Welcome to your new favorite holiday tradition! This christmas peppermint cookie recipe brings all the festive magic right into your kitchen. Imagine tender, melt-in-your-mouth cookies infused with a burst of cool peppermint, studded with sweet white chocolate and crunchy candy canes. Preparing these delightful treats is incredibly easy, making them perfect for busy parents and beginner bakers. Get ready to fill your home with the joyous aroma of holiday baking!
Why You’ll Love These Christmas Peppermint Cookies
These cookies are a celebration of seasonal joy. You’ll find yourself reaching for this christmas peppermint cookie recipe year after year!
- Irresistible Flavor: Enjoy the perfect balance of cool peppermint and sweet white chocolate.
- Delightful Texture: Each bite offers a soft, chewy cookie with a delightful crunch from candy canes.
- Visually Stunning: Their vibrant red and white flecks make them a beautiful addition to any holiday platter.
- Beginner-Friendly: This simple recipe uses clear, step-by-step instructions, ensuring success for everyone.
- Perfect for Sharing: They are ideal for gifting, cookie exchanges, or impressing guests at holiday parties.
Ingredients
Gather these simple ingredients to create your scrumptious christmas peppermint cookie recipe:
- 1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
- 3/4 cup white chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup crushed candy canes (plus more for dipping)
- 1 pinch salt
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1 pinch baking powder
- 1 egg (room temperature)
- 1/2 cup sugar (plus 1 tbsp)
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp peppermint oil
Notes & Substitutions
Accurate flour measurement is crucial for perfect cookies; spoon flour into your measuring cup, then level it off. The King Arthur Baking Company offers a helpful guide on how to measure flour accurately for consistent baking results. Peppermint oil is more potent than extract, so adjust quantity if substituting (you might need more extract). Feel free to use dark or milk chocolate chips if you prefer. For a softer crunch, substitute crushed peppermints for candy canes. To quickly bring butter and eggs to room temperature, microwave butter for 10-15 seconds or place eggs in warm water for 5 minutes.
Equipment
You won’t need much specialized equipment for this delightful christmas peppermint cookie recipe:
- Stand mixer with paddle attachment (or hand mixer)
- Large mixing bowls
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Rubber spatula
- Baking sheets
- Parchment paper
- Ice cream scoop (2-tablespoon size)
- Small bowl for dipping
- Cooling rack
Instructions
Follow these easy steps to bake the best christmas peppermint cookie recipe!
- Prepare Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set this aside.
- Cream Butter & Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, using a stand mixer with the paddle attachment or a hand mixer, beat the room temperature unsalted butter and 1/2 cup sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This usually takes about 2-3 minutes.
- Add Wet Ingredients: While the mixer is running on low speed, add the room temperature egg. Mix until fully incorporated. Then, add the vanilla extract and peppermint oil, mixing until just combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to ensure everything is well mixed.
- Combine Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; stop as soon as you no longer see streaks of flour. Overmixing can lead to tough cookies.
- Fold in Mix-ins: Using a rubber spatula, gently fold in the white chocolate chips and 1/2 cup of crushed candy canes. Mix until they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- Chill Dough: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill the cookie dough in the refrigerator for 20-30 minutes. This step helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking.
- Scoop & Dip: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Scoop 2-tablespoon sized portions of dough using an ice cream scoop. Roll each portion into a smooth ball. Pour the remaining crushed candy canes into a small shallow bowl. Dip the top of each cookie dough ball into the crushed candy canes, pressing gently so they adhere.
- Bake Cookies: Place the dipped cookie dough balls, candy cane side up, onto the parchment-lined baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. You can lightly press the tops of the dough balls to flatten them slightly if desired. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 6-8 minutes. The edges should be lightly set, and the centers might still look slightly soft.
- Cool: Remove the baking sheets from the oven. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5-10 minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This resting period helps the cookies set without breaking. Enjoy your perfectly baked christmas peppermint cookie recipe!
Pro Tips & Troubleshooting
Achieve perfect results with this christmas peppermint cookie recipe every time.
- Accurate Flour Measurement: Always spoon and level your flour; scooping directly can add too much, resulting in dry cookies.
- Preventing Spread: Ensure your butter is at true room temperature (soft, not melted). Chilling the dough adequately is key to preventing flat cookies.
- Peppermint Intensity: Adjust the amount of peppermint oil or extract to your liking. Start with less, then add more if you desire a stronger flavor.
- Crispy Candy Canes: Dip cookies before baking for the best, most visible candy cane crunch. Dipping after can make them melt and become sticky.
- Flavor Boosts: A tiny touch of almond extract (1/8 tsp) alongside the vanilla can add a lovely depth of flavor.
- Avoiding Overbaking: Remove cookies when edges are just set but centers still look soft and slightly undercooked. They will continue to bake on the hot sheet.
- Uniform Cookies: Using an ice cream scoop ensures all your cookies are the same size, promoting even baking.
Serving, Storage, & Variations
These festive cookies are delightful to serve and store.
- Serving Suggestions: Serve these delicious christmas peppermint cookie recipe treats with a warm mug of hot cocoa, a glass of cold milk, or your favorite coffee for a cozy holiday moment.
- Holiday Platter: Arrange them beautifully on a holiday dessert platter alongside other festive cookies and treats for an impressive spread.
- Airtight Storage: Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-5 days to maintain freshness and texture.
- Freezing Baked Cookies: Once completely cooled, freeze baked cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet before transferring them to an airtight freezer-safe bag or container for up to 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature.
- Freezing Dough: Roll the unbaked dough into a log, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, then foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. Slice and bake from frozen, adding a couple of minutes to the baking time.
- Chocolate Variation: Experiment with different chocolates! Use milk or dark chocolate chips instead of white chocolate for a richer flavor profile.
- Nutty Addition: Fold in 1/2 cup of finely chopped macadamia nuts, pecans, or walnuts along with the chocolate chips for added crunch and flavor.
- Extra Decorations: For an extra touch of elegance, drizzle cooled cookies with melted white chocolate or a simple white icing glaze. You can also sprinkle with edible glitter.
Nutrition
Here’s an estimated nutritional breakdown for one cookie from this christmas peppermint cookie recipe:
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 160 |
| Protein | 1.5g |
| Fat | 8g |
| Carbohydrates | 20g |
| Sugar | 12g |
| Sodium | 50mg |
Disclaimer: Values are estimates and may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.
FAQ
Got questions about this delicious christmas peppermint cookie recipe? We have answers!
- Can I use peppermint extract instead of peppermint oil? Yes, you can. Peppermint extract is less concentrated, so you may need to use 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of extract to achieve the same flavor intensity.
- How do I prevent the candy canes from melting too much? Dip the cookies in crushed candy canes before baking. The quick baking time prevents excessive melting, keeping them crisp.
- Can these cookies be made gluten-free? You can try substituting a 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for the regular flour. Ensure your blend contains xanthan gum.
- Why did my cookies come out flat/dry? Flat cookies often result from overly soft butter or insufficient chilling. Dry cookies usually mean too much flour or overbaking.
- How long do these cookies stay fresh? When stored in an airtight container at room temperature, these cookies stay fresh for 3-5 days.
- Is chilling the dough essential? Yes, chilling helps the butter solidify, preventing the cookies from spreading too much and ensuring a thicker, chewier texture. According to the Partnership for Food Safety Education, it’s important to remember that flour is a raw ingredient and may contain harmful germs.
Conclusion
There’s truly nothing quite like the magic of homemade christmas peppermint cookie recipe for the holidays. With their festive flavors, delightful crunch, and easy preparation, these cookies are sure to become a cherished part of your family’s traditions. We encourage you to try this simple, beginner-friendly recipe and create delicious memories with your loved ones this season. Happy baking!
