If you’re a fan of festive treats that pack both flavor and charm, then this Red Velvet Peppermint Blossoms Recipe is definitely going to become a holiday favorite. I absolutely love how these cookies come out with that beautiful crimson hue paired with a burst of cool peppermint in the center—it’s like a little winter party in every bite. Stick with me, and I’ll walk you through how to get them just right, ensuring you nail this festive delight every single time.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Festive and Fun: The vibrant red velvet base and peppermint kiss make them visually stunning and deliciously seasonal.
Easy to Make: You don’t need any complicated techniques—just simple mixing and baking.
Perfect for Gifting: These cookies stack up beautifully in holiday tins and bring smiles when gifted to friends and family.
Great Crowd Pleaser: My family goes crazy for these every Christmas, and I’m sure yours will too.

The image shows a group of red cookies with a soft texture, stacked closely on a white plate. Each cookie has one large white swirl-shaped peppermint candy with red stripes standing in the center. Around the peppermint swirl, there are small white marshmallows and crushed red and white peppermint pieces scattered on the top surface of the cookies. The plate is placed on a white marbled surface, adding a clean and bright background to the red and white color contrast of the cookies. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Red Velvet Peppermint Blossoms, festive holiday cookies, peppermint holiday treats, crimson red velvet cookies, seasonal peppermint desserts

Ingredients You’ll Need

This Red Velvet Peppermint Blossoms Recipe uses classic ingredients that work together in perfect harmony—like the tang of cocoa powder balancing the sweetness, and the peppermint adding that refreshing zing. Here’s a little insider tip: opting for gel food coloring really makes that red velvet color pop without thinning out your dough.

Flat lay of a small mound of all-purpose flour, a small white ceramic bowl of unsweetened cocoa powder, a small white ceramic bowl of baking powder, a small white ceramic bowl of baking soda, a small white ceramic bowl of salt, a half cup of softened unsalted butter in a white ceramic dish, a small pile of granulated sugar on a white ceramic plate, one large whole egg with a clean shell, a small white ceramic bowl of vanilla extract, a small white ceramic bowl containing vibrant red gel food coloring, a small white ceramic bowl of buttermilk, a neat cluster of unwrapped red and silver peppermint candy kisses, and a small white ceramic bowl filled with crushed red and white peppermint candies, all arranged with perfect symmetry and realistic proportions, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997 - Red Velvet Peppermint Blossoms, festive holiday cookies, peppermint holiday treats, crimson red velvet cookies, seasonal peppermint desserts

All-purpose flour: The sturdy base for your cookie that ensures just the right texture.
Unsweetened cocoa powder: Adds subtle chocolate flavor that complements the peppermint perfectly.
Baking powder & baking soda: Helps your cookies rise just right so they’re soft but not cakey.
Salt: Enhances all the other flavors — don’t skip it!
Unsalted butter: I always recommend room temperature butter for easy creaming and fluffiness.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens the dough without overwhelming the peppermint.
Large egg: Binds your ingredients and makes the cookie tender.
Vanilla extract: Rounds out the flavor with a warm, cozy note you’ll love.
Red food coloring: Gel type is best for vibrant color without altering dough texture.
Buttermilk: Adds moisture and a slight tang for depth of flavor.
Peppermint candy kisses: The signature centerpiece that melts slightly for that signature peppermint surprise.
Crushed candy canes or peppermint candies: For the perfect festive garnish that sticks to the warm cookies.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love how versatile this Red Velvet Peppermint Blossoms Recipe is—it’s easy to tweak depending on what you have on hand or who you’re baking for. Sometimes, I like to get a bit creative and add my own twist.

Chocolate Peppermint: Double down on the cocoa for a richer chocolate flavor—my kids think this version is straight-up indulgent.
Dairy-Free Version: Swap butter for coconut oil and use a dairy-free milk alternative with a splash of vinegar instead of buttermilk; the cookies stay moist and delicious.
Extra Crunch: Mix crushed candy canes right into the dough before chilling for a surprise peppermint crunch in every bite.

How to Make Red Velvet Peppermint Blossoms Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Your Dry Ingredients

Start by whisking together your flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl. This little step is key because it ensures even distribution of those leavening agents and cocoa, so your cookies bake evenly. Set this mixture aside while you work on the wet ingredients.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar Until Fluffy

Using a hand mixer or stand mixer, beat the softened butter and sugar for about 2 to 3 minutes until the mixture becomes light and fluffy—you’ll notice the color lighten and texture become creamy. Then go ahead and add in the egg and vanilla extract, blending until everything is well combined. This step builds the structure of your cookie, so don’t rush it!

Step 3: Add the Red Velvet Magic

Turn your mixer to low and carefully add the red food coloring along with the buttermilk. Keep mixing until the color is vibrant and even throughout. Gradually fold in your dry ingredients, stirring just until the dough comes together. The dough should feel a bit soft and sticky—that’s exactly what you want for these festive cookies.

Step 4: Chill for the Perfect Shape

Cover your dough with plastic wrap and pop it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. I’ve learned this step is important to prevent the cookies from spreading too much while baking, giving you those pretty thick, chewy centers that make these cookies irresistible.

Step 5: Bake and Add Your Peppermint Kisses

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Roll the chilled dough into 1-inch balls and space them about 2 inches apart. Lightly flatten each ball with your palm—this helps the kisses nestle perfectly on top later. Bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges look set but the centers still feel soft. Once out of the oven, gently press a peppermint candy kiss into the center of each cookie. Immediately sprinkle crushed peppermint candies around the base—it sticks best when the cookie’s warm.

Step 6: Cool and Enjoy

Let your cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes so the kisses soften but don’t completely melt. Then transfer them carefully to a wire rack to cool fully. The peppermint kiss will firm up as it cools, creating that lovely signature peppermint blossom effect you’re going for.

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Pro Tips for Making Red Velvet Peppermint Blossoms Recipe

Choose Gel Food Coloring: I discovered gel coloring keeps the dough thick and vibrant without adding extra liquid that could change the texture.
Don’t Skip the Chill: Chilling the dough for at least 30 minutes makes shaping easier and keeps your cookies from spreading too thin.
Add Peppermint Kisses While Warm: Pressing the candies in right when the cookies come out of the oven helps them stick without melting too much.
Crushing Candy Canes: Use a zip-top bag and rolling pin for quick, mess-free crushing—it’s how I avoid tiny peppermint shards everywhere!

How to Serve Red Velvet Peppermint Blossoms Recipe

Red Velvet Peppermint Blossoms Recipe - Serving

Garnishes

I love adding a sprinkle of extra crushed candy canes on top for that beautiful sparkle and crunch—plus it amps up the peppermint flavor. Sometimes I toss in a few festive edible glitter flakes for an extra holiday wow factor. You can also gently dust with powdered sugar for a snowy effect if you’re feeling fancy.

Side Dishes

These cookies are perfect alongside a tall glass of cold milk or a steaming cup of hot cocoa with marshmallows. For a party, I like to serve them with peppermint bark or a tray of assorted holiday candies to keep the minty, chocolaty theme going strong.

Creative Ways to Present

I’ve wrapped stacks of these cookies in clear cellophane tied with a red velvet ribbon for gifts that look as good as they taste. Another fun idea is arranging them on a festive cake stand surrounded by pine sprigs and cinnamon sticks—it makes a stunning centerpiece for holiday parties.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store my leftover Red Velvet Peppermint Blossoms in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay fresh and chewy for about 3-4 days—after that, the peppermint kisses can start to harden too much. If you prefer crisper cookies, just give them a quick toast in the oven before serving.

Freezing

These cookies freeze beautifully! I usually pop the baked and cooled cookies into a freezer-safe container with parchment paper in between layers. When you want them, just thaw at room temperature and press on a peppermint kiss again if needed. This way, you can bake ahead for holiday gifts or gatherings without stress.

Reheating

To bring back that fresh-baked feeling, I heat leftover cookies in a 300°F oven for about 5 minutes. This warms the peppermint kiss and softens the cookie just enough—just watch closely so they don’t overbake. Easy and worth it every time!

FAQs

Can I use regular chocolate chips instead of peppermint kisses in this Red Velvet Peppermint Blossoms Recipe?

You totally can! Using chocolate chips will give your cookies a rich, melty chocolate center but you’ll miss out on that cool minty burst. If you love peppermint flavor, you might want to add a drop or two of peppermint extract to the dough to keep the spirit alive.
What’s the best way to crush the candy canes for garnish?

I like to place candy canes in a sturdy zip-top bag and crush them gently with a rolling pin or bottom of a heavy pan. This method keeps the mess contained and gives you a nice mix of fine and chunky pieces for sprinkling.
Can I make the dough ahead of time before chilling?

Absolutely! In fact, I often make the dough the night before, cover it well, and refrigerate overnight. This actually helps deepen the flavors and makes the dough easier to handle when shaping the next day.
What if I don’t have buttermilk—can I substitute something else?

No problem! You can make a quick buttermilk substitute by adding 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar to 1 cup of milk and letting it sit for 5 minutes. This will give you that tangy acidity to balance the sweetness perfectly.
How do I prevent the peppermint kisses from melting too much?

Press them into the cookies right as they come out of the oven, so the heat is just enough to soften but not fully melt the candy. Then let the cookies cool on the baking sheet before moving them to a rack, which helps the kisses firm back up nicely.

Final Thoughts

This Red Velvet Peppermint Blossoms Recipe has become one of my go-to holiday treats—not just because they taste incredible but because of the joy and sparkle they bring to any gathering. I love sharing this recipe with friends, knowing it’s a surefire way to impress without stress. Give it a try this season, and I promise these vibrant, minty blossoms will make your celebrations even sweeter!