Peppermint Meltaway Cookies

These are a new addition to my cookie offerings this year. I wanted to add something with peppermint that wasn't peppermint bark. This recipe fit the bill. The original called for a sweet buttercream frosting to top off the cookie but I decided to give mine a drizzle of white chocolate flavored with peppermint extract and topped with crushed peppermint candies. The resulting cookie is not too sweet and does not have an overpowering peppermint taste. This cookies reminds me of those wonderful butter mints that were served at the weddings and baby showers that I attended as a kid.

Yields-about 60 cookies

2 cups of butter, softened
1 cup powdered sugar
1 tsp peppermint extract
1 cup cornstarch
2-2 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 12 oz package of white chocolate pieces
1/4 cup heavy cream
1 tsp peppermint extract
25-30 crushed up peppermint candies
Preheat oven to 350. Line baking sheets with a silpat or parchment paper. Place the butter, sugar and peppermint extract in the bowl of an electric mixer. Mix for 3 minutes on medium speed until combined and the mixture is light and fluffy. Place the flour, cornstarch and baking soda in another bowl and with the mixer running on low, gradually add to the butter mixture until just combined. Using a cookie scoop, scoop the dough out into 1 inch balls. Place on a baking sheet 2 inches apart. Gently press down on the top of each ball with your fingers until the dough just forms a disc. Bake for 10-12 minutes until the bottoms just begin to brown. Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool. Meanwhile, in a saucepan over medium-low heat, combine the chocolate and the cream. Stir constantly until the white chocolate has melted. Turn off the heat and stir in the 1 tsp of peppermint extract. Using a small spoon, spread a small amount of melted chocolate over the top of each cookie. Sprinkle the crushed peppermint candies over the top of each cookie before the chocolate sets up. Store in an air tight container with a piece of waxed paper between layers of cookies.