Peppermint-Cream Cheese Cookies

Growing up, my mom had her collection of Christmas treats she would bake each year–chocolate crackles, peanut brittle, sugar cookies, and my personal favorite, date-nut balls (yes, even as a kid they were my favorite!)

Now that I am a mom myself, I have my own list of treats and cookies that I start baking once the calendar hits December.

Some are the same as the ones I grew up with, but there are several new additions as well.

A few years ago I hosted a cookie swap with some friends from church, and one of the recipes shared that night has made its way into my holiday baking repertoire.

Simple, unassuming, but so amazingly yummy, these Peppermint-Cream Cheese Cookies are a new favorite in our house.

The original recipe was shared by my friend Kristin, and it was one her “Mema” always made at Christmas–

Isn’t it fun to see how certain recipes are passed down from generation to generation and family to family?

When my friend shared her cookies at the swap, they were topped with red and green sugar crystals, which is how we made them for a few years. Then last year, on a whim, I decided to try something different and top them with crushed candy canes instead.

The result was the perfect hint of holiday spice flavor, added on top of the sweet and soft cream cheese.

I have never shared a recipe before on here, but I thought it would be fun to try!

Peppermint-Cream Cheese Cookies

1/2 cup butter
3 oz. cream cheese
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 egg yolk (unbeaten)
1 cup flour
1/4 tsp salt
candy canes to crush

Place 2-3 candy canes inside a Ziploc bag and crush into fine pieces using kitchen mallet or rolling pin. Reserve for later.

Cream softened butter and cheese using an electric mixer. Add sugar, vanilla and unbeaten egg yolk. Beat until light. Add flour and salt. Mix until well blended, then drop by teaspoonful onto greased cookie sheet.

Sprinkle crushed candy canes on top of each cookie.

Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 10-12 minutes, until edges begin to turn slightly brown.

Cool on wire rack.

So quick and easy to make–delicious both right out of the oven or after they’ve cooled. And the kids love helping to sprinkle on the crushed candy canes.

Our family usually doubles the recipe because these get eaten quickly!