If you’re seeking the ultimate festive treat, look no further than Double Chocolate Peppermint Cookies You’ll Crave All Season. These luscious cookies blend a double hit of rich cocoa and melty chocolate with a sparkle of cool peppermint, capturing all the joy of the holidays in every bite. Soft yet chewy, studded with chocolate chips and glimmering with crushed candy canes, they’re impossible to resist—perfect for cookie swaps, edible gifts, or quiet evenings by the fire. Trust me, after just one taste, you’ll be hooked!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of these Double Chocolate Peppermint Cookies You’ll Crave All Season lies in a handful of pantry staples and holiday-inspired add-ins. Each ingredient plays a special role by delivering chewiness, vivid chocolate flavor, or the unmistakable zing of peppermint. Simple, but magical together!
- All-Purpose Flour: Measure carefully to keep cookies soft and thick rather than flat.
- Cocoa Powder: Dutch process gives a deep, smooth chocolate background.
- Baking Powder: Ensures each cookie puffs up just enough for that chewy middle.
- Baking Soda: Brings extra tenderness and enhances the cookie texture.
- Salt: Don’t skip it—it balances the sweetness and boosts the chocolate notes.
- Unsalted Butter: Start with it softened for an effortlessly creamy dough.
- Light Brown Sugar: Offers moisture for chewy cookies and subtle molasses flavor.
- Granulated Sugar: Sweetness with a touch of crispness at the edges.
- Egg Yolks: Using just yolks amps up richness and that magical chew.
- Peppermint Extract: A little goes a long way, giving classic holiday spirit!
- Vanilla Bean Paste/Extract: Deepens the flavor, cozying up to the chocolate and peppermint.
- Peppermint Chips: Bits of cool, creamy peppermint in every mouthful.
- Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: Melty pools of chocolate for double decadence.
- Crushed Candy Canes: Optional but festive—adds sparkle and subtle crunch on top.
How to Make Double Chocolate Peppermint Cookies You’ll Crave All Season
Step 1: Prep Your Baking Gear
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C)—because with these beauties, you won’t want to wait a moment longer for deliciousness! Line two baking sheets with parchment paper to ensure easy release and no sticking (plus, cleanup is a breeze).
Step 2: Cream the Butters and Sugars
In a large mixing bowl, cream together your softened unsalted butter, light brown sugar, and granulated sugar for about two minutes. Let them get fully combined and slightly fluffy—the more air you whip in here, the softer your cookies will turn out!
Step 3: Add Egg Yolks and Flavor Boosts
Mix in the egg yolks (skip the whites for maximum chew!), peppermint extract, and vanilla bean paste or extract. Continue to beat until the mixture takes on a pale color and gets super creamy. This step ensures every cookie is rich and full of holiday magic.
Step 4: Dry Ingredients Come Together
In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Now, gently fold the dry mixture into your wet ingredients. Take your time—stop as soon as the last streak of flour disappears to keep your cookies tender, not tough!
Step 5: Embrace the Chocolate and Peppermint Chips
Fold in the peppermint chips and semi-sweet chocolate chips. Be careful not to overmix—you want them distributed throughout, not broken up. This way, you get irresistible bits of chocolate and peppermint in every single bite.
Step 6: Scoop and Bake to Perfection
Scoop the dough into 18 even balls (about 2 tablespoons per cookie), spacing them about 2 inches apart on your prepared sheets. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, watching for edges that are set and centers that still look a bit soft—they’ll finish as they cool.
Step 7: Cool and (Optionally) Decorate
Let the cookies cool on the sheet for 2 minutes so they firm up enough to transfer. Move them to a cooling rack, then sprinkle with crushed candy canes if you like extra crunch and sparkle. Now is the hardest part: waiting for them to finish cooling!
How to Serve Double Chocolate Peppermint Cookies You’ll Crave All Season
Garnishes
A dusting of powdered sugar or an extra shower of crushed candy canes turns these cookies into a winter wonderland on a plate. For an elegant twist, drizzle with a little melted white chocolate—kids and adults alike will swoon over the festive look!
Side Dishes
Milk is the classic pairing (and for good reason!), but you’ll love dipping these cookies into hot cocoa or pairing with a mocha for even more chocolatey goodness. Around the holidays, serve alongside a tray of crisp apple slices, sugared cranberries, or other holiday cookies for a show-stopping dessert board.
Creative Ways to Present
Stack a few Double Chocolate Peppermint Cookies You’ll Crave All Season in clear treat bags tied with ribbon for homemade gifts. Or, set them out on a beautiful platter surrounded by mint sprigs and extra candy cane pieces—overnight guests and partygoers will feel extra special!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Pop any leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, and they’ll stay perfectly soft and fresh for up to 3 days. Slip a slice of bread in with them to keep them extra moist if your kitchen is particularly dry during winter.
Freezing
These Double Chocolate Peppermint Cookies You’ll Crave All Season are wonderful freezer candidates. Simply bake, cool fully, and store in a zip-top bag or airtight container in the freezer for up to 2 weeks. Thaw on the counter for that just-baked taste any time!
Reheating
If you crave warm, gooey cookies, pop one or two in the microwave for 8-10 seconds. The chocolate and peppermint chips will go delightfully melty, making every bite feel freshly baked!
FAQs
Can I use different chocolate chips or add-ins?
Absolutely! Feel free to swap in dark chocolate, white chocolate, or even milk chocolate chips. Chopped chocolate bars, mini marshmallows, or a sprinkle of festive sprinkles can also add a fun twist to the Double Chocolate Peppermint Cookies You’ll Crave All Season.
How do I keep the cookies soft and chewy?
The secret is to underbake them slightly—they should look just set at the edges and soft in the center when you pull them from the oven. Cooling on the baking sheet for a couple of minutes also helps keep them perfectly chewy.
Is it okay to make the cookie dough ahead of time?
Definitely! You can prepare the dough up to 24 hours ahead and store it tightly covered in the fridge. Chilling even improves the flavor and texture, giving you an edge on making Double Chocolate Peppermint Cookies You’ll Crave All Season even more irresistible.
What if I don’t have peppermint chips?
No worries—crushed candy canes mixed into the dough work beautifully, or you can use white chocolate chips and boost the peppermint extract just a touch. The cookies will still shout “holiday cheer!” in every bite.
Can I make these cookies gluten free?
Yes! Simply swap the all-purpose flour for your favorite 1-to-1 gluten-free baking flour blend. The result will be nearly identical: tender, chocolate-forward, and bursting with peppermint freshness.
Final Thoughts
There’s just something magical about sharing a plate of Double Chocolate Peppermint Cookies You’ll Crave All Season—everyone lights up when they taste that blend of deep chocolate and frosty peppermint. I hope you give this recipe a whirl and make it your own signature holiday delight!
PrintDouble Chocolate Peppermint Cookies You’ll Crave All Season Recipe
Indulge in rich Double Chocolate Peppermint Cookies this holiday season, combining chewy chocolate with refreshing peppermint.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 29 minutes
- Yield: 18 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
For the Cookie Dough
- 2 cups All-Purpose Flour
- 3/4 cup Cocoa Powder
- 1 tsp Baking Powder
- 1/2 tsp Baking Soda
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1 cup Unsalted Butter
- 3/4 cup Light Brown Sugar
- 1/2 cup Granulated Sugar
- 2 large Egg Yolks
- 1 tsp Peppermint Extract
- 1 tsp Vanilla Bean Paste/Extract
For the Chocolate Bliss
- 1 cup Peppermint Chips
- 1 cup Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
- 1/2 cup Crushed Candy Canes
Instructions
- Baking Procedure Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Cream softened butter, light brown sugar, and granulated sugar for about 2 minutes.
- Mix in the egg yolks, peppermint extract, and vanilla extract; beat until the mixture turns pale and super fluffy.
- Combine the dry ingredients by gradually mixing in flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Fold in the peppermint chips and semi-sweet chocolate chips gently until just incorporated.
- Scoop the dough into 18 balls and place them 2 inches apart on your prepared baking sheets.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, checking for chewy centers or crispier edges.
- Cool the cookies on the baking sheet for about 2 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack.
Notes
- Optionally, sprinkle crushed candy canes on top for an extra festive touch.
- Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freeze cookies for up to 2 weeks.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
