White chocolate peppermint thumbprint cookies include a crunchy and crumbly shortbread base and a buttery white chocolate peppermint filling that just melts in your mouth.
Do you remember Starbucks cookies from 15-ish years ago? They sold these amazing cookies the size of your head. Chocolate chunk, molasses, (the best-ever) snickerdoodle. . .they were all delicious.
And because they were so freaking huge I often bought one between classes and called it lunch.
The teenage metabolism is a wondrous thing.
These cookies are the opposite of those in terms of size. But what they lack in size they make up for in deliciousness. They’re little one-bite (or two-bite if you’re dainty) cookies that long to be eaten by the handful. And of course, because they’re so itty-bitty you can eat plenty.
White chocolate and peppermint (or any chocolate and peppermint) are my favorite this time of year. Nothing says Christmas is just around the corner like eating a minty cookie while singing along to the NKOTB Christmas album.
Just kidding.
Or am I? (NKOTB Christmas album > Mariah Carey Christmas album any day. Although Cookie runs away with her tail between her legs when she hears the Funky Funky Xmas intro. Maybe that should tell me something.)
Put these white chocolate peppermint thumbprint cookies on your Christmas cookie trays or keep them all for yourself to munch on while you’re making Christmas dinner.
The buttery cookie base is sweet and crumbly, very similar to a shortbread. The white chocolate filling packs a minty punch from both peppermint extract and a healthy dose of crushed candy canes. In short, they’re as Christmas-y a cookie as you’ll find.
What are you baking this season? Tell me—I really want to know! I’ll never have time for all the cookies I want to bake so I need to live vicariously through you.
Whatever is on your winter baking list, be sure to include a batch of peppermint thumbprint cookies. The holidays won’t be the same without them! (Or without awful Christmas music played on repeat.)
Did you make these thumbprint cookies? Awesome! Let me know what you think with a comment and a rating below. And post a pic on Instagram too! Tag @theitsybitsykitchen so I can see! Then like IBK on Facebook and follow on Pinterest for more delicious recipes.
- 1 cup unsalted butter at room temperature
- 1 cup powdered sugar at room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter at room temperature
- 6 ounces white chocolate chopped
- 2 teaspoons corn syrup
- 2 tablespoons crushed candy canes + more for sprinkling
- 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
- red gel food coloring optional
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper and set pans aside.
- Beat the butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment until mixture is smooth, about 2 minutes on medium speed. Stop mixer and scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl. Turn mixer to low and gradually add the flour, increasing speed to medium and mixing until combined. (Mixture will be very crumbly.)
- Place the granulated sugar in a small mixing bowl. Squeeze dough into balls of about 2 teaspoons of dough, then roll in the sugar. Arrange balls 1 inch apart on prepared baking sheets. Bake 10 minutes, then remove from the oven and press your thumb (or the handle of a wooden spoon) in the center to make deep indentations. Return cookies to the oven and bake until golden around edges, about 7 to 10 minutes more. If the indentations begin to disappear, remove from the oven and press your thumb in again.
- Cool cookies completely on wire racks.
- Combine the 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, white chocolate, and corn syrup in the top of a double boiler set over just-simmering water. Whisk occasionally until chocolate melts then whisk vigorously to make a cohesive mixture. Stir in the 2 tablespoons crushed candy canes, the 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract, and food coloring (if using). Remove from the heat and cool slightly, until mixture starts to thicken.
- Fill thumbprints with the chocolate mixture and sprinkle with additional crushed candy canes if desired. Allow chocolate to set, then serve. (Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the freezer for several months.)
Adapted from Martha Stewart’s Cookies
Leanne | Crumb Top Baking says
These look delicious Kelsie! Love the buttery shortbread base! I’m all about the peppermint and gingerbread this year! I have so many recipes I want to make, I know I won’t have enough time. But some staples include Toblerone shortbread, peanut butter balls and magic cookie bars! ps. love the NKOTB xmas album! It’s cheesy but totally reminds me of my pre-teen Christmas years!!!
Kelsie says
Thank you, Leanne! I need to try Toblerone shortbread!
Emma says
These are deffinetly going to be on my list this year! They look and sound amazing 😀
Kelsie says
Thank you Emma!
Thao @ In Good Flavor says
These cookies are just too cute! I love the color of the peppermint filling. Just looking at the cookies put me in a good mood, so I an only imagine what eating them will do! 😍
Kelsie says
Thank you, Thao!
Marissa (@pinchandswirl) says
I haven’t baked a thing yet! I’ve got to get on it. These look like a perfect start…you’ve combined a couple of my favorites into one delicious cookie!
