Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies: A Festive Holiday Treat

Name: Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1 cup (2 sticks) Unsalted Butter (softened); 0.75 cup Granulated Sugar; 0.75 cup Packed Brown Sugar; 2 teaspoons Pure Vanilla Extract; 2 Large Eggs; 2.25 cups All-Purpose Flour; 1 teaspoon Baking Soda; 1 teaspoon Salt; 2 cups Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips; 1 cup Crushed Candy Canes (reserve some for garnish)

BY :

Evelyn

Posted On :

September 10, 2025

Breakfast

The aroma of freshly baked cookies, especially during the holiday season, is undeniably magical. And what better way to capture that festive spirit than with a batch of these delightful Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies? These cookies are more than just a simple dessert; they’re an experience. The perfect blend of rich, melty chocolate chips and the refreshing coolness of peppermint creates a symphony of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds and leave you wanting more. Imagine the satisfying crunch of the candy cane pieces, the soft, chewy texture of the cookie itself, and the lingering peppermint aftertaste – a true holiday indulgence. This recipe is designed for effortless baking, even for novice bakers, ensuring perfectly crisp edges and a soft, gooey center every single time. Get ready to impress your friends and family with these irresistible treats, perfect for gifting, sharing, or simply enjoying a quiet moment with a warm cup of milk or coffee.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies are destined to become a new family favorite, and here’s why:

Unbeatable Flavor Combination: The marriage of rich, dark chocolate and the refreshing coolness of peppermint is simply divine. It’s a classic combination elevated to perfection.
Easy to Make: This recipe is straightforward and designed for even the most inexperienced baker. The clear instructions and helpful tips ensure success every time.
Perfectly Customizable: Feel free to adjust the amount of peppermint or chocolate to your liking. Add nuts, sprinkles, or other festive additions for a personalized touch.
Beautiful Presentation: These cookies look as delicious as they taste. Their festive appearance makes them perfect for gifting or serving at holiday gatherings.
Makes a Great Gift: Package these cookies beautifully in festive tins or bags for a thoughtful homemade gift that everyone will adore. They’re a perfect addition to any holiday cookie exchange.
Keeps Well: Properly stored, these cookies maintain their delightful texture and flavor for several days, ensuring you can enjoy them for longer.
Nostalgic Appeal: The combination of chocolate and peppermint evokes warm, comforting memories of past holidays, making these cookies extra special.
Versatile Dessert: Perfect for any occasion – holidays, parties, or a simple cozy night in. They’re guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser.

Why You Should Try This Recipe

Beyond the deliciousness, there are many reasons to bake these Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies:

Holiday Baking Fun: Baking these cookies is a fantastic way to get into the holiday spirit. It’s a fun activity to do with family or friends.
Impress Your Loved Ones: These cookies are a guaranteed showstopper. They’ll impress even the most discerning palate.
Homemade Goodness: Nothing beats the taste and satisfaction of baking your cookies from scratch. You control the quality and ingredients, ensuring a wholesome treat.
Perfect for Gifting: Share the joy of baking by gifting these cookies to neighbors, friends, or family. A thoughtful gesture that everyone will appreciate.
Stress Relief: The act of baking can be incredibly therapeutic and relaxing. It’s a great way to de-stress and unwind during the busy holiday season.
Memories in the Making: Baking these cookies can create lasting memories, particularly if you make them with loved ones. The shared experience is just as valuable as the delicious cookies themselves.
Support Local Businesses (Optional): Consider sourcing your ingredients from local farmers’ markets or bakeries to support your community.
Adaptable Recipe: You can easily adapt this recipe to your dietary needs or preferences (see the variations section below).

Ingredients and Necessary Utensils for Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies

Gathering the right ingredients and tools is key to baking perfect Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies. Let’s delve into the specifics:

Ingredients:

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened: Using unsalted butter allows you to control the salt level in your cookies. Ensure your butter is softened to room temperature for optimal creaming.
¾ cup granulated sugar: Granulated sugar provides sweetness and helps to create a crisp cookie edge.
¾ cup packed brown sugar: Brown sugar adds moisture and a deeper, richer flavor to the cookies, resulting in a chewier texture.
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract: High-quality vanilla extract significantly enhances the overall flavor of the cookies. Avoid using imitation vanilla.
2 large eggs: Eggs bind the ingredients together, add richness, and contribute to the cookies’ texture. Make sure your eggs are at room temperature.
2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour: All-purpose flour is the standard for most cookie recipes, providing the necessary structure.
1 teaspoon baking soda: Baking soda is a leavening agent that helps the cookies rise, creating a light and airy texture.
1 teaspoon salt: Salt enhances the sweetness and balances the flavors in the cookies.
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips: The classic choice for chocolate chip cookies, providing a rich chocolatey flavor and melty texture.
1 cup crushed candy canes: The star ingredient! Crushed candy canes bring the refreshing peppermint flavor and festive crunch. Consider reserving some for garnish.

Recommended Utensils:

Electric Mixer (Stand or Handheld): An electric mixer is highly recommended for creaming the butter and sugar, ensuring a light and fluffy batter. This step is crucial for achieving tender cookies.
Large Mixing Bowls (at least 2): You’ll need one bowl for creaming the wet ingredients and another for combining the dry ingredients. Using separate bowls helps prevent overmixing.
Whisk: A whisk is essential for thoroughly combining the dry ingredients (flour, baking soda, and salt) to ensure even leavening.
Measuring Cups and Spoons: Accurate measuring is crucial for baking. Use measuring cups and spoons specifically designed for baking.
Rubber Spatula or Wooden Spoon: These tools are helpful for scraping down the sides of the bowl and ensuring all ingredients are incorporated.
Baking Sheets: At least two baking sheets are needed to bake the cookies in batches. Avoid overcrowding the sheets.
Parchment Paper: Line your baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent the cookies from sticking and for easier cleanup.
Cookie Scoop (optional but recommended): A cookie scoop ensures uniformly sized cookies and makes scooping the dough onto the baking sheet quick and easy.
Wire Rack: A wire rack allows the cookies to cool completely, preventing them from becoming soggy.

Detailed Recipe Steps for Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies

Let’s get baking! Following these steps carefully will yield delicious Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies:

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). This is crucial for even baking. Don’t start mixing your ingredients until your oven is preheated.
Line your baking sheets with parchment paper. This prevents sticking and makes cleanup a breeze. Make sure the parchment paper fits the baking sheet snugly.
Cream together the butter and sugars: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. **This is best done with an electric mixer.** Creaming incorporates air into the batter, resulting in tender cookies.
Beat in the eggs and vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then, stir in the vanilla extract. **Ensure the eggs are at room temperature for optimal emulsification.**
Combine the dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. **Whisk vigorously to ensure the baking soda is evenly distributed.** This prevents clumps and ensures even leavening.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. **Be careful not to overmix.** Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, resulting in tough cookies.
Stir in the chocolate chips and crushed candy canes: Gently fold in the chocolate chips and crushed candy canes. **Avoid overmixing at this stage** to prevent the chocolate chips from breaking down and the candy canes from losing their crunch.
Scoop onto baking sheets: Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving some space between each cookie. **Using a cookie scoop ensures uniform size and baking time.**
Bake for 9-11 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the centers are still slightly soft. Baking times may vary depending on your oven, so keep a close eye on your cookies. Start checking for doneness around 9 minutes.
Cool on baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Allowing the cookies to cool slightly on the baking sheet prevents them from breaking when you transfer them. **Cooling completely on a wire rack prevents sogginess.**
Garnish (optional): Sprinkle with reserved crushed candy canes for extra festive flair.

Tips and Variations for Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies

Here are some helpful tips and variations to make your Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies even better:

Chill the dough: For thicker, chewier cookies, chill the dough for at least 30 minutes before baking. This also helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much.
Use different types of chocolate: Experiment with dark chocolate, milk chocolate, or white chocolate chips. You can even use a combination of different types for a more complex flavor profile.
Add nuts: Chopped pecans, walnuts, or almonds add a delightful crunch and nutty flavor to the cookies.
Use peppermint extract: In addition to crushed candy canes, you can add a teaspoon of peppermint extract to the dough for an even more intense peppermint flavor. Start with a half-teaspoon and adjust to taste.
Make them gluten-free: Substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend designed for baking. You may need to adjust the amount of liquid slightly.
Make them vegan: Replace the butter with vegan butter and the eggs with a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed meal mixed with 3 tablespoons of water) or applesauce. You’ll likely need to adjust the amount of flour slightly. Ensure your chocolate chips are also vegan.
Avoid overbaking: Overbaked cookies will be dry and hard. Start checking for doneness a minute or two before the recommended baking time.
Don’t overcrowd the baking sheet: Give each cookie enough space to spread out evenly. Overcrowding can lead to uneven baking and soggy cookies.

Nutritional Values and Benefits of Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies

While these cookies are a treat, let’s examine their nutritional profile and the benefits of some key ingredients. (Note: Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary based on specific ingredients used.)

A single Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookie (approximately 30g) will likely contain:

Calories: Approximately 150-200
Protein: Approximately 2-3g
Fat: Approximately 8-10g
Carbohydrates: Approximately 20-25g

Benefits of Ingredients:

Butter: Provides richness and flavor. Contains small amounts of vitamins A and E.
Chocolate: Rich in antioxidants, potentially beneficial for heart health (especially dark chocolate). Provides a mood boost.
Eggs: Excellent source of protein and essential nutrients like choline.
Peppermint: May aid in digestion and have refreshing properties. The scent of peppermint can be relaxing.

Remember to enjoy these cookies in moderation as part of a balanced diet. They are best enjoyed as an occasional indulgence, not a daily staple.

FAQs about Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies

Can I freeze Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookie dough?

Yes! Freezing the dough is a great way to enjoy these cookies later. Scoop the dough onto a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag for longer storage.

How long do Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies stay fresh?

Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, these cookies will stay fresh for about 3-4 days. For longer storage, freeze them.

What can I substitute for crushed candy canes?

You could try using peppermint extract, finely chopped peppermint candies, or even a sprinkle of peppermint-flavored sprinkles as alternatives.

Can I make these cookies ahead of time?

Yes, you can bake the cookies ahead of time and store them in an airtight container. They’re best enjoyed within 3-4 days. You can also freeze the baked cookies.

Are these Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies gluten-free?

Not as written, but you can easily adapt this recipe to be gluten-free by using a gluten-free flour blend. Be sure to check that your other ingredients are also gluten-free.

Conclusion

These Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies are the perfect festive treat to brighten up your holiday season. The delightful combination of rich chocolate and refreshing peppermint is irresistible, and the simple recipe makes them surprisingly easy to bake. Remember to check out our helpful tips and variations to personalize your cookies and make them truly your own. We encourage you to try this recipe and share your experience in the comments below! Don’t forget to share your beautiful creations on social media using #PeppermintChocolateChipCookies. And for more delicious holiday recipes, check out our Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies recipe and our other festive delights on our website, recipesebook.com! Happy baking!

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