If you adore the cozy, festive flavors of the holidays, then you are in for a real treat with this Peppermint Hot Chocolate Cookies Recipe. These cookies perfectly capture the rich chocolate goodness of hot cocoa combined with the bright, refreshing zing of peppermint. Imagine biting into a soft, chewy cookie brimming with melty chocolate chips and crunchy peppermint bits—the ultimate winter comfort snack that feels like a warm hug in cookie form. Whether you’re baking for a holiday party, a snowy day treat, or just to satisfy your sweet tooth, this Peppermint Hot Chocolate Cookies Recipe will quickly become one of your favorites to bake and share.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering these simple yet essential ingredients is the first step toward creating cookies that burst with flavor and texture. Each item plays an important role, from the cocoa powder delivering deep chocolate richness to the peppermint bringing that signature cooling pop.
- All-purpose flour (1 1/2 cups): The foundation that gives your cookies structure and chewiness.
- Unsweetened cocoa powder (1/2 cup): Provides that intense, chocolatey flavor you crave in every bite.
- Baking soda (1/2 teaspoon): Helps your cookies rise perfectly with a soft, tender texture.
- Salt (1/4 teaspoon): Enhances all the sweet and chocolate flavors, balancing the taste.
- Unsalted butter (1/2 cup), softened: Adds richness and moisture, giving the cookies a melt-in-your-mouth quality.
- Granulated sugar (1 cup): Sweetens the dough and contributes to the slightly crisp edges.
- Large egg (1): Binds everything together and creates a soft, chewy consistency.
- Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Boosts the overall flavor with its warm, aromatic notes.
- Peppermint extract (1/2 teaspoon): Delivers that unmistakable refreshing minty twist in every bite.
- Mini chocolate chips (1/2 cup): Melt into little pockets of gooey chocolate goodness.
- Crushed peppermint candies or candy canes (1/2 cup): Adds delightful crunch and festive flair.
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips (1/2 cup): Perfect for both mixing in and pressing on top for extra chocolaty appeal.
How to Make Peppermint Hot Chocolate Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Your Workspace
Begin by heating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper. This simple step prevents sticking and ensures your cookies bake evenly. Having everything set up beforehand makes the entire baking process smooth and enjoyable.
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. This ensures that all your dry components are evenly combined, which helps your cookies bake uniformly and develop that rich chocolate flavor with every bite.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar
Take a large mixing bowl and beat the softened butter with the granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy—about three minutes. This step is key to getting your cookies tender and ensures wonderful texture contrast between the soft cookie and the slightly crispy edges.
Step 4: Incorporate Wet Flavors
Add the egg, vanilla extract, and peppermint extract to the creamed butter and sugar. Beat until everything is fully blended. The peppermint extract sounds subtle, but it’s absolutely vital for that refreshingly minty kick that makes this Peppermint Hot Chocolate Cookies Recipe stand out.
Step 5: Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients
Gradually add your dry ingredient mix into the wet mixture. Mix gently just until combined—overmixing can lead to tougher cookies, so keep it easy and relaxed.
Step 6: Fold in Chocolate and Peppermint Candy
Carefully fold in the mini chocolate chips and half of the crushed peppermint candies. These add textural contrast and flavor bursts that you’ll love discovering with each bite.
Step 7: Shape and Decorate
Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into balls. Place the dough balls on your baking sheet, spacing at least two inches apart. Press a few extra mini chocolate chips and crushed peppermint candies on top of each cookie to make them look as festive as they taste.
Step 8: Bake to Perfection
Bake your cookies for 8 to 10 minutes. You want the edges to be set but the centers still soft for that signature chewy texture. Once out of the oven, let them cool on the baking sheet for five minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
How to Serve Peppermint Hot Chocolate Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
For an extra touch, dust your cookies lightly with powdered sugar or add a drizzle of melted white chocolate. Both options amplify the festive feel and the mint-chocolate connection. Little garnishes like these also make them stunning gifts and party treats.
Side Dishes
These cookies shine next to a steaming cup of hot chocolate or coffee. They also pair beautifully with a cold glass of milk to balance that chocolate richness. Try serving them alongside handheld cocoa or peppermint-infused drinks for a themed dessert spread.
