Jolly Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe for Winter Fun
When the winter chill settles in, nothing warms the heart quite like these irresistible peppermint chocolate chip cookies that blend festive cheer with classic comfort.
Soft, chewy, and bursting with cool mint and rich chocolate notes, these treats promise a delightful twist on the traditional cookie.
The peppermint chocolate chips scattered throughout create little pockets of minty bliss in every single bite.
Crisp edges give way to a tender center that melts effortlessly on your tongue.
Dark chocolate and peppermint dance together in a symphony of seasonal flavors that will make your kitchen smell like pure holiday magic.
Each cookie carries a whisper of peppermint refreshing essence, perfectly balanced with deep chocolate undertones.
Bake a batch and watch as these cookies become the star of your winter dessert lineup, guaranteed to spark joy and create sweet memories.
Quick Recipe Overview
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 4 hours 25 minutes
Calories: 150 kcal
Servings: 22
Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies Ingredient List
For Fat Base:
Butter: Provides rich, creamy flavor and helps create a tender cookie texture; choose unsalted butter for better control of saltiness.
For Sweeteners:
Light Brown Sugar, Granulated Sugar: Deliver deep caramel undertones and sweetness; brown sugar adds moisture and creates chewier cookies.
For Binding:
Egg: Acts as a crucial binding agent that helps hold the cookie structure together; use room temperature egg for better integration.
For Flavor Enhancers:
Vanilla Extract: Boosts overall cookie flavor complexity; opt for pure extract over imitation for more authentic taste.
For Dry Ingredients:
All-Purpose Flour: Creates cookie structure and provides smooth texture; sift to remove potential lumps.
Baking Soda: Helps cookies rise and spread evenly; ensure it's fresh for maximum leavening power.
Fine Sea Salt: Balances sweetness and intensifies other flavors; use fine grain for even distribution.
For Mix-Ins:
Dark Chocolate Chips, Crushed Candy Cane Pieces: Add delightful texture and festive peppermint-chocolate flavor; choose high-quality chocolate for best results.
Tools That Help Bake Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies
Large mixing bowl: Essential for creaming butter and mixing ingredients.
Electric mixer or stand mixer: Perfect for achieving light and fluffy butter mixture.
Measuring cups and spoons: Precise measurements ensure recipe success.
Baking sheet: Lined with parchment paper for easy cookie baking.
Parchment paper: Prevents sticking and helps with easy cleanup.
Wire cooling rack: Allows cookies to cool evenly and crisp up.
Spatula or wooden spoon: Helps fold in chocolate chips and candy cane pieces.
Cookie scoop or tablespoon: Creates uniform cookie sizes for even baking.
How to Make Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies
Festive Holiday Preparation
Butter and Sugar Blend Soft butter meets sweet crystals in a dance of creamy perfection, whipping together until soft and cloud-like.
Moisture Magic Crack open an egg and splash vanilla, folding gently into the buttery mixture with tender care.
Dry Ingredient Symphony Introduce flour, baking soda, and salt to create a delicate foundation, then welcome dark chocolate chips and crushed candy cane fragments.
Chill and Rest Cookie dough transforms into delightful spheres, nestled on parchment and resting in the freezer's cool embrace for several hours.
Oven Transformation Warm the oven to a toasty temperature, then bake the frozen dough balls until edges turn golden but centers remain soft and dreamy.
Final Flourish While cookies are still warm, sprinkle extra chocolate and candy cane pieces for a festive touch, then let them cool completely on a wire rack.
Sweet Preservation Tuck cookies into an airtight home, where they'll stay fresh and delicious for a few days at room temperature.
Customizing Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies
Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend to make these cookies accessible for those with dietary restrictions without compromising delicious texture.
Drizzle melted white chocolate with peppermint extract over cooled cookies for an intensified minty sensation that elevates the original recipe.
Slightly underbake cookies for a softer center or extend baking time by 1-2 minutes for a crispier edge, giving you complete control over your ideal cookie consistency.
Package cooled cookies in festive tins or clear cellophane bags with ribbons, creating a homemade gift that looks professionally crafted and tastes absolutely spectacular.
Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies: Serving Ideas
Holiday Dessert Platter: Create a festive cookie display with a mix of peppermint chocolate chip cookies alongside other seasonal treats like gingerbread men and sugar cookies. Arrange on a decorative wooden board for a stunning presentation.
Cozy Winter Pairing: Serve these cookies with a warm mug of hot cocoa or peppermint mocha. The combination of chocolate and mint will make the perfect comfort treat during chilly evenings.
Ice Cream Sandwich Twist: Transform these cookies into decadent ice cream sandwiches by adding a scoop of peppermint or vanilla ice cream between two cookies. Roll the edges in crushed candy cane pieces for extra festive flair.
Gift-Worthy Packaging: Package the cookies in clear cellophane bags tied with red and white ribbons. Add a small candy cane or festive tag to create a delightful homemade holiday gift for friends and family.
Storing Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies
Flavor-Packed Freezer Strategy: Wrap individual cookie dough balls tightly in plastic wrap or store in zip-lock freezer bags to maintain maximum freshness and prevent freezer burn. Label containers with the date to track storage time.
Cookie Container Wisdom: Select an airtight ceramic or glass container with a secure lid to keep cookies crisp and prevent moisture absorption. Place a small piece of bread inside to help maintain soft texture and prevent crumbling.
Quick Thaw Techniques: Remove frozen cookie dough 15-20 minutes before baking to slightly soften. This allows more even baking and helps maintain the cookie's delicate texture and rich chocolate-peppermint flavor profile.
Temperature Control Magic: Keep cookies away from direct sunlight and heat sources. Store at consistent room temperature between 68-72°F to protect the delicate chocolate chips and prevent candy cane pieces from melting or becoming sticky.
Peppermint chocolate chip cookies blend festive winter flavors with classic cookie comfort. Rich chocolate and cool mint create a delightful treat you will savor and share during holiday celebrations.
Ingredients
Scale
12 tbsps (170 g) unsalted butter, cool room temperature
1 cup (200 g) light brown sugar, packed
¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
1 large egg, room temperature
2 ¼ cups (280 g) all-purpose flour
¾ cup (130 g) chopped dark chocolate bar or chocolate chips, plus more for topping
¼ cup (25 g) crushed candy canes, plus more for topping
2 tsps vanilla extract
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp fine sea salt
Instructions
Cream Mixture: Whip butter, light brown sugar, and granulated sugar using an electric mixer until the blend becomes airy and pale, approximately 3-4 minutes.
Integrate Wet Ingredients: Combine egg and vanilla extract into the creamed mixture, ensuring thorough blending and scraping bowl sides for uniform consistency.
Compose Dough: Gently fold flour, baking soda, and fine sea salt into the wet ingredients. Delicately incorporate dark chocolate chips and crushed candy cane pieces, mixing until just combined.
Prepare and Chill: Form uniform dough balls using a two-tablespoon measure, placing them on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Refrigerate for a minimum of 3-4 hours or overnight to enhance flavor complexity.
Bake Cookies: Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C) with rack positioned in center. Arrange frozen dough balls with adequate spacing to prevent merging during baking.
Perfect Baking: Bake for 9-10 minutes, noting cookies will appear slightly underdone. They will naturally firm while cooling, developing a balanced texture and robust flavor profile.
Finishing Touches: While cookies remain warm, sprinkle additional chocolate chips and candy cane fragments across the surface for visual appeal and textural contrast.
Cool and Store: Transfer cookies to a wire rack, allowing complete cooling and structural stabilization. Store in a sealed container at room temperature for 2-3 days, maintaining optimal freshness.
Notes
Chill for Better Flavor: Freezing the dough for 3-4 hours or overnight enhances the cookie’s taste and helps prevent spreading during baking.
Prevent Overmixing: Gently fold dry ingredients until just combined to maintain a tender, soft cookie texture.
Watch Baking Time Carefully: Remove cookies when slightly underbaked, as they’ll continue to firm up while cooling, ensuring a perfect chewy consistency.
Store Strategically: Keep cookies in a sealed container at room temperature for 2-3 days, and refrigerate unbaked dough for up to a month, but note candy cane pieces may dissolve over time.
Focus: Studying how food affects health, learning about balanced diets, and understanding the nutritional needs of different people.
South African Chefs Academy, Cape Town
Program: Professional Culinary Arts Diploma
Focus: Practical cooking skills, focusing on healthy meal preparation and understanding various cooking methods.
Sophie Martin is the nutrition brain and feel-good foodie at Good Tasting Meals. With a degree in Human Nutrition from Stellenbosch University and chef training from the South African Chefs Academy, Sophie brings balance to the table, literally. She loves creating meals that are easy to make, great to eat, and good for your body too.
Her recipes are made for everyday living, with a little flair and a lot of heart. Sophie’s not here to count calories, she’s here to show you how fresh, simple food can fit into your life, taste amazing, and still be nourishing.
Sophie Martin
Co-Founder & Content Creator
Expertise
Education
Stellenbosch University, South Africa
South African Chefs Academy, Cape Town
Sophie Martin is the nutrition brain and feel-good foodie at Good Tasting Meals. With a degree in Human Nutrition from Stellenbosch University and chef training from the South African Chefs Academy, Sophie brings balance to the table, literally. She loves creating meals that are easy to make, great to eat, and good for your body too.
Her recipes are made for everyday living, with a little flair and a lot of heart. Sophie’s not here to count calories, she’s here to show you how fresh, simple food can fit into your life, taste amazing, and still be nourishing.