Chocolate Peppermint Crunch Cookies
By Maria Lichty
Updated December 13, 2024
Quick Summary
Chocolate Peppermint Crunch Cookies-chocolate cookies with chocolate chips, peppermint crunch pieces, and candy cane pieces! These cookies are the PERFECT Christmas cookie!
Why You Will Love These Cookies
Chocolate Peppermint Crunch Cookies are a festive and indulgent treat that combines the rich, decadent flavor of chocolate with the refreshing, cool bite of peppermint.
- Chocolate Base : The dough is made with Dutch processed cocoa powder, giving the cookies a deep, dark chocolate flavor. The richness of the chocolate creates a satisfying contrast with the bright, crisp peppermint.
- Peppermint : Peppermint crunch baking chips are mixed into the dough and crushed peppermints or candy canes are sprinkled on top of the cookies before baking. The peppermint adds a delightful crunch and a burst of refreshing, minty flavor.
- Texture : These cookies have a slightly chewy interior with a soft, melt-in-your-mouth center, balanced by the crunch of the peppermint bits.
- Aromatics : When baking, the scent of warm chocolate mingled with the fresh, invigorating scent of peppermint fills the kitchen, creating a cozy, wintery atmosphere.
Perfect for holiday cookie exchanges or as a special treat during the winter months, Chocolate Peppermint Crunch Cookies are a crowd-pleaser that combines the best of both worlds—chocolatey decadence and peppermint’s crisp freshness.
How to Make Chocolate Peppermint Crunch Cookies
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
- Whisk together dry ingredients . In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, sea salt, and cocoa. Make sure you whisk well so there are no clumps of cocoa powder. I like to use Dutch processed cocoa for a deeper chocolate flavor, but unsweetened cocoa powder works well too.
- Cream butter and sugar . With a mixer, cream butter and sugars together until smooth. Stop the mixer and scrape down the sides of the bowl as necessary.
- Add in eggs, vanilla and peppermint extract . Peppermint extract is strong, so make sure you don’t add too much. Mix until well combined.
- Add the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Don’t over mix the dough.
- Stir in the chocolate chips and peppermint crunch pieces . If you can’t find the Andes peppermint crunch baking chips, you can use the Andes Peppermint Thins and chop them up! peppermint chips, Trader Joe’s are great!
- Roll in candy canes ! Place the crushed candy canes (or peppermint candies) in a small bowl. Scoop the dough into rounded tablespoons and lightly dip the tops of the cookies into candy cane pieces. Make sure you don’t get carried away. You only want the tops to have the candy cane pieces. If you roll the whole cookies in the candy canes you will end up with a melted mess.
- Bake . Place cookie balls on prepared baking sheet, about 2 inches apart. Bake cookies for 10 minutes, or until cookies are set, but still soft in the center. Don’t overbake. You want the cookies to still be soft in the center. They will finish baking as they cool on the baking sheet.
- Cool . Remove from oven and let sit on baking sheet for 5 minutes. If desired, add extra candy cane pieces right after they come out of the oven to make the cookies extra pretty. Move to a cooling rack and cool completely.
How to Store & Freeze Cookies
- Storing Baked Cookies : Store the baked cookies in an airtight container on the counter for up to 3 days. You can freeze baked cookies in a freezer container or bag for up to 3 months. If you are using a bag, make sure you seal the bag tightly and press out as much air as possible.
- Chilling the Cookie Cookie Dough : Covered tightly, the cookie dough will keep in the fridge for up to 72 hours. You can chill scooped dough balls or you can wrap all of the cookie dough in plastic wrap. If you are chilling all of the dough, remove it from the fridge when you preheat the ovens so it is easier to roll in balls.
- Freezing Cookie Dough : Place the cookie dough balls on a baking sheet or tray and freeze until balls are solid. Transfer the dough balls to a freezer container or bag and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, remove the balls from the freezer and preheat the oven. Bake the cookies as directed but add a couple of minutes to the baking time.
More Christmas Cookie Recipes
- Andes Mint Cookies
- Easy Sugar Cookies
- Snickerdoodle Cookies
- Thumbprint Cookies
- Peanut Butter Blossoms
- Spritz Cookies
Check out all of my COOKIE RECIPES ! There are SO many good ones!
Cookies
Chocolate Peppermint Crunch Cookies
Ingredients1x2x3x
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup Dutch processed cocoa (or unsweetened cocoa)
- 1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup peppermint crunch pieces
- 1/2 cup crushed candy canes, for dipping cookies
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or Silpat baking mat. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, sea salt, and cocoa. Set aside.
