Oh my goodness, it’s that magical time of year again! The twinkling lights, the cozy sweaters, and the sweet aroma of peppermint in the air. I absolutely adore making peppermint Christmas cookies during the holidays—they’re like little bites of festive joy! Trust me, there’s nothing quite like the combination of soft, chewy cookies bursting with that refreshing peppermint flavor, especially when you throw in some white chocolate chips for good measure. It takes me back to my childhood, when I’d bake these with my mom while sipping hot cocoa and singing carols. The joy of sharing these delightful treats with family and friends just warms my heart. So, let’s dive into making these scrumptious peppermint Christmas cookies that will have everyone coming back for seconds (or thirds!).
Ingredients List
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed for extra moisture
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon peppermint extract for that holiday zing
- 1 cup crushed peppermint candies, because we love that crunch!
- 1 cup white chocolate chips, adding a sweet, creamy touch
How to Prepare Peppermint Christmas Cookies
Alright, let’s get those festive vibes flowing as we whip up these peppermint Christmas cookies! Follow along with me, and I promise you’ll have a batch of deliciousness ready in no time. Ready? Let’s do this!
Step-by-Step Instructions
- First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This step is super important because it ensures your cookies bake evenly. Trust me, you don’t want to skip this part!
- While that oven is warming up, grab a large mixing bowl and cream together the softened unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and packed brown sugar. I use a hand mixer for this, but a good old-fashioned wooden spoon works too! Mix until it’s all smooth and creamy—about 2 to 3 minutes should do the trick.
- Now, it’s time to add in the eggs! Crack them in one at a time, mixing well after each addition. This helps keep the batter nice and fluffy.
- Next, stir in the vanilla extract and peppermint extract. Oh, the smell—so festive! It really gets you in the holiday spirit, doesn’t it?
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. This step is crucial because it mixes the dry ingredients evenly, preventing any clumps in your dough.
- Gradually add this dry mixture to your wet ingredients. Mix just until everything is combined—don’t overdo it! You want those cookies soft and chewy, after all.
- Now for the fun part! Fold in the crushed peppermint candies and white chocolate chips. This is where the magic happens, and you’ll see those beautiful pops of color and sweetness!
- Using a tablespoon, drop rounded mounds of dough onto ungreased baking sheets, leaving some space between them because they’ll spread as they bake. Trust me, you don’t want them to stick together!
- Bake those beauties in your preheated oven for about 10-12 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when the edges are lightly golden. Oops, the temptation to peek is real, but try not to open the oven too much!
- Finally, let your cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This helps them set nicely, so you don’t end up with a gooey mess. Once they’re cool, get ready to enjoy every delightful bite!
Tips for Success
Alright, my fellow cookie enthusiasts, here are my top tips to ensure your peppermint Christmas cookies turn out absolutely perfect every time! First, make sure your butter is really softened—this helps create that dreamy, creamy texture we all love. If you forget to take it out of the fridge, no worries! Just pop it in the microwave for a few seconds (but don’t melt it!).
Next, resist the urge to overmix the dough once you add the flour. Overmixing can lead to tough cookies, and we definitely want soft and chewy! Also, keep an eye on those baking times; every oven is different, so check your cookies a minute or two early. And don’t skip the cooling time—they’re easier to handle once they’ve set up a bit. Lastly, feel free to sprinkle a little extra crushed peppermint on top right before baking for that festive touch! Happy baking!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and easy to prepare—perfect for busy holiday schedules!
- Festive flavor that captures the spirit of the season with every bite.
- Soft and chewy texture that makes them irresistible.
- Great for sharing or gifting—everyone will appreciate a box of these delightful cookies!
Variations
If you’re feeling a bit adventurous, there are so many fun ways to switch up these peppermint Christmas cookies! For a richer flavor, try substituting half of the white chocolate chips with dark chocolate chips. The combination of peppermint and dark chocolate is simply divine!
