If you’re looking for a festive way to treat your taste buds and impress guests this holiday season, these Peppermint Sandwich Cookies are guaranteed to steal the show. Imagine two perfectly soft cookies hugging a dreamy peppermint-infused buttercream filling, with sparkling bits of candy canes adding crunch and color. Each bite delivers the nostalgic flavors of the season with a bakery-style flair that’s shockingly easy to achieve at home. Whether you’re assembling a cookie tray or sharing with friends over hot cocoa, these detailed instructions will help you master the ultimate Peppermint Sandwich Cookies.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll be amazed at how just a handful of simple ingredients come together to create pure holiday magic. Each one has a role—bringing just the right amount of tenderness, flavor, and pretty pops of color to your Peppermint Sandwich Cookies.
- All-purpose flour: The structure-builder—measure it carefully to keep the cookies soft, not dense.
- Baking soda: Adds the needed lift for a tender bite without making the cookies cakey.
- Salt: Just a pinch wakes up all the other flavors and balances the sweetness.
- Unsalted butter (for both cookie and filling): Softened butter is key to rich flavor and a creamy filling—be sure it’s room temp for easy mixing.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens and helps the cookies crisp up at the edges while staying soft inside.
- Egg: The ultimate binder, for chewy and cohesive cookies.
- Vanilla extract: Rounds out the mint and adds an irresistible bakery scent.
- Peppermint extract: Brings that signature cool-and-refreshing punch in both cookie and filling.
- Crushed peppermint candies or candy canes: A double dose—adds color, crunch, and a festive “wow” factor inside and out.
- Powdered sugar: Makes the buttercream-style filling smooth, light, and utterly melt-in-your-mouth.
- Heavy cream (or milk): Lends just enough moisture to make your filling plush and spreadable.
How to Make Peppermint Sandwich Cookies
Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Baking Sheets
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grab two baking sheets and line them with parchment paper. This little step ensures your cookies will pop off the pan without sticking, and it also makes cleanup a total breeze.
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
Whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl. This simple mixture lays the foundation for your Peppermint Sandwich Cookies and helps keep the texture perfectly balanced—not too cakey, not too crumbly.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a larger bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar with a mixer until it looks pale and fluffy, about 2 to 3 minutes. The air you whip in here is what gives your cookies that soft, irresistible texture.
Step 4: Add Egg and Flavorings
Now crack in the egg, then pour in the vanilla and that magical peppermint extract. Mix just until everything’s combined—the dough should smell like a holiday bakery at this point!
Step 5: Combine Dry and Wet Mixtures
Gradually add your bowl of dry ingredients to the buttery mixture. Mix on low speed until just combined; you don’t want to overdo it. Then, stir in those festive crushed peppermint candies for that pop of color and crunch in every cookie.
Step 6: Shape and Flatten Your Cookies
Scoop out tablespoon-sized balls of dough and plop them about 2 inches apart on your prepared baking sheets. Give each a gentle press to flatten slightly—a glass with a flat bottom works perfectly if you want even rounds.
Step 7: Bake, Cool, and Get Ready to Fill
Slide the trays into your preheated oven and bake for 8 to 10 minutes. You’re looking for lightly golden edges with a set (but not hard) center. Let them cool a few minutes on the trays, then carefully transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Patience is key here!
Step 8: Whip Up the Peppermint Filling
For that luscious, creamy center, beat the softened butter and powdered sugar in a bowl until smooth. Mix in peppermint extract and gradually add heavy cream until the filling is plush and spreadable. It’s OK to sneak a little taste at this point!
Step 9: Assemble the Peppermint Sandwich Cookies
Once your cookies are totally cool, dollop or pipe a generous spoonful of filling onto the flat side of one cookie. Gently press another cookie on top to make a sandwich. Repeat until all your cookies are matched up and you’re left with a heap of tantalizing sandwiches.
Step 10: Add a Festive Crunch
Pour out the remaining crushed peppermint candies onto a plate, then gently roll the edges of each cookie sandwich in them. This step adds sparkle, crunch, and a jolly hint of color that screams holiday spirit!
How to Serve Peppermint Sandwich Cookies
Garnishes
For a truly show-stopping cookie, drizzle half the sandwich in melted dark or white chocolate, then let them set before serving. The contrast of chocolate with peppermint is irresistible. A light dusting of extra powdered sugar or edible glitter will also make your Peppermint Sandwich Cookies sparkle on a platter.
