Chocolate Peppermint Cookies for Festive Holiday Treats

These Chocolate Peppermint Cookies are a cozy cookie for cold evenings and holiday gatherings, rich with cocoa and that bright peppermint crunch. The dough is simple and forgiving, so even first-time bakers can get gorgeous results. If you love mint and chocolate together, you might also enjoy this take on peppermint chocolate cookies. Perfect for gifting or a festive cookie plate, these treats look as lovely as they taste.

Why This Recipe Is a Great Choice

This recipe is a winner because it balances deep chocolate flavor with a refreshing peppermint finish, creating a cookie that feels both indulgent and uplifted. The ingredient list is short and pantry-friendly, so you can pull these together in one afternoon without a long grocery run. The texture stays soft in the center while the edges set up with a gentle chew, making them ideal for stacking or dipping into hot cocoa. If you enjoy pairing chocolate with fruit notes, try comparing textures with a lighter cookie like our chocolate raspberry cookies for inspiration. Visually they’re stunning too the glossy chips and crushed candy canes give each cookie a festive, snow-dusted look.

Flavor and Texture

These cookies mingle bittersweet cocoa and sweet brown sugar for a layered chocolate backbone, while chocolate chips add bursts of molten richness. The crushed candy canes introduce a cool, crisp contrast that wakes up the palate and adds a pleasant crunch. Because the dough uses brown sugar and butter creamed together, you get a tender, slightly caramelized chew rather than a flat crispy bite. Baking just until the edges are set preserves a soft middle that firms as the cookies cool, giving you that coveted chewy center. Serve them warm for gooey chips or let them cool completely for a sturdier, gift-ready texture.

Ingredients

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup cocoa powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup crushed candy canes

Step by Step Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. In another bowl, cream together the softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
4. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until combined.
5. Gradually mix in the dry ingredients until just combined.
6. Fold in the chocolate chips.
7. Drop spoonfuls of dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
8. Sprinkle crushed candy canes on top of each cookie.
9. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until edges are set.
10. Allow to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack.

Tips for Best Results

For the most attractive peppermint topping, crush candy canes into small but noticeable pieces and press them gently onto each cookie immediately after they come out of the oven so they stick without melting. If your dough feels too soft to shape, chill it for fifteen to twenty minutes to make scooping easier and to prevent excessive spreading. Use high-quality cocoa for a deep chocolate flavor and choose chocolate chips you enjoy melting—dark or semi-sweet work especially well here. Rotate your baking sheet halfway through the bake if your oven runs hot in spots to ensure even edges and centers. To keep the peppermint crisp, avoid storing warm cookies in airtight containers until they are fully cooled.

Storage and Make Ahead

Cookies keep well at room temperature for two to three days in an airtight container with a sheet of parchment between layers to prevent sticking. For longer storage, freeze baked cookies in a single layer on a tray, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag for up to three months; thaw at room temperature when ready to enjoy. You can also freeze the scoopable dough on a tray, then bag the scoops for fresh-baked cookies later add an extra minute or two to bake time from frozen. Label containers with the date so you use the oldest batch first and maintain the best texture.

Final Thought

These Chocolate Peppermint Cookies are a beautiful, simple way to celebrate the season with big flavor and a lively crunch. They strike a lovely balance between effortless baking and festive presentation, making them great for parties, gifts, or a cozy weekend treat. Try a batch today and notice how a small twist of peppermint transforms classic chocolate cookies into something bright and memorable.

Conclusion

For another inspired version that layers double chocolate with peppermint for an extra-intense bite, see Double Chocolate Peppermint Cookies from In Bloom Bakery: Double Chocolate Peppermint Cookies – In Bloom Bakery.

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