- With a mixer, cream butter and sugars together until smooth. Add in eggs, one at a time. Next, add in vanilla extract and peppermint extract. Mix until just combined.
- Gradually add flour mixture and beat until just combined. Mix in the chocolate chips and peppermint crunch pieces.
- Place the crushed candy canes in a small bowl. Scoop the dough into rounded tablespoons and lightly dip the tops of the cookies into candy cane pieces. Make sure you don’t get carried away. You only want the tops to have the candy cane pieces. If you roll the whole cookies in the candy canes you will end up with a melted mess.
- Place cookie balls on prepared baking sheet, about 2 inches apart. Bake cookies for 10 minutes, or until cookies are set, but still soft in the center. Don’t overbake. Remove from oven and let sit on baking sheet for 3 minutes. If desired, add extra candy cane pieces right after they come out of the oven to make the cookies extra pretty. Move to a cooling rack and cool completely.
Notes
Nutrition
Have you tried this recipe?
Thumbprint Cookies
By Maria Lichty
Published on December 06, 2022
Quick Summary
Thumbprint Cookies-buttery shortbread cookies rolled in sugar and filled with sweet raspberry jam! These beautiful little cookies are a classic Christmas cookie, but can be enjoyed anytime of the year.
I love creating new cookie recipes , but I also love the classics. One of our favorite cookies to make at Christmas time are Thumbprint Cookies . They are a holiday favorite and a great addition to any cookie platter.
So what are Thumbprint Cookies? If you haven’t had a jam thumbprint, you are in for a real treat! They are buttery, tender shortbread cookies with a sweet jam center. I like to use raspberry jam because it is sweet, tart, and I love the deep red color. But you can fill the thumbprints with your favorite jam!
They cookies are simple, but elegant and super delicious. You can’t go wrong with a classic!
- Cookie Ingredients
- How to Make Thumbprint Cookies
- How to Store Thumbprint Cookies
- How to Freeze Thumbprint Cookies
- Thumbprint Cookie FAQ
- More Christmas Cookie Recipes
- Jam Thumbprint Cookies Recipe
Cookie Ingredients
Simple ingredients come together to make the most amazing cookies!
- Flour – use all-purpose flour!
- Salt – to bring flavor to the cookies.
- Butter – Use unsalted butter and make sure it isn’t too soft or melted. You want the butter at cool room temperature.
- Sugar – you will need granulated sugar for the cookie dough and for rolling the cookies before baking.
- Brown sugar – I like to use a little brown sugar for flavor and to keep the cookies tender and not dry.
- Egg yolk – an egg yolk creates a rich cookie and holds everything together.
- Vanilla extract – a must! If you like almond extract, you can add ¼ teaspoon to the dough.
- Jam – I prefer raspberry jam, but any flavor will do! Make sure you use a nice, thick jam! Splurge to get a good quality jam since it’s a big part of the cookie! If your jam is SUPER thick, you can put it in a bowl and give it a good stir. If it is still too thick, heat it in the microwave for just a few seconds to loosen it up.
How to Make Thumbprint Cookies
These little gems are easy to make and SO pretty!
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Set aside.
- Use a stand mixer or hand mixer to beat the butter and sugars together. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula, as necessary. Add the egg yolk and vanilla extract and mix until well combined.
- Add the dry ingredients and mix on low until just combined. Don’t over mix the dough!
- Roll the dough into balls, about 1 ½ teaspoons per cookie. Place the remaining ½ cup sugar in a small bowl. Roll the balls in the sugar until well coated.
- Place on a baking sheet that has been lined with parchment paper or a Silpat baking mat, you may need 2 sheets.
- Use the rounded back of a teaspoon or your thumb to gently press an indentation in the center each cookie dough ball. Transfer the baking sheet to the freezer and chill for 30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven so it is hot and ready to go!
- Fill a small zipper-lock bag with the jam. Use scissors to snip a small corner off the bag. Carefully fill each indentation with about a ½ teaspoon of jam. Alternatively, you can use a small spoon or teaspoon to fill the centers with jam. Don’t over fill or the jam will ooze out in the oven. Less is best!
- Make sure the cookies are 2-inches apart on the baking sheets. Bake one pan at a time, for 10 to 12 minutes or until the edges are light golden brown.
