Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies

Imagine biting into a soft, chewy cookie with rich chocolate chips and a refreshing burst of peppermint flavor. That’s exactly what these Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies deliver—the perfect balance of indulgent chocolate and cool mint in every bite. These festive treats combine the nostalgic comfort of classic chocolate chip cookies with the seasonal delight of peppermint, making them ideal for holiday gatherings or anytime you crave something special. You’ll learn how to create bakery-quality Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies with a perfect texture and flavor balance that will impress everyone who tries them.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies are guaranteed to become a favorite in your recipe collection for several compelling reasons. First, the contrast between the rich, melty chocolate chips and the cool, refreshing peppermint creates an irresistible flavor profile that dances on your palate. The cookies strike the perfect balance between chewy centers and slightly crisp edges, providing that satisfying texture contrast that makes them impossible to eat just one.

What makes this recipe particularly special is its versatility and simplicity. You’ll need just basic pantry ingredients plus peppermint extract and candy, making it accessible even for novice bakers. The dough comes together in minutes, and the heavenly aroma that fills your kitchen as they bake is reason enough to make them. Whether you’re looking for a standout addition to your holiday cookie platter or a unique twist on the classic chocolate chip cookie for any season, these peppermint chocolate mint cookies deliver exceptional results with minimal effort.

Ingredients

For these delicious Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies, you’ll need:

• 2¼ cups (280g) all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (227g) unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup (150g) granulated sugar
• ¾ cup (165g) packed brown sugar
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon peppermint extract (adjust to taste)
• 2 cups (350g) semi-sweet chocolate chips
• ⅔ cup crushed peppermint candies or candy canes (about 15 regular-sized candy canes)

The quality of your peppermint extract makes a significant difference in these chocolate peppermint cookies. Pure peppermint extract rather than artificial flavoring provides a cleaner, more authentic flavor. For the crushed peppermint, you can use either candy canes or round peppermint candies, processing them until you have a mix of fine powder and small chunks for texture contrast.

Pro Tips

Control Your Peppermint Intensity
Start with less peppermint extract than you think you need. Peppermint can quickly overpower other flavors, so begin with ½ teaspoon and taste the dough. You can always add more, but you can’t take it away once incorporated. For a more subtle mint presence, reduce to ¼ teaspoon; for stronger peppermint flavor, you might increase to ¾ teaspoon, but rarely would you need a full teaspoon.

Perfect Candy Incorporation
Add the crushed peppermint candy in two ways for optimal texture and appearance. Mix half into the dough with the chocolate chips, which will create pockets of mint flavor and some will melt slightly during baking. Reserve the other half to sprinkle on top of cookies immediately after removing from the oven. This creates a beautiful appearance and ensures the candy on top stays intact rather than completely melting into the cookies.

Master the Chill Time
Don’t skip chilling the dough for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight. This rest period allows the flour to hydrate fully and the flavors to meld. More importantly, it prevents your Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies from spreading too much during baking. The result is thicker, chewier cookies with better texture and a more concentrated flavor profile. If you’re in a hurry, freezing the dough balls for 15-20 minutes can work as a shortcut.

Instructions

Step 1
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt until well combined. This ensures even distribution of leavening and seasoning throughout your Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies. Set this dry mixture aside while you prepare the wet ingredients.

Step 2
In a large bowl using an electric mixer, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. Don’t rush this step—proper creaming incorporates air into the dough, which helps create the perfect texture. You’ll notice the mixture lighten in color and increase in volume when it’s ready.

Step 3
Add eggs one at a time to the butter-sugar mixture, beating well after each addition until fully incorporated. Then mix in the vanilla extract and peppermint extract. Take a moment to smell the beautiful aroma developing in your chocolate mint cookies dough!

Step 4
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, beating on low speed just until combined. Overmixing at this stage can develop too much gluten, resulting in tough cookies, so mix just until you no longer see streaks of flour.

Step 5
Fold in the chocolate chips and half of the crushed peppermint candy using a rubber spatula. The gentle folding motion preserves the air you’ve incorporated during the creaming process, ensuring tender, chewy cookies.

Step 6
Cover the dough and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight. This chilling step is crucial for developing flavor and ensuring your Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies maintain their shape during baking.

Step 7
When ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper. Roll the chilled dough into 1½-inch balls and place them about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.

Step 8
Bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges are just turning golden but the centers still look slightly underdone. Remember that cookies continue cooking on the hot baking sheet after removal from the oven. Immediately upon removing from the oven, sprinkle the remaining crushed peppermint candy over the tops of the hot cookies, gently pressing larger pieces into the surface.

Variations

Dark Chocolate Peppermint Cookies
For a more sophisticated flavor profile, substitute dark chocolate chips or chunks for the semi-sweet chocolate. The deeper, less sweet chocolate perfectly complements the bright peppermint flavor, creating a more balanced Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookie. You can also add 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder to the dry ingredients for a darker, more chocolate-forward cookie base.

White Chocolate Peppermint Cookies
Replace the semi-sweet chocolate chips with white chocolate chips for a striking color contrast and a sweeter, creamier flavor profile. The white chocolate’s vanilla notes pair beautifully with peppermint, creating cookies that look particularly festive with the red peppermint candy scattered throughout. These make stunning additions to holiday cookie platters or gifts.

Gluten-Free Peppermint Chocolate Cookies
These peppermint chocolate chip cookies can be easily adapted for gluten-free diets by substituting a high-quality 1:1 gluten-free flour blend for the all-purpose flour. Look for blends containing xanthan gum for the best texture results. The rest of the recipe remains identical, though you may need to slightly adjust the baking time, typically reducing by 1-2 minutes as gluten-free cookies tend to brown more quickly.

Storage and Serving

Store your Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Place parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking and to protect the crushed peppermint topping. For longer storage, these cookies freeze beautifully for up to 3 months. Simply place completely cooled cookies in a freezer-safe container with parchment between layers, or wrap individually in plastic wrap and store in a freezer bag.

For the freshest taste and texture when serving, you can slightly warm refrigerated or frozen cookies in a 300°F oven for 3-5 minutes. This revives that just-baked quality with slightly melted chocolate chips and enhanced peppermint aroma. These chocolate peppermint cookies pair wonderfully with a glass of cold milk, hot chocolate, or a peppermint mocha for an extra festive touch.

For an elegant dessert presentation, sandwich vanilla or peppermint ice cream between two cookies to create holiday ice cream sandwiches. Alternatively, serve alongside a chocolate dipping sauce for an interactive dessert experience that highlights both the chocolate and peppermint flavors.

FAQs

Can I make the cookie dough ahead of time?
Absolutely! The dough for Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies can be made up to 3 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator. You can also freeze the dough balls for up to 3 months. Bake frozen dough balls directly from frozen, adding 1-2 minutes to the baking time.

Why did my peppermint candy melt and spread too much?
If your peppermint candy melted excessively during baking, it was likely crushed too finely or the cookies were baked too long. Try using a coarser crush for the candy mixed into the dough and remember to add the remaining candy immediately after baking.

Can I use peppermint oil instead of extract?
Yes, but with caution. Peppermint oil is significantly more concentrated than extract. Start with just 2-3 drops and adjust to taste. Always use food-grade essential oil labeled for culinary use.

My cookies spread too much. What went wrong?
Excessive spreading usually indicates the dough wasn’t chilled enough, the butter was too soft, or there was too little flour. Ensure your dough is thoroughly chilled and your measurements are accurate for perfect Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies.

Can I use different types of chocolate in this recipe?
Definitely! These cookies work wonderfully with semi-sweet, dark, milk, or white chocolate chips, or even a combination. For an extra-special touch, try using high-quality chopped chocolate bars instead of chips for pockets of melty chocolate throughout.

Conclusion

These Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies are comfort food at its finest — a perfect harmony of familiar chocolate chip cookie goodness elevated by the bright, refreshing kick of peppermint. It’s the kind of treat that bridges generations, appealing to both traditional cookie lovers and those seeking something with a special twist. Whether you’re baking them for holiday gatherings, cookie exchanges, or simply to enjoy with a warm drink on a cold evening, these cookies deliver that perfect balance of nostalgia and novelty. The combination of melty chocolate and cool mint creates an irresistible contrast that will keep everyone reaching for just one more. Master this recipe, and you’ll have a signature baked good that friends and family will request year after year.

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