peppermint cookies

Well, this certainly isn’t a traditional one. But I just found it, and I thought it was good.

We have a cookie exchange at work; everyone who wants to participate brings in at least 4 dozen home baked cookies, and then we all circle around the table, taking equal numbers of all the different offerings, so you end up with about 4 dozen or so of a home baked cookie assortment.

So, this year, for various reasons, I have a bag of peppermint candies that I’m looking to get rid of. So I went online and looked for something using peppermint. Found this one, baked it, liked it, thought I’d share.

It is a very basic (very easy and fast to make) shortbread cookie; the peppermint is subtle but present. It freezes well, and the flavor settles nicely over time. As a shortbread, it does absorb other flavors; as a peppermint, it does spread its own flavor – so keep it apart from other cookies.

When cooking, it does not get brown. It says to cook for 8 to 10 minutes; I was cooking for about 15 .. and no brown, but also no burn. So it’s pretty forgiving. It also says it will make about 48 cookies … not quite for me, at least at the size I was making and the number of tastes Someone Else was taking. It was closer to 36. But who’s counting?

Anyway, here it is …. (it is from cooks.com, by the way)

HOLIDAY PEPPERMINT COOKIES

1 c. butter, softened
3/4 c. sugar
1 egg
3 c. all purpose flour
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 c. crushed candy canes or peppermint candies
5 tsp. warm water
3/4 c. confectioners sugar

Heat oven to 350 degrees. In medium bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and creamy. Add egg and beat until blended. Stir in flour and salt, then the crushed candy. Add red food coloring to dough if desired. Roll 1 tablespoon of dough into ball. Place on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake cookies 8 to 10 minutes until firm. Cool on sheet for 1 minute. Transfer to wire rack to finish cooling. Mix water and confectioner’s sugar together to form icing. Dip top of each cooled cookie in icing (sprinkle with additional crushed candy, if desired) and allow to dry. Yields approximately 48 cookies.

2 comments

  1. those sound totally yum!

    Of course you really should not blame Kevin for the samples….I have seen how the Azbill clan quality test baked goods. I have seen Chris come in take the spoon from the bowl of cookie dough, loaded up and walk off nibbling (more than once). Lo and behold a recipe that is supposed to make 4 dozen only makes 3 1/2. I think it’s genetic 😉

    You can however blame the cats and or shrinkage due to being left out in the air – both are completely ok.

    I love the idea of a cookie trade too, that sounds like alot of fun and a great way to try new cookies.