Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies (Print version)
Cool peppermint and dark chocolate chips folded into chewy, lightly crisp cookies, ready in 25 minutes; makes 24.
# What you'll 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 crushed candy canes, plus extra for garnish (optional)
# Method:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
02 - Whisk together all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside.
03 - In a large bowl, beat softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until mixture is light and fluffy.
04 - Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each. Blend in vanilla extract and peppermint extract until evenly combined.
05 - Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet mixture, stirring until just incorporated without overmixing.
06 - Gently fold in chocolate chips and crushed peppermint candies to distribute evenly throughout the dough.
07 - Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough onto prepared baking sheets, spacing each about 2 inches apart.
08 - Sprinkle extra crushed peppermint over dough balls for garnish, if desired.
09 - Bake for 9 to 11 minutes until edges turn lightly golden while centers remain soft.
10 - Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
# Expert advice:
01 -
- The cool minty aroma and melty chocolate chips make every bite feel like a little celebration.
- You can whip up a batch faster than it takes to wrap a present, and they disappear just as quickly.
02 -
- Once, in my rush to clean up, I grabbed the cookies too soon—their gooey middles collapsed, so patience pays off.
- Crushing the candy canes too fine makes them melt unevenly, leaving sticky puddles instead of pretty flecks.
03 -
- Always bake one test cookie to learn how your oven browns them—it’s the only way to avoid a whole tray of overdone or underdone treats.
- A light sprinkle of extra crushed peppermint before baking gives the prettiest cookies guests remember.