Name: Peppermint Candy Cane Kiss Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 2 h 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: ½ cup unsalted butter softened; 1¼ cup white sugar divided; 1 large egg; 1 tsp vanilla extract; ½ tsp peppermint extract; 2 cups all-purpose flour; ¼ tsp baking soda; ¼ tsp salt; 2 tsp milk; ½ cup crushed candy canes; 28 Hershey’s Candy Cane Kisses

Nothing sets the holiday mood quite like the fresh, wintry burst of peppermint combined with a soft, melt-in-your-mouth cookie. This Peppermint Candy Cane Kiss Cookies Recipe is a little celebration in every bite – a perfect blend of classic sugar cookie dough dusted with crushed candy canes and topped with a luscious Candy Cane Kiss. It’s a festive treat that feels both joyful and cozy, making it worth the extra chill time!

The image shows many round cookies on a metal cooling rack. Each cookie has two layers: the base layer is light beige with a slightly cracked and soft texture, speckled with tiny red bits inside the dough. The top layer is a round candy sitting right in the middle of the cookie, striped with red and white swirls, smooth and shiny. The cookies are closely placed next to each other, and a few wrapped candies with shiny red and silver wrappers are scattered among them. The background is a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Peppermint Candy Cane Kiss Cookies Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Peppermint Candy Cane Kiss Cookies Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Peppermint Candy Cane Kiss Cookies Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I've made lots of peppermint cookie recipes over the years, but this one really stands out for me. It's got the perfect balance of sugar and peppermint without being overpowering, and the addition of the Candy Cane Kiss on top just adds that magical finish that everyone raves about. Plus, chilling the dough before baking gives each cookie an irresistible texture that's soft but holds its shape beautifully.

Bright Peppermint Flavor: The combination of peppermint extract and crushed candy canes gives these cookies a refreshing yet subtle minty kick.
Soft, Tender Texture: Thanks to chilling the dough, the cookies stay soft and chewy in the center with just a hint of crisp around the edges.
Festive Presentation: The Candy Cane Kisses pressed into each cookie melt slightly but keep their shape, making these so fun and pretty for holiday gifting or parties.
Easy to Make: Despite looking special, this cookie recipe is straightforward and beginner-friendly—no complicated steps or fancy equipment required.

A close-up view of a small round cookie with a light beige color and crumbly texture, held by a woman's hand at the bottom left. The cookie has small red bits mixed in the dough and a white and red striped chocolate drop placed upright in the center on top. The cookie is partly bitten, revealing a soft inside, and the background is filled with more similar cookies out of focus on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

The magic in this Peppermint Candy Cane Kiss Cookies Recipe starts with some simple, classic ingredients that come together to make a delightful, minty treat. Each one plays a role in crafting the perfect cookie texture and flavor profile.

Flat lay of a half cup of unsalted butter softened in a small white ceramic bowl, a small white bowl of white granulated sugar, a single large brown egg with clean shell, a tiny white bowl with clear vanilla extract, a tiny white bowl with clear peppermint extract, a simple white ceramic bowl filled with all-purpose flour, a small white bowl with baking soda, a small white bowl with salt, a small white bowl of milk, a small white bowl containing crushed red and white candy cane pieces, and a neat pile of red and white peppermint Hershey’s Candy Cane Kisses chocolates, all arranged in perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Unsalted Butter: Softened butter adds richness and a tender crumb without extra salt interfering with the peppermint taste.
White Sugar: Divided between the dough and coating the cookies, it helps create a sweet, slightly crunchy shell while keeping the inside soft.
Large Egg: Acts as a binder and adds moisture for that perfect baked softness.
Vanilla Extract: Balances the peppermint with warm, familiar notes, enhancing overall depth.
Peppermint Extract: The star ingredient for that classic candy cane flavor—be sure not to overdo it, or it can get too intense.
All-Purpose Flour: The base of the dough, providing structure and chewiness.
Baking Soda: Gives a light lift and soft texture to the cookies.
Salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness.
Milk: A touch of milk helps bring the dry ingredients together delicately.
Crushed Candy Canes: These add bursts of peppermint crunch inside the cookie, creating layers of texture.
Hershey’s Candy Cane Kisses: The iconic finishing touch – a smooth, creamy chocolate peppermint center that melts just right.

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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.

Make It Your Way

One of the best things about this Peppermint Candy Cane Kiss Cookies Recipe is how you can tweak it to suit your tastes or dietary needs. I love playing around with add-ins or even the peppermint intensity depending on my mood or who I’m baking for.

Variation: I sometimes swap out half the all-purpose flour for whole wheat pastry flour to add a nutty depth—kids didn’t mind the subtle change one bit!
Dairy-Free Option: Using a plant-based butter substitute and non-dairy milk works well too; just keep the flavor just as festive with peppermint extract.
Extra Crunch: Add chopped nuts or white chocolate chips for a delightful contrast in texture.
Mellow Mint: If peppermint extract is too strong for you, reduce it slightly and add more crushed candy canes instead for a gentler flavor.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Peppermint Candy Cane Kiss Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugar until Fluffy

Start by softening your unsalted butter at room temperature—don’t rush this step, as proper creaminess is key. Using a handheld mixer on medium-low speed, beat the butter and 1 cup of white sugar together for 1-2 minutes until pale and fluffy. This step traps air in the dough, helping the cookies to be light and tender, so don’t gloss over it!

