Name: Decadent Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies for the Holidays
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 37 min
Ingredients: 1 cup unsalted butter (softened); 3/4 cup granulated sugar; 3/4 cup brown sugar; 2 large eggs; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract (preferably pure); 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1 cup chocolate chips (semi-sweet or dark); 1/2 cup peppermint candies (crushed or peppermint chips); 1 teaspoon peppermint extract (optional)

The scent of peppermint and chocolate wafting through the kitchen is like a warm embrace on a chilly night, isn’t it? When I decided to create these Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies, it was with the hope of capturing that cozy, festive feeling that adorns holiday gatherings—without all the fuss. What’s delightful about this recipe is not only its quick prep time, allowing you to whip up a batch in no time, but also its ability to bring smiles to both old and young alike—definitely a crowd-pleaser! These cookies boast a soft, chewy center with delightful bursts of mint and pockets of rich chocolate, perfectly complementing those cozy evenings or celebratory moments. Are you ready to fill your home with this irresistible aroma? Let’s dive into the recipe!

Why Are These Cookies a Must-Bake?

Festive Flavor Explosion: Each cookie combines rich chocolate with refreshing peppermint, creating a taste that’s perfect for holiday cheer.

Quick & Easy: With just a few simple steps, you can bake an impressive treat that doesn’t require advanced skills, making it ideal for busy home cooks.

Crowd-Pleasing Delight: These cookies are a guaranteed hit, bringing joy to family gatherings and holiday parties—everyone loves the classic combo of chocolate and mint!

Versatile Base: Feel free to swap in your favorite chocolate types or add festive sprinkles for an extra touch—get creative!

Perfect for Sharing: Package these cookies up as gifts or enjoy them with a warm cup of hot cocoa, capturing that cozy winter vibe that everyone craves.

If you’re a fan of classic cookie recipes, don’t miss out on our Chocolate Chip Cookies or get adventurous with Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies!

Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookie Ingredients

• Ready to bring the festive spirit to your kitchen? Let’s gather the essential ingredients for these delightful Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies!

For the Dough

Unsalted Butter – Ensure it’s softened for easy creaming, adding richness to your cookies.
Granulated Sugar – This provides sweetness and helps the cookies spread just right.
Brown Sugar – Adds moisture and a deeper flavor profile thanks to its molasses content.
Large Eggs – Acts as a binder, ensuring the structure of your delicious cookies.
Vanilla Extract – Enhances flavor—opt for pure vanilla for a more aromatic treat.
All-Purpose Flour – Provides the structure; can be swapped for gluten-free flour if needed.
Baking Soda – This leavening agent helps these cookies rise beautifully.
Salt – Balances sweetness and enhances all the wonderful flavors.

For the Mix-ins

Chocolate Chips (semi-sweet or dark) – Adds rich chocolate flavor; feel free to substitute with milk chocolate for a sweeter bite.
Peppermint Candies (crushed) or Peppermint Chips – Infuses that iconic peppermint flavor; adjust based on your love for mint!
Peppermint Extract (optional) – Intensifies peppermint flavor—use sparingly to avoid overpowering the cookies.

With these delightful ingredients, you’re well on your way to baking a batch of Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies that family and friends will adore!

Step‑by‑Step Instructions for Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies

Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). While the oven warms up, gather your baking sheets and line them with parchment paper. This will prevent the cookies from sticking and help achieve those perfectly chewy edges.

Step 2: Cream Together the Butter and Sugars
In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Using an electric mixer, beat the mixture on medium speed until it becomes light and fluffy, typically about 2-3 minutes. This creaming process is crucial for creating a tender texture in your Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies.

Step 3: Incorporate Eggs and Vanilla
Add in the large eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition to ensure full incorporation. Next, pour in the vanilla extract and continue to beat until the mixture is smooth and creamy. These ingredients will enhance the flavor and binding of your cookie dough.

Step 4: Prepare the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt until evenly combined. This step ensures that the leavening agent is well-distributed throughout the dough, preventing any clumps and helping your cookies rise perfectly.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures
Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this could lead to tough cookies. The dough should be slightly sticky, inviting you to add the next delightful ingredients.

Step 6: Fold in Chocolate and Peppermint
Gently fold in the semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips and crushed peppermint candies or peppermint chips. Use a rubber spatula to ensure they are evenly distributed throughout the cookie dough, creating that festive flavor profile that characterizes these Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies.

Step 7: Scoop the Dough
Use a cookie scoop or a tablespoon to drop rounded balls of dough onto your prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. This allows room for spreading while baking, ensuring each cookie retains its chewy center and crispy edges.

Step 8: Bake the Cookies
Place the baking sheets in your preheated oven and bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden but the centers still appear soft. Keep an eye on them, as oven temperatures can vary, and you want that perfect balance of chewy and crisp.

Step 9: Cool and Enjoy
Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheets for about 10 minutes. This helps them set and makes for easy transferring. Then, move the cookies to wire racks to cool completely, allowing the flavors to meld before serving.

How to Store and Freeze Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies

Room Temperature: Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. This keeps them fresh while maintaining their delightful chewy texture.

Fridge: For extended freshness, refrigerate the cookies in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks. Just remember to let them come to room temperature before enjoying!

Freezer: Freeze cookies for longer storage of up to 3 months. Individually wrap each cookie in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag for best results.

Reheating: Reheat cookies in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds to restore their softness. Enjoy that freshly baked taste anytime you crave!

What to Serve with Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies

The joy of baking these delightful cookies is only heightened when you pair them with festive sides and drinks that enhance the holiday experience.

Rich Hot Cocoa: Nothing beats a warm mug of cocoa topped with whipped cream, perfect for enjoying alongside your cookies.
Creamy Vanilla Ice Cream: A scoop of vanilla ice cream melts beautifully over a warm cookie, creating a delightful contrast of temperatures.
Freshly Brewed Coffee: The bold flavor of coffee complements the chocolate and mint, making each bite even more enjoyable.
Peppermint Bark: Keep the peppermint theme going with this delicious sweet treat, adding crunchy layers to your dessert experience.
Fruit Salad: A refreshing fruit salad brings a burst of fresh flavors and colors to your festive table, balancing the sweetness of the cookies.
Spiced Mulled Wine: This warm, comforting drink infuses your holiday scene with spices, enhancing the cozy feel of your cookie indulgence.

With these pairings, your Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies won’t just be a treat—they’ll be the centerpiece of a heartwarming holiday gathering!

Expert Tips for Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies

Room Temperature Butter: Ensure your butter is softened at room temperature for easy creaming. Cold butter makes it difficult to achieve a light and fluffy texture.
Don’t Overmix: Mix your dough until just combined to avoid tough cookies. Overmixing can result in a dense texture, which we want to avoid!
Space Them Well: When scooping dough onto the baking sheets, leave about 2 inches of space between each cookie. This allows for even spreading in the oven.
Keep an Eye on Baking: Check your cookies at the 10-minute mark. They should be golden around the edges but soft in the center for that perfect chewy consistency.
Cooling is Key: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 10 minutes before transferring to wire racks. This helps them set perfectly without falling apart.

You’re now ready to bake delicious Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies that will surely impress your family and friends!

Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies Variations

Feel free to customize your Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies for a unique twist that tantalizes your taste buds!

Gluten-Free: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend to accommodate gluten sensitivities while keeping the same delicious taste.
Vegan-Friendly: Substitute the butter with coconut oil and the eggs with flaxseed or chia eggs for a plant-based version everyone can enjoy.
Minty Oreo Twist: Swap out crushed peppermint candies for crushed Oreo cookies to create a delightful minty chocolate experience that’s sure to surprise.
Different Chocolate: Experiment with white chocolate chips for a sweeter cookie or dark chocolate for a deeper flavor contrast that complements the peppermint nicely.
Whichever chocolate you choose, the end result will be a delightful blend of flavors that is hard to resist!
Extra Crunch: Add chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans for an added crunch and nutty flavor that pairs beautifully with the chewy cookie base.
Spiced Version: Incorporate a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg into the dough to give your cookies a warm and cozy flavor, perfect for those chilly evenings.
Cocoa Twist: For a richer cookie, replace a quarter of the flour with cocoa powder. This will give you a fudgy chocolate experience with the zing of peppermint.
Peppermint Bark: Stir in chunks of peppermint bark instead of regular chocolate chips for a festive treat that packs an extra minty punch!

With these options, you can create a cookie that feels uniquely yours. If you’re looking for more chocolatey delights, don’t forget to check out our Chocolate Oat Cookies or our expertly crafted Valentine Ganache Cookies.

Make Ahead Options

These Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies are a fantastic option for meal prep, allowing you to enjoy fresh cookies with minimal stress. You can prepare the dough up to 3 days in advance by mixing all the ingredients and storing it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. To prevent the dough from drying out, cover the container tightly. When you’re ready to bake, simply scoop the chilled dough onto baking sheets and let it sit at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes before baking, ensuring they remain just as delicious and chewy. This way, you’ll have freshly baked cookies ready to share with family or friends at a moment’s notice!

Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe FAQs

What type of peppermint candies should I use?
Absolutely! You can use either crushed peppermint candies or peppermint chips, depending on your preference. Crushed peppermint candies give a festive crunch, while peppermint chips meld beautifully into the cookie dough, providing bursts of minty flavor. Adjust the amount based on how strong you want your peppermint flavor—use more for a bolder kick!

How should I store the cookies?
These delightful cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. If you’d like them to last longer, refrigerate them for up to 2 weeks. Just remember to let them come to room temperature before enjoying to get back that soft, chewy texture that’s so irresistible!

Can I freeze Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies?
Yes, indeed! To freeze these cookies, wrap each one individually in plastic wrap and place them all in a freezer-safe Ziploc bag. They will keep for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy, simply pull out a cookie and reheat it in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to savor that freshly baked taste again.

What if my cookies are too flat?
No worries! If your Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies turn out flat, it could be due to several reasons. Make sure your butter isn’t too warm—room temperature is best. Also, double-check that you’re using the right amount of flour; a quick measure is to spoon flour into the measuring cup and level it off. If you’re still having trouble, try refrigerating the dough for about 30 minutes before baking to help maintain their shape.

Are these cookies suitable for dogs?
It’s important to keep in mind that while peanuts or plain cookies might be fine in moderation, peppermint and chocolate can be toxic to dogs. If you’d like to share your baking with furry friends, skip the chocolate and peppermint, and instead make a batch of simple peanut butter cookies that are safe for dogs!

How do I know when my cookies are done baking?
The key is to watch for the edges! Your cookies should be lightly golden around the edges while the centers appear slightly soft and puffy. This usually takes about 10-12 minutes in the oven. If they’re browning too quickly, you can rotate the baking sheet halfway through to ensure even baking.