These festive Peppermint Shortbread Cookies are the perfect addition to your holiday cookie trays this year! With only five ingredients, they are quick and easy to make and look so gosh darn pretty!
Baking Christmas cookies this week? Make sure to add these to your list: Kolaczki (Polish Cookies), Peanut Butter Blossoms and Snickerdoodles!
There is something about the holidays that brings out the best in people. We’re happier, friendlier, and full of joy. That’s why it’s the best time of the year. The true spirit of the holiday season is all about giving though. I used to stress about the gifts I gave at Christmas. I mean, talk about pressure. It’s the one time of year when many are expecting gifts and the thought of disappointing someone just doesn’t sit well with me.
As I grow older, and wiser, I’ve learned that giving to others is the best gift I can give myself. Truly. There is nothing that fills with me with thankfulness and joy more than the act of giving selflessly to another. And the holidays are certainly the perfect time to do it.
The boys have been busy working on their Christmas Wish Lists and as much fun as it is to surprise them each year, our focus has always been on the act of giving. Teaching our boys to want to give to others is a top priority in our family. We participate in Operation Bear Hug, Operation Christmas Child, and various other charities to show them how good it feels to give. And it does. There’s no denying the thrill in giving to someone you love or someone in need.
The great thing is that giving doesn’t need to be complicated OR expensive. Anyone can give. It only matters that it comes from your heart. Take these Peppermint Shortbread Cookies. Easy. Easy Easy. Yet totally festive and delicious. And boy oh boy do they look pretty on a platter! Tie it up with a ribbon and you have the perfect holiday gift.
Many people may be like, oh, shortbread, but it’s so dry. No sir. Not if you do it right! These shortbread cookies are delightful and pack a peppermint punch that’s sure to please.
There’s a whopping 5 ingredients in this shortbread. I roll mine in sugar before baking for an extra special sparkle. Come on now! It’s Christmas! We have to have sparkle 🙂
More Peppermint Treats
- Peppermint Snowball Cookies
- Peppermint Fudge
- Holiday Dipped Peppermint Oreos
- Peppermint Mocha Fudge
- Peppermint Fluff
How To Make Peppermint Shortbread Cookies
Peppermint Shortbread Cookies
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups all purpose flour
- ¾ cups sugar
- 1 cup butter cubed (and cold)
- 1 ¼ cups Andes peppermint crunch chips found in baking aisle or here
- 1 tsp extract vanilla, almond, or peppermint
- red food coloring optional
- more sugar to coat cookies before baking if desired
Instructions
- Combine flour and sugar in a large bowl.
- Use a pastry blender to cut in butter. You want very fine crumbs.
- Stir in extract, food coloring, and Andes peppermint crunch chips.
- Use your hands to knead the dough until it comes together and forms a ball.
- Shape dough into a log about two inches in a diameter and wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for two hours.
- Preheat oven to 325F.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cut slices of cookie dough about 1/4 inch thick and place on baking sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes or just until cookies are set. Do not over bake.
- Let cool for several minutes on baking sheet before removing to cooling rack. Let cool completely.
- Store in airtight container for 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
Kelly - Life Made Sweeter says
Oh Trish, I absolutely love this post and the campaign! I love that you are passing this down to your kids too. Your lil guy is adorable and these cookies are just beautiful! Love the pink!
Laura @ Laura's Culinary Adventures says
What a pretty cookie; I like the pink color! What a great way to think about others during the holiday season!
Sarah @ SnixyKitchen says
I love that sentiment too – what a good lesson to instill in your children. Also – his face holding that tray of cookies is precious!
Karen @ The Food Charlatan says
What an awesome campaign! And what an awesome use of butter…shortbread is so good, when done right. And oh boy do these look right.
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
That’s what I’m saying Karen…gotta do it right! And this campaign? LOVE!
Zainab says
What a great cause!! And there is peppermint involved 🙂
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Yay to peppermint and yay to giving! Thanks Zainab!
Kate @ Diethood says
OH my gosh! That cutie!!! AND that tray! I’m in awe with these cookies. I mean, shortbread plus peppermint! LOOOOOVE!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
LOL! He was like “hurry up mommy, my arms are hurting!” I’m so mean 😉 Thanks Kate!
Amy @ Amy's Healthy Baking says
These cookies look absolutely perfect!! That color is totally killing me. Adorable! And so are your boys. Just the sweetest picture of him holding the plate! 🙂 Momma’s little helper, right?? (And I bet this batch of shortbread turned out perfect!! 🙂 )
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
He’s my BIG helper Amy 😉 LOL! Thank you!
Liz says
Trish, these cookies look so lovely and your son is such a cutie. Thank you
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Aw, thanks Liz!
Crystal says
I bet these are amazing!! Love the peppermint. Thanks for the great recipe!!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
They really are! Thanks Crystal 🙂
Matt says
Those cookies have a nice color. Perfect for Christmas.
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Thanks Matt!!
Jessica @ A Kitchen Addiction says
These cookies are perfect for giving to others during the holiday season!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Thanks Jessica!
Jocelyn (Grandbaby cakes) says
These cookies are seriously sensational!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Thanks so much Jocelyn!!
Renee @ Two in the Kitchen says
What a great campaign Trish! And I absolutely love that pic of your son with the cookie platter. It’s great that you teach your boys about giving!! And I of course could gobble up that whole tray of cookies myself! YUM!! Pinned. 🙂
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Thanks Renee! I think we should all be giving year-long but it’s especially relevant during the holiday season. Thanks for the pin!
Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy says
Love these! I wish peppermint would be a year round flavor 😉
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
I have a secret Jennifer…I make peppermint treats all year long – my boys just LOVE peppermint 🙂
Mir says
These are so pretty, Trish! And your son holding that plate of cookies is just adorable. It’s definitely good to focus on helping other people this month! I love that you’re spreading that message!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
I happen to think he’s pretty adorable myself Mir 😉 Thank you!