These chocolate peppermint cookies have a soft interior and crispy edges, stuffed with white chocolate, dark chocolate, and candy canes these are the perfect Christmas cookie.
Why make these cookies?
When it comes to Christmas cookies the first thing I think of is a classic iced sugar cookie. In all honesty, they aren't the best-tasting cookie, and to be honest I'm pretty sure the only reason why I eat them is that they remind me of my childhood and Christmas.
Well, now you don't have to worry about a plain and flavorless cookie when it comes to these. Peppermint and a chocolate overload- think dark chocolate, white chocolate, and chocolate cookie dough. This is every chocolate lover's Christmas dream.
Ingredients
- Unsalted butter: Butter gives these cookies their fragrance and richness. You can't have a good cookie without butter! Make sure you use room temperature butter as it'll make it a lot easier to incorporate into the batter.
- White sugar: Aka granulated sugar, gives the sweetness of the cookie.
- Brown sugar: Brown sugar gives the cookies sweetness as well as a warmer flavor The moistness of the brown sugar also contributes to a slightly chewy texture.
- Large egg: The egg binds all the ingredients together for a perfect cookie
- Vanilla extract: Vanilla extract gives the cookies extra flavor.
- Peppermint extract: Gives the cookies that peppermint flavor! If you don't have this you can leave it out and let the candy canes give the cookies their flavor.
- Plain flour: Aka all-purpose flour, makes up the structure of the cookies
- Cocoa powder: Adds chocolate flavor to the cookie dough. I like to use dutch processed cocoa powder for a deeper chocolate flavor.
- Baking soda: Baking soda helps the cookies rise and have a light texture.
- Baking powder: Baking powder has the same effect as baking soda, helping the cookies rise to the perfect texture.
- Pinch of salt: Salt balances out the sweetness of the cookies
- Chocolate: I like to chop blocks of chocolate into chunks rather than using chocolate chips. Chocolate chunks tend to melt better into the cookies and have a better flavor overall. But of course, you can use a mixture of dark chocolate chips and white chocolate chips if you have those on hand.
- Candy canes: Candy canes give these that festive look while also giving these a peppermint flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do these last?
These will last up to 2 days when stored in an airtight container at room temperature. Or they will last up to 5 days when stored in an airtight container in the fridge.
If you are storing them in the fridge make sure you give them time to come to room temperature before eating them. The fridge tends to firm the cookies up to a firmer, chewy texture so I'd recommend letting them soften up before eating.
Can I freeze these chocolate peppermint cookies?
Yes! Cookies are perfect for freezing because they don't change much after they defrost. You can freeze the baked cookies for a super quick cookie fix when needed. Just heat it in the microwave on 30-second bursts, or let it defrost at room temperature.
You can also freeze balls of cookie dough and bake them when you want freshly baked cookies without any prep!
Why are my cookies hard?
The main reason why cookies are hard is that they've been overbaked. The more you bake the cookies the less soft and chewy they are, and the more hard and crunchy they become.
The cookies will still look very soft at the end of the cook time, but they will firm up as they cool. Don't be tempted to keep baking your cookies after the specific cook time as they'll just overbake!
Cookies can also be dense and hard if your baking powder/soda is too old, or if you overmix your cookie batter.
Why are my cookies so flat?
The main reason behind flat cookies is that the cookie dough wasn't chilled. The chilling time is essential for the cookies as it prevents the dough from melting and spreading once it hits the oven. Make sure your cookie dough has had sufficient chilling time before rolling them out and baking them.
Your cookies can also turn out flat if you use too much butter, or use old inactive baking powder/soda.
Can I change the add-ins?
Yes of course! The cookie dough is a great basic chocolate cookie dough and you can change it up to include anything you like. Whether that is just a plain double chocolate cookie or one with nuts like peanuts or macadamia nuts, the world is your oyster.
Let's Get Cooking
If you liked this recipe make sure to leave me a comment and rating down below, I would love to know how you went. Also don't forget to tag me on Instagram @catherine.desserts so I can see and share your desserts.
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Print📖 Recipe
Chocolate Peppermint Cookies
These chocolate peppermint cookies have a soft interior and crispy edges, stuffed with white chocolate, dark chocolate, and candy canes these are the perfect Christmas cookie.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 12 cookies 1x
- Category: Cookie
- Method: Easy
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 120g Unsalted butter, room temperature (½ cup)
- 100g Granulated sugar (½ cup)
- 45g Light brown sugar (¼ cup)
- 1 Large egg
- 1 tsp Vanilla extract
- ½ tsp Peppermint extract
- 150g All purpose flour (1 ¼ cup)
- 3og Cocoa powder (¼ cup)
- ½ tsp Baking soda
- ½ tsp Baking powder
- Pinch of salt
- 60g Dark chocolate (2oz), roughly chopped
- 60g White chocolate (2oz), roughly chopped
- 4 Candy Canes, crushed
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180C / 355F
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper
- Combine butter, white sugar, and brown sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, or in a large mixing bowl with a hand mixer, and beat on medium speed until light and fluffy
- Add egg, peppermint extract and vanilla, and beat until combined
- Add flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and baking soda, and stir until just combined
- Gently fold in the chocolate
- Cover bowl with cling wrap and chill for at least 1 hour
- Remove and shape into 12 cookie dough balls using your hands or a medium-sized cookie scoop, flatten slightly
- Place on the parchment-lined baking sheet and sprinkle over the crushed candy canes (make sure to leave enough space between each ball for the cookie to spread)
- Bake for 12-13 minutes until golden brown
- Transfer them to a wire rack and cool completely
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valerie
do we have to add the peppermint extract?
Catherine Zhang
Nope! If you don't have any on hand you can just use crushed candy canes, it has a minty flavor too 🙂
Susan cohen
When do you add the peppermint extract ?
Catherine Zhang
When you add the vanilla extract 🙂