Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies (Printable)
Soft, chewy cookies studded with chocolate and kissed with peppermint—ideal for holiday trays or gifting.
# What You Need:
→ Dry Ingredients
01 - 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 teaspoon baking soda
03 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
→ Wet Ingredients
04 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
05 - 3/4 cup granulated sugar
06 - 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
07 - 2 large eggs
08 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
09 - 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
→ Mix-ins
10 - 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
11 - 1/2 cup crushed peppermint candies or candy canes, plus extra for garnish if desired
# Steps:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
03 - In a large bowl, beat softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and creamy.
04 - Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Blend in vanilla extract and peppermint extract.
05 - Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until combined. Do not overmix.
06 - Gently fold in semi-sweet chocolate chips and crushed peppermint candies.
07 - Portion tablespoon-sized balls of dough onto prepared baking sheets, spacing 2 inches apart.
08 - If desired, sprinkle additional crushed peppermint candy over dough balls for decoration.
09 - Bake for 9 to 11 minutes until edges are lightly golden and centers remain soft.
10 - Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The blend of cool peppermint and gooey chocolate is like a holiday secret you’ll want to keep all year.
- They look impressive with crushed candy, but coming together is almost ridiculously easy, even with kids swirling around your feet.
02 -
- Overbaking loses that soft chewy center—take them out when they seem a little underdone for perfect results.
- Once I tried adding the peppermint candy too early and it melted, so always fold it in at the end for colorful bursts.
03 -
- Mixing dough by hand at the end prevents overworking and keeps cookies tender.
- A dash more peppermint extract is tempting, but trust the teaspoon measurement or it can get toothpaste-y fast.