Step 2: Add Egg and Extracts

Next, crack in the large egg, then pour in the vanilla and peppermint extracts. Beat everything together for another minute, ensuring it’s fully combined. You’ll notice the dough becomes a little creamier and smoother at this stage—perfect for building flavor.

Step 3: Mix Dry Ingredients and Combine

In a separate bowl, whisk together your all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Then, gradually add this flour mixture to the wet ingredients along with the milk and crushed candy canes. Beat just until incorporated—about 30 seconds. Overmixing here can make the cookies tough, so keep it gentle.

Step 4: Shape and Sugar-Coat the Dough Balls

Scoop 1 tablespoon-sized amounts of dough and roll them into smooth balls using your hands. Then, roll each ball in the remaining ¼ cup of sugar to give the cookies a sparkly, sweet crust. This little step adds a nice contrast in texture and a pretty shimmer once baked.

Step 5: Chill the Dough for Best Results

Arrange the sugar-coated dough balls on parchment-lined baking sheets with about 2 inches between them. Pop these into the fridge for 2 full hours before baking. Chilling is crucial—it stops the cookies from spreading too much, helps develop flavor, and improves texture.

Step 6: Bake and Add the Candy Cane Kisses

Preheat the oven to 375°F while the dough chills. When ready, bake the cookies for about 10 minutes or until the centers are just set. Don’t bake until too firm—cookies should be soft but set. Let them cool for 5 minutes on the tray, then gently press an unwrapped Hershey’s Candy Cane Kiss into the center of each warm cookie. The kiss melts slightly but holds its beautiful shape.

Top Tip

Over the years, I’ve learned some handy tips that make this Peppermint Candy Cane Kiss Cookies Recipe foolproof and extra special. These little tricks could save your batch or elevate your baking effortlessly.

Softened Butter is Key: Using butter that’s too cold makes it tough to cream properly and ruins the cookie texture.
Don’t Skip Chilling: Patience here means prettier, thicker cookies that hold their shape and have better flavor.
Crushed Candy Canes Variety: I use a mix of fine and slightly larger pieces for a delightful crunch without being too abrasive on your teeth.
Press Kisses While Warm: Adding the kiss too early or when the cookies are too hot can cause them to melt completely and lose shape.

How to Serve Peppermint Candy Cane Kiss Cookies Recipe

peppermint candy cane cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple with these cookies since the Candy Cane Kiss is the star — sometimes a light dusting of powdered sugar adds extra charm if I’m serving them as gifts. A few extra crushed candy canes sprinkled around the plate never hurts, either for color and texture.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair beautifully with a warm mug of hot cocoa or peppermint-spiked coffee. I also love having a festive cheese platter nearby—sharp cheddar and salty crackers contrast nicely with the sweet mint flavors.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday parties, I’ve arranged these cookies on a multi-tiered glass stand alongside fresh pine sprigs and red berries to echo the peppermint color scheme. Wrapping them up in cellophane with a festive tag is also a lovely way to give a homemade gift that feels special and personal.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After baking, I cool the cookies completely before storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. This keeps them fresh and soft for up to 5-7 days. If the candy kisses start to harden, a few minutes in a warm room softens them right back up.

Freezing

I freeze unbaked dough balls, rolled in sugar, on a baking sheet first so they don’t stick together. After freezing, I transfer them to a freezer bag for up to 3 months. When I want cookies, I bake them straight from frozen, adding a minute or two to the bake time. This trick is a lifesaver during busy seasons!

Reheating

Leftover cookies taste amazing slightly warmed. I pop a cookie in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds or in a preheated 300°F oven for 5 minutes, just enough to soften the kiss and bring back that melty, fresh-baked feel.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use regular chocolate kisses instead of Candy Cane Kisses?

Absolutely! Regular Hershey’s Kisses work fine if you’re short on peppermint candy kisses, though you’ll lose a bit of the minty flair that makes the cookies so special.

Why do we chill the cookie dough before baking?

Chilling the dough helps the cookies hold their shape during baking and results in a thicker, softer cookie with better texture and flavor development.

Can I make these cookies gluten-free?

Yes! You can substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend that’s a 1-to-1 replacement, but be sure to monitor baking time closely as gluten-free flours sometimes bake faster or slower.

How do I prevent the Candy Cane Kiss from melting too much?

Press the kisses onto the cookies after they have cooled for 5 minutes outside the oven—not while they’re piping hot. This keeps them melty but intact.

Final Thoughts

Making these Peppermint Candy Cane Kiss Cookies has been one of my favorite holiday traditions—it’s a recipe that always feels like a warm hug wrapped in festive cheer. I love sharing them with friends and family, and watching their faces light up as they bite into that perfect chewy cookie with a peppermint chocolate heart. Give this recipe a try—you’ll find it’s as rewarding to make as it is delicious to eat!