Oh my goodness! If you’re looking for a cookie that screams holiday cheer, look no further than these Peppermint Cheesecake Cookies. I came up with this delightful recipe a couple of years back when I was trying to combine two of my favorite desserts: cheesecake and cookies! The outcome was such a crowd-pleaser that I’d be surprised if they last more than a day at your holiday gathering. Trust me, nothing beats that creamy, peppermint-infused bite during the festive season.
Every time I make these cookies, I’m transported back to family gatherings filled with laughter and joy, all while incredible aromas waft through the air. It’s funny to think that these delicious treats started as a simple craving! As a bonus, they’re perfect for gifting or to indulge in while you cozy up on the couch binging your favorite holiday movie.
What’s in Peppermint Cheesecake Cookies?
Let’s break down the magic! Here’s what you’ll need:
Cream Cheese: The star of the show! This creamy ingredient gives the cookies a rich, cheesecake-like flavor. Remember to let it soften to room temperature for easier mixing.
Unsalted Butter: It adds a wonderful buttery flavor and helps create that tender texture. Softened butter is easier to blend with the cream cheese for that perfect dough.
Granulated Sugar: Sweetness is key. It helps balance the tangy flavor of cream cheese and adds just the right amount of sweetness to the dough.
Large Egg: This binds everything together and adds moisture, keeping your cookies from being too dry.
Vanilla Extract: A dash of vanilla brings warmth to the flavors, lifting the overall taste of the cookies. You can never go wrong with a little extra vanilla!
All-Purpose Flour: Essential for giving structure to your cookies, making them tender yet sturdy enough to hold their shape.
Baking Powder: This little ingredient helps the cookies rise, giving them that lovely softness we all adore.
Salt: Don’t skip this one! Just a pinch enhances the flavors in the cookies.
Peppermint Extract: This is what gives these cookies their delightful minty kick, making them perfect for the holidays!
Crushed Peppermint Candies or Candy Canes: The crunchy bits not only add texture but also heighten the peppermint flavor. Plus, they look adorable!
Red and White Sanding Sugar (optional): If you’re feeling festive, these make a gorgeous decorative touch that adds holiday spirit to your cookies.
Is Peppermint Cheesecake Cookies Good for You?
While I won’t exactly call these cookies health food, they do contain some ingredients that can be seen as a bit of a treat with benefits!
Cream Cheese: Provides a nice dose of calcium and protein, making it a tasty way to get some dairy in your diet.
Peppermint Extract: This can aid digestion and invigorate the senses (plus, who doesn’t love the smell of peppermint?!).
That said, the deliciousness does come with calories and sugars, so enjoy them in moderation! Especially if you plan to indulge in these sweet treats after a hefty holiday meal.
Ingredients
– 1 cup cream cheese, softened
– 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
– 1 cup granulated sugar
– 1 large egg
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
– 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
– 1 teaspoon baking powder
– 1/4 teaspoon salt
– 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
– 1/2 cup crushed peppermint candies or candy canes (plus extra for topping)
– Red and white sanding sugar for decoration (optional)
This recipe yields about 24 delicious cookies, perfect for sharing (or not—no judgement here!).
How to Make Peppermint Cheesecake Cookies?
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy. It should look like a fluffy cloud of deliciousness!
3. Add in the granulated sugar, mixing until everything is nice and combined.
4. Mix in the egg and vanilla extract. Incorporate well—let those flavors party together!
5. In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and peppermint extract.
6. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the cream cheese mixture. Stir until just combined—no need to overmix!
7. Gently fold in the crushed peppermint candies. The more, the merrier!
8. Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, drop rounds of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
9. If you’re feeling fabulous, sprinkle some extra crushed peppermint candies and sanding sugar on top of each cookie for that extra sparkle!
10. Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are set, and the tops are slightly cracked. Oh, that smell is heavenly!
11. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Sweet Twists and Tips for Extra Yum
– You can swap out the peppermint extract for other flavors like almond or vanilla if you want to mix things up!
– Consider adding more toppings like chocolate chips or drizzling them with white chocolate for a twist. Who doesn’t love chocolate and peppermint together?
– These cookies also freeze beautifully, so make extra and save some for a snowy day!
I hope you give these Peppermint Cheesecake Cookies a try. I can promise they’ll fill your home with delicious scents and warm your heart. Best of all, they’re perfect for sharing, but trust me—you’ll want to keep a few just for yourself! Enjoy baking, and happy holidays!
