19 Peppermint Cookies Built For Winter Baking
Peppermint cookies are basically winter in dessert form, and your kitchen will smell like a cozy snow day the second the oven warms up. They bring that cool minty vibe with just enough sweetness to feel festive without being fussy.
Even if you are baking on a random Tuesday, these treats turn it into a tiny holiday. Here are 19 peppermint cookies built for winter baking and easy gifting.
1. Peppermint bark cookies
Think classic peppermint bark, but baked into a cookie that holds its shape and crunch. You get a rich chocolate base, a slick layer of melted chocolate, and a snowfall of crushed peppermint for sparkle and snap.
The whole tray looks like a candy shop decided to visit your oven.
These are perfect when you need something festive that still feels easy. Bake the cookies, spread the chocolate while warm, and shower with candy before it sets.
You will hear that tiny peppermint crackle with every bite.
Pair them with hot chocolate or a peppermint mocha for maximum winter magic. They pack well in tins, travel beautifully, and stay pretty on a platter.
Simple, nostalgic, and instantly celebratory.
2. Chocolate peppermint crinkles
Fudgy in the center and snowy on top, these crinkles nail that soft-chewy-meets-crackly contrast. A hint of peppermint brightens the deep cocoa flavor, so every bite feels like hot cocoa in cookie form.
Rolling in powdered sugar creates that signature winter-on-a-plate finish.
Chill the dough to keep the cracks bold and the centers tender. Scoop, roll in sugar generously, and watch the fissures appear as they bake.
The aroma alone makes the whole kitchen feel like a holiday market.
They store well, freeze beautifully, and always disappear fast at cookie swaps. Add extra peppermint extract if you want a cooler finish.
A dusting of more sugar after cooling turns them picture perfect.
3. Peppermint mocha cookies
These cookies taste like your favorite coffee shop winter drink, just baked and biteable. Cocoa and espresso team up for deep mocha richness, while peppermint keeps things bright and lively.
The dough bakes soft with lightly crisp edges, perfect for dunking into a latte.
Add espresso powder for intensity without extra liquid, then finish with a chocolate drizzle and candy cane dust. You will catch little pops of mint against the dark, roasty flavor.
They smell like a cozy cafe after snowfall.
Great for late afternoon pick-me-ups and office treat boxes. If you love mochas, this is your cookie.
Bake a double batch because they vanish faster than a morning cappuccino.
4. Peppermint sandwich cookies with vanilla cream
Two tender chocolate cookies hug a fluffy vanilla cream that carries tiny peppermint flecks. They look bakery-level fancy, but the process is surprisingly straightforward.
The contrast between soft cookie and cool filling makes each bite feel special without being overly sweet.
Chill the dough for clean cutouts and bake until just set, keeping edges soft. Whip the cream filling until light, then pipe or spread generously.
Roll the sides in crushed candy for sparkle and crunch.
They hold up beautifully in gift boxes and feel celebratory on dessert trays. You can tint the filling blush pink for extra charm.
Every sandwich gives you cocoa, vanilla, and mint in perfect balance.
5. Candy cane sugar cookies
Classic sugar cookies get a peppermint makeover with crushed candy canes folded in and sprinkled on top. The bake is soft in the middle with lightly golden edges for perfect chew.
Every bite brings sweet vanilla, cool mint, and a little candy crunch.
Chill the dough so the shapes hold, then press extra cane pieces right before baking. A dusting of sanding sugar adds sparkle you can see from across the room.
Kids love decorating these, and you get instant festive points.
They stack neatly in tins and stay tender for days. Serve with milk, cocoa, or peppermint tea.
Simple, nostalgic, and delightfully crunchy in all the right places.
6. Peppermint pinwheel cookies
These swirled showstoppers look intricate but roll up easily with a little chill time. Vanilla and peppermint doughs stack, roll, and slice into perfect candy-cane spirals.
The result is buttery, tidy, and so giftable that tins practically assemble themselves.
Color one dough red, keep the other pale, and use a ruler for even layers. Freeze the log briefly for sharp slices and consistent rounds.
A rim of sanding sugar adds glittery edges that bake up crisp.
