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Prepare to infuse your holiday season with the enchanting aroma and delightful taste of these soft and chewy peppermint meltaways. These truly are the epitome of festive baking, offering a perfect blend of refreshing mint and sweet indulgence. What makes them even more magical? The entire process, from mixing the dough to pulling them from the oven, takes less than 15 minutes! That’s right – a quick 5 minutes to whip up the dough and a mere 10 minutes to bake. This incredible no-chill cookie recipe is not just the fastest way to bake for the holidays, but it’s also wonderfully straightforward, making it an ideal activity for baking with kids.
Indulge in the Most Perfect Soft & Chewy Peppermint Meltaway Cookies This Holiday Season
When it comes to creating that quintessential holiday cookie, these chewy and soft peppermint meltaways truly stand out. They embody everything you could wish for in a festive treat: incredible flavor, delightful texture, and unparalleled ease of preparation. Imagine biting into a delicate cookie that practically melts in your mouth, leaving a refreshing burst of peppermint and a lingering sweetness. This isn’t just a dream; it’s the reality of these irresistible cookies.
Beyond their exquisite taste, the biggest draw of these cookies is their sheer simplicity and speed. We’re talking about a holiday cookie recipe that requires minimal effort – less than 5 minutes to prepare the dough and only 10 minutes in the oven. The best part? There’s absolutely no chilling required, which means you can go from craving to devouring in under 30 minutes! This makes them an absolute lifesaver during the busy holiday season, allowing you to create impressive treats without the usual time commitment.
These meltaways are perfectly sweet, with just the right amount of invigorating peppermint flavor to awaken your palate without being overpowering. They are incredibly versatile and pair beautifully with other seasonal favorites, such as a batch of cozy hot cocoa cookies or, of course, a steaming mug of hot chocolate. Serving them together creates an unforgettable holiday dessert spread that everyone will adore.
Designed with beginners in mind, these simple cookies are remarkably easy to master, making them a fantastic baking project to undertake with children. No fancy techniques or specialized equipment are needed. In fact, they are even simpler to make than traditional sugar cookies or classic shortbread cookies. And for those with dietary considerations, rejoice! This recipe is naturally egg-free and can easily be made dairy-free (as I prefer, being vegan) by swapping in your favorite regular dairy products if desired. Plus, with a simple flour substitution, they can even be made gluten-free, ensuring everyone can enjoy these holiday delights. Check out more easy vegan Christmas cookies for more inspiration!
But what truly elevates these peppermint meltaway cookies from delightful to absolutely divine is the luscious, rich, and tangy dairy-free peppermint cream cheese frosting generously slathered on top. This frosting is an experience in itself – so velvety, so creamy, and bursting with fresh peppermint flavor, you’ll be tempted to eat it straight from the bowl with a spoon!
The Secret to Our Soft & Chewy Egg-Free Cookies
You might be wondering, how exactly do we achieve such a perfect, tender cookie texture with a simple 5-minute dough, all without a single egg? It’s a common question, especially when many traditional cookie recipes rely heavily on eggs for structure and richness. The secret lies in a surprisingly common and incredibly effective ingredient: cornstarch.
Cornstarch is a hero in the world of vegan egg replacements, and it’s one of my absolute favorites for good reason. In these peppermint meltaways, cornstarch performs a dual role that perfectly mimics the functions of an egg. Firstly, it creates that signature super soft and delightfully chewy texture, much like eggs contribute to the mouthfeel of classic cookies. Secondly, and crucially for an eggless recipe, it acts as a powerful binding agent, helping to hold all the ingredients together seamlessly. This binding property is particularly beneficial if you’re experimenting with gluten-free flour blends, as cornstarch provides that much-needed structural integrity.
Another fantastic aspect of using cornstarch (or arrowroot starch if you have a corn allergy) is its accessibility. It’s an ingredient commonly found in most household pantries, making it incredibly convenient. It’s also significantly more affordable than eggs per serving, making eggless baking an approachable and budget-friendly option, especially for those just beginning their journey into plant-based or allergy-friendly baking. With cornstarch as our secret weapon, you can achieve cookies that are not only delicious but also cater to a wider range of dietary needs without compromising on taste or texture.