Kelsie says
What? Get baking! 🙂 Thank you Marissa!
gardeningfoodie says
These look so buttery and delicious Kelsie. I love the pink filling, it looks so dainty and pretty. And the peppermint flavouring sounds so festive 🙂
Kelsie says
Thank you, Ashika!
cakespy says
I’m not a huge fan of chocolate mint, but BUTTER and mint is my jam, yo. These cookies are so dainty and I love the flavor!
Kelsie says
Thank you Jessie!
Katherine | Love In My Oven says
I loved those giant Starbucks cookies! *Sigh*. I’ll settle for a dozen of these itty bitty delicious bites though!! I am all about the chocolate and peppermint too, so bring it!
Kelsie says
Thank you, Katherine!
Julie is Hostess At Heart says
Boy I hate to think what my eating habits were in those days, but I would have welcomed a cookie like this!
Kelsie says
Haha! I try not to think about it too much either 🙂
Kelly @ Kelly Lynns Sweets and Treats says
I just want to bite into these cookies!! I feel like I can taste the yumminess now 🙂 totally perfect for the holidays!
Kelsie says
Thank you, Kelly!
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says
I don’t think I’ve ever bought a cookie from Starbucks, so I don’t know what your talking about there, but I used to LOVE me some NKOTB!!! 😉 Anyways, these cookies are SCREAMING my name girl!!! White Chocolate is my jam and peppermint is a must this time of year, so sign me up!!! SO YUM! Cheers!!
Kelsie says
NKOTB FOREVER! Thank you, Cheyanne!
Christina says
Hahahahaha, awesome props for bringing up the NKOTB christmas album! Man, I’ve been cursed with the metabolism of an 80 year old woman my entire life. If I think about cookies I gain weight. No matter, I’ll burn off the calories walking my dog because I’m DYING to get my mouth on these crazy delicious looking cookies!!!
Kelsie says
Haha! Thank you, Christina!
Kim | The Baking ChocolaTess says
Kelsie!! These are the cutest little cookies!!! I love pretty in pink and your photos look amazing!!
Kelsie says
Thank you, Kim!
Milena | Craft Beering says
I love all the classic Christmas songs but not MC. Uuhg, she drives me nuts and hearing her makes me reach out for cookies for comfort:) These are so very cute, Kelsie! Your family are lucky you will be baking for them!
Kelsie says
I’m so glad I’m not the only one 🙂
annie@ciaochowbambina says
Your pictures are so pretty and these cookies have me singing carols!! Nothing says Christmas cookies like a good thumbprint!
Kelsie says
Thank you so much, Annie!
Carlee says
Christmas cookies are one of my favorite things to bake and these look scrumptious! I have some coworkers coming over Saturday for a baking extravaganza. The list of cookies keeps growing and I may have to see if I can get these added to it!
Kelsie says
Thank you, Carlee!
Mary Ann @ thebeachhousekitchen says
Nothing better than Mariah Carey at Christmas Kelsie! And thumbprint cookies like these! Since they’re smaller we get to eat a few more right? They look delicious!
Kelsie says
Exactly. You can eat as many as you want :). Thank you, Mary Ann!
David | Spiced says
Cookie knows what she’s talking about! Mariah Carey Christmas is the only way to roll. I mean NKOTB is legit, but Mariah would take them all down singlehandedly in a duel. Just sayin’. I’m bettin’ on Cookie here. Also, these cookies sound perfect for the holidays! I love peppermint during this time of the year, and peppermint thumbprints sound like a fun project. But can I make mine the size of my face and call ’em peppermint handprints? 🙂
Kelsie says
Haha! You’re probably right but my childhood crush on Donnie blinds me a little :). I think handprint cookies should totally be a thing!
Dawn @ Girl Heart Food says
You can still get those huge cookies at Starbucks (the size of your head). I don’t even want to think about the calories. Anywho – these lil’ cuties are SO much better and any time of chocolate and peppermint is my jam! I would gladly eat these and listen to Christmas music on repeat, especially the Chipmunk song, lol.
Kelsie says
Really? I haven’t seen them in years. Clearly I’m getting my coffee at the wrong location! Thank you, Dawn!
Ben|Havocinthekitchen says
The very first photo is so deceiving, Kelsie. I thought you had forgotten to fill the cookies. I’m glad you hadn’t. And the combo of white chocolate and peppermint? Yes, please!
Kelsie says
Haha! Never could I forget the filling! Although I may have eaten one or two unfilled ones just to sample 🙂
Miriam @londonkitchendiaries says
Minty cookies are just perfect for the festive season – love the little pink dot in the middle, they look adorable and would not survive long in my household. I was busy baking this week too so far I have filled my biscuit tins with hazelnut & cinnamon stars, German shortbread biscuits, pink meringue kisses while almond chocolate brownies & dark chocolate bark are still to follow 🙂
Kelsie says
Thank you, Miriam! Enjoy your baking this weekend–I want to try your German shortbread!