If you’re looking for a festive treat that’s bursting with holiday cheer, you’ve got to try this Peppermint Kiss Cookies Recipe. It’s one of those recipes I keep coming back to every season because they just hit all the right notes—crispy edges, soft centers, a minty crunch from crushed candy canes, and that gooey Hershey’s Peppermint Kiss right on top. Trust me, once you make these, they’ll be the cookie everyone asks for at your next holiday gathering!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Perfect Holiday Flavor: The peppermint and candy canes lend a nostalgic, refreshing taste that screams winter festivities.
Easy to Make: Simple ingredients and straightforward steps mean even beginners can nail these cookies.
Cute Presentation: Those little Kisses make each cookie look irresistible and gift-ready.
Great for Sharing: Makes a big batch of 32 cookies—perfect for parties, cookie exchanges, or just stocking your cookie jar.

Peppermint Kiss Cookies Recipe - Recipe Step

Ingredients You’ll Need

This Peppermint Kiss Cookies Recipe uses classic cookie ingredients with a peppermint twist. When shopping, picking good-quality butter and fresh candy canes really showed me the difference in flavor and texture. Let me walk you through some must-haves.

Peppermint Kiss Cookies Recipe - Ingredients

All-purpose flour: The base for sturdy but tender cookies, nothing fancy needed here but make sure it’s fresh for the best rise.
Kosher salt: Just a pinch to balance the sweetness without making the cookie salty.
Baking powder: Helps the cookies puff up just enough to keep them soft inside.
Unsalted butter: I love using softened butter for easy mixing and richer flavor control.
White sugar: Adds that sweet, crisp edge to the cookie.
Egg: Acts as a binder; make sure it’s at room temperature for smooth mixing.
Vanilla extract: Always boosts cookie flavor with warm, sweet notes.
Peppermint extract: This is the magic touch—just a little bit packs a fresh minty punch.
Crushed candy canes: Adds festive color and a delightful crunch—I like to crush them myself with a rolling pin for a rustic feel.
Hershey’s Peppermint Kisses: The star topping that melts just enough to stick but keeps their signature shape.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love how versatile this Peppermint Kiss Cookies Recipe can be! Over the years, I’ve played with a few variations that you might want to try depending on your mood or dietary needs.

Gluten-Free Version: I swapped the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free blend once, and the cookies held up beautifully—just add a little xanthan gum for structure.
Chocolate Peppermint: Sometimes I add a tablespoon of cocoa powder to the dough for a chocolatey twist that pairs amazingly with the peppermint flavor.
Extra Crunchy: Adding chopped walnuts or pecans into the dough adds a lovely nutty crunch, which my family goes crazy for during the holidays.
Vegan Option: I’ve used vegan butter and flax eggs to make a plant-based batch that still tastes indulgent and festive.

How to Make Peppermint Kiss Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Space and Ingredients

Start by lining a large baking sheet with parchment paper—this keeps everything clean and helps your cookies release perfectly. Then, whisk your flour, salt, and baking powder together in a bowl and set it aside. I like to have everything ready before I start mixing because it keeps the process smooth and stress-free.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar

In a separate bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar with an electric mixer until the texture is light and fluffy—think about 3 minutes. This step is crucial because it traps air, resulting in tender, soft cookies. Then, add the egg, vanilla, and a splash of peppermint extract, beating again until everything is combined and smooth.

Step 3: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients and Add Candy Canes

Mix your dry ingredients into the wet ones using the mixer on low speed until just combined—overmixing can make your cookies tough. Now, toss in those crushed candy canes and give it a quick mix. This part always feels like magic when you see specks of red candy sparkle throughout the dough.

Step 4: Roll and Chill the Dough

Spooon out small rounded balls—just under a tablespoon each works best. Roll them between your palms to get a smooth ball. I find chilling the dough for an hour in the fridge not only firms it up but actually enhances the flavors and makes shaping so much easier. Patience pays off here!