Whip Up Festive Magic: Your Simple 3-Step Guide to Peppermint Meltaways
Creating these delightful peppermint meltaways is incredibly straightforward, broken down into three easy steps that anyone can follow. The entire process is designed for maximum efficiency and minimum fuss, ensuring you get to enjoy these holiday treats as quickly as possible.
Step 1: Effortless Dough Preparation
The beauty of this cookie dough lies in its sheer simplicity and speed. Forget about lugging out heavy stand mixers or even needing a hand mixer. For this recipe, your food processor is your best friend! Simply combine all the dry ingredients, then add the wet ones, and pulse until a beautifully smooth, cohesive cookie dough forms. This method is incredibly fast, usually taking only 1-2 minutes. There’s no need for any chilling time – as soon as the dough comes together, it’s ready to be shaped and baked!
Step 2: Perfectly Baked to Tender Perfection
Once your dough is ready, it’s time to shape and bake! I prefer to make my meltaway cookies slightly larger, using about 1.5 tablespoons of dough per cookie ball. This yields a more substantial, satisfying bite. However, feel free to stick to the traditional 1-tablespoon size if you prefer smaller treats. Roll the dough gently between your palms to form smooth balls, then place them evenly spaced on your prepared baking sheets. These cookies bake quickly, usually in just 8-10 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when the edges are lightly set and very subtly golden, while the centers still look delightfully soft and puffy. Don’t worry if they seem a little underdone; they will continue to set and firm up as they cool on the rack, ensuring that signature melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Step 3: Frosting with Festive Flair
The final and perhaps most exciting step is frosting your cooled cookies! Prepare the decadent peppermint cream cheese frosting – it truly is a dream come true for your taste buds. For an extra festive touch, I like to add a few drops of vegan red food coloring to create a beautiful soft pink hue. Once your cookies are completely cool to the touch, generously pipe or spread a dollop of this creamy frosting onto the top of each one. To complete the holiday masterpiece, sprinkle a generous amount of crushed peppermint candies over the frosting. This not only adds a delightful crunch and extra burst of mint but also creates a stunning visual appeal that’s perfect for any holiday gathering.
Perfect for Sharing: Peppermint Meltaways at Your Next Cookie Exchange
These peppermint meltaways are not just a joy to bake, but they are also one of my absolute favorite vegan Christmas cookie recipes to bring to a cookie exchange. Why? For several compelling reasons! Firstly, their effortless preparation means less stress during the busiest time of the year. Secondly, they are undeniably delicious, consistently earning rave reviews from everyone who tries them. And perhaps most delightfully, virtually NO ONE will ever guess that these incredibly rich, soft, and chewy peppermint meltaways are entirely vegan and dairy-free! They truly defy expectations and are a testament to the magic of plant-based baking.
Since this is a no-chill cookie dough, you have the flexibility to bake these vegan Christmas cookies on the very day of your cookie exchange, ensuring they are as fresh and soft as possible. However, if you want to get a head start and save a bit more time, you can certainly prepare the frosting the day before. Just store it in an airtight container in the fridge, and then simply frost your freshly baked and cooled cookies right before the event. This strategy allows you to enjoy freshly baked cookies without the last-minute scramble.
For safe transport, especially if your cookie exchange involves a bit of travel, I highly recommend chilling the frosted cookies briefly. This helps the cream cheese frosting to firm up, ensuring that the decorations and integrity of the cookie remain intact. To prevent any sticking or smudging between layers, place a piece of wax paper or parchment paper between each stack of cookies in your transport container. This simple trick will protect your beautiful frosting and delicate peppermint candies, ensuring your meltaways arrive looking as perfect as when they left your kitchen.
For even more tips and tricks on perfecting your holiday baking and navigating cookie exchanges like a pro, grab my free cookie baking & cookie exchange guide here!
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If you try this delightful recipe, please take a moment to leave a comment and a rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ below. Your feedback helps others discover and enjoy these recipes! As always, I absolutely love to see your beautiful creations, so be sure to tag me @the_bananadiaries on Instagram and Pinterest when you share them!
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Quick & Easy Peppermint Meltaways with Peppermint Cream Cheese Frosting
5 Stars
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5 from 4 reviews
- Author: Britt Berlin
Prep Time: 5
Cook Time: 10
Total Time: 15 minutes
Yield: 15 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegan
Description
These melt-in-your-mouth soft and chewy peppermint meltaways are the epitome of Christmas Cookie baking! Just 5 minutes to make the dough and 10 minutes to bake, this no-chill cookie recipe is the quickest holiday cookie recipe, and so easy to make with kids!
Ingredients
Scale
Adapted from Taste of Home’s Peppermint Meltaway Cookies:
- 1 1/2 c. (188 g.) all purpose flour or gluten free 1:1 baking flour
- 1/2 c. (100 g) sugar
- 1/2 cup (60 g) powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp cornstarch or arrowroot starch
- 1/4 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 cup (113 g) unsalted vegan butter, room temperature
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp peppermint extract
- 1–2 tbsp dairy-free milk, like oat milk or soy milk
- 1/2 batch vegan cream cheese frosting
- 1/4 tsp peppermint extract (for frosting)
- 1–2 drops vegan red food coloring (for frosting)
- Crushed peppermint candies, for topping
Instructions
- Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two large baking sheets with parchment paper for easy cleanup and to prevent sticking.
- Make the Dough: In a food processor, combine the flour, granulated sugar, powdered sugar, cornstarch (or arrowroot starch), baking powder, baking soda, and sea salt. Pulse these dry ingredients a few times to ensure they are well mixed. Add in the room temperature vegan butter, vanilla extract, peppermint extract, and begin with 1 tablespoon of dairy-free milk. Pulse again until a smooth, cohesive dough forms, typically within 1-2 minutes. If the dough still appears crumbly or too dry, add the extra tablespoon of dairy-free milk and pulse until it comes together smoothly.
- Scoop & Shape: Using a 1.5-tablespoon cookie scoop or a standard tablespoon measurement, portion out the dough. Roll each portion between your palms to form smooth, round balls. Aim for about 15 cookies from this batch. Place the dough balls approximately 2 inches apart on your prepared baking sheets to allow for even baking and slight spreading.
- Bake: Carefully transfer the baking sheets into the preheated oven. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies are visibly set and just barely golden. The centers of the cookies will still look soft and slightly puffy – this is perfect! They will continue to set and achieve their tender, chewy texture as they cool at room temperature.
- Cool: Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven. Allow them to cool on the baking sheets for a couple of minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire cooling rack. Let them cool completely, which typically takes about 10-15 minutes, before proceeding to the frosting step.
- Frost: While the cookies are cooling, prepare your vegan cream cheese frosting according to your recipe (if not already made). Once the frosting is ready, stir in the additional 1/4 teaspoon of peppermint extract and 1-2 drops of vegan red food coloring to achieve a beautiful pink hue and an extra layer of minty flavor. Pipe or spread a generous dollop of this luscious cream cheese frosting onto the top of each fully cooled cookie.
- Decorate: For the final festive touch, sprinkle a generous amount of crushed peppermint candies or candy cane pieces over the freshly frosted cookies. This adds a delightful crunch and a vibrant burst of color.
- Serve & Store: Serve your delectable peppermint meltaways and enjoy the holiday cheer! Store any leftover cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days to maintain their freshness and frosting integrity. For longer storage, they can be frozen for up to 3 months.
Equipment
cookie sheet
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Notes
Gluten-Free Option: For those seeking a gluten-free version of these delightful meltaways, I highly recommend using King Arthur Measure for Measure Gluten-Free Flour. For the best results, always use the weighted measurements provided in the recipe rather than volumetric cup measurements when working with gluten-free flours, as they can vary significantly in density.
Dairy-Free & Vegan Adaptations: This recipe is designed to be fully dairy-free and vegan by utilizing vegan butter and other dairy-free products. However, if you do not follow a vegan or dairy-free diet, you can easily swap these ingredients for their traditional dairy counterparts (e.g., regular unsalted butter, cream cheese, and milk) without altering the fundamental integrity of the recipe.
