Mini Peppermint Cookie Cups

Peppermint Sugar Cookie Cups are a holiday sensation, bursting with festive cheer in every delightful bite! These enchanting sugar cookies feature a tender, sweet base, a hidden Hershey’s Candy Cane Kiss, and are crowned with a swirl of rich peppermint buttercream frosting. They’re not just fun and festive, but also incredibly easy to make, making them the perfect addition to your Christmas cookie repertoire.

If you loved our Peanut Butter Cookie Cups, you’re in for an even more exhilarating treat with this festive variation. Today, we’re diving into another simple yet sensational cookie cup recipe, designed to bring joy and a burst of holiday flavor to your table. This recipe brilliantly combines the timeless charm of frosted sugar cookies with the refreshing zest of cool peppermint buttercream, creating a dessert that’s both nostalgic and exciting.

And did we mention the delightful surprise waiting at the heart of each cup? A creamy Hershey’s Candy Cane Kiss melts gently into the warm, soft cookie, transforming these peppermint sugar cookies into truly “Surprise Cookies” that will captivate everyone who tries them!

These Irresistible Cookie Cups with Peppermint Frosting are proudly presented as Day 12 of our special 12 Days of Cookies celebration!

Make sure to explore all the other days for more fantastic holiday treats and baking inspiration:

• Day 1 – Fluffernutter Cookies
• Day 2 – Toffee Coconut Oatmeal Bars
• Day 3 – Double Chocolate M&M Christmas Cookies
• Day 4 – Lace Cookies
• Day 5 – Whipped Shortbread Cookies
• Day 6 – Chocolate Spritz Cookies
• Day 7 – 3 Ingredient Sugar Free Peanut Butter Cookies
• Day 8 – Wasabi Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
• Day 9 – Christmas Sprinkle Cookies
• Day 10 – Stained Glass Cookies
• Day 11 – Cream Cheese Meltaways
• Day 12 – You’ve found it! These delicious Peppermint Sugar Cookie Cups!

SAVE THESE PEPERMINT SUGAR COOKIE CUPS TO YOUR FAVORITE PINTEREST BOARD.

Why You’ll Fall in Love with These Festive Peppermint Cookie Cups

There’s something truly special about bite-sized desserts, especially when the holidays roll around. With an abundance of incredible treats vying for attention, it can be wonderfully overwhelming to choose! These Peppermint Sugar Cookie Cups offer the perfect solution: you get to savor all the magnificent flavor of a classic peppermint-frosted sugar cookie, without feeling overly full, leaving just enough room to sample every other craving-worthy delight on the festive spread.

Beyond their convenient size, these cookie cups are an absolute joy to behold and taste. The simple sugar cookie dough is baked in mini-muffin tins, creating perfect little edible vessels. A generous dollop of our homemade peppermint buttercream, along with that delightful Candy Cane Kiss, elevates their appearance and taste to such impressive heights that no one will ever suspect how incredibly simple they are to whip up. They’re guaranteed to be a conversation starter and a crowd-pleaser, embodying the very essence of holiday magic in a small package.

Essential Ingredients for Peppermint Cookie Perfection

Creating these delightful Peppermint Sugar Cookie Cups requires a straightforward list of ingredients, divided between the tender cookie base and the creamy, refreshing frosting. High-quality ingredients are key to achieving that perfect holiday flavor and texture.

For the Soft Sugar Cookie Base, You Will Need:

• Unsalted Butter: Ensure it’s at room temperature for smooth creaming.
• Granulated Sugar: For that classic sweet cookie flavor.
• Egg: Acts as a binder and adds richness.
• Pure Peppermint Extract: Crucial for the vibrant minty flavor. Always opt for pure extract over imitation.
• Whole Milk: Adds moisture and helps achieve the perfect dough consistency.
• All-Purpose Flour: The structural foundation of our cookie cups.
• Kosher Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances all flavors.
• Baking Powder: Provides the necessary lift, making the cookies light and tender.
• Hershey’s White Chocolate Candy Cane Kisses: The delightful surprise filling that melts into a creamy peppermint center.

And for the Silky Peppermint Buttercream Frosting, Gather These:

• Unsalted Butter: Also at room temperature, for a smooth and fluffy frosting.
• Pure Peppermint Extract: Doubles down on that wonderful mint flavor in the frosting.
• Confectioner’s Sugar (Powdered Sugar): Gives the frosting its characteristic smooth texture and sweetness.
• Kosher Salt: A tiny pinch to perfectly balance the frosting’s sweetness.
• Heavy Cream: Adds richness and helps achieve the ideal creamy consistency for piping.
• Crushed Candy Canes: For a festive garnish and an extra crunch of peppermint goodness.

Simple Steps to Bake Your Peppermint Sugar Cookie Cups

Making these festive cookie cups is a straightforward process that yields impressive results. Follow these easy steps to bring the holiday cheer to your kitchen:

1. Prepare Your Kisses: The night before baking, unwrap all your Hershey’s Candy Cane Kisses and place them in an airtight container or bowl. Pop them into the freezer overnight. This crucial step prevents them from melting completely into your warm cookies during the pressing stage, ensuring you have that perfect “surprise” center.
2. Start the Dough: Begin by creaming together the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar in a large mixing bowl until the mixture is light and fluffy. This usually takes about 2-3 minutes with an electric mixer, creating a smooth, airy base for your cookies.
3. Add Wet Ingredients: Incorporate the egg, pure peppermint extract, and whole milk into the creamed butter and sugar mixture. Mix until everything is well combined and smooth.
4. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate, smaller bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, kosher salt, and baking powder. This ensures all the dry ingredients are evenly distributed.
5. Mix Dough: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; overmixing can lead to tough cookies.
6. Shape the Cookie Cups: Take small portions of the dough (about 1 tablespoon each) and roll them into smooth balls. Place each dough ball into the cavity of a greased mini muffin tin. Gently flatten each ball slightly with your thumb or the back of a spoon to create a small indentation.
7. Bake to Perfection: Bake the cookie cups in a preheated oven (usually 350°F or 175°C) for approximately 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the centers are set.
8. Add the Kiss: Immediately after removing the muffin tin from the oven, while the cookies are still warm and soft, carefully press one frozen Hershey’s Candy Cane Kiss into the center of each cookie cup. The residual heat will soften the kiss without fully melting it, creating a gooey, delightful center.
9. Cool Down: Allow the cookie cups to cool in the muffin tin for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This prevents them from breaking and ensures they hold their shape.
10. Prepare Frosting: While the cookies are cooling, prepare your peppermint buttercream frosting (instructions below).
11. Frost and Garnish: Once the cookie cups are completely cool, transfer the peppermint buttercream to a piping bag fitted with your favorite piping tip (we recommend the Wilton 1M or Wilton 4B for beautiful swirls). Pipe a generous swirl of frosting onto each cookie cup and sprinkle with crushed candy canes for an extra festive touch.

Expert Tips and Tricks for Perfect Peppermint Sugar Cookie Cups

Achieving bakery-quality Peppermint Sugar Cookie Cups at home is easier than you think with a few clever tips. These suggestions will help ensure your cookies are not only delicious but also visually stunning and hold up beautifully for all your holiday gatherings.

• Freeze the Hershey’s Kisses Overnight: This is a game-changer! Unwrap the Hershey’s candies the night before you plan to bake and place them in the freezer. This crucial step prevents them from melting completely when pressed into the warm cookies, ensuring you get that distinct, gooey candy cane center rather than a puddle of chocolate.
• Use Pure Peppermint Extract for Authentic Flavor: The quality of your peppermint extract makes a significant difference. Always opt for PURE peppermint extract, not imitation flavor, for the best and most authentic minty taste. It provides a clean, vibrant flavor that truly shines in both the cookie and the frosting.
• Fluffy Frosting with the Right Piping Tips: For that beautifully piped, professional-looking swirl, invest in good piping tips. We highly recommend using Wilton frosting tips 1M (a large open star tip) and 4B (a smaller star tip) for these frosted cookie cups. They create lovely, intricate designs that make your cookies look incredibly impressive.
• Proper Storage for Lasting Freshness: To keep your Peppermint Sugar Cookie Cups fresh and delicious, transfer them to an airtight container. Store them at room temperature, and they will remain delightful for 3 to 5 days. For longer storage, consider freezing (see next tip!).
• Measure Flour Correctly: For accurate baking, always spoon your flour into a measuring cup and then level it off with a straight edge, rather than scooping directly from the bag. This prevents over-packing the flour, which can lead to dense, dry cookies.
• Room Temperature Ingredients for Best Results: Ensure your butter and egg for both the cookies and the frosting are at room temperature. This allows them to cream together more smoothly, creating a light, airy texture for both the dough and the buttercream.
• Don’t Overbake: Sugar cookies can quickly go from perfectly baked to dry and crumbly. Keep a close eye on them; they should be just barely golden at the edges and set in the center. They will continue to firm up as they cool.

