Peppermint Snickerdoodles Recipe
Introduction
Peppermint Snickerdoodles add a festive twist to the classic cinnamon cookie, blending the refreshing flavor of peppermint with the soft, chewy texture you love. These cookies are perfect for holiday gatherings or anytime you want a sweet treat with a minty kick.

Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter at room temperature
- 1/2 cup shortening
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons cream of tartar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3-4 candy canes
- 1 tablespoon sugar
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat the oven to 375ºF (190ºC). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- Step 2: In a large bowl or stand mixer, cream together the butter, shortening, and 1 1/2 cups of sugar until light and fluffy, about a few minutes.
- Step 3: Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition and scraping down the sides of the bowl. Mix in the vanilla and peppermint extracts.
- Step 4: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt.
- Step 5: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until a dough forms.
- Step 6: Place the candy canes in a blender or food processor and pulse until they become fine crumbs. Mix the crumbs with the remaining 1 tablespoon of sugar in a small bowl.
- Step 7: Roll the dough into balls about 2 tablespoons each. Roll each ball in the candy cane crumb mixture until fully coated. Place the coated balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 3 inches apart.
- Step 8: Bake for about 9 minutes, or until the edges are set but the centers are still soft. Let cookies sit on the baking sheet for 1-2 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack to cool completely.
Tips & Variations
- For even baking, bake one tray at a time or rotate two trays halfway through the baking time.
- Use a cookie scoop to keep cookie sizes consistent and make rolling easier.
- To intensify the peppermint flavor, add an extra 1/8 teaspoon of peppermint extract but be cautious as it can quickly become overpowering.
- Swap candy canes for crushed peppermint candies if preferred for a different texture.
Storage
Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer storage, freeze the baked cookies in a sealed container for up to 3 months. To reheat, let frozen cookies thaw at room temperature or warm them briefly in a low oven to refresh their softness.
How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use only butter instead of shortening?
Yes, you can substitute all the shortening with butter for a richer flavor, but the texture may be slightly less tender.
What if I don’t have cream of tartar?
If you don’t have cream of tartar, you can substitute it with 2 teaspoons of lemon juice or white vinegar, but this may slightly alter the cookie’s texture and taste.
PrintPeppermint Snickerdoodles Recipe
Delight in these festive Peppermint Snickerdoodles, classic soft and chewy cookies with a refreshing peppermint twist. Rolled in crushed candy canes and sugar, these cookies bring the perfect blend of cinnamon and cool peppermint flavors, making them ideal for holiday celebrations or any time you crave a minty treat.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 9 minutes
- Total Time: 24 minutes
- Yield: About 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter, at room temperature
- 1/2 cup shortening
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract
Dry Ingredients
- 3 cups all purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons cream of tartar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Coating
- 3–4 candy canes
- 1 tablespoon sugar
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 375ºF (190ºC). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silpat liner to ensure even baking and easy cleanup.
- Cream Fats and Sugar: In a stand mixer bowl or a large bowl, cream together the butter, shortening, and 1 1/2 cups of sugar until light and fluffy. This should take a few minutes to incorporate air into the mixture for soft cookies.
- Add Eggs and Extracts: Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each and scraping down the sides of the bowl. Then mix in the vanilla and peppermint extracts to infuse the dough with warm and minty flavors.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt until evenly combined. This will ensure proper leavening and flavor balance.
- Combine Dry and Wet Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and mix until a dough forms, making sure not to overmix to maintain the tender texture.
- Prepare Candy Cane Coating: Place the candy canes in a blender or food processor and pulse until you have fine crumbs. Transfer the crumbs to a small bowl and mix with the remaining 1 tablespoon of sugar to create a crunchy, minty coating.
- Shape and Coat Cookies: Using about 2 tablespoons of dough for each cookie, roll the dough into balls. Roll each ball in the candy cane crumb mixture, ensuring it is well coated. Place the coated dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them at least 3 inches apart to allow for spreading.
- Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for about 9 minutes or until the edges are set but the center is still soft. This helps achieve a chewy inside and slightly crisp edges.
- Cool: Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the cookies sit for 1-2 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps them firm up without breaking.
Notes
- Bake cookies one tray at a time with 8 cookies per tray for even baking. If baking two trays simultaneously, rotate them halfway through the baking time for uniform cooking.
- Nutritional information is an estimate and can vary based on ingredient brands and measurement accuracy.
- Using a cookie scoop ensures consistent cookie size and even baking.
Keywords: peppermint, peppermint snickerdoodles, snickerdoodles, holiday cookies, mint cookies, peppermint candy