Side Dishes
These cookies shine beside mugs of hot chocolate, creamy eggnog, or even a simple vanilla latte. For a festive dessert board, arrange them alongside chocolate bark and fresh fruit for a crowd-pleasing finish. They pair well with almost any cozy winter beverage and are guaranteed to vanish quickly at any gathering!
Creative Ways to Present
Stack your Peppermint Sandwich Cookies in a glass jar tied with ribbon for the cutest edible gift, or arrange them in neat rows on a tray lined with colorful parchment for a party display. At home, try serving them with tiny scoops of peppermint or chocolate ice cream in between for an unexpected twist on a wintery ice cream sandwich.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any extra Peppermint Sandwich Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days. Their flavor stays bold and the filling remains nice and creamy if kept sealed—just make sure the container is truly airtight so the cookies don’t dry out!
Freezing
These cookies freeze beautifully! Once assembled, layer them in a freezer-safe container with parchment between each layer to prevent sticking. Let them thaw at room temperature when ready to serve, and they’ll taste almost as fresh as the day you made them. Both the baked cookies and unbaked dough freeze well for up to two months.
Reheating
While Peppermint Sandwich Cookies don’t need traditional reheating, you can bring them back to a soft, “just-baked” texture by letting them warm to room temperature if stored in the fridge or freezer. Avoid microwaving, as this can melt the filling—just a gentle thaw is perfect.
FAQs
Can I use store-bought peppermint candies instead of candy canes?
Absolutely! Any hard peppermint candy works perfectly. Just crush them to your desired size—finer for mixing into dough, chunkier for rolling the edges.
What if I want a stronger peppermint flavor?
Feel free to add an extra drop or two of peppermint extract, especially to the filling. Just be careful—not all extracts are created equal in strength, so taste as you go.
Can I make the dough in advance?
Yes! The dough can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for up to three days or frozen for up to two months. Just let it return to room temperature before scooping and baking.
How do I get perfectly even cookies?
A small cookie scoop helps keep portions uniform, and flattening each dough ball lightly ensures a tidy, bakery-style look and even baking throughout.
Is there a way to make this recipe dairy-free?
You can swap in a quality dairy-free butter and use a plant-based milk for the filling. The texture may change slightly, but you’ll still end up with delicious, festive Peppermint Sandwich Cookies!
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly magical about sharing a plate of homemade Peppermint Sandwich Cookies with people you love. These cookies bring instant joy—each bite is a little celebration of winter and comfort. I hope you’ll try this recipe soon, and make your own sweet holiday traditions!
Print
Peppermint Sandwich Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes (including cooling and assembly time)
- Yield: 18–20 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in these delightful Peppermint Sandwich Cookies that are perfect for the holiday season. These sweet treats feature a buttery cookie with a hint of peppermint, filled with a creamy peppermint frosting and rolled in crushed candies for a festive touch.
Ingredients
For the cookies:
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
- 1/4 cup crushed peppermint candies or candy canes (for mixing into dough)
For the filling:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream (or milk)
- 1/4 cup crushed peppermint candies or candy canes (for rolling)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Make the cookies: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
- In a separate large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add the egg, vanilla extract, and peppermint extract, and mix until combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Stir in the crushed peppermint candies.
- Scoop tablespoon-sized balls of dough and place them about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. Flatten each dough ball slightly with your fingers or the bottom of a glass.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies are lightly golden. Let them cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Make the filling: In a medium bowl, beat the softened butter and powdered sugar together until smooth and creamy. Add the peppermint extract and heavy cream, and beat until combined.
- Assemble the cookies: Once the cookies are completely cooled, spread a generous amount of the filling onto the flat side of one cookie. Top with another cookie to form a sandwich.
- Roll the edges of the sandwich cookies in the remaining crushed peppermint candies for an extra festive touch.
- Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
Notes
- To make the cookies extra festive, dip half of each cookie in melted chocolate and let it set before filling.
- You can make the dough ahead of time and refrigerate it for up to 3 days or freeze it for up to 2 months.
- For a more intense peppermint flavor, increase the peppermint extract in the filling.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich cookie
- Calories: 190
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 27g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
