Name: Dreamy Peppermint Cheesecake Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 27 min
Yield: 23
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup (227 g / 8 oz) unsalted butter, softened; 1 package (8 oz / 227 g) cream cheese, softened; 2 large eggs; 2 ½ cups (320 g) all-purpose flour; 1 ¼ cups (250 g) granulated sugar; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 1 tsp peppermint extract; 1 cup (175 g) white chocolate chips; ½ cup (75 g) crushed candy canes (plus extra for topping); 2 tsps baking powder; ½ tsp salt; 1 ½ cups (180 g) powdered sugar; 2 tbsps unsalted butter, melted; ½ tsp peppermint extract; ⅓ tbsps milk; 1 drop red food coloring

Sweet meets creamy in these delightful peppermint cheesecake cookies that dance between festive and indulgent.

Soft, pillowy cookies pack a punch of refreshing mint and rich cream cheese flavor.

Delicate swirls of peppermint create a stunning visual that promises pure deliciousness.

Holiday baking reaches new heights with this irresistible treat that combines classic cookie comfort with cheesecake decadence.

Every bite brings a perfect balance of cool mint and smooth cheesecake undertones.

The recipe transforms simple ingredients into something extraordinary, perfect for winter gatherings or quiet evening desserts.

Brace yourself for a cookie experience that will become an instant seasonal favorite.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 12 minutes

Total Time: 27 minutes

Calories: 204 kcal

Servings: 23

All Ingredients For Peppermint Cheesecake Cookies

For Base Ingredients:

Butter: Provides rich, creamy foundation with smooth texture and enhances overall flavor profile.
Cream Cheese: Adds tangy richness and creates luxurious, velvety cookie consistency.
Granulated Sugar: Sweetens and helps achieve perfect golden-brown cookie edges.
Eggs: Bind ingredients together and contribute to soft, tender cookie texture.
Vanilla Extract: Deepens flavor complexity with warm, aromatic undertones.
Peppermint Extract: Delivers refreshing, cool mint sensation throughout cookies.

For Dry Mixture:

All-Purpose Flour: Creates sturdy cookie structure with tender crumb.
Baking Powder: Ensures light, airy texture and proper cookie rise.
Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor depth.

For Texture and Decoration:

White Chocolate Chips: Provides creamy, sweet bursts of indulgence.
Candy Canes: Introduces delightful peppermint crunch and festive visual appeal.
Powdered Sugar: Creates smooth, glossy glaze with elegant finish.
Red Food Coloring: Adds festive, vibrant visual dimension to glaze.
Milk: Adjusts glaze consistency for perfect drizzling texture.

What You’ll Need For Peppermint Cheesecake Cookies

Large Mixing Bowl: Essential for combining wet ingredients smoothly and creating the cookie dough base.
Electric Mixer or Whisk: Perfect for beating butter, cream cheese, and sugar until light and fluffy.
Measuring Cups and Spoons: Crucial for accurately measuring ingredients like flour, sugar, and extracts.
Separate Mixing Bowl: Needed for whisking dry ingredients before combining with wet mixture.
Cookie Scoop or Tablespoon: Helps create uniform, perfectly sized cookie balls.
Baking Sheets: Necessary for baking cookies evenly.
Parchment Paper: Prevents cookies from sticking and ensures easy cleanup.
Wire Cooling Rack: Allows cookies to cool completely without becoming soggy.
Small Bowl: Used for preparing the optional glaze.
Whisk or Spoon: Helps mix glaze ingredients and create smooth consistency.

How To Bake Peppermint Cheesecake Cookies

Creamy Butter Blend

Mix softened butter and cream cheese until silky smooth. Gradually add sugar, creating a fluffy cloud-like mixture. Gently incorporate eggs one by one, then splash in vanilla and peppermint extracts for a magical flavor burst.

Flour Power

Whisk dry ingredients in a separate bowl. Softly fold the flour mixture into the creamy base, creating a beautiful dough. Sprinkle in white chocolate chips and crushed candy canes for delightful texture and crunch.

Chill Out

Wrap the dough and let it rest in the refrigerator. This cooling period helps develop deeper flavors and makes the dough easier to handle.

Baking Magic

Heat the oven to a cozy 350F. Grab a baking sheet and line it with parchment paper. Scoop dollops of dough, giving each cookie space to spread its wings. Bake until edges turn a gentle golden brown, around 10-12 minutes. Let cookies cool briefly on the sheet before transferring to a wire rack.

Festive Finish

Create a sparkling glaze by mixing melted butter, powdered sugar, and a hint of peppermint extract. Add a touch of red for holiday cheer. Drizzle over cooled cookies and sprinkle with extra candy cane crumbles for a show-stopping treat.

Peppermint Cheesecake Cookies Tips And Add-Ons

Chilling Magic: Refrigerate the dough for up to 24 hours to develop deeper flavors and enhance the texture of your cookies, making them even more irresistible.
Freezer-Friendly Hack: Shape the cookie dough into balls and freeze them for up to 3 months. Bake directly from frozen, adding 2-3 extra minutes to the baking time for perfect results.
Dairy-Free Twist: Swap butter and cream cheese with vegan alternatives like coconut oil and dairy-free cream cheese to create a delicious plant-based version of these festive treats.
Gluten-Free Option: Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend to make these cookies suitable for those with gluten sensitivities without compromising on taste or texture.
Festive Decoration Pro: Experiment with different colored glazes or sprinkle crushed peppermint with edible glitter for an extra-special holiday touch that will wow your friends and family.

Holiday Cookie Platter: Create a festive cookie display with different sizes of these peppermint cheesecake cookies, arranging them on a decorative holiday plate with sprinkled candy cane pieces around the edges.
Dessert Pairing Delight: Serve these cookies alongside a warm mug of hot chocolate or peppermint mocha for a perfect winter treat that complements the cookie's minty flavor profile.
Gifting Presentation: Package the cookies in clear cellophane bags tied with red and white ribbons, making them a charming homemade gift for neighbors, teachers, or holiday party hosts.
Coffee Break Companion: Place these cookies on a small dessert plate next to an espresso or cappuccino for an elegant mid-afternoon sweet indulgence that adds a festive touch to your coffee break.

How To Keep Peppermint Cheesecake Cookies Fresh

Fridge-Friendly Storage: Keep cookies in an airtight container inside the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Stack cookies between parchment paper layers to prevent sticking and maintain their delicate texture.
Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare cookie dough up to 3 days in advance and store tightly wrapped in the refrigerator. Raw dough balls can be frozen for future baking, lasting up to 3 months when sealed in freezer-safe bags.
Quick Refreshing Technique: Warm slightly stale cookies in the microwave for 8-10 seconds to restore softness. Allow cookies to cool for a minute before enjoying their renewed texture and flavor.
Smart Serving Strategy: Separate glazed and unglazed cookies when storing to prevent moisture transfer. Keep decorative toppings like crushed candy canes in a separate container to maintain their crunch until serving time.

Liam O’Sullivan

Founder & Culinary Content Creator

Expertise

Recipe Development, Traditional Irish and European Cuisines, Food Styling and Photography, Culinary Education

Education

Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) – School of Culinary Arts and Food Technology

Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Culinary Arts
Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and modern cooking techniques, kitchen management, and menu development.

Ballymaloe Cookery School

Program: 12-Week Certificate Course
Focus: Intensive, hands-on experience emphasizing farm-to-table cooking and sustainable practices.

Isabella brings a global spark to the Craft Meats table. Born in Florence and trained at the Apicius International School of Hospitality, she blends classic Italian flavor with modern writing that’s easy to follow and hard to forget.

Her additional training at the Italian Chef Academy fueled her love for well-crafted dishes, especially ones that spotlight beautiful cuts of meat.

She’s a food writer with heart, and a deep love for storytelling through single recipes. Her goal? To help you cook with more confidence and a little more joy, no matter where you start.