The Best Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe for Holiday Magic

Peppermint chocolate chip cookies bring festive magic to your kitchen with their irresistible blend of cool mint and rich chocolate.

Sweet aromas instantly transport memories of cozy winter gatherings and cheerful celebrations.

Crisp mint undertones dance gracefully against smooth chocolate chips, creating a sensational flavor profile that delights every palate.

Holiday baking becomes an enchanting experience when these delectable treats emerge from the warm oven.

Soft, chewy textures complement the refreshing peppermint essence, making each bite a delightful surprise.

Seasonal ingredients refine ordinary cookie moments into extraordinary culinary adventures for family and friends.

Bakers of all skill levels can master this delightful recipe with simple techniques and a dash of creativity.

What to Pair with These Minty Cookies

• Pair with Peppermint Hot Chocolate: Enhance the cookie's minty chocolate flavor by serving alongside a creamy hot chocolate topped with whipped cream and crushed candy cane. The warm drink beautifully complements the cool, crisp peppermint notes in the cookies.
• Match with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Create a delightful dessert experience by serving the cookies alongside a scoop of rich vanilla bean ice cream. The smooth, cold ice cream provides a perfect contrast to the warm, chewy cookie texture.
• Combine with Espresso Martini: For adult gatherings, serve these cookies with a sophisticated espresso martini. The coffee's bold flavor and slight bitterness wonderfully balance the sweet, minty chocolate chip cookie, creating an elegant dessert pairing.
• Enjoy with Cold Milk: Embrace a classic combination by dunking these cookies into a cold glass of milk. The creamy milk helps soften the cookie and enhances the chocolate and peppermint flavors, making for a nostalgic and comforting treat.

Variations of Peppermint Cookies You’ll Want to Try

• Gluten-Free Peppermint Delight: Replace wheat flour with almond or gluten-free blend to create a celiac-friendly version that maintains the rich chocolate and minty flavor profile.
• White Chocolate Peppermint Swirl: Swap dark chocolate chips with white chocolate chunks and add extra crushed candy cane pieces for a sweeter, more vibrant cookie experience.
• Double Chocolate Mint Crunch: Incorporate cocoa powder into the base dough and use chocolate mint chips for an intensified chocolate-peppermint combination that chocolate lovers will adore.
• Vegan Candy Cane Cookie: Substitute butter with coconut oil, use egg replacement like flax eggs, and select dairy-free chocolate chips to craft a plant-based rendition that doesn't compromise on taste or texture.

Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies That Bring Cool and Sweet Together

• Festive Flavor Explosion: Peppermint and dark chocolate create a magical winter taste combination that dances on your taste buds with every delightful bite.
• Texture Wonderland: Crispy edges meet soft, chewy centers while crunchy candy cane pieces provide unexpected bursts of peppermint texture that make these cookies irresistibly interesting.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Freezing the dough overnight intensifies flavors and allows busy bakers to prep cookies in advance, making holiday baking stress-free and convenient for spontaneous sweet cravings.
• Quick and Easy Delight: Despite looking impressive, these cookies require simple ingredients and straightforward techniques that even novice bakers can master with confidence and minimal kitchen skills.

Ingredients for Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies

• Butter: Rich and creamy foundation for soft cookie texture, best when at room temperature.
• Light Brown Sugar, Granulated Sugar: Provide sweetness and help create chewy cookie structure, use pure cane sugar for best results.
• Egg: Binds ingredients and adds moisture to the cookie dough.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor profile with warm, sweet notes.

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and creates classic cookie consistency.
• Baking Soda: Helps cookies rise and spread evenly during baking.
• Fine Sea Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor complexity.

• Dark Chocolate Chips, Crushed Candy Cane Pieces: Add festive peppermint crunch and rich chocolate flavor, choose high-quality chocolate for best taste.

How to Bake Crisp and Chewy Peppermint Cookies

Step 1: Prepare Butter and Sugars

Grab a large mixing bowl and blend together softened butter, light brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes super fluffy and light-colored. Whip the ingredients for about 3-4 minutes using an electric mixer for the best texture.

Step 2: Incorporate Wet Ingredients

Crack an egg into the sugar-butter mixture and splash in vanilla extract. Mix these ingredients gently until everything blends smoothly. Use a spatula to scrape down the bowl’s sides to ensure complete integration.

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Baking soda
• Fine sea salt

• Dark chocolate chips
• Crushed candy cane pieces

Step 4: Shape and Chill Cookie Dough

Use a cookie scoop to create round dough balls (about 2 tablespoons each). Place these on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Transfer the entire sheet to the freezer and let the dough chill for at least 3-4 hours, or ideally overnight for deeper flavor development.