Common Questions About Peppermint Sugar Cookie Cups

Let’s address some frequently asked questions to ensure your baking experience is as smooth and successful as possible.

Do you have to chill the dough for these cookie cups?

One of the fantastic aspects of this particular recipe is that no, you do not need to chill the dough! This sugar cookie dough is specifically designed to be pressed directly into mini muffin tins, eliminating the need for rolling and cutting, and thus, removing the chilling requirement. This significantly speeds up the baking process, making these an even easier option for last-minute holiday baking.

While chilling isn’t strictly necessary for this recipe, the dough does hold up well if you want to prepare it ahead of time. You can wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator for a day or two. So, if you’re a planner, feel free to prep the sugar cookie dough and freeze those Hershey’s Kisses in advance. When you’re ready to bake, your peppermint sugar cookie cups will be ready to go into the oven in no time!

Can I freeze these cookie cups?

Absolutely, these delightful cookie cups are freezer-friendly, allowing you to enjoy them long after the holiday season has passed! To maintain the best quality and presentation, we highly recommend freezing them unfrosted. Once the sugar cookies have completely cooled after baking, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Then, transfer them to an airtight freezer-safe container or bag for up to 2-3 months.

When you’re ready to enjoy them, simply thaw the unfrosted cookie cups at room temperature. Once thawed, you can whip up a fresh batch of peppermint buttercream frosting and pipe it onto the cookies, then garnish with crushed candy canes. This method ensures your frosting remains fresh and vibrant, giving you that freshly baked taste every time.

Dive into More Peppermint Delights

As the holiday season approaches, everything peppermint comes onto our radar! The refreshing, cool flavor of peppermint is simply synonymous with Christmas. If you’re as enamored with this festive flavor as we are, you’ll love exploring these other incredible peppermint-infused recipes:

• These Peppermint Blossom Cookies are an all-time favorite easy peppermint dessert, perfect for any holiday cookie tray.
• For a rich, chocolatey twist, you absolutely must try these Double Chocolate Peppermint Kisses. They combine two classic holiday flavors into one irresistible treat.
• If you enjoy bite-sized holiday goodies, these Peppermint Brownie Bites are an absolute MUST-try! Imagine fudgy brownie, extra chocolate, and a surprise peppermint patty nestled in each one. What more could you ask for?
• While we’ve been all about cookies this week, if you’re looking to diversify your holiday dessert menu, let me enthusiastically suggest this Chocolate Peppermint Cream Pie. It’s super easy to make, incredibly decadent, and always a crowd-pleaser that will disappear quickly!

Beyond Peppermint: More Irresistible Cookie Cups and Cookies

Sweeten any season or celebration with our collection of other amazing cookies and cookie cups. From classic flavors to unique combinations, there’s a perfect treat for every palate:

• Frosted Peanut Butter Cookie Cups: A beloved classic with a creamy peanut butter center.
• Cranberry Ginger Sugar Cookies: A sophisticated blend of tart cranberry and warm ginger, perfect for winter.
• Strawberry Buttercream Sugar Cookies: Bright and fruity, ideal for spring or summer gatherings.
• Lemon Coconut Sugar Cookies: Zesty lemon meets tropical coconut for an irresistible flavor pairing.
• Peanut Butter Reindeer Cookies: Fun and adorable, a kid-friendly favorite for the holidays.
• Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Cookies: Double the peanut butter goodness in a classic cookie form.
• Peppermint Snowball Cookies: Delicate, melt-in-your-mouth cookies with a hint of mint.
• Cut Out Sugar Cookies: The quintessential sugar cookie, perfect for decorating.
• Double Chocolate Nutella Cookies: Rich, indulgent, and perfect for chocolate lovers.
• Mantecaditos con Guayaba (Shortbread Almond Cookies with Guava): A unique and flavorful twist on traditional shortbread.

May all your Christmases and festive moments be abundantly filled with desserts as delicious and joyous as these Peppermint Sugar Cookie Cups! Enjoy every minty, sweet bite, and happy baking!

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