Peppermint Bark Cookies Recipe

Introduction

Peppermint Bark Cookies bring together the rich taste of chocolate and the festive crunch of peppermint for a delightful holiday treat. These cookies are easy to make and perfect for sharing with family and friends during the season.

A white plate holds a pile of round cookies, each cookie having a light golden brown base with visible chunks of dark brown chocolate and small pieces of red and white candy dispersed throughout. The cookies have a slightly soft texture with edges that look a little crisp. The plate is on a white marbled texture surface, and blurred out soft lights are visible in the background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup chocolate chips
  • 1/2 cup crushed peppermint candies

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
  2. Step 2: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until smooth.
  3. Step 3: Beat in the eggs and vanilla extract until well combined.
  4. Step 4: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
  5. Step 5: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined.
  6. Step 6: Fold in the chocolate chips and crushed peppermint candies evenly into the dough.
  7. Step 7: Drop spoonfuls of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them a few inches apart.
  8. Step 8: Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown.
  9. Step 9: Remove from oven and allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Tips & Variations

  • For a stronger peppermint flavor, add a few drops of peppermint extract to the dough along with the vanilla.
  • Use white chocolate chips instead of regular chocolate chips for a sweeter twist.
  • Crush candy canes finely to avoid large sharp pieces in the cookies.
  • Try adding chopped nuts like almonds or pecans for extra texture.

Storage

Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. You can also freeze them for up to 3 months; just thaw at room temperature before serving. To refresh slightly, warm them in a low oven for a few minutes.

How to Serve

A white plate filled with a single layer of round cookies, each cookie light golden brown with a soft texture and studded with dark brown chocolate chips and small bits of red and white peppermint candy pieces spread evenly throughout. The cookies have slight cracks on the surface, giving them a fresh-baked look. The plate sits on a white marbled texture with soft white lights blurred in the background, creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use different types of chocolate in these cookies?

Yes, you can substitute semi-sweet, milk, or white chocolate chips according to your preference. Mixing different types can add interesting flavors.

How can I prevent the peppermint candies from making the cookies too hard?

Crush the peppermint candies finely to distribute evenly without large hard chunks. Adding them towards the end of mixing helps keep their texture lighter.

Print

Peppermint Bark Cookies Recipe

Peppermint Bark Cookies are a delightful holiday treat that perfectly combine rich chocolate and the festive crunch of peppermint candies. These cookies feature a buttery dough studded with chocolate chips and crushed peppermint, creating a deliciously sweet and minty flavor that’s perfect for the holiday season. Easy to make and guaranteed to impress, these cookies are a wonderful addition to any festive cookie platter.

  • Author: Jeannette
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
  • Total Time: 25-30 minutes
  • Yield: About 30 cookies 1x
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Dough

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Add-ins

  • 1 cup chocolate chips
  • 1/2 cup crushed peppermint candies

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
  2. Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and packed brown sugar until the mixture is smooth and fluffy, which creates a light texture for the cookies.
  3. Mix in Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract, ensuring everything is well incorporated for consistent flavor and binding.
  4. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt, evenly distributing the leavening agent and seasoning in the flour.
  5. Mix Dry into Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet butter mixture, mixing gently until just combined to avoid overworking the dough, which can toughen the cookies.
  6. Add Chocolate Chips and Peppermint: Fold in the chocolate chips and crushed peppermint candies evenly throughout the dough to ensure every bite has the signature chocolate and peppermint flavors.
  7. Form Cookies on Sheet: Drop spoonfuls of cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spaced apart to allow for spreading during baking.
  8. Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until the cookie edges turn golden brown, indicating they are perfectly baked.
  9. Cool and Serve: Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy your peppermint bark cookies once fully cooled!

Notes

  • You can substitute crushed candy canes or other peppermint candies depending on what you have available.
  • Ensure butter is softened to room temperature for better creaming and texture.
  • Do not overmix the dough after adding flour to keep cookies tender.
  • Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
  • Freezing the dough is possible; shape into logs and freeze to slice and bake later.

Keywords: peppermint bark cookies, holiday cookies, chocolate peppermint cookies, festive cookies, peppermint candy cookies, chocolate chip cookies

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