Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies (Printable version)
Soft-centered chocolate chip cookies with cool peppermint and crushed candy cane, ideal for holiday treats and gifting.
# List of ingredients:
→ 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 (optional)
# Directions:
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, beating well after each addition. Mix in vanilla extract and peppermint extract.
05 - Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet mixture, blending until just combined.
06 - Gently fold in semi-sweet chocolate chips and crushed peppermint candies.
07 - Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough onto prepared baking sheets, spacing roughly 2 inches apart. Optionally, sprinkle additional crushed peppermint on top for decoration.
08 - Bake 9 to 11 minutes, until edges are lightly golden and centers remain soft.
09 - Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The combination of peppermint and chocolate makes every bite feel like a celebration, even on ordinary days.
- They’re quick to whip up, irresistibly soft, and guaranteed to vanish faster than you expect.
02 -
- Rushing the creaming step or using cold butter leaves you with dense, uneven cookies—I learned the hard way in my early baking days.
- Crushing candies too finely just melts them away; leaving some bigger gives the cookies those little bursts of flavor and color.
03 -
- If your crushed candies seem sticky, dust them with a bit of flour before folding into the dough—it helps them distribute evenly.
- Gently pressing the dough balls before baking makes the cookies spread just the right amount for chewy centers and crisp edges.