Step 5: Bake in Batches

Preheat your oven to 375°F and prepare 1-3 more parchment-lined baking sheets. Lay out about 12 dough balls per sheet, keeping some space between them. Bake each batch for 11 minutes until the edges are lightly golden—don’t worry if the centers look soft, that’s exactly what you want! Baking in batches guarantees even heat distribution so nothing burns.

Step 6: Press on the Peppermint Kisses

Right after you remove the cookies from the oven, give them about 5 minutes to cool, then gently press a Hershey’s Peppermint Kiss into the center of each cookie. I learned this trick to prevent the Kiss from cracking or melting too much. For a perfectly shaped topping, pop the cookies into the freezer for 10 minutes right after pressing—the cold helps them set just right.

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Pro Tips for Making Peppermint Kiss Cookies Recipe

Butter Softening: Let your butter sit out until it’s soft but not melting—this helps you cream it better for fluffier cookies.
Crushing Candy Canes: Use a zip-top bag and a rolling pin for an easy, inexpensive way to get perfectly sized pieces as opposed to uneven chunks.
Chill the Dough: Don’t skip chilling its crucial—it makes shaping easier and flavors deeper, plus prevents spreading in the oven.
Don’t Overbake: Take the cookies out when edges are golden but centers look soft—they firm up as they cool for the perfect texture.

How to Serve Peppermint Kiss Cookies Recipe

Peppermint Kiss Cookies Recipe - Serving

Garnishes

When I serve these cookies, I love to sprinkle a little extra crushed peppermint over the top for a festive touch and added crunch. Sometimes, I finish with a light dusting of powdered sugar to make them look snowy and extra special.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair perfectly with a warm cup of cocoa or peppermint tea. At holiday parties, I usually set them alongside eggnog or hot mulled cider, which really complements that minty zing.

Creative Ways to Present

I’ve had fun arranging these peppermint kisses on holiday platters alongside fresh pine sprigs and cranberries—it instantly makes your cookie tray look festive. Wrapping a few in clear cellophane bags tied with a red ribbon is a simple but charming gift idea, too.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. Pro tip: if you’re stacking them or using a tin, placing a sheet of wax paper between layers keeps the kisses from sticking together or breaking. They last beautifully for about a week this way.

Freezing

I often freeze Peppermint Kiss Cookies for later by letting them cool completely and then sealing them tightly in a freezer bag or container for up to three months. For even more convenience, freezing the dough balls before baking means you can have fresh cookies anytime—you just thaw in the fridge before baking and add kisses afterward.

Reheating

To warm the cookies and bring back that fresh-baked softness, I pop them in the microwave for about 10 seconds or briefly in a low oven. Just be careful not to melt the kisses too much—warm but firm is the goal.

FAQs

Can I use regular Hershey’s Kisses instead of peppermint?

You can, absolutely! Regular Hershey’s Kisses will give you a classic chocolate topping, but you’ll miss out on that minty burst that makes this recipe so special. If you want a chocolate peppermint twist, try mixing regular Kisses with a peppermint extract in the dough.
What’s the best way to crush candy canes for the cookies?

Place candy canes inside a sturdy zip-top bag and use a rolling pin or the bottom of a heavy pan to crush them to your desired size. I like a mix of fine pieces and small chunks for extra texture without overwhelming the cookie.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Definitely! This dough actually benefits from chilling—either refrigerate it overnight or freeze it for up to 3 months. Just be sure to thaw frozen dough in the fridge before baking for the best results.
Why do the kisses sometimes melt or lose their shape?

Pressing the kisses into warm cookies just after baking helps them stick, but if the cookies are too hot or you leave them out too long before cooling, the kisses can melt too much. Putting the cookies into the freezer for 10 minutes right after pressing the kisses keeps them firm and pretty.

Final Thoughts

This Peppermint Kiss Cookies Recipe holds a special place in my heart because it brings a little magic to every holiday season. I love how easy they are to make and how everyone instantly lights up when they bite into one. Whether you’re baking for family, friends, or just yourself, these cookies never disappoint—so cozy up, give this recipe a try, and enjoy all the festive joy packed into each bite!