The festive season is upon us, and nothing quite captures the essence of Christmas like the aroma of freshly baked Peppermint Chocolate Christmas Cookies wafting through your home. Picture this: a soft, chewy cookie infused with rich chocolate and a refreshing hint of peppermint—each bite transporting you to a cozy winter wonderland.
These delightful cookies are perfect for holiday gatherings, family traditions, or simply indulging while binge-watching your favorite holiday movies. With the sweetness of chocolate mingling with the coolness of peppermint, every bite promises a taste explosion that will have your taste buds singing carols.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- These Peppermint Chocolate Christmas Cookies are incredibly easy to prepare, making them a go-to for busy bakers.
- Their festive colors and aromas add a cheerful touch to any holiday gathering.
- The combination of rich chocolate and refreshing peppermint creates an irresistible flavor profile.
- Perfect for gift-giving or as a sweet treat during the holidays.
You know that feeling when you bake something so good that it’s practically impossible to keep your family from hovering over the kitchen? That was me last December when I whipped up my first batch of Peppermint Chocolate Christmas Cookies. My kids’ eyes lit up as they inhaled that heavenly scent—the kind that makes you want to wear a Santa hat and dance around the kitchen.
Essential Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious dish:
All-Purpose Flour: Use good-quality flour to give your cookies structure without making them too dense.
Cocoa Powder: Opt for unsweetened cocoa powder; it enhances the chocolate flavor without adding extra sweetness.
Baking Soda: This ingredient helps your cookies rise and become wonderfully fluffy.
Salt: Just a pinch elevates all the flavors; don’t skip it!
Unsalted Butter: Room temperature butter creates a creamy texture that blends beautifully with sugars.
Granulated Sugar & Brown Sugar: A mix of both provides sweetness and moisture for chewy cookies.
Eggs: They bind everything together and add richness to our decadent treats.
Vanilla Extract: Pure vanilla brings warmth and depth to each bite—trust me, always use pure!
Peppermint Extract: Just a splash adds that refreshing holiday twist—be careful, too much can be overpowering!
Chocolate Chips: Semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips are best; they contrast perfectly with the minty flavor.
Candy Canes: Crushed candy canes not only add crunch but also festive flair on top!
The full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.
How to Make Peppermint Chocolate Christmas Cookies
Preheat Your Oven: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking while baking.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt until well combined. This step ensures even distribution of all dry ingredients.
Cream Butter and Sugars: In another bowl, beat the softened butter with granulated sugar and brown sugar until light and fluffy. This process creates air pockets that help cookies rise nicely.
Add Eggs and Flavorings: Mix in eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Then add vanilla extract and peppermint extract for that delightful holiday flavor.
Combine Dry Ingredients: Gradually mix in your dry ingredients until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; we want soft cookies!
Add Chocolate Chips: Fold in chocolate chips gently using a spatula. This helps retain their shape during baking—trust me, you want those melty pockets of goodness!
Scoop and Bake: Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to drop dough onto prepared baking sheets about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are set but centers remain soft.
After removing from the oven, sprinkle crushed candy canes on top while they’re still warm for extra festive flair!
Let cool on baking sheets before transferring them to wire racks. These Peppermint Chocolate Christmas Cookies are best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in an airtight container for several days—if they last that long!
This amazing peppermint chocolate Christmas cookie recipe combines rich chocolate with a refreshing peppermint twist, making it the perfect festive treat. To get the most out of your baking experience, consider these key insights to elevate your cookie game.
Tip One: Chill the dough before baking for chewier cookies. It helps prevent spreading and enhances flavor.
Tip Two: Use high-quality chocolate for melting; it truly makes a difference in taste and texture.
Tip Three: Don’t skip the peppermint extract; it adds that essential holiday zing to each bite.
When I first discovered this tip about chilling the dough, I thought my cookies would be cold—how wrong I was! The result was a delightful chewy texture that had everyone asking for seconds.
Perfecting the Cooking Process
Start by preheating your oven while you mix up the dough. Chill it for at least 30 minutes to achieve that chewy goodness. Bake each batch until the edges are set but the centers remain soft for optimal texture.
Add Your Touch
Feel free to substitute dark chocolate with white or milk chocolate if you prefer a sweeter cookie. You can also add crushed candy canes on top for extra holiday cheer and crunch!
Storing & Reheating
Store your cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. If they lose their charm, warm them in the microwave for about 10 seconds to revive their gooeyness.
Chef's Helpful Tips
- To achieve perfect peppermint chocolate Christmas cookies, remember to measure ingredients accurately and avoid overmixing the dough.
- A little salt enhances sweetness beautifully.
- Experiment with different types of peppermint candies for unique flavors and textures that will impress your guests.
Baking these cookies transformed my holiday gatherings! Friends raved about them, and I felt like a baking superhero with my secret weapon—these delightful treats!
FAQ
Can I use different types of chocolate?
Absolutely! Feel free to swap dark chocolate for milk or white chocolate as desired.
How do I prevent my cookies from spreading too much?
Chilling the dough before baking is crucial to prevent excessive spreading.
Can I freeze these peppermint chocolate Christmas cookies?
Yes! They freeze well; just store them in an airtight container between layers of parchment paper.
Peppermint Chocolate Christmas Cookies
Indulge in the festive spirit with these Peppermint Chocolate Christmas Cookies. These soft and chewy delights combine rich chocolate with a refreshing peppermint twist, filling your home with a delightful holiday aroma. Perfect for gatherings or cozy nights in, each bite is a sweet reminder of the magic of the season. With simple ingredients and easy instructions, you’ll be spreading holiday cheer and impressing friends and family in no time!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¾ cup brown sugar (packed)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- ½ tsp peppermint extract
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ½ cup crushed candy canes (for topping)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In another bowl, cream together the butter and sugars until light and fluffy.
- Beat in eggs one at a time, then add vanilla and peppermint extracts.
- Gradually mix in dry ingredients until just combined.
- Fold in chocolate chips gently.
- Scoop dough onto prepared sheets, spaced about 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are set but centers remain soft.
- Sprinkle crushed candy canes on top while warm.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie (30g)
- Calories: 140
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 80mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 19g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Keywords: Chill the dough for at least 30 minutes before baking to achieve chewier cookies. Experiment with different types of chocolate or add nuts for extra texture.
