Oh my goodness, let me tell you about these chocolate peppermint cookies! They’re like a little holiday miracle wrapped in chocolatey goodness. The combination of rich, velvety chocolate with that refreshing kick of peppermint is simply irresistible. Every bite is a delightful explosion of flavor that instantly puts me in the festive spirit. Whether you’re baking for a holiday party or just to enjoy at home, these cookies are guaranteed to bring smiles all around. Trust me, once you start baking, the sweet aroma will fill your kitchen, and you won’t be able to resist sneaking a taste before they even cool!
Ingredients for Chocolate Peppermint Cookies
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup crushed peppermint candies
How to Prepare Chocolate Peppermint Cookies
Alright, let’s dive into the deliciousness of making these chocolate peppermint cookies! It’s super simple, and I promise you’ll feel like a baking superstar. First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) so it’s nice and hot, ready to work its magic on those cookies.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until it’s fluffy and smooth. This should take about 2-3 minutes.
- Next, add in the eggs and vanilla extract, mixing well until everything is combined. You want that lovely creamy texture!
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. This is a crucial step to ensure your cookies have a uniform texture.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until everything is just combined. Don’t overmix! You want to keep that light and fluffy texture.
- Now, fold in the chocolate chips and the crushed peppermint candies—this is where the magic happens!
- Drop spoonfuls of dough onto a lined baking sheet, leaving some space between each one. They’ll spread a bit while baking.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are set. Let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
And there you have it! Your kitchen will smell heavenly, and you’ll be left with a batch of cookies that are perfect for sharing—or not!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Irresistible flavor combination of rich chocolate and refreshing peppermint.
- Simple steps make it perfect for bakers of all skill levels—seriously, anyone can do this!
- Perfectly festive for holiday gatherings, bringing that cozy, cheerful vibe to any occasion.
- These cookies are soft, chewy, and oh-so-rich, making them a delightful treat for everyone.
- They bake quickly, so you won’t have to wait long to satisfy your sweet tooth.
- Easy to customize with different chocolate types or extra mix-ins for a personal touch!
- They keep well, making them great for gifting or enjoying over several days.
Tips for Success
To make sure your chocolate peppermint cookies turn out absolutely perfect, I’ve got some pro tips that’ll elevate your baking game! First off, don’t be shy with the peppermint—if you love that minty flavor, feel free to adjust the amount of crushed peppermint candies to your taste. Just keep in mind that a little goes a long way, so start with the recommended amount and tweak it from there!
Another great tip is to chill your cookie dough for about 30 minutes before baking. This helps the cookies hold their shape better and gives you that chewy texture we all adore. Plus, it’s a great way to prevent them from spreading too much in the oven.
When it comes to storing these delicious cookies, make sure to keep them in an airtight container to maintain their freshness—trust me, no one likes a stale cookie! They’ll last for up to a week on the counter, but if you want to keep them longer, pop them in the freezer. Just make sure to layer them with parchment paper so they don’t stick together. You’ll be so glad you did when you have a sweet treat ready to go whenever the mood strikes!
Lastly, don’t forget to have fun with it! Baking should be a joyful experience, so get creative with presentation—maybe drizzle some melted chocolate on top or sprinkle extra crushed peppermint for a festive touch. Happy baking!
Variations on Chocolate Peppermint Cookies
If you’re feeling adventurous or just want to mix things up a bit, there are so many fun variations you can try with these chocolate peppermint cookies! Here are a few ideas that I absolutely love:
- White Chocolate Peppermint Cookies: Swap out the regular chocolate chips for white chocolate chips. The creamy sweetness pairs beautifully with the peppermint, creating a lovely contrast!
- Dark Chocolate Delight: Use dark chocolate chips instead of semi-sweet for a richer flavor. It adds a deeper chocolate profile that makes these cookies extra indulgent.
- Nutty Twist: Fold in some chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts. They add a nice crunch and elevate the texture, plus they’re a great complement to the chocolate!
- Mint Chocolate Swirl: For an extra hit of mintiness, you could add a swirl of mint chocolate spread into the dough just before baking. It’ll give you delightful pockets of minty goodness!
- Crushed Candy Cane Topping: Instead of just mixing crushed peppermint into the dough, sprinkle some on top of the cookies right before baking. It adds a festive touch and extra crunch!
- Caramel Surprise: Add a few caramel bits into the dough for a gooey center. The combination of chocolate, peppermint, and caramel is just heavenly!
- Double Chocolate Peppermint: For the ultimate chocolate lover, you can replace some of the flour with additional cocoa powder. It makes for a super chocolatey cookie that’s still loaded with peppermint flavor!
Feel free to get creative and tailor these cookies to your taste. The sky’s the limit, and who knows—you might just discover your new favorite cookie variation!
Storage & Reheating Instructions
Storing your chocolate peppermint cookies properly is key to keeping them fresh and delicious! Once they’ve cooled completely, pop them in an airtight container. This will help maintain that soft and chewy texture we all love. You can keep them at room temperature for up to a week—if they last that long, that is!
If you want to enjoy these delightful cookies even longer, you can freeze them! Just layer them with parchment paper in a freezer-safe container or a resealable plastic bag to prevent them from sticking together. They’ll stay fresh for up to three months in the freezer. When you’re ready to indulge, simply take out the desired amount and let them thaw at room temperature for about 30 minutes. No need to reheat unless you want to enjoy them warm and gooey—just pop them in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds, and you’ll have that fresh-baked goodness all over again!
Trust me, there’s nothing quite like biting into a warm chocolate peppermint cookie, especially during the holidays. Enjoy every last crumb!
Nutritional Information
Now, I know you might be curious about the nutritional content of these delicious chocolate peppermint cookies, and while I always say to enjoy treats in moderation, it’s good to know what you’re indulging in! Here’s a rough estimate of the nutritional values per cookie:
- Calories: 150
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
- Sodium: 80mg
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 10g
- Protein: 2g
Keep in mind, these values can vary depending on the specific brands of ingredients you use and any variations you might make to the recipe. But hey, it’s the holidays, and these cookies are all about joy and indulgence, right? So go ahead, treat yourself and enjoy every bite!
FAQ about Chocolate Peppermint Cookies
Can I use different types of chocolate in this recipe?
Absolutely! You can mix and match chocolate chips based on your preference. Dark chocolate chips add a rich flavor, while white chocolate chips offer a lovely sweetness that pairs wonderfully with peppermint. Feel free to experiment!
How do I get my cookies to be extra chewy?
To achieve that perfect chewy texture, make sure not to overbake them. Take them out of the oven when the edges are set but the centers look slightly underbaked. They’ll continue to firm up as they cool on the baking sheet!
Can I make these cookies ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the dough in advance and refrigerate it for up to 3 days. Just make sure to let it sit at room temperature for a bit before baking. You can also freeze the dough for up to 3 months—just thaw it overnight in the fridge before baking.
What can I use instead of crushed peppermint candies?
If you don’t have crushed peppermint candies, you can use peppermint extract instead. Just add a teaspoon or two to the wet ingredients for that minty flavor without the crunch. However, I do recommend keeping some sort of minty element for the best flavor!
How should I store leftovers?
To keep your chocolate peppermint cookies fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. If you want to save them for longer, freeze them with parchment paper in between layers to prevent sticking. They’ll be just as delicious when you’re ready to enjoy them again!
Chocolate Peppermint Cookies to Reignite Your Holiday Spirit
- Gesamtzeit: 32 minutes
- Ertrag: 24 cookies 1x
- Ernährung: Vegetarisch
Beschreibung
Delicious chocolate peppermint cookies for the holidays.
Zutaten
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup crushed peppermint candies
Anweisungen
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a bowl, cream together butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar.
- Add eggs and vanilla extract. Mix well.
- In another bowl, combine flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Stir until combined.
- Fold in chocolate chips and crushed peppermint candies.
- Drop spoonfuls of dough onto a baking sheet.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes or until set.
- Let cool on a wire rack before serving.
Notes
- Store cookies in an airtight container.
- Adjust the amount of peppermint to your taste.
- These cookies freeze well.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Kochen Zeit: 12 minutes
- Kategorie: Dessert
- Methode: Baking
- Küche: American
Ernährung
- Portionsgröße: 1 cookie
- Kalorien: 150
- Zucker: 10g
- Natrium: 80mg
- Fett: 7g
- Gesättigte Fettsäuren: 4g
- Ungesättigte Fette: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Kohlenhydrate: 20g
- Faser: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterin: 20mg
Keywords: chocolate peppermint cookies, holiday cookies, dessert recipes
