The holiday season is officially here, and nothing says festive cheer quite like the classic combination of cool peppermint and rich, decadent chocolate. If you love traditional holiday peppermint bark but crave the soft, comforting chew of a freshly baked cookie, then you are in for an absolute treat with this recipe. These Peppermint Bark Cookies bring together the best of both worlds in a dessert that looks stunning on any holiday platter but is secretly incredibly simple to make. Whether you are prepping for a festive cookie exchange, looking for a fun weekend baking project with the kids, or just need a sweet treat to enjoy by the fire, this recipe delivers maximum joy with minimal effort. Get ready to fill your kitchen with the sweet, minty aroma of the holidays because these easy, fast cookies are about to become your new favorite winter tradition!
Helpful Tips
- For the best texture, do not overbake these cookies; they will continue to firm up as they cool on the baking sheet.
- To get perfectly crushed peppermint pieces, place candy canes in a zip-top bag and gently crush them with a rolling pin or the flat side of a meat mallet.
- If you want an extra rich cookie, fold 1/2 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips into the dough before baking.
- Using high-quality white chocolate melting wafers like Ghirardelli will ensure a smooth, glossy drizzle that sets beautifully.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and light brown sugar using a hand mixer or stand mixer until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and peppermint extract until fully combined and smooth.
- In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed just until a soft dough forms.
- Scoop 1.5-tablespoon-sized balls of dough and place them on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 9 to 11 minutes, or until the edges are set but the centers still look slightly soft. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- While the cookies are cooling, melt the white chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until completely smooth.
- Drizzle the melted white chocolate over the cooled cookies, or dip half of each cookie into the chocolate. Immediately sprinkle with the crushed peppermint candies before the chocolate sets.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup white chocolate melting wafers or high-quality white chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup crushed peppermint candies or candy canes
Shopping List
- Dairy & Eggs: 1/2 cup unsalted butter, 1 large egg
- Pantry: Granulated sugar, Light brown sugar, Vanilla extract, Peppermint extract, All-purpose flour, Unsweetened cocoa powder, Baking soda, Fine salt
- Baking & Sweets: White chocolate melting wafers, Peppermint candies or candy canes
Equipment Needed
- Baking sheets
- Parchment paper
- Medium mixing bowl
- Large mixing bowl
- Hand mixer or stand mixer
- Wire cooling rack
- Rolling pin or mallet
Variations & Serving Ideas
Serve these festive peppermint bark cookies alongside a steaming mug of hot cocoa, a warm cup of coffee, or a cold glass of milk for the ultimate holiday treat. Arrange them on a decorative platter alongside classic gingerbread cookies and snickerdoodles to create an eye-catching holiday dessert spread. To store leftovers, place the cookies in an airtight container in a single layer or separated by parchment paper to keep the chocolate and peppermint toppings intact; they will stay fresh and soft at room temperature for up to 5 days, or you can freeze them for up to 3 months.
I hope your family loves baking and eating these delightful holiday treats as much as mine does! If you try this recipe, please leave a comment below and let me know how they turned out. Happy holiday baking! #PeppermintBarkCookiesRecipes #RecipesFastPeppermintBarkCookies #PeppermintBarkCookiesRecipesEasy #EasyPeppermintBarkCookies
#PeppermintBarkCookiesRecipes #RecipesFastPeppermintBarkCookies #PeppermintBarkCookiesRecipesEasy #EasyPeppermintBarkCookies #holidaybaking #christmascookies #chocolatepeppermint #easydessert
