The kitchen smells like sugar and peppermint, and the radio plays a song that makes everyone hum. Little hands reach for the bowl, and feet tap on the floor while I stir the batter with a wooden spoon. Laughter bounces off the tiles as someone drops a candy cane and we all scold it like a mischievous cousin. Welcome, mi familia, to my kitchen where Peppermint Crunch Balls bring color, sabor, and cariño to any table.

I will walk you through this recipe like I am right there beside you, telling the small stories, offering the tricks I learned from my abuela, and showing how a simple treat can turn an afternoon into a memory. If you love a touch of crunch and a burst of mint in your cookies, you will love this. And if you enjoy crunchy salads with a sweet twist, try this one as well: Asian Crunch Salad, which shares that same joy for textures.

Why This Peppermint Crunch Balls Brings Joy to the Table

There was a year when my casa smelled like peppermint for weeks. My niece learned to say “peppermint” and thought it was the name of Santa’s cousin. We made tray after tray of these little balls for school parties, for neighbors, and for my boss at work. They disappeared so fast that we began hiding the last bowl in the back of the fridge like a treasure.

These Peppermint Crunch Balls feel like a small party in your mouth. The butter makes them tender, the powdered sugar gives them that gentle sweetness, and the crushed candy canes add a bright, cold snap that wakes up your senses. When cousins arrive, they reach for a cookie and close their eyes like it brings them home. That moment, the quiet pause and the smile, is why I make them.

They also pair well with other festive plates. For a full holiday spread, try balancing sweet and savory by adding colorful meatballs I love to serve on big platters. If you want a recipe that brings crunch in a different way, here is another favorite: Christmas Cranberry Meatballs. Little touches like this make a table sing.

How to Make Peppermint Crunch Balls

“In my kitchen, every good recipe starts with laughter and a little music.”

Before we dive into the steps, let me tell you what makes this recipe special. The dough is soft and gentle, almost like a pillow, so it holds the crushed candy perfectly without melting into a sticky mess. The peppermint extract gives just the right mint tone without being harsh. Watch the dough as you shape the balls; when it moves like soft clay, you are ready. The room will smell of sugar and mint, and everyone will be asking for just one more.

Ingredients You’ll Need for Peppermint Crunch Balls

1 cup (2-sticks) butter, softened
1 cup confectioners’ sugar
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup finely crushed candy canes
3 tablespoon granulated sugar

Tía’s tip: Use the freshest butter you can find. Fresh butter tastes brighter and makes the dough tender. If you want the color to pop, cool the dough for a bit before rolling it in crushed candy canes.

Step-by-Step: How to Cook Peppermint Crunch Balls

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. When the oven starts to warm, the kitchen fills with promise, and that’s always a joyful sound.
2. In a large bowl, cream the softened butter with the confectioners’ sugar until light and fluffy. Use a hand mixer or a wooden spoon and a little elbow grease. The butter should look pale and cloud-like, and the sugar should dissolve into it.
3. Beat in the egg, peppermint extract, and vanilla extract until the mix is smooth. Smell that mint? It should be bright but gentle. If the room fills with mint too strongly, use a little less next time.
4. In another bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and salt. Add this dry mix to the wet ingredients in two parts, stirring until just combined. The dough should be soft and slightly crumbly but hold together when pressed.
5. Put the finely crushed candy canes on a plate and the granulated sugar on another. Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them gently between your palms to make neat balls. If the dough sticks, chill it for 10 minutes.
6. Roll each ball first in the granulated sugar and then press gently into the crushed candy canes. The candy should stick to the sugar layer and cradle the dough like a coating of tiny stars.
7. Place the coated balls on the lined baking sheets about 1.5 inches apart. They do not spread much, so you can fit quite a few on one tray. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until the edges are just set and the centers still look a touch soft.
8. Remove from the oven and let sit on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. Meanwhile, listen to the satisfied sighs behind you and maybe someone asking for the next batch.
9. Transfer to a cooling rack to finish cooling. The candy may feel hard at first, but it will settle into a delightful crunch as the cookie cools.
10. Serve when cooled, or store carefully if you want to save some for later. And remember: when it starts to smell like home, you are almost there.

How to Serve Peppermint Crunch Balls for Family and Friends

Present these cookies on a big ceramic tray that shows off the white and red of the candy. Add a few sprigs of evergreen or a ribbon for a festive touch. Place them next to a warm pot of hot chocolate or a carafe of coffee so people can choose their cozy companion.

Serve them after a big family meal. They are perfect at the end of a Sunday lunch when the table is crowded with plates and the conversation is gentle. They work great at backyard parties too because they travel well. Bring a tin to a neighbor’s house and watch how fast a crowd gathers.

For a pretty platter, arrange the Peppermint Crunch Balls in circles, alternating with small mint leaves or a scatter of extra crushed candy canes. Little bowls of whipped cream or a drizzle of chocolate make a lovely pairing. Let children decorate a few before baking for a hands-on moment that they will remember.

Keeping Peppermint Crunch Balls Fresh for Later

Store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. If you live in a warm place, keep them in the fridge so the candy stays crisp. To freeze, place the cooled cookies on a tray in a single layer and freeze for 2 hours. Then move them to a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 2 months.

When you reheat from frozen, let them thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes. If you want the candy to feel fresh again, warm them in a low oven at 300°F (150°C) for 5 minutes. Watch carefully. The cookie will come back with a gentle warmth and a fresh crunch.

A caring note: many family recipes taste even better the next day as the flavors settle. If you have time, let a plate rest overnight. You might close the container the next morning and feel a little proud of your patience.

Tía Maribel’s Flavor Secrets

• Use real peppermint extract, not mint oil, for a clean, sweet mint note. A little goes a long way.
• Chill the dough if it feels too soft. Chilled dough rolls easier and gives a tidier shape.
• Crush candy canes finely so the pieces stick to the cookie and give a balanced crunch. Big shards can break a tooth and we do not need that drama.
• Layer flavors: the powdered sugar in the dough keeps the cookie tender while the granulated sugar gives a light crust. That balance is what makes people keep reaching for one more.
• Try a pinch of salt on top if you love contrast. Salt makes sweet sing.

Make It Your Own Fun Twists on Peppermint Crunch Balls

• Chocolate lover’s twist: Add 1/2 cup of mini chocolate chips to the dough for a chocolate-mint combo. The chips soften but hold shape and make a dreamy bite.
• Cocoa dusting version: Mix 2 tablespoons cocoa powder into the granulated sugar before coating for a deeper flavor and darker color.
• Spice hint: Add 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon to the dough for a warm background that plays well with peppermint. Old abuela used a whisper of cinnamon in many sweets, and it gives a homey feel.
• Festive colors: Use crushed candy canes in different colors, or mix peppermint with crushed red and green hard candies for a bright holiday look.
• Mini sandwich cookies: Pair two cooled balls with a dab of chocolate ganache or peppermint buttercream for tiny sandwich treats that disappear instantly.

A Dish That Feels Like Home

This recipe has a way of gathering people. When I make Peppermint Crunch Balls, someone always volunteers to crack more candy canes. A neighbor drops in with a small jar of good cocoa and suddenly we have a cocoa tasting. Food does this. It invites community, simple fun, and that feeling of being held.

If you are making these for the first time, do not worry about perfection. Imperfect balls taste better when you laugh about them. Some will be rounder, some will have more candy. That is the point. Each one is a memory.

Serving Idea

Place the Peppermint Crunch Balls on a white or blue platter for a winter palette. Scatter a few whole candy canes and a small bowl of cocoa on the side. Let guests pick their favorite pairing. For a touch of color, add pomegranate seeds or cranberries in a small bowl nearby for a tart contrast.

If you host a cookie exchange, include little tags with names so people can remember which batch is theirs. For a cozy tea time, serve with a pot of strong black tea and a squeeze of lemon. The peppermint will cut through the tea beautifully, and conversations will stretch on.

Little Memories While You Bake

When I was a child, my grandfather would sit at the kitchen table and count the candies I crushed. He called them “bling for the cookies” and winked. My cousins and I would sneak a shard or two and pretend we had not. Those small acts of mischief woven with warmth are what recipes carry.

When baking, talk to the people around you. Ask them about their favorite holiday memory. Hum a song you all know. These cookies carry the warmth of those moments. Make a playlist that gets you dancing while you roll the dough. Mi familia always dances when the oven timer goes off.

Peppermint Crunch Balls

Deliciously soft and crunchy cookies with a burst of mint flavor, perfect for family gatherings and holiday celebrations.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 12 minutes mins

Total Time 27 minutes mins

Servings: 24 cookies

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Calories: 100

Ingredients Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients

  

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Main Ingredients

• 1 cup butter, softened Use the freshest butter for the best flavor.
• 1 cup confectioners’ sugar Powdered sugar adds sweetness.
• 1 large egg Large egg works best.
• 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract Gives the minty flavor.
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract Adds warmth to the flavor.
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour Provides the structure of the dough.
• 1/4 teaspoon salt Enhances flavor.
• 1 cup finely crushed candy canes Use finely crushed for easier coating.
• 3 tablespoons granulated sugar For rolling the cookies.

Method

 

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, cream the softened butter with the confectioners’ sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Beat in the egg, peppermint extract, and vanilla extract until the mix is smooth.
4. In another bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and salt. Add the dry mix to the wet ingredients in two parts, stirring until just combined.

Shaping and Baking

1. Put the finely crushed candy canes on a plate and the granulated sugar on another.
2. Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them gently into balls. If the dough sticks, chill it for 10 minutes.
3. Roll each ball in the granulated sugar, then press gently into the crushed candy canes.
4. Place the coated balls on the lined baking sheets about 1.5 inches apart.
5. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until the edges are just set and the centers still look slightly soft.
6. Remove from the oven and let sit on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 100kcalCarbohydrates: 13gProtein: 1gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 3gSodium: 25mgSugar: 6g

Notes

Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. They can also be refrigerated to keep the candy crisp, or frozen for up to 2 months.

Tried this recipe?

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FAQs About Peppermint Crunch Balls

Final Note From Tía Maribel

I hope this Peppermint Crunch Balls fills your home with the same joy it brings mine. Make one tray for friends and one for neighbors, and keep one secret for yourself. When you share food, you share a piece of your heart. ¡Buen provecho and mucho amor from my kitchen to yours!

Conclusion

For more inspiration and similar peppermint cookie ideas, you might enjoy this classic recipe from Mr. Food: Peppermint Crunch Balls | MrFood.com. If you want a lovely variation with snowball styling and extra tips, check this version with great photos and notes: Peppermint Crunch Snowball Cookies – A Kitchen Addiction. And for a fun take on the cookie dough form of this idea, look at this playful recipe: Peppermint Crunch Cookie Dough Ball – Picky Palate.

Thank you for letting me share this recipe with you. May the smells that rise from your oven bring laughter and close conversation. Keep baking, keep sharing, and keep making those small moments into family stories.