Chocolate Peppermint Bark Cookies will have your taste buds doing the cha-cha! Imagine biting into a soft, chewy cookie that seamlessly blends rich chocolate with refreshing peppermint. The aroma wafting through your kitchen will make even the Grinch crack a smile. pumpkin pie cupcakes These delightful treats are perfect for holiday gatherings, cozy winter nights, or when you just want to bring a bit of festive cheer into your life. cinnamon syrup recipe cinnamon roll cupcakes
As you bake these cookies, you’ll feel like a culinary rockstar, and the best part? They’re surprisingly easy to whip up. So grab your apron and let’s dive into this scrumptious adventure of Chocolate Peppermint Bark Cookies that promise to be the highlight of any occasion. For more inspiration, check out this Peppermint Brownie Mix Cookies recipe.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- These Chocolate Peppermint Bark Cookies are incredibly simple to prepare and perfect for holiday gifting
- With their irresistible flavor combination, they look stunning on any dessert table
- Plus, they can easily be customized with your favorite chocolate types or add-ins for a personal twist
Baking these cookies brings back memories of family gatherings where laughter and love filled the air while everyone savored those delicious treats.
Essential Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious dish:
- All-Purpose Flour: This is the backbone of your cookies; use unbleached for better results.
- Cocoa Powder: Choose high-quality unsweetened cocoa powder for rich chocolate flavor.
- Baking Soda: This helps your cookies rise and get that perfect texture.
- Salt: A pinch enhances all flavors and balances sweetness.
- Unsalted Butter: Use room temperature butter for easy mixing and creaminess.
- Granulated Sugar: Sweetens your cookies perfectly; brown sugar adds moisture if desired.
- Eggs: These bind everything together; ensure they are at room temperature.
- Peppermint Extract: A dash gives that refreshing minty kick; use pure extract if possible.
- Chocolate Chips: Semi-sweet or dark chips create melty pockets of chocolate goodness in each bite. pumpkin chocolate chip bread.
- Candy Canes: Crush some for topping; they add a festive crunch and extra minty flavor.
The full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.
Let’s Make it together
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper so those cookies don’t stick around longer than they should.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt until well combined. The cocoa powder should be lump-free for smooth cookies.
Cream Butter and Sugar: In another bowl, beat softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This usually takes about 3 minutes—just enough time to think about how great these cookies will taste!
Add Eggs & Flavor: Incorporate each egg one at a time into the butter-sugar mixture. Then stir in peppermint extract—it’ll smell heavenly!
Combine Mixtures: Gradually mix dry ingredients into wet ingredients until fully incorporated. Avoid overmixing; you want soft, chewy cookies—not hockey pucks!
Add Chocolate Chips: Fold in chocolate chips gently with a spatula until evenly distributed throughout the dough. Your mouth might water at this point; it’s totally normal.
Scoop & Bake: Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to drop dough onto prepared baking sheets about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are firm but centers still look slightly soft.
Let cool on the baking sheets for about five minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely. Now’s your chance to sprinkle crushed candy canes on top while they’re still warm—it’s like adding sprinkles to happiness!
The aroma filling your kitchen during this process is bound to attract family members faster than you can say “Chocolate Peppermint Bark Cookies.” Enjoy every bite as you share them with loved ones or keep them all for yourself—no judgment here!
You Must Know
- Chocolate Peppermint Bark Cookies are a holiday favorite, balancing rich chocolate with refreshing peppermint
- Their delightful texture and festive appearance will impress your guests
- Don’t forget to share them; these cookies vanish faster than you can say “Merry Christmas!”
Perfecting the Cooking Process
Start by melting the chocolate while preparing your cookie dough. This ensures everything is ready for mixing without unnecessary waiting.
Add Your Touch
Feel free to swap out peppermint extract for orange or almond for a unique twist on flavors. Add sprinkles or crushed candy canes as toppings for extra flair.
Storing & Reheating
Store your cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. For an extra treat, microwave for 10 seconds before enjoying.
Chef's Helpful Tips
- To achieve perfect Chocolate Peppermint Bark Cookies, ensure your ingredients are at room temperature before mixing for better incorporation
- Avoid overbaking; keep an eye on them as they cool
- Experiment with different types of chocolate for varied flavors and textures that excite the palate
Sometimes, I bake these cookies to surprise friends during the holidays. Their delighted faces when biting into these delights make all the effort worthwhile.
FAQ
Can I use white chocolate instead of dark?
Yes! White chocolate pairs beautifully with peppermint flavor in these cookies.
How do I prevent my cookies from spreading too much?
Chill the cookie dough before baking to help maintain their shape.
Can I freeze Chocolate Peppermint Bark Cookies?
Absolutely! Just layer them between parchment paper and store in an airtight container.
Chocolate Peppermint Bark Cookies
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: About 20 cookies 1x
Description
Indulge your senses with these Chocolate Peppermint Bark Cookies, where rich chocolate meets refreshing peppermint in a soft, chewy delight. Perfect for holiday gatherings or cozy winter nights, these cookies are not only easy to make but also a festive treat that will leave everyone smiling. With melty chocolate chips and a sprinkle of crushed candy canes, they promise to be the highlight of any dessert table.
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg (room temperature)
- 1 tsp pure peppermint extract
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup crushed candy canes (for topping)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt until lump-free.
- In another bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy (about 3 minutes).
- Beat in the egg one at a time, then stir in the peppermint extract.
- Gradually mix in the dry ingredients until just combined; do not overmix.
- Fold in the chocolate chips gently.
- Use a cookie scoop to drop dough onto prepared sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are firm but centers are slightly soft.
- Let cool on sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to wire racks and sprinkling with crushed candy canes.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: <1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
