Day 23 with this heArt of mine
It’s almost Christmas! I am getting really excited though I do wish there was a fresh layer of snow on the ground. Just for looks. The 25 Days of Cookies have been so enjoyable and fun to have here. But it’s not done yet! There are still two more days!
Today, I’m sharing my most favorite Christmas cookie. When I eat them, I am transported back to my childhood home, sitting on the couch in the living room in the dark, except for the lighted Christmas tree. It’s such a peaceful memory.
But the back to the cookie, it is perfection. A flaky, pastry-like cookie filled with a peppermint filling and rolled in peppermint-y powdered sugar. Not overly sweet but melt in your mouth good. Really, I can’t oversell these cookies. They are the best.
Now, lots of recipes are touted as being quick and easy. This is not one of those recipes. They are a bit tedious. Mostly, the tedium (and ire) has to do with the dough. The flaky dough is fragile and crumbly and it can be a little frustrating. Okay, a lot frustrating. But really, it’s worth it. Once a year, it’s worth it.
Before making them, one must procure a specific ingredient. Peppermints. And not just any old peppermints. They aren’t the regular circular, after-dinner mints. This kind is usually referred to as ‘soft’ peppermints, or a ‘pillow’ peppermint.
I found mine at Fleet Farm in their bulk candy aisles. I also found them online for you all.
For this recipe, they must be crushed. Food processors work. But since I don’t have one (yet), I used my mallet. I put the peppermints in a gallon bag, wrapped the bag in a towel (to protect the bag from being ripped to shreds) and then beat the pepper from the mint. Seriously. Get your muscles out for this one.
It makes it into a nice peppermint-y powder.
Now that the peppermints are crushed, we are ready to go.
Peppermint Candy Christmas Cookies
recipes by Joyce Francis, my delightfully quirky art teacher
Cream together:
- 1 cup butter
- 1/2 cup powder sugar
Add in:
- 2 1/2 cups flour
Chill dough.
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Mix filling:
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 3 Tbsp crushed peppermint candy
- 2 Tbsp softened cream cheese
- 1 tsp milk
- 1 drop red food coloring
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Coating mix. Mix together:
- 1/2 cup crushed peppermint candy
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
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Roll out chilled dough on a lightly floured surface. It is a crumbly dough. Work it with your hands a little to get it to stick together.
Cut into your preferred shape. Do choose a shape big enough to fill. However, too big will be hard on the flaky, fragile dough. I like the heart shape.
Put the filling on cut shape, <1tsp. Eyeball it. Learn as you go. Too much will make the top cookie break apart.
Put another shape on top.
Press edges to seal. The dough might crack but it’s okay.
Bake at 350° for 10-12 minutes or until lightly browned.
When the cookies are hot out of the oven, gently roll them in the candy-powdered sugar mix.
So yummy. Christmastime is officially here.
Take care.
♥amy c
