Indulge in the ultimate festive treat with these irresistible **Chocolate Peppermint Cookies**! Each soft, rich chocolate cookie cradles a delightful peppermint patty surprise, creating an explosion of classic holiday flavors. Drizzled generously with smooth white chocolate and adorned with sparkling crushed candy canes, these cookies are not just a dessert, but a celebration dressed up for the most wonderful time of the year. If you’re a devoted peppermint lover, prepare to discover your new favorite Christmas cookie!
PIN IT FOR LATER!
The holiday season is synonymous with baking, and there’s nothing quite like the aroma of freshly baked cookies filling your home. While classic sugar cookies and gingerbread men always have a place on our festive platters, sometimes a unique twist can elevate the experience. For those who adore the refreshing kick of peppermint paired with the decadent richness of chocolate, these **Stuffed Chocolate Peppermint Cookies** are a dream come true. They offer a delightful textural contrast and a hidden burst of cool, minty flavor in every bite.
If you’re eager to expand your Christmas cookie repertoire, you might also enjoy these Ginger Cookies, these invigorating Peppermint Snickerdoodles, or these bright and tangy Cranberry Orange Cookies. Each recipe promises to add a touch of magic to your holiday baking.
The Irresistible Allure of Stuffed Treats
There’s a certain undeniable magic that happens when you stuff something delicious inside another delicious thing. Whether it’s savory or sweet, the element of surprise and the promise of an extra layer of flavor always make a dish more exciting. Think about it: stuffed crust pizza, savory stuffed pasta shells, elegant stuffed mushrooms, or even a juicy cheese-stuffed burger. The moment you hear “stuffed,” your interest is immediately piqued, suggesting an elevated experience that goes beyond the ordinary.
Cookies, of course, are no exception to this rule of culinary enchantment. While a simple chocolate cookie is wonderful on its own, imagine the delight of biting into one and discovering a creamy, refreshing peppermint patty nestled within its soft, chewy interior. This unexpected center transforms a classic cookie into a truly memorable dessert, perfect for special occasions or simply treating yourself to something extraordinary.
These **Chocolate Peppermint Cookies** truly embody the spirit of festive indulgence. Not only are they generously stuffed with a gooey peppermint patty, but their exterior is also beautifully decorated. A delicate drizzle of melted white chocolate provides a stunning contrast against the deep chocolate, while a sprinkling of vibrant crushed candy canes adds a festive crunch and an extra touch of minty flavor. This combination makes them visually appealing and undeniably delicious, solidifying their spot as a perfect holiday cookie for gifting, sharing, or enjoying by the fireplace.
Why You’ll Adore These Chocolate Peppermint Cookies
What makes these **Chocolate Peppermint Cookies** stand out from the crowd of holiday treats? It’s a combination of exquisite flavors, delightful textures, and festive presentation that makes them truly special. Here’s why they are destined to become a staple in your annual holiday baking traditions:
- **A Symphony of Flavors:** The rich, deep notes of chocolate perfectly complement the cool, invigorating burst of peppermint. This classic pairing is a holiday favorite for a reason, offering a sophisticated yet comforting taste experience.
- **The Ultimate Surprise:** Each cookie holds a secret – a molten peppermint patty waiting to be discovered. This hidden center adds an exciting element that makes every bite an adventure, distinguishing these cookies from traditional flat ones.
- **Perfectly Festive Aesthetics:** Drizzled with bright white chocolate and sprinkled with crushed red and white candy canes, these cookies look as festive as they taste. They’re a beautiful addition to any holiday dessert spread, cookie exchange, or gift basket.
- **Soft and Chewy Texture:** The cookie dough bakes up incredibly soft and chewy, providing the ideal contrast to the creamy peppermint patty inside and the slight crunch of the candy canes on top.
- **Ideal for Gifting:** Their stunning appearance and irresistible flavor make them an excellent choice for homemade holiday gifts. Package them in decorative tins or bags for friends, family, or neighbors, and spread some delicious cheer.
- **A Joy to Bake:** While they involve a stuffing step, the process is straightforward and rewarding. The active involvement in creating these beauties adds to the satisfaction of sharing them.
- **Crowd-Pleaser:** Both kids and adults will be enchanted by these cookies. They appeal to a wide range of palates and are sure to disappear quickly at any gathering.
These cookies aren’t just a dessert; they’re an experience that captures the essence of holiday indulgence. Get ready to bake a batch and witness the smiles they bring!
Gather Your Ingredients for Chocolate Peppermint Perfection
To create these magical **Chocolate Peppermint Cookies**, you’ll need a selection of pantry staples and a few special additions that bring the holiday cheer. Ensuring you have all your ingredients measured and ready before you begin will make the baking process smooth and enjoyable.
- **All-Purpose Flour:** The foundational structure of our cookie, providing body and texture.
- **Unsweetened Cocoa Powder:** This is where the rich, deep chocolate flavor comes from. Opt for a good quality cocoa for the best results.
- **Granulated Sugar & Brown Sugar:** A combination of both sugars creates the perfect balance of sweetness and moisture. Granulated sugar contributes to crisp edges, while brown sugar adds chewiness and a subtle molasses note.
- **Salt:** Essential for balancing the sweetness and enhancing all the other flavors in the cookie.
- **Baking Soda:** Our leavening agent, helping the cookies rise slightly and achieve that desirable soft texture.
- **Unsalted Butter:** Softened butter is key for proper creaming and provides richness and tenderness. Using unsalted allows you to control the total salt content.
- **Egg:** Binds the ingredients together, adds moisture, and contributes to the cookie’s structure.
- **Miniature Peppermint Patties:** The star of the show! These provide the gooey, refreshing peppermint surprise in the center. Make sure they are unwrapped and, ideally, frozen for easier handling during the stuffing process.
- **White Chocolate:** For drizzling. This adds a beautiful visual contrast and an extra layer of sweetness that pairs wonderfully with the mint. You can use white chocolate chips or a chopped bar.
- **Crushed Candy Canes:** The final festive flourish! These add a pop of color, a delightful crunch, and an intensified peppermint flavor to the cookies.
Crafting Your Delicious Chocolate Peppermint Cookies: A Step-by-Step Guide
Creating these delightful **Chocolate Peppermint Cookies** is a fun and rewarding process. While it involves a little extra care with the stuffing, the result is well worth the effort. Follow these detailed steps to ensure perfectly baked, wonderfully stuffed cookies every time.
Part 1: Preparing the Chocolate Cookie Dough
You’ll begin by preparing the rich, chocolatey dough that will encase our peppermint surprise. Accuracy in this stage ensures the best texture for your cookies.
- **Combine Dry Ingredients:** In the bowl of your stand mixer (or a large mixing bowl if using a hand mixer), combine the all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, granulated sugar, light brown sugar, salt, and baking soda. Whisk them together briefly to ensure they are well combined and there are no lumps of cocoa powder.
- **Incorporate Butter:** Add the softened unsalted butter to the dry ingredients. Beat on low speed until the butter is mostly incorporated and the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. This helps distribute the butter evenly.
- **Add the Egg:** Crack in the egg and continue beating until the dough comes together. The resulting dough will be fairly soft and slightly sticky, which is exactly what we want for a tender cookie.
- **Chill the Dough:** Turn the soft dough onto a large sheet of plastic wrap. Wrap it tightly, pressing it into a disk shape, and refrigerate it for at least one hour, or ideally longer (up to 2-3 hours). Chilling is crucial as it firms up the dough, making it much easier to handle and preventing the cookies from spreading too much during baking.
Part 2: Stuffing and Baking the Cookies
This is where the magic happens – enclosing the peppermint patties within the chocolate dough. Patience and quick hands are your allies here.
- **Preheat and Prep:** While the dough is chilling, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. This prevents sticking and ensures even baking.
- **Portion the Dough:** Remove the chilled dough from the refrigerator. Divide the dough into two equal halves. Place one half back in the refrigerator to keep it cold while you work with the first half. Cut the working half of the dough into 12 equal pieces. Repeat with the second half of the dough later, totaling 24 pieces.
- **Stuffing the Patties (The Key Step):** Working with one piece of dough at a time, divide that piece in half. Flatten each half into a round, thin disc, making sure it’s just slightly larger than your miniature peppermint patties.
- **Assemble the Cookie:** Place one frozen peppermint patty on top of one flattened dough disc. Carefully cover it with the second dough disc. Gently but firmly pinch the edges of the dough all around the peppermint patty, ensuring it is completely sealed. It’s vital to make the dough as even as possible around the peppermint patty to prevent any melting candy from oozing out during baking. If the dough becomes too sticky, return it to the refrigerator for a few minutes. A bench scraper can be very helpful for lifting and handling the flattened dough discs.
- **Arrange on Baking Sheet:** Place the assembled cookie on your prepared baking sheet. Leave about 2 inches between each cookie to allow for slight spreading. Continue this process with the remaining dough and peppermint patties.
- **Bake to Perfection:** Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for approximately 15 minutes, or until they are set and firm to the touch. If you’re baking two sheets at once, rotate them halfway through to ensure even baking. Overbaking can lead to dry cookies, so keep an eye on them.
- **Cool Completely:** Once baked, remove the baking sheets from the oven and let the cookies cool completely on the sheets. This is important to allow the cookies to fully set and the peppermint patties to firm up slightly.
Part 3: The Festive Finishing Touches
The final steps transform your delicious cookies into holiday masterpieces.
- **Melt the White Chocolate:** While the cookies cool, gently melt the white chocolate. You can do this in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring well after each, until it’s almost melted, then stir until completely smooth. Alternatively, use a double boiler for a more controlled melt.
- **Drizzle and Decorate:** Once the cookies are completely cool, use a large spoon or a fork to generously drizzle the melted white chocolate over the tops of each cookie. Immediately after drizzling, sprinkle a bit of the crushed candy canes over the wet white chocolate. This ensures the candy canes adhere properly.
- **Set the Chocolate:** Allow the cookies to sit undisturbed until the white chocolate has completely set. You can speed this up by placing them in the refrigerator for a few minutes if desired.
Now, your beautifully crafted **Chocolate Peppermint Cookies** are ready to be enjoyed! Prepare for smiles and delighted gasps as everyone discovers the hidden peppermint surprise.
Expert Tips for Perfect Chocolate Peppermint Cookies
While these **Chocolate Peppermint Cookies** might seem a little intricate due to the stuffing process, with a few key tips, you’ll find them surprisingly manageable and incredibly rewarding. Mastering these techniques will ensure your cookies turn out perfectly every time, with no melted peppermint disasters!
- **Maintain Dough Chill:** The temperature of your cookie dough is paramount. You want it cold enough to be firm and easy to handle without melting quickly in your hands, but not so cold that it becomes stiff and difficult to flatten. An ideal chill time is typically 1-2 hours. If at any point the dough starts to get too sticky or soft while you’re working with it, don’t hesitate to pop it back into the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes to firm up again. A great strategy is to work with only half of the dough at a time, keeping the other half chilled.
- **Freeze Your Peppermint Patties:** This is a game-changer! Freezing the miniature peppermint patties beforehand (for at least 30 minutes) helps them maintain their shape and prevents them from melting into a complete puddle inside the cookie during baking. They will still become deliciously gooey, but they’ll be contained within the cookie’s structure.
- **Utilize a Bench Scraper:** A bench scraper, typically a rectangular tool with a metal blade, is an invaluable asset for this recipe. It’s not just for cleaning your counter; it’s perfect for gently lifting the flattened cookie dough discs without distorting their shape or sticking to your hands.
- **Flattening Dough on a Surface:** Instead of trying to flatten the dough solely in your hands, which can warm it up too quickly, use a cool surface like a plastic cutting board or parchment paper. Use the heel of your hand or the flat side of a glass to gently press the dough into thin, round discs. Then, use your bench scraper to carefully lift the dough from the surface.
- **Ensure a Complete Seal:** The most crucial step when stuffing is to fully and meticulously enclose the peppermint patty within the chocolate dough. Double-check all seams and edges to ensure there are no tiny holes or gaps. If the peppermint patty is exposed, the melting candy will ooze out during baking, potentially creating a sticky mess and altering the cookie’s appearance. Take your time to pinch and seal thoroughly.
- **Proper Storage:** Once cooled and the white chocolate has set, store your **Chocolate Peppermint Cookies** in an airtight container at room temperature. They will remain wonderfully fresh and delicious for several days, making them perfect for preparing ahead of time for holiday gatherings.
- **Don’t Overbake:** These cookies are meant to be soft and chewy. Bake them just until the edges are set and the tops look firm. They will continue to cook slightly from residual heat on the baking sheet after being removed from the oven.
- **Evenly Crushed Candy Canes:** For the topping, aim for finely crushed candy canes so they adhere well and provide a pleasant texture without being too chunky. A food processor or a ziplock bag and a rolling pin work wonders.
Serving Suggestions for Your Festive Cookies
These **Chocolate Peppermint Cookies** are delightful on their own, but here are some ideas to make them even more special:
- Serve them warm with a glass of cold milk or a mug of hot cocoa.
- Include them on a holiday dessert platter alongside other festive treats.
- Crush an extra candy cane and sprinkle it over a scoop of vanilla ice cream with a warm cookie on the side.
- Present them in clear cellophane bags tied with festive ribbons as edible gifts.
More Peppermint Recipes That Are Perfect for the Holidays
If your love for peppermint extends beyond these stuffed cookies, you’re in luck! The holiday season is the perfect time to explore a myriad of minty treats. Here are some other fantastic peppermint recipes that will bring that signature cool, refreshing flavor to your festive celebrations:
- Red Velvet Peppermint Gooey Butter Cookies: A beautiful red and white cookie with a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture and a hint of mint.
- Peppermint and Cookie Popcorn: A fun, crunchy snack that combines the sweetness of popcorn with crushed cookies and a cool peppermint coating.
- Peppermint Sugar Cookies: A classic holiday cookie with a festive peppermint twist, perfect for cutting out and decorating.
- Baked Peppermint Donuts: A lighter alternative to fried donuts, infused with peppermint and often topped with a sweet glaze and sprinkles.
- Candy Cane Kiss Stuffed Pudding Cookies: Another delightful stuffed cookie featuring a hidden candy cane kiss for a melty, minty surprise.
Essential Tools for Baking These Christmas Cookies
Having the right tools can make all the difference in your baking experience, especially when creating something as special as these **Chocolate Peppermint Cookies**. Here are some helpful gadgets that will streamline the process and ensure excellent results:
- **Bench Scraper:** As mentioned earlier, a bench scraper is incredibly useful. This simple, rectangular tool (often metal) is perfect for cleanly lifting dough from your work surface after flattening it, preventing sticking and maintaining shape. It’s a versatile utensil you’ll find yourself using for many other baking tasks as well!
- **Parchment Paper or Silicone Baking Mats:** For most cookie recipes, I strongly recommend using parchment paper or a silicone baking mat (Silpat liner) instead of simply greasing your baking sheets. These liners provide a non-stick surface, ensuring your cookies don’t stick and preventing them from becoming greasy on the bottom. They also promote more even baking.
- **Meat Tenderizer (or Rolling Pin) for Crushing Candy Canes:** To achieve perfectly crushed candy canes for your festive topping, I find a sturdy method works best. Place your candy canes in a heavy-duty plastic ziplock bag, lay it on a cutting board, and then use the flat side of a meat tenderizer to break them into pieces. A rolling pin can also be used, but the solid weight of a meat tenderizer often crushes them with fewer, firmer hits, making the process quick and efficient.
- **Stand Mixer (or Hand Mixer):** While not strictly essential, a stand mixer makes mixing the cookie dough significantly easier and ensures all ingredients are thoroughly combined without overworking. A good quality hand mixer works just as well.
- **Measuring Cups and Spoons:** Accurate measurements are crucial in baking, so a reliable set of measuring cups and spoons is a must.
- **Mixing Bowls:** Various sizes of mixing bowls will be helpful for combining dry ingredients and wet ingredients separately before bringing them together.
By having these tools at your disposal, you’ll be well-equipped to create these stunning **Chocolate Peppermint Cookies** and enjoy a smooth, efficient baking process.
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Chocolate Peppermint Cookies
Deborah Harroun
30
15
2
30
24
cookies
Dessert
American
Pin
These Chocolate Peppermint Cookies are for the peppermint lover! A peppermint patty hides inside a soft chocolate cookie. Drizzled with white chocolate and crushed candy, this cookie is dressed up for the holidays!
Ingredients
-
1 1/2
cups
all-purpose flour -
1/2
cup
unsweetened cocoa powder -
1/2
cup
granulated sugar -
1/4
cup
light brown sugar -
1
teaspoon
salt -
1/2
teaspoon
baking soda -
3/4
cup
(6 oz) unsalted butter, softened -
1
egg -
24
miniature (about 1 1/2 inch) peppermint patties
unwrapped and frozen -
3
oz
white chocolate
chopped - Crushed candy canes
Instructions
- Combine the flour, cocoa powder, granulated sugar, brown sugar, salt, and baking soda in the bowl of a stand mixer. Add the butter and beat until combined. Beat in the egg.
- Lay out a large sheet of plastic wrap. Turn the dough out onto the plastic wrap. Wrap and refrigerate until firm, at least 1 hour, but preferably longer.
- Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper or a silpat liner.
- Remove the dough from the refrigerator and divide the dough in half. Place one half back in the refrigerator until needed. Cut the remaining half of the dough into 12 equal pieces.
- Working with one of the pieces at a time – cut the piece in half. Flatten each half into a thin, circle disc, just larger than the peppermint patties. If needed, use a bench scraper to handle the pieces. Place a peppermint patty on one of the circle pieces, then place the second piece of dough on top. Working quickly (as the dough will get sticky the longer you hold it) press the edges together, making sure to fully enclose the peppermint patty in the center of the cookie dough. Place the cookie on the prepared baking sheet.
- Continue with the rest of the dough, removing the second half of the dough from the refrigerator when needed. (If the dough gets too soft, return it to the refrigerator to firm back up.) Place the cookies 2 inches apart on the baking sheet.
- Bake in the preheated oven just until firm to the touch, about 15 minutes. If baking two sheets at the same time, rotate the sheets halfway through. Remove the baking sheets from the oven and allow to cool completely.
- Melt the chocolate at 50% in the microwave until almost melted, then stir until completely melted. (Alternately, you can melt the chocolate in a double boiler.) Use a large spoon or a fork to drizzle the chocolate over the cookies. Sprinkle with some of the crushed candy cane. Let the cookies sit until the chocolate is set up completely.
Recipe Notes:
Adapted from Every Day with Rachael Ray December 2011
Nutrition information provided as an estimate only. Various brands and products can change the counts. Any nutritional information should only be used as a general guideline.
Nutrition Information
Serving:
1
cookie
,
Calories:
141
kcal
(7%)
,
Carbohydrates:
18
g
(6%)
,
Protein:
1
g
(2%)
,
Fat:
7
g
(11%)
,
Saturated Fat:
5
g
(31%)
,
Polyunsaturated Fat:
2
g
,
Trans Fat:
0
g
,
Cholesterol:
23
mg
(8%)
,
Sodium:
131
mg
(6%)
,
Fiber:
1
g
(4%)
,
Sugar:
11
g
(12%)
chocolate peppermint cookies