together cream cheese and butter until pale and fluffy. Add peppermint extract and powdered sugar and mix until pale and fluffy.
  • Recipe source: Cooking Classy
peppermint sugar cookies