These Peppermint Chocolate Crunch Cookies are a fun treat! With a rich chocolate base and a sprinkle of refreshing peppermint, they’re perfect for holiday snacking!
Tell me, who can resist that sweet and minty combo? It’s like a party for your taste buds! 🎉 I always love sharing these cookies with friends and family—they disappear fast!
Making these cookies is super easy! Just mix, scoop, and bake. Don’t forget to save a few for yourself! Trust me, they’ll become a favorite every holiday season!
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Butter: Unsalted butter is best since it allows you to control the saltiness of your cookies. If you’re looking for a dairy-free option, try using coconut oil or a vegan butter substitute.
Sugars: Granulated and brown sugar work together to create a chewy texture. If you’re watching sugar intake, consider using coconut sugar or a sugar substitute like Stevia, though this can affect the texture.
Cocoa Powder: Unsweetened cocoa powder gives the cookies their rich chocolate flavor. Dark cocoa powder can be a fabulous substitute if you want a deeper color and flavor.
Peppermint Candies: Crushed peppermint adds a festive crunch. If peppermint isn’t your thing, you could use crushed nuts, toffee bits, or even chocolate-covered mints instead.
White Chocolate Chips: These are optional but add a nice contrast. You could replace them with dark chocolate chips or skip this step altogether if you prefer fewer ingredients.
How Do You Ensure Your Cookies Are Perfectly Baked?
The key to getting your cookies just right lies in timing and temperature. You want the edges to set, while the middle remains soft. Here’s how to achieve that balance:
- Preheat your oven properly to 350°F (175°C). This ensures even baking.
- Watch the baking time closely. Start checking at 10 minutes; they might need an additional minute or two.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. This helps them firm up before transferring them.
Peppermint Chocolate Crunch Cookies
Peppermint and chocolate are the ultimate holiday duo. The combination of chewy chocolate cookies with crunchy peppermint pieces and a swirl of white chocolate drizzle gives these cookies an irresistible festive flair.
- Prep Time: 15-20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
- Total Time: 26 minute
- Yield: 24–30 cookies 1x
- Category: Christmas Cookies
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup crushed peppermint candies (or crushed candy canes)
- ½ cup white chocolate chips (optional for drizzle)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- In another bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Whisk together to ensure even distribution of dry ingredients.
- Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet mixture, mixing just until combined. Avoid overmixing.
- Fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips and the crushed peppermint candies to the cookie dough.
- Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, drop rounded balls of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes. The edges should look set, but the centers may still look slightly underbaked.
- Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Optional: Melt the white chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second increments until smooth. Drizzle over the cooled cookies for an extra touch of sweetness and decoration. Let it set before serving.
Keywords: Christmas cookie recipe, Chocolate peppermint cookies, Peppermint chocolate chip cookies, Homemade peppermint cookies