Creative Ways to Present
Stack the cookies in a clear jar with layers of crushed peppermint for a visually delightful dessert display. Or arrange them on a holiday platter lined with evergreen sprigs or red ribbons to make your table instantaneously festive and inviting.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your leftover Peppermint Hot Chocolate Cookies Recipe cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay fresh and chewy for up to a week, ready to satisfy quick snack cravings or surprise visitors with a sweet treat.
Freezing
If you’d like to save some for later, freeze the unbaked cookie dough balls on a baking sheet until firm, then transfer to a freezer-safe container. You can bake them straight from frozen, just add a couple of extra minutes to the baking time.
Reheating
Warm your cookies briefly in the microwave for about 10 seconds to bring back their fresh-baked softness and highlight those melty chocolate chips. Just be careful not to overheat, or they might become too soft and lose their delightful texture.
FAQs
Can I substitute peppermint extract with something else?
While peppermint extract provides that essential minty flavor, you can experiment with peppermint oil or even crushed peppermint candies alone, but the extract gives a concentrated kick that’s hard to replace.
What type of chocolate chips work best?
Semi-sweet and mini chocolate chips are preferred as they offer the perfect balance of sweetness and melt-in-your-mouth texture. Using a mix adds both visual appeal and delicious textural contrast.
Are these cookies gluten-free?
This recipe uses all-purpose flour, which contains gluten. For a gluten-free version, try substituting with a gluten-free flour blend, but results may vary slightly in texture.
How do I make the cookies chewier?
Ensure you do not overbake them; removing the cookies when the edges are set but centers are still soft will give you that chewy, tender bite that makes these cookies addictive.
Can I double the recipe?
Absolutely! This Peppermint Hot Chocolate Cookies Recipe scales up well. Just ensure you have enough mixing space and baking sheets, and rotate trays if needed for even baking.
Final Thoughts
There is something truly magical about baking cookies that taste like your favorite hot chocolate with a refreshing peppermint twist, and this Peppermint Hot Chocolate Cookies Recipe delivers exactly that. It’s a joyful, festive dessert that is simple to make yet full of comforting flavors that make chilly days feel a little warmer. Try making a batch today—you’ll soon find yourself turning to this recipe every winter and holiday season for guaranteed smiles and sweet moments.
Print
Peppermint Hot Chocolate Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8-10 minutes
- Total Time: 18-20 minutes
- Yield: 20 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Peppermint Hot Chocolate Cookies are festive, chocolatey treats perfect for the holiday season. Combining rich cocoa, peppermint extract, and crunchy crushed candy canes, they deliver the cozy flavors of hot chocolate in cookie form. Topped with extra chocolate chips and peppermint pieces, these soft-baked cookies are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth and add a seasonal sparkle to any cookie platter.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
Add-ins and Toppings
- 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips (plus extra for topping)
- 1/2 cup crushed peppermint candies or candy canes (divided, half for dough and half for topping)
- 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and facilitate easy cleanup.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. This ensures even distribution of leavening agents and seasoning.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar together using a mixer until the mixture is light and fluffy, approximately 3 minutes. This step incorporates air for tender cookies.
- Add Eggs and Extracts: Beat in the large egg, vanilla extract, and peppermint extract until fully combined, which adds moisture and flavor to the cookie dough.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined to prevent overworking the dough which could make cookies tough.
- Fold in Chocolate Chips and Peppermint: Gently fold in the mini chocolate chips and half of the crushed peppermint candies, distributing the mix-ins evenly throughout the dough.
- Shape Cookies: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into balls. Place them on the prepared baking sheet, spacing each cookie about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading during baking.
- Add Toppings: Press a few extra mini chocolate chips and crushed peppermint pieces on top of each cookie dough ball for decorative appeal and added flavor.
- Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8–10 minutes, or until the edges are set but the centers remain soft to maintain a chewy texture.
- Cool Cookies: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to firm up, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before serving or storing.
Notes
- For a stronger peppermint flavor, increase the peppermint extract slightly but avoid overpowering the chocolate base.
- Crushed peppermint candies can be substituted with peppermint candy canes crushed finely.
- Ensure butter is properly softened to room temperature for easier creaming with sugar.
- Storing cookies in an airtight container at room temperature keeps them fresh for up to 5 days.
- Cookies can be frozen after baking; store in an airtight container for up to 3 months and thaw at room temperature before serving.
