Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies (Printable view)
Soft, chewy cookies studded with peppermint and plenty of chocolate chips - festive and quick to bake.
# 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 candy canes, plus more for garnish if desired
# Steps:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
03 - In a large bowl, beat softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar with an electric mixer until the mixture is light and creamy.
04 - Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each. Mix in vanilla and peppermint extracts until fully combined.
05 - Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed just until combined.
06 - Gently fold in chocolate chips and crushed peppermint candies until evenly distributed.
07 - Scoop tablespoon-sized balls of dough and place onto prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
08 - Sprinkle additional crushed peppermint on top of dough balls if desired.
09 - Bake for 9 to 11 minutes, until edges are lightly golden but centers remain soft.
10 - Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire cooling rack to cool completely.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- If you’ve never tucked peppermint extract into cookies before, you’re in for an unexpectedly fresh, cooling twist that brings instant cheer.
- They come together quickly with pantry staples, but the end result feels bakery-worthy and looks just as inviting.
02 -
- If you over-mix after adding flour, your cookies will turn tough instead of chewy—it’s tempting, but stop as soon as they come together.
- Crushing peppermint candies too big leads to sticky, melted pockets that can burn or harden—smaller bits bake best.
03 -
- Bake one test cookie first to check oven temp and spread—you’ll know if you need to chill the dough or adjust size.
- Swapping in a few white chocolate chips makes them irresistible to anyone who loves that creamy contrast with mint.