OK, cookie makers…I’ve got another one for you! {Also, how did my healthy recipe blog turn into a cookie-lover blog?! Don’t worry, I’ll be back to my regularly scheduled “less sugar” posts shortly…but for now, cookies!} These peppermint balls are something I remember my mom making when I was growing up. I’ve made some printable Christmas cookie gift tags to go with them, so you can add these to your Christmas cookie exchange arsenal (the only thing better than cookies is sharing them with the people you love!).
If you’re here because you’re looking for Christmas cookies to gift or share in a cookie exchange, be sure to also check out these Butterscotch Oatmeal cookies – they come with a printable recipe card! I’ve also got these cute pecan pie bites, hot chocolate mix (with printable tags), Chex mix in a jar, and Cinnamon Frosting Butter (also great for gifting, with a printable gift tag!).
Peppermint Balls
I believe my mom got this recipe from a family friend in the Wallowa mountains of Oregon when she was growing up.
Here’s what you need to make these little peppermint-y bites of goodness:
- 1 cup softened salted butter
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2-1/2 cups all purpose flour
- About 10 red and white peppermint candy canes, enough to make 1 cup when crushed.
- 2 ounces softened cream cheese
- 2 teaspoons milk
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 6 Tablespoons candy cane/powdered sugar mixture
You should get about two dozen cookies with this recipe. I put four or five in a plastic baggie and added cute ribbon and a gift tag to each baggie. You can find these clear plastic baggies on Amazon or at Walmart or Michaels (look in the baking accessories section…not where the baking foods are, but near the party/wedding aisles).
Mrs. May's Peppermint Balls
Equipment
- Mixer
- Parchment paper
Ingredients
Dough
- 1 c salted butter softened
- 1/2 c powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 2 1/2 c all purpose flour
Filling
- 2 oz cream cheese softened
- 2 tsp milk
- 1 c powdered sugar
- 1 c candy canes crushed, about 10 candy canes
Instructions
- Turn oven on to bake at 350.
- Crush the candy canes in food processor until powdery, with a few shards. Set aside.
- To make the dough, cream butter, vanilla and 1/2 cup powdered sugar. Gradually add flour and blend until a dough forms into the size of peas.
- In a small bowl use a fork to combine 1/2 cup of the crushed candy canes and 1/2 cup powdered sugar.
- To make the filling, use the electric mixer to combine cream cheese, milk, 1/2 cup powdered sugar, and 6 tablespoons of the candy cane/powdered sugar mixture you just made in a small mixing bowl.
- Form the dough into 1 inch balls and place on cookie sheet. Using parchment paper on the cookie sheet gives best results, and also helps with cleanup. Make a “well” in the center of each cookie using your finger. Smooth out any large cracks in the cookie. Carefully spoon the cream cheese mixture into the well, just to the top. Bake at 350 for 12 minutes.
- Cool for about 4-5 minutes, and then roll each cookie in the candy cane/powdered sugar
mixture while still warm. - You can also use a mini-muffin tin for these cookies. Press the 1” ball gently into tin, then follow the same directions except bake them for 13-14 minutes.
Notes
Nutrition
These gift tags do best when printed on cardstock. Download by clicking the “Download” button (black and white) below. If you have trouble accessing your download, email us at [email protected] and we’ll send you the files!
Don’t forget to check out these other fun Christmas recipes:
