‘Tis the season to indulge in the delightful harmony of chocolate and peppermint with these festive Chocolate Peppermint Cookies.
With a perfect balance of rich cocoa, cool peppermint, and a touch of sweetness, these cookies are a holiday treat that will delight your taste buds and spread cheer to all who enjoy them.
Ingredients:
For the Cookie Dough:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
For the Peppermint Chocolate Coating:
- 8 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
- Crushed candy canes or peppermint candies, for topping
Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Make the Cookie Dough:
In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until well combined.
3. Sift Dry Ingredients:
In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.
4. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms.
5. Shape the Cookies:
Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into balls.
Place the balls on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
6. Bake the Cookies:
Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are set.
The centers may seem slightly soft, but they will firm up as the cookies cool.
7. Cool the Cookies:
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
8. Prepare the Peppermint Chocolate Coating:
In a heatproof bowl, melt the semisweet chocolate in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring until smooth. Stir in the peppermint extract.
9. Dip and Coat:
Dip each cookie halfway into the peppermint chocolate coating, allowing any excess to drip off.
Place the dipped cookies back on the parchment paper.
10. Sprinkle with Peppermint:
Immediately sprinkle crushed candy canes or peppermint candies over the chocolate-coated portion of each cookie while the chocolate is still wet.
11. Let the Coating Set:
Allow the chocolate coating to set completely.
You can speed up the process by placing the cookies in the refrigerator for about 15-20 minutes.
12. Serve and Enjoy:
Once the chocolate coating has hardened, serve these festive Chocolate Peppermint Cookies and enjoy the delightful combination of flavors.
Tips:
For a more intense peppermint flavor, you can add a pinch of finely crushed peppermint candy to the cookie dough.
Drizzle white chocolate over the chocolate-coated portion for an extra festive touch.
Conclusion:
These Chocolate Peppermint Cookies are the perfect addition to your holiday baking repertoire.
With their rich chocolatey goodness and refreshing peppermint kick, they capture the essence of the season in every bite.
Share these delightful cookies with loved ones, leave them out for Santa, or simply savor them with a cup of hot cocoa by the fireplace.
Get ready to spread joy and sweetness with this festive and delicious treat.