Description
Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies are soft, chewy, festive cookies packed with semi-sweet chocolate chips, cool peppermint flavor, and crushed candy canes for a sweet holiday crunch. This easy recipe is perfect for Christmas baking, cookie swaps, dessert ideas, holiday food ideas, quick treats, homemade gifts, and simple family baking when you want a cozy dessert that looks beautiful without extra decorating.
Ingredients
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup crushed peppermint candy canes, divided
1/4 cup extra chocolate chips for topping
Instructions
1. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Beat softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar together until creamy.
3. Mix in the egg, vanilla extract, and peppermint extract until smooth.
4. Whisk flour, baking soda, and salt together in a separate bowl.
5. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix just until combined.
6. Fold in the chocolate chips and most of the crushed peppermint candy.
7. Cover and chill the dough for 45 minutes.
8. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
9. Scoop the dough into rounded balls and place them 2 inches apart on the baking sheets.
10. Bake for 9 to 11 minutes, until the edges are lightly golden and the centers look slightly soft.
11. Press extra chocolate chips and remaining crushed peppermint on top while the cookies are warm.
12. Cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
Notes
Use peppermint extract lightly because it is strong, and too much can overpower the chocolate.
For thicker cookies, do not skip the chill time. Chilled dough spreads less and bakes with softer centers.
Add some crushed peppermint after baking instead of mixing it all into the dough to keep the topping bright and crunchy.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 185
- Sugar: 17g
- Sodium: 95mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Keywords: Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies, Christmas cookies, holiday cookies, easy recipe, dessert ideas, food ideas, cookie swap recipe