Step 5: Bake Delicious Cookies

Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Arrange frozen dough balls on a baking sheet, spacing them 2 inches apart. Bake for 9-10 minutes. The cookies might look slightly underbaked when removed, but they’ll firm up while cooling.

Step 6: Garnish and Cool

While cookies are still warm, gently press additional candy cane pieces and chocolate chips on top for extra decoration. Allow cookies to cool completely on a wire rack.

Step 7: Store and Enjoy

Keep baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days. If storing cookie dough, it can stay frozen for up to 1 month, though candy cane pieces might start dissolving over time.

Tips for Even Mint Flavor and Texture

• Crush Candy Canes Perfectly: Use a rolling pin or food processor to create uniform, fine pieces that distribute evenly throughout the cookie dough.
• Chill for Maximum Flavor: Freezing the dough develops deeper, richer flavors and prevents excessive spreading during baking.
• Create Bakery-Style Texture: Remove cookies from the oven when centers look slightly underbaked to ensure a soft, chewy interior with crisp edges.
• Boost Peppermint Impact: Sprinkle extra crushed candy canes on top of warm cookies for an intense minty crunch and festive appearance.
• Prevent Sticky Situation: Line baking sheets with parchment paper to ensure easy cookie removal and effortless cleanup.

Storing and Reheating Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies

• Refrigerator Storage: Place cooled cookies in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Enjoy within 3-4 days for maximum freshness and crisp texture.
• Freezer Storage: Wrap individual cookies in plastic wrap, then store in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving.
• Reheating Method: Warm cookies briefly in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or place in a preheated 300°F oven for 3-5 minutes to restore their just-baked softness and restore the chocolate's gooey texture.

Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

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• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Peppermint chocolate chip cookies bring winter magic to classic desserts. Chocolate lovers will discover rich mint notes and festive crunch in each delightful bite that whisks holiday cheer straight to the kitchen.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 large egg, room temperature
• 12 tablespoons (170 grams) unsalted butter, cool room temperature
• 1 cup (200 grams) light brown sugar, packed
• ¼ cup (50 grams) granulated sugar
• 2 ¼ cups (280 grams) all-purpose flour

Flavoring Ingredients:

• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• ¾ cup (130 grams) chopped dark chocolate bar or chocolate chips, plus more for topping
• ¼ cup (25 grams) crushed candy canes, plus more for topping

Leavening and Salt:

• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon fine sea salt

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Instructions

1. Transform butter, light brown sugar, and granulated sugar into a fluffy, pale mixture using an electric mixer, continuously beating for approximately 3-4 minutes until texture becomes light and creamy.
2. Introduce egg and vanilla extract into the creamed mixture, gently stirring until ingredients are harmoniously integrated, carefully scraping bowl sides to ensure complete incorporation.
3. Gradually fold flour, baking soda, and fine sea salt into the wet mixture, stirring delicately until ingredients are nearly blended, then tenderly incorporate dark chocolate chips and crushed candy cane pieces throughout the dough.
4. Craft uniform dough spheres using a two-tablespoon measurement, positioning them systematically on a parchment-lined baking sheet, then transfer to freezer for thorough chilling, allowing a minimum of 3-4 hours or preferably overnight to intensify flavor profile.
5. Heat oven to 350°F (180°C), positioning rack in center position, then arrange frozen dough balls with sufficient spacing to prevent merging during baking.
6. Bake cookies for 9-10 minutes, recognizing they will appear slightly underdone upon removal; cookies will naturally firm as they cool to room temperature.
7. While cookies remain warm, garnish tops with additional chocolate chips and candy cane fragments, creating an aesthetically pleasing and textural presentation.
8. Allow cookies to completely cool on wire cooling rack, enabling structural stabilization and flavor development.
9. Preserve baked cookies within sealed container at ambient temperature for 2-3 days, maintaining optimal freshness and texture, while excess unbaked dough can be refrigerated up to one month, noting potential candy cane dissolution over extended periods.

Notes

• Chill the dough thoroughly to develop rich, complex flavors and prevent excessive spreading during baking.
• Crush candy cane pieces finely to ensure even distribution and a consistent peppermint crunch throughout the cookies.
• Use dark chocolate chips for a deeper, more sophisticated flavor that complements the bright peppermint notes.
• Remove cookies from the oven when they look slightly underbaked, as they’ll continue to set while cooling on the baking sheet.
• Store cookies at room temperature, separating layers with parchment paper to maintain their delicate texture.
• Freeze unbaked dough balls for quick, fresh-baked treats anytime, perfect for unexpected sweet cravings.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 14 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 21 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg