Rich, festive, and irresistibly chewy, these Chocolate Peppermint Cookies are the ultimate Christmas treat. With deep cocoa flavor, cool peppermint notes, and melty chocolate chips in every bite, they’re perfect for cookie exchanges or cozy winter nights. Ready in under 30 minutes, this easy recipe requires no chilling and delivers bakery-quality results every time.

Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love These Chocolate Peppermint Cookies

Festive Flavor and Texture
Each Chocolate Peppermint Cookie bursts with rich Dutch cocoa and a refreshing peppermint twist that makes every bite taste like Christmas.
The chewy centers and crisp edges make them a holiday favorite that tastes like pure Christmas joy.
Quick and Easy to Make
You can mix, scoop, and bake these cookies in under half an hour. Since no chilling is needed, they’re perfect for busy days when you still want something homemade and delicious.
Perfect for Gifting and Sharing
Their glossy chocolate finish and crushed candy cane sparkle make these cookies ideal for gifting. They look beautiful in treat boxes and on holiday dessert trays.
Ingredients You’ll Need

Key Dry Ingredients
To make these Chocolate Peppermint Cookies, you’ll need all-purpose flour, Dutch process cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt for structure and rich flavor. Together, they build the structure and create that rich, deep chocolate flavor.
Wet Ingredients and Flavor Enhancers
Softened butter, brown sugar, white sugar, egg yolks, peppermint extract, and vanilla bean paste combine to make the dough creamy and flavorful. The mix ensures every bite is perfectly sweet and chewy.
Chocolate Mix-Ins
A delightful mix of Andes peppermint chips and semi-sweet chocolate chips adds extra texture and that irresistible chocolate-mint combination.
Optional Toppings
Crushed candy canes add crunch and extra peppermint flair. Sprinkle them over warm cookies for a pretty, festive touch.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Prep the Baking Sheets
Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. This keeps cookies from sticking and helps them bake evenly.
Cream Butter and Sugars
In a large mixing bowl, beat butter with brown and white sugars for 2 minutes until light and fluffy. This step gives your cookies their tender crumb.
Add Egg Yolks and Extracts
Add egg yolks, peppermint extract, and vanilla bean paste. Beat again until pale and creamy. This mixture smells like a winter wonderland.
Combine Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Slowly mix into the wet ingredients until just combined.
Fold in the Chips

Gently fold in peppermint chips and chocolate chips. Avoid overmixing to keep the dough soft.
Shape and Bake


Scoop 18 dough balls for your Chocolate Peppermint Cookies and space them 2 inches apart on the sheets. Bake for 10–12 minutes until edges look set but the centers stay soft and chewy.
Cool and Finish

Let cookies cool for 2 minutes on the sheet before transferring to a wire rack. If desired, sprinkle crushed candy canes on top while warm. Cool completely before serving.
Expert Tips for the Best Results
Measure Flour Correctly
Spoon flour into the measuring cup and level it off, or use a kitchen scale. Too much flour can make cookies dense instead of chewy.
Cream Thoroughly for Texture
Beat butter and sugars until pale and fluffy to create tiny air pockets that give cookies their perfect soft-crisp balance.
Shape Cookies After Baking
While cookies are still warm, use a round cutter to gently nudge them into perfect circles. This gives a polished, bakery-style look.
Make-Ahead and Storage
Store Chocolate Peppermint Cookies in an airtight container for up to 3 days or freeze them for up to 2 weeks to keep that chewy, chocolatey texture fresh.You can also refrigerate the dough for 3 days and bake fresh when needed.
Related Recipes to Try
- Festive candy cane cookies
- Easy peppermint pie dessert
- Peppermint swirl fudge
- Holiday chocolate dessert trifle
- Soft and chewy sugar cookies
- Festive chocolate bites
Conclusion
These Chocolate Peppermint Cookies bring together everything you love about Christmas baking: rich chocolate, refreshing peppermint, and a touch of sparkle. They’re easy to make, fun to decorate, and guaranteed to disappear fast from any cookie tray. For even more sweet holiday inspiration, visit my Pinterest page and keep the baking joy going.

Chocolate Peppermint Cookies
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 18 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Rich, festive, and irresistibly chewy, these Chocolate Peppermint Cookies are the ultimate Christmas treat with deep cocoa flavor, cool peppermint, and melty chocolate chips.
Ingredients
1 1/4 cups (156 g) all-purpose flour
6 tbsp (30 g) Dutch process cocoa powder
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 cup (168 g) unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup (165 g) light brown sugar
1/4 cup (50 g) granulated white sugar
2 egg yolks, at room temperature
1 tsp peppermint extract
1 tsp vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract
1/2 cup (100 g) Andes peppermint chips
1/4 cup (50 g) semi-sweet chocolate chips
2 tbsp crushed candy canes (optional)
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Cream butter, brown sugar, and white sugar for 2 minutes until light and fluffy.
3. Add egg yolks, peppermint extract, and vanilla, then beat until pale and creamy.
4. Stir in flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until combined.
5. Fold in peppermint chips and chocolate chips until evenly mixed.
6. Form 18 dough balls and place them 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets.
7. Bake 10–12 minutes until edges are set but centers stay soft.
8. Cool on the sheet for 2 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
9. Top with crushed candy canes while warm, if desired. Cool completely before serving.
Notes
Measure flour correctly by spooning into the cup and leveling off, or use a scale.
Cream butter and sugars thoroughly for a light texture.
Use a round cookie cutter to shape cookies while warm for a uniform look.
Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 2 weeks.
Dough can be refrigerated up to 3 days or frozen before baking.
To make double chocolate cookies, omit peppermint extract and chips.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Christmas Dessert Recipes
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 95mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
