With mesmerizing spirals of rich chocolate and refreshing peppermint dough, these delightful “Kiss Me” Chocolate Peppermint Pinwheel Cookies are a truly fun and minty treat. They offer the perfect sweet and fresh ending to any romantic date night at home, ensuring every moment is memorable and sweet.
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From the early days of dating, I always had one non-negotiable rule: my partner had to love food as much as I do. It might sound particular, but for someone whose life revolves around culinary exploration and enjoying every bite, the thought of a picky eater was a genuine deal-breaker. Luckily, fate intervened, and I found my husband – a man who shares my profound appreciation for delicious meals, even if his list of dislikes is slightly longer than mine. Despite our minor differences, we share a significant common love that often takes center stage in our kitchen adventures.
One of our absolute favorite flavor combinations, which we incorporate into almost everything savory, is garlic and onions. There’s hardly a main dish, appetizer, or side that doesn’t benefit from their aromatic presence. Of course, dessert is the notable exception! We’re never deterred by the strong, pungent aroma or the bold taste of garlic and onions; in fact, we embrace it. This shared love for robust flavors forms a unique foundation for many of our at-home date nights, setting the stage for truly memorable meals.
You might be wondering why I’m delving into the culinary world of garlic and onions in a post about sweet, minty cookies. Well, with Valentine’s Day rapidly approaching, the holiday of love brings with it the perfect opportunity to discuss romantic dinners and the delightful dilemma that often follows. Whether you’re celebrating with a long-term partner, enjoying the excitement of a new relationship, or even embarking on a first or second date this Valentine’s, I’ve always been a firm believer that you shouldn’t shy away from flavorful foods for fear of compromising that post-dinner kiss. In fact, some of my most cherished Valentine’s Day dinners proudly feature generous amounts of garlic.
My theory has always been that two garlics cancel each other out. If both my husband and I indulge in a garlicky dinner, there’s no need for concern. But what if you’re craving that rich, savory garlic flavor, and your date isn’t quite as adventurous, or perhaps you want to enjoy a garlic-heavy meal without any lingering after-effects? That’s where these ingenious “Kiss Me Cookies” step in. They’re designed to be the perfect palate cleanser, a charming solution that allows you to savor every bold bite of dinner while ensuring your breath remains delightfully fresh for those romantic moments.
While peppermint is often strongly associated with the festive cheer of Christmas, its invigorating and refreshing qualities make it an equally perfect fit for Valentine’s Day. Imagine this: a beautifully prepared, intimate (and wonderfully garlicky) dinner enjoyed in the comfort of your home. As the meal concludes, you reach for one of these exquisite Chocolate Peppermint Pinwheel Cookies. Not only are they a delicious dessert, but the burst of mint instantly freshens your breath, making it perfectly kissable. A night of great food, sweet cookies, and romantic kisses – truly a match made in heaven, wouldn’t you agree? These cookies don’t just taste good; they facilitate a smoother, sweeter transition from a flavorful meal to cherished close moments.
Beyond their breath-freshening magic, let’s not overlook the simple fact that these cookies are utterly delicious. I am, without a doubt, a lifelong devotee of soft, chewy cookies. While I adore the visual appeal and novelty of pinwheel cookies, I’ve often found that many recipes result in a harder, crisper texture that doesn’t quite hit my sweet spot. That’s precisely why, for this particular pinwheel cookie recipe, I turned to Crisco® shortening. Its unique properties are instrumental in achieving that perfectly soft, tender, and delightfully chewy texture I crave. Unlike butter, shortening has a higher melting point and 100% fat content, which inhibits gluten development, resulting in a more tender crumb. This ensures that each bite of these chocolate peppermint spirals is as comforting as it is flavorful.
To make the baking process even more streamlined and mess-free, I opted for one stick of Crisco® Baking Sticks All-Vegetable Shortening. These convenient sticks eliminate the need for measuring and messy scooping, simplifying prep and cleanup – a true win for any home baker. Furthermore, Crisco® All-Vegetable Shortening proudly boasts zero grams of trans-fat per serving*, making it a conscious choice for those mindful of their dietary intake without compromising on taste or texture. This combination of convenience, superior texture, and health-conscious formulation makes Crisco an invaluable ingredient for these special Valentine’s Day treats.
Achieving those beautifully defined chocolate and peppermint spirals is all about maintaining the right dough temperature. This is perhaps the most crucial tip for working with pinwheel cookies: keep your dough cold, consistently. The delicate balance of ingredients in this recipe, especially with the inclusion of Crisco shortening, ensures a wonderfully pliable dough when chilled. However, as it warms, the dough can quickly become soft, sticky, and frustratingly crumbly, making it challenging to roll, slice, and preserve those distinct patterns. If you’re baking in batches, always return the unused portion of dough to the refrigerator between cookie sheets. Even a slight increase in temperature can make a significant difference in how easily it handles. For best results and the crispest spirals, I highly recommend chilling the rolled dough overnight. This extended refrigeration period allows the flavors to meld and the dough to firm up completely, leading to perfectly structured cookies. If time is of the essence, a minimum of two hours in the refrigerator will still yield good results, but remember: the colder the dough, the smoother your baking process will be, and the more stunning your ‘Kiss Me’ Chocolate Peppermint Pinwheel Cookies will look and taste.
So, this Valentine’s Day, don’t hesitate to indulge in that wonderfully garlicky dinner you’ve been dreaming of. As long as you have a plate of these irresistible Chocolate Peppermint Pinwheel Cookies ready, you’ll be perfectly prepared for a romantic evening filled with delicious food, sweet moments, and fresh, kissable breath. These cookies truly offer the best of both worlds – satisfying your craving for savory flavors and ensuring your dessert course is both delightful and practical for a date night.
For even more baking inspiration and innovative recipe ideas, be sure to visit Crisco.com. You can also explore the vibrant community of #CriscoCreators on social media to discover a wealth of fantastic recipes shared by fellow baking enthusiasts. There’s always something new and exciting to try!
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Chocolate Peppermint Pinwheel Cookies
Deborah Harroun
20 minutes
8 minutes
2 hours 28 minutes
Dessert
Pin Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 stick Crisco® Baking Sticks All-Vegetable Shortening
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 2 eggs
- 2 Tablespoons milk
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 3 cups Pillsbury BEST™ All-Purpose Flour
- 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
- 15 starlight mints (crushed)
- 2 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips (melted)
Instructions
- Combine the Crisco® shortening with the sugar in the bowl of a mixer and cream together until light and fluffy, 3-4 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, scraping down the sides of the bowl in between additions. Beat in the milk. Add the salt and baking powder, followed by the flour. Beat just until the flour is incorporated.
- Divide the dough in half. Stir the peppermint extract and the crushed peppermints into one half. Stir the melted chocolate into the other half.
- Cut 4 pieces of waxed paper into 18×7 inch rectangles. Roll each half of dough between 2 of the pieces of waxed paper. Remove the top piece of waxed paper from each dough, and carefully place the peppermint dough on top of the chocolate dough, dough sides together. Remove the top piece of waxed paper.
- Using the bottom piece of waxed paper as a guide, roll the doughs together, jelly-roll style. Wrap in the waxed paper, then wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, at least 2 hours, preferably overnight.
- Preheat the oven to 375ºF.
- Remove from the refrigerator and remove the plastic wrap and the waxed paper. Cut the dough into 1/3” slices. Place 2 inches apart on greased baking sheets. Bake for 8-10 minutes, just until set. Let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack to cool completely.
Recipe Notes:
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*See nutrition information for fat and saturated fat content.
As an enthusiastic participant in the Crisco® Ambassador Program, I have received compensation for my time and product samples for review purposes. It is important to me that all opinions shared are genuinely my own. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with companies and organizations that I wholeheartedly believe in, and I sincerely thank you for supporting them alongside me.