They are low mess, high impact, and irresistibly photogenic on dessert boards. You taste mellow vanilla first, then a cooling mint finish.
Expect oohs the second the tray hits the table.
7. White chocolate peppermint cookies
Buttery dough, creamy white chocolate, and peppermint bits create a cookie that feels like snowfall in dessert form. The sweetness from white chocolate balances the cool mint beautifully.
Each bite is soft-centered with edges that hold structure for dunking.
Chop high quality white chocolate for pockets that melt into little creamy pools. Fold in crushed candy canes for color and crunch.
A light drizzle of melted white chocolate makes them bakery pretty without fuss.
They are ideal for holiday exchanges and pair well with black tea or espresso. Store airtight to keep the peppermint crisp.
Familiar and festive, these are the kind of cookies people request by name next year.
8. Peppermint shortbread
Shortbread is buttery, crisp, and unbelievably simple, making peppermint a natural upgrade. A touch of peppermint extract turns the classic crumb into a cool, wintry bite.
Dip one side in dark chocolate, then add crushed candy for elegant crunch.
Use cold butter and minimal mixing to keep that tender snap. Score the dough before baking for clean wedges, then dock with a fork.
The aroma is pure bakery-meets-holiday, and the texture stays perfect for days.
These travel well, so they are ideal for tins and shipping. Pair with tea or a nightcap after sledding.
Minimal effort, maximum polish, and always the first to vanish from the platter.
9. Peppermint brownie cookies
If you love corner brownies, these cookies bring that fudgy chew with a shiny, crackly top. Cocoa richness anchors every bite while peppermint lifts the finish so it never tastes too heavy.
They are intensely chocolatey and deeply satisfying.
Whisk the eggs and sugar until pale to get that signature sheen, then fold gently. A short chill helps keep them thick and chewy.
Sprinkle crushed peppermint right after baking so it sets into the surface.
They are irresistible warm with ice cream or cooled with milk. Pack them for parties when you need guaranteed winners.
Dense, glossy, and mint-kissed, they hit every chocolate craving squarely.
10. Peppermint snowball cookies
These melt-in-your-mouth cookies wear thick powdered sugar like fresh snow. A gentle peppermint note keeps the buttery, nutty crumb feeling light.
One bite and they practically disappear, leaving a cool finish and a sweet dusting on your fingers.
Use finely ground pecans or almonds for a delicate texture. While warm, roll generously in sugar, then roll again after cooling for full coverage.
The pink flecks of candy cane inside look charming without being loud.
They store well and make adorable gifts tucked into tins. Pair with peppermint tea or coffee after dinner.
When the holiday table feels heavy, these tiny confections feel like a breath of winter air.
11. Peppermint biscotti
Crisp and dunkable, peppermint biscotti were built for coffee, tea, and hot chocolate breaks. The mint brightens every sip while chocolate adds cozy richness.
Twice-baked edges hold their crunch even after a warm dunk.
Shape the logs, bake until set, slice on the bias, then bake again. Dip or drizzle with dark or white chocolate and finish with candy cane confetti.
They keep marvelously, which makes them a gifting superstar.
Slide a few into a cellophane bag with ribbon and you are set. Pack them for road trips or late-night wrapping sessions.
Every cup feels more festive with these crisp, minty companions on the saucer.
12. Chocolate-dipped peppermint cookies
Take any simple peppermint cookie and give it an instant glow-up with a chocolate dip. The glossy shell sets with a satisfying snap, while the minty crumb stays soft and fragrant.
A sprinkle of crushed candy along the seam adds sparkle and crunch.
Temper chocolate if you can for a clean shine, or use melting wafers for ease. Dip halfway, tap off excess, then land on parchment to set.
The contrast looks bakery-professional with almost no extra effort.
These are perfect when you need fast drama on a cookie tray. They travel well and hold up at parties.
One look and guests will absolutely reach for seconds.
13. Andes mint cookies
Chocolate cookies meet Andes mints for an instant crowd-pleaser that tastes like nostalgia. Press an Andes square on each hot cookie and swirl into a silky cap.
The mint is softer and creamier than candy cane, giving a smooth finish.
Chopped Andes folded into the dough add pockets of melt and flavor throughout. The cookies bake soft with just-firm edges, perfect for lunchboxes and parties.
You get chocolate layered on chocolate, lifted by gentle mint.
They are low effort and high payoff for busy weeks. Stash extra mints to refresh the swirl before serving.
Expect requests for the recipe the moment the plate appears.
14. Peppermint chocolate chip cookies
Start with a classic cookie everyone loves, then add peppermint to make it winter-ready. Big chocolate chunks melt into rich pools while mint brightens the finish.
A few flakes of sea salt on top lock in that perfect sweet-salty balance.
Chill the dough for thick, craggy edges and soft centers. Stir in crushed candy canes or peppermint chips for color and crunch.
Slightly underbake if you love that gooey middle.
They taste familiar yet festive, ideal for potlucks and neighbor plates. Serve warm with cocoa or a cold glass of milk.
The aroma alone turns any regular Tuesday into a mini holiday moment.
15. Peppermint meringue cookies
Feather-light and crisp, peppermint meringues bring a sweet whisper of mint after heavier desserts. Their glossy swirls look like tiny candy canes, and they practically float off the tray.
You will love how they melt away with a cool breeze of flavor.
Beat to stiff peaks, stripe the piping bag with red gel, and pipe kisses or rosettes. Bake low and slow so they dry without browning.
A pinch of cream of tartar helps them hold their shape.
They store well in airtight jars and make charming garnish for cocoa. Scatter them on cookie boards for instant height and sparkle.
Simple ingredients, magical results, minimum effort required.
16. Peppermint Oreo-style cookies
These sandwich cookies channel that iconic crunch with a cool peppermint cream center. The wafers bake thin and deeply chocolatey, so the filling shines through.
One bite gives you crisp edges, creamy middle, and a clean mint finish.
Use dark cocoa for true cookie color and flavor, then whip the filling fluffy. Pipe a generous circle, cap it, and press gently for tidy sides.
A rim roll in candy cane bits adds sparkle without overwhelming.
They stack neatly in sleeves for gifting and feel playful on dessert tables. Dunk them in milk or crumble over ice cream.
Familiar, nostalgic, and perfectly winter-coded for every cookie craving.
17. Peppermint hot chocolate cookies
Imagine a steamy mug of hot chocolate turned into a handheld treat. These thick cocoa cookies carry mini marshmallow bits and a peppermint kiss on top.
The centers stay soft and brownie-like, while the edges keep things tidy.
Drizzle with chocolate to anchor the marshmallows, then finish with candy cane crunch. A touch of espresso powder deepens the cocoa without reading as coffee.
They smell like a ski lodge lounge the second you open the oven.
Serve warm so the marshmallows stay gooey. Pack for movie nights or snow day snacks.
Comforting, playful, and absolutely winter, they win over kids and grownups fast.
18. Peppermint thumbprints
Thumbprints feel fancy without much work, especially when filled with silky chocolate ganache. A sprinkle of crushed peppermint on the glossy center adds sparkle and cool crunch.
The cookie base can be chocolate or vanilla, both playing well with mint.
Chill the dough, make a neat well, and bake until set but soft. Warm cream over chocolate for a smooth filling, then spoon carefully.
Garnish while the ganache is soft so the candy sets right in.
They present beautifully on platters and hold up for parties. The bite is creamy, crunchy, and satisfyingly tidy.
Elegant enough for gifting, easy enough for a weeknight bake.
19. Soft peppermint meltaway cookies
These are cloud-soft, buttery, and barely need chewing. A whisper of peppermint in the dough plus a cool glaze on top makes them dissolve beautifully.
You get that bakery-case look with minimal effort.
Use cornstarch or powdered sugar in the dough for that tender melt. Glaze while slightly warm so it hugs every curve, then sprinkle tiny cane crumbs.
The texture is delicate, so let them set before stacking.
Perfect with tea, perfect for gifting, and perfect when you want gentle sweetness. They also shine on a mixed tray, balancing richer chocolate picks.
One bite and you will absolutely understand the name.