How to Store Thumbprint Cookies
Store the cooled thumbprint cookies in an airtight container at room temperature on the counter. You don’t have to refrigerate the cookies. I don’t recommend stacking the cookies because of the jam.
These cookies will stay fresh for up to 5 days.
How to Freeze Thumbprint Cookies
If you want to freeze cookies, I recommend freezing the unbaked cookies before adding jam.
Make the cookie dough and form them into thumbprints. Place the cookies on a tray and freeze until firm, about 30 minutes to an hour. Once frozen, transfer the the unbaked cookies to a freezer container or freezer bag and freeze for up to one month.
When ready to bake, preheat the oven and arrange the cookies on the baking sheets. Fill with jam and bake. It’s ok if the cookies are still a little frozen when going into the oven, you might have to add an additional minute to the baking time.
Make sure you use a thick jam and not a runny jam. I prefer raspberry jam, but strawberry, blackberry, apricot, or mixed berry are all good options. Use your favorite flavor.
Yes! If you don’t care for jam, fill the cookies with melted chocolate, lemon curd, salted caramel sauce, marmalade, or Nutella.
Fill the cookies with jam before baking so it can set up in the oven.
Make sure when you are pressing the back of the teaspoon or your thumb into the center of the cookie dough you don’t press too hard. Gently press! If the edges of the cookie start to crack a little, you can gently press it back together.
Make sure your butter isn’t too soft when making the dough. It should be at cool room temperature and not super soft or greasy. Also, don’t make your cookies too big, thumbprints are smaller cookies. And most importantly, make sure you you chill the dough! After you form the cookies, place the unbaked cookies in the freezer for at least 30 minutes before baking. This will prevent them from spreading.
Yes! I recommend freezing the unbaked cookies before you fill them with jam. See above for my tips!
More Christmas Cookie Recipes
- Easy Sugar Cookies
- Peanut Butter Blossoms
- Andes Mint Cookies
- Snickerdoodles
- Chocolate Kiss Cookies
- Mexican Wedding Cookies
Cookies
Jam Thumbprint Cookies
Equipment
- Baking Sheets (I love these cookie sheets !)
- Stand Mixer (I’m obsessed with my KitchenAid)
- Silpat Baking Mat (these prevent cookies from sticking)
Ingredients1x2x3x
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, at cool room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar, divided
- 3 tablespoons light brown sugar
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2/3 cup thick raspberry jam, or jam of your choice
Instructions
- In a medium bowl , whisk together the flour and salt. Set aside.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter for 1 minute on medium speed. Add ½ cup of the granulated sugar and brown sugar and mix until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula, as necessary. Add the egg yolk and vanilla extract and mix until well combined.
- Add the dry ingredients and mix on low until just combined.
- Roll the dough into balls, about 1 ½ teaspoons per cookie. Place the remaining ½ cup sugar in a small bowl. Roll the balls in the sugar until well coated.
- Place on a baking sheet that has been lined with parchment paper or a Silpat baking mat , you may need 2 sheets.
- Use the rounded back of a teaspoon or your thumb to gently press an indentation in the center each cookie dough ball. Transfer the baking sheet to the freezer and chill for 30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Fill a small zipper-lock bag with the jam. Use scissors to snip a small corner off the bag. Carefully fill each indentation with about a ½ teaspoon of jam. Don’t over fill or the jam will ooze out in the oven. Less is best!
- Make sure the cookies are 2-inches apart on the baking sheets. Bake one pan at a time, for 10 to 12 minutes or until the edges are light golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheet. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Have you tried this recipe?
Chocolate Peppermint Crunch Cookies
Recipe from Two Peas and Their Pod
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup Dutch processed cocoa (or unsweetened cocoa)
- 1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup peppermint crunch pieces
- 1/2 cup crushed candy canes, for dipping cookies
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or Silpat baking mat. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, sea salt, and cocoa. Set aside.
- With a mixer, cream butter and sugars together until smooth. Add in eggs, one at a time. Next, add in vanilla extract and peppermint extract. Mix until just combined.
- Gradually add flour mixture and beat until just combined. Mix in the chocolate chips and peppermint crunch pieces.
- Place the crushed candy canes in a small bowl. Scoop the dough into rounded tablespoons and lightly dip the tops of the cookies into candy cane pieces. Make sure you don’t get carried away. You only want the tops to have the candy cane pieces. If you roll the whole cookies in the candy canes you will end up with a melted mess.
- Place cookie balls on prepared baking sheet, about 2 inches apart. Bake cookies for 10 minutