Honey Peppermint Pryaniki with a Simple Glaze

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These honey peppermint pryaniki cookies are a traditional Russian recipe that’s perfect for the holidays! The perfectly soft peppermint cookie coated in a vanilla glaze will absolutely stun your guests – the flavors are that delightful. You can even make these cookies ahead of time and pop them in the freezer!

a three stack of pryaniki on a board with the top pryaniki bitten.

Why You’ll Love Glazed Honey Peppermint Pryaniki Cookies

These peppermint cookies – also called pryaniki – will melt in your mouth and become an instant holiday staple! They’re a soft peppermint honey cookie base, made moist by mayonnaise and sour cream, and flavored by honey, vanilla, and peppermint. They’re then coated in a sweet vanilla glaze that pulls every flavor together into a bundle of perfection. Serve them with tea for the ultimate afternoon pick-me-up!

This is a traditional Russian cookie recipe that was a childhood favorite of mine. Pryaniki goes way back, and they were only baked for special occasions like birthdays, funerals, weddings, and holidays. Today, we love them so much that we eat them year-round!

The recipe lends itself well to year-round cookie-eating because they are great to make ahead of time. They store well in the freezer, so you can make large batches a couple of times a year and enjoy a cookie here and there whenever you need a fix.

Key Ingredients To Make Russian Pryaniki

The ingredients to make pryaniki are simple! The only thing you might not have on hand is the peppermint, but even so, I’d call that a win! Gather up the cookie ingredients below and get ready for soft melt-in-your-mouth pryaniki!

Pryaniki ingredients sugar, baking soda, lemon juice, vanilla, sour cream, mayonnaise, honey, powdered sugar, peppermint extract, flour, and eggs.

Eggs – you’ll need three eggs, but you’ll separate the yolks and whites for different parts of the recipe.
Sugar
Sour Cream – it adds a rich texture to the cookie!
Mayonnaise – adds tons of moisture to these traditional Russian spice cookies.
Honey – adds sweetness and, of course, a delightful honey flavor.
Baking Soda and Lemon Juice – I mix them together to create the same effect as baking powder.
Peppermint Extract and Vanilla Extract
All-Purpose Flour

Pryaniki Glaze Ingredients

Egg Whites – from the eggs used above
Powdered Sugar

Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.

How To Make Honey Pryaniki Cookies

Step 1: Separate Egg Yolks and Whites

Separate the egg yolks from the egg whites. Set the egg whites aside to use for the glaze.

Step 2: Beat Egg Mixture

With a mixer, beat the egg yolks with 2 cups of sugar. Then, stir in sour cream, mayonnaise, and honey.

Note: Your peppermint cookies might be darker or lighter than mine. (It depends on the kind of honey you use.)

Step 3: Make Baking Powder Mixture

In a small cup, mix together 2 tsp of baking soda with 1 tsp of lemon juice. When it foams up, add it to the bowl with the rest of the ingredients.

baking soda and lemon juice fizzing in a small brown bowl with a spoon.

Step 4: Add Peppermint

Add peppermint and vanilla extract to the bowl of dough.

Step 5: Add Flour

Stir in the flour.

Step 6: Freeze Dough

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place it in the freezer for one hour.

Step 7: Preheat and Prep

Toward the end of the hour, preheat your oven to 350 degrees F and prepare your baking sheets. Use parchment paper or grease baking sheets if it’s not nonstick.

Step 8: Shape Dough

Shape the dough into small balls (I use an ice cream scoop) and place them evenly apart on a baking sheet.

raw cookie dough on parchment paper on a baking tray.

Step 9: Bake

Bake the pryaniki for 20 minutes.

baked cookies on parchment paper on a baking tray.

Step 10: Make Vanilla Glaze

While the cookies are baking, make the vanilla glaze. Use a hand mixer to beat the egg whites for 1 minute.

Step 11: Add Powdered Sugar

Add powdered sugar and beat for another two minutes.

glaze cream whipped in a silver bowl with hand mixers.

Step 12: Glaze and Enjoy!

Once the cookies have cooled, brush the glaze all over them. The glaze will dry quickly and then you can enjoy!

glazed pryaniki on parchment paper on a baking tray.

Expert Tips:

If using a thicker honey, warm it slightly (just until it’s pour‑able) before mixing so it distributes evenly.
Label and date your cookie tins—these glazed cookies keep beautifully for up to two weeks, and they taste best after a day or two of resting.
For extra warmth, add a pinch of ground ginger or cinnamon to the dough—traditional pryaniki often include warm spices.

Recipe FAQs

What is the meaning of pryaniki?

Pryaniki is a beloved Russian cookie – often known as Russian gingerbread. The name comes from the word pryany which means spicy. It refers to the zesty gingerbread flavor, however, ginger is an optional ingredient in priyaniki cookies! In today’s recipe, we’re making honey peppermint pryaniki, so get ready for some delicious holiday flavors!

Where did russian pryaniki cookies come from?

These classic Russian cookies date back to the 4th century BC. They gained more popularity around the 9th century AD. At that time in ancient Russia these cookies were made with honey, berry juice, and rye flour but the recipe has evolved over time to include so many unique options, such as a mint glaze. In those ancient times, they were commonly known as honey bread since honey made up a large percentage of the ingredients. You can learn all about the history of pryaniki!

How long do priyaniki keep?

You can save your cookies in an airtight container or ziploc bag at room temperature for a couple of weeks. You can also freeze them and thaw them when you need a sweet treat or if you’re having a dinner party and need a quick and easy dessert. Just put them in a ziploc bag and freeze them for up to 3 months. Allow them to thaw at room temperature before enjoying.

pryaniki cookies one halved and stacked onto a cookie on a baking tray.

More Tasty Dessert Recipes To Try

A Russian Bird’s Milk Cake Recipe with Chocolate Glaze is a classic delicacy that’s well-loved.
You can learn How to make Simple Crunchy Baklava, the traditional Turkish dessert!
Apple Sharlotka – otherwise known as Russian apple cake – is so fluffy and sweet! It’s a great way to enjoy fresh apples.
My Honey Cake Recipe is also a Russian classic. It’s moist, spongey, and full of decadent honey flavor.
This Russian Walnut Roll is so sweet and soft with a crunchy walnut filling!

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