PEPPERMINT MELTAWAYS

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introduction • ingredients • instructions • methods • formation • history • lovers-section • conclusion — everything you asked for!

⭐ PEPPERMINT MELTAWAYS

A Delicate, Wintery Cookie That Truly Melts on the Tongue

Introduction

Peppermint Meltaways are the tiny snowflakes of the dessert world—soft, cool, and so tender they dissolve the moment they touch your tongue. These cookies capture the magic of winter holidays, childhood memories, candlelit kitchens, and the simple joy of sharing sweetness with the people you love. Their texture is light and powdery, thanks to cornstarch and powdered sugar, while peppermint adds a refreshing sparkle.

Whether you’re baking for a festive gathering, gifting holiday cookie boxes, or surprising someone special, Peppermint Meltaways bring nostalgia, comfort, and love to every bite.

Ingredients

Cookies

  • ⅓ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • ⅓ cup sweetened condensed milk
  • ½ tsp peppermint extract
  • 1 cup cornstarch
  • 1 cup powdered sugar

Peppermint Glaze

  • 1½ tbsp unsalted butter, softened
  • 1½ tbsp heavy cream
  • ⅛ – ¼ tsp peppermint extract (adjust to taste)
  • ½ – ¾ cup powdered sugar (to thicken as needed)
  • crushed peppermint candies, for garnish

Instructions / Methods

Step 1 — Cream the Base

  1. In a mixing bowl, beat the ⅓ cup butter until creamy and pale.
  2. Add the sweetened condensed milk and peppermint extract. Mix until smooth.

Step 2 — Create the Meltaway Texture

  1. Sift the cornstarch and powdered sugar together.
  2. Gradually add them into the butter mixture.
  3. Mix gently until a soft, silky dough forms.
  4. Chill the dough for 20–30 minutes so it firms slightly.

Step 3 — Shape the Cookies

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C).
  2. Roll the chilled dough into small 1-inch balls.
  3. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Step 4 — Bake

  • Bake for 10–12 minutes, just until the bottoms turn pale golden.
  • Let cool completely—these cookies are delicate!

Step 5 — Make the Glaze

  1. Beat together the 1½ tbsp butter, heavy cream, and peppermint extract.
  2. Add powdered sugar gradually until the glaze becomes thick but spreadable.
  3. Stir in more extract for stronger peppermint flavor if desired.

Step 6 — Finish with Magic

  1. Spread a small amount of glaze on each cooled cookie.
  2. Sprinkle with crushed peppermint candies.
  3. Let the cookies set until the glaze firms slightly.

Formation (Understanding the Science & Structure)

Peppermint Meltaways are unique because of their high cornstarch-to-flour ratio—in fact, this version uses no flour at all. Cornstarch provides a soft, powdery crumb that crumbles instantly. Powdered sugar, finely milled with starch, blends smoothly into the dough and prevents toughness.

Sweetened condensed milk adds moisture, richness, and structure without making the cookie chewy. The result? A cookie that is barely a cookie—more a puff of peppermint snow.

History of Peppermint Meltaways

While there is no single inventor of these cookies, meltaway-style confections began gaining popularity in the mid-20th century. Their roots can be traced to:

  • Shortbread traditions from Scotland
  • Mexican wedding cookies and Russian tea cakes, which rely on powdered sugar and high-fat doughs
  • American holiday baking culture, where peppermint became deeply associated with winter celebrations

Peppermint Meltaways evolved as a playful, festive twist on these classic butter-based cookies—lighter, silkier, and designed to vanish on the tongue.

For the Lovers (A Romantic Touch)

Peppermint Meltaways are often shared between people who adore soft, gentle, comforting flavors. They are the cookies you give to someone when you want to say:

  • “Here, I made something sweet just for you.”
  • “I remembered your favorite flavor.”
  • “Let’s share these by the fire while the world slows down outside.”

Their cool peppermint and tender crumble feel like a kiss of winter, and the act of baking them is a small gesture of affection—the kind lovers exchange without words.

Conclusion

Peppermint Meltaways are more than a recipe—they’re a moment of calm in a busy season. A cookie that melts as quickly as a snowflake reminds us to savor the present, share sweetness, and spread warmth. They’re easy to make, impossible to forget, and perfect for festivities, family gatherings, or intimate winter evenings with someone special.

If you’d like:
❄ a printable version
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❄ a bigger batch
❄ or a visual storyboard recipe

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