Another idea is to add some festive nuts—chopped pecans or walnuts can add a lovely crunch and depth to the cookies. If you want to give them a little twist, how about adding a swirl of red or green food coloring to the dough before you mix in the peppermint candies? It’ll make your cookies look even more festive!
And don’t forget, you can always experiment with different extracts—like almond or even orange for a citrusy zing. The possibilities are endless, so feel free to get creative and make these cookies uniquely yours!
Storage & Reheating Instructions
Once you’ve baked those delicious peppermint Christmas cookies, you’ll want to keep them fresh for as long as possible. To store any leftovers (if there are any—good luck with that!), simply place them in an airtight container. They’ll stay fresh for up to a week, but I bet they won’t last that long!
If you want to save some for later, you can freeze the cookies! Just wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or place them in a freezer bag, and they’ll be good for up to two months. When you’re ready to enjoy them again, just let them thaw at room temperature, or pop them in the microwave for a few seconds—just long enough to warm them up without overcooking. This way, they’ll be soft and chewy, just like when they were fresh out of the oven. Enjoy every bite, even if it’s not the holidays!
Nutritional Information
Just a quick note—nutrition can vary quite a bit depending on the specific ingredients and brands you use, so the values below are just estimates. Each peppermint Christmas cookie has approximately 150 calories, with 10g of sugar and 7g of fat. Remember, these numbers are a guideline and can change based on how you make them. But trust me, it’s all worth it for that festive flavor!
FAQ Section
Common Questions
Can I use margarine instead of butter?
Absolutely, you can use margarine if that’s what you have on hand! Just keep in mind that the texture might be a bit different, and the flavor won’t be quite as rich as if you were using unsalted butter. But hey, cookies are cookies, and they’ll still be tasty!
How long do these cookies last?
If stored properly in an airtight container, your peppermint Christmas cookies will stay fresh for up to a week. But let’s be real—once you start munching on these festive treats, they might not last that long!
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
You bet! You can make the dough ahead of time and store it in the fridge for up to 2 days. Just be sure to cover it tightly with plastic wrap. If you want to prepare it even further in advance, you can freeze the dough for up to 2 months. Just thaw it in the fridge overnight before baking. It’s a great way to have fresh cookies ready whenever the craving strikes!
Can I use gluten-free flour?
Yes, you can! Just swap out the all-purpose flour for a good gluten-free blend. I recommend using one that has a good amount of xanthan gum in it to help with the texture. Your peppermint Christmas cookies will still be delightful!
What’s the best way to crush peppermint candies?
I love using a zip-top bag and a rolling pin to crush the candies! Just place the candies in the bag, seal it up, and gently smash them until you have those delightful little pieces. It’s a fun way to get the kids involved, too!
Peppermint Christmas Cookies: 10 Festive Bites to Savor
- Gesamtzeit: 27 minutes
- Ertrag: 36 cookies 1x
- Ernährung: Vegetarisch
Beschreibung
A delightful treat for the holiday season, these peppermint Christmas cookies are soft, chewy, and filled with festive flavor.
Zutaten
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
- 1 cup crushed peppermint candies
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
Anweisungen
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large bowl, cream together the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until smooth.
- Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
- Stir in vanilla extract and peppermint extract.
- In another bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined.
- Fold in crushed peppermint candies and white chocolate chips.
- Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto ungreased baking sheets.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes or until edges are lightly golden.
- Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Store cookies in an airtight container for up to a week.
- Use additional crushed peppermint for garnish if desired.
- These cookies can be frozen for later enjoyment.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Kochen Zeit: 12 minutes
- Kategorie: Dessert
- Methode: Baking
- Küche: American
Ernährung
- Portionsgröße: 1 cookie
- Kalorien: 150
- Zucker: 10g
- Natrium: 100mg
- Fett: 7g
- Gesättigte Fettsäuren: 4g
- Ungesättigte Fette: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Kohlenhydrate: 20g
- Faser: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterin: 30mg
Keywords: peppermint christmas cookies, holiday cookies, festive treats
