Peppermint (Protein) Meltaway Cookies: A Sweet Bite of Christmas Magic

There are a handful of Christmas cookies that instantly bring out the joy, sparkle, and nostalgia of the season—and Peppermint Meltaway Cookies are one of them. Buttery, delicate, and kissed with cool peppermint, these little cookies truly melt the moment they touch your tongue. They’re beautiful enough for a holiday cookie tray, easy enough for weeknight baking, and festive enough to become your family’s new December tradition.

But guess what.  These cookies have a scoop of the best protein powder, raising the protein level to 4g, using Whey Protein as the ingredient.

And like all good Christmas cookies, they carry a little bit of history and a whole lot of cheer.

A Brief History of Peppermint at Christmas

Peppermint has been part of Christmas celebrations for centuries. Long before the modern candy cane took hold, peppermint was used in winter festivals for its refreshing aroma and its symbolism of purity and peace.

By the mid-1800s, candy canes had become the peppermint icon we know today, striped, hooked, and wrapped in cellophane. It didn’t take long for bakers to sprinkle crushed candy canes into cookies, frostings, and cakes. Peppermint Meltaway Cookies arrived sometime in the mid-20th century, as American cooks embraced buttery shortbread-style cookies flavored with seasonal spices and extracts. The “meltaway” texture became especially popular for its light, tender crumb, which is perfect for holiday trays and gift boxes.

Today, Peppermint Meltaways are a beloved classic, something we bake not just because they taste good, but because they feel like Christmas.

Christmas Cheer, One Cookie at a Time

There’s something unmistakably joyful about these cookies. Maybe it’s the soft pink frosting, the sparkle of crushed peppermint, or the way they practically dissolve on your tongue like a snowflake.

Peppermint Meltaways bring a sense of whimsy to your kitchen—the kind of cookie that gets compliments at parties, disappears first at cookie swaps, and makes you feel like a Christmas baking superstar with minimal effort.

They’re the kind of cookie kids love, grandparents reach for, and holiday guests circle back to for “just one more.”

Set them out on a tray next to your Wassail punch or your favorite holiday cocktail ... they shine anywhere you put them.

Perfect with Hot Cocoa

If there’s one pairing that deserves its own love letter, it’s Peppermint Meltaways + a mug of hot cocoa.

• The warm chocolate

• The cool peppermint

• The buttery softness of the cookie

It’s Christmas in a single bite-and-sip moment. These cookies don’t just pair with hot cocoa—they elevate it. Whether you’re curled up in front of the fire, watching a Christmas movie, or hosting a holiday open house, try this pairing once and you’ll never go back.

Pro tip: serve the cookies slightly chilled and the cocoa steaming hot. Pure, wintery bliss.

A Cookie That Never Needs Mint Extract

Some peppermint cookies can taste overly minty due to extracts or artificial flavorings. Peppermint Meltaways keep things softer and more natural by using crushed peppermint candy or candy canes in the frosting.

The flavor stays refreshing, delicate, and festive without overpowering the cookie. It’s peppermint with grace rather than a peppermint punch.

Why Peppermint Meltaway Cookies Belong in Your Holiday Baking

• They’re easy-ruly beginner-friendly.

• They’re beautiful-perfect for cookie trays and gifting.

• They have just the right touch of peppermint-festive but not overwhelming.

• They feel nostalgic-like something your grandmother might have made.

• They bring JOY-bright, cheerful, holiday-spirit-in-a-cookie joy.

These cookies belong in December. They belong in your recipe box. And they may become a tradition your family looks forward to all year long.