There’s something magical about the holiday season, especially when you catch a whiff of freshly baked Christmas peppermint cookies wafting through the air. Picture this: soft, chewy cookies adorned with vibrant red and white sprinkles that sparkle like freshly fallen snow. Each bite offers an explosion of minty goodness, leaving you grinning from ear to ear and craving more.
These delightful treats are perfect for sharing with family and friends or sneaking away for a private moment of bliss. Whether you’re hosting a festive gathering or simply indulging in some holiday cheer, these Christmas peppermint cookies will elevate your celebrations to a whole new level. homemade Samoas cookies no-bake carrot cake bites delightful cherry cheesecake fluff. For more inspiration, check out this Irresistible Lemon Cheesecake Squares recipe.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- These Christmas peppermint cookies are incredibly easy to make, ensuring even novice bakers can impress their guests
- The refreshing mint flavor paired with rich chocolate makes every bite unforgettable
- With their festive colors, they add a cheerful touch to any dessert table
- Perfect for gifting or enjoying with a cup of hot cocoa by the fire
One memorable holiday season, I decided to bake these cookies for my friends’ annual cookie swap. The joy on their faces as they took that first bite was priceless, making the effort absolutely worth it.
Essential Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious dish:
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All-Purpose Flour: This forms the base of your cookie dough; sift it for a light texture and easy mixing.
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Granulated Sugar: Sweetness is key; using fine sugar helps create that delightful crunch on the outside.
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Brown Sugar: Adds moisture and a rich depth of flavor, balancing out the overall sweetness.
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Butter: Use unsalted butter at room temperature for easy creaming with sugars; it ensures perfect texture.
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Eggs: They bind everything together; always use large eggs for consistent results.
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Baking Powder: This leavening agent gives your cookies that perfect rise and chewiness. For more inspiration, check out this Delightful Lemon Lavender Cookies recipe.
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Peppermint Extract: A few drops add that signature wintery flavor—don’t overdo it unless you want to feel like you’ve bitten into a candy cane!
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Chocolate Chips: Semi-sweet chips create a lovely contrast with peppermint; feel free to mix in white chocolate for extra festivity!
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Candy Canes: Crushed candy canes provide festive crunch and beautiful decoration on top of your cookies.
The full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.
Let’s Make it Together
Preheat Your Oven : Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures your cookies bake evenly and come out perfectly golden brown.
Cream Butter and Sugars : In a large bowl, cream together softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy—this usually takes about 3-4 minutes.
Add Eggs and Extracts : Beat in one egg at a time until fully incorporated. Then add peppermint extract; this is where the magic begins!
Mix Dry Ingredients : In another bowl, whisk together flour and baking powder. Gradually add this mixture to your wet ingredients until just combined—don’t overmix!
Add Chocolate Chips : Fold in chocolate chips gently, making sure they’re evenly distributed throughout the dough—it’s all about balance here!
Scoop and Bake : Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto ungreased baking sheets, leaving space between each cookie. Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are lightly golden.
Now that you’ve created these Christmas peppermint cookies, allow them to cool slightly before sprinkling crushed candy canes on top. Enjoy them warm or store them in an airtight container if you’re feeling generous (which I highly doubt!). Sharing is caring but so is self-indulgence!
You Must Know
- Christmas Peppermint Cookies are not just festive; they also deliver a delightful crunch and a minty explosion
- The smell of baking cookies fills the house with warmth and joy, making it perfect for holiday gatherings
- Remember, these cookies are best enjoyed fresh and crisp!
Perfecting the Cooking Process
To achieve the ultimate Christmas Peppermint Cookies, mix your dry ingredients first, then cream the butter and sugar before gradually adding in the dry mix for even blending.
Add Your Touch
Feel free to swap out peppermint extract for vanilla or add chocolate chips for extra deliciousness. You can even sprinkle some crushed candy canes on top for that festive touch.
Storing & Reheating
Store your Christmas Peppermint Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. If you want them warm again, pop them in a 300°F oven for about 5 minutes.
Chef's Helpful Tips
- To ensure your Christmas Peppermint Cookies come out perfectly every time, avoid overmixing the dough
- Letting the dough chill can enhance flavor and texture
- Always check your cookies a minute or two early to prevent overbaking
Sharing this recipe brings back memories of my grandma’s kitchen, where her peppermint cookies were always the highlight of our family gatherings, often disappearing faster than Santa on Christmas Eve! healthy key lime yogurt bark.
FAQ
Can I use different extracts for my cookies?
Yes, vanilla or almond extracts can be used instead of peppermint.
How do I make my cookies softer?
Adding an extra tablespoon of butter will create softer Christmas Peppermint Cookies.
Can these cookies be frozen?
Absolutely! You can freeze cookie dough or baked cookies for future enjoyment.
Christmas Peppermint Cookies
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 24 cookies 1x
Description
Indulge in the magic of the holiday season with these delightful Christmas Peppermint Cookies. Soft and chewy, each cookie is a festive treat decorated with vibrant red and white sprinkles, delivering an explosion of refreshing mint and rich chocolate in every bite. Perfect for sharing at holiday gatherings or enjoying by the fire with a cup of hot cocoa, these cookies will elevate your celebrations. Easy to make, they are sure to impress both novice bakers and seasoned pros alike!
Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp peppermint extract
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup crushed candy canes
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy (about 3-4 minutes).
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, then mix in the peppermint extract.
- In another bowl, whisk together the flour and baking powder; gradually add this mixture to the wet ingredients until just combined.
- Gently fold in the chocolate chips.
- Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto ungreased baking sheets, leaving space between cookies.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are lightly golden. Allow to cool slightly before sprinkling crushed candy canes on top.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie (30g)
- Calories: 140
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 70mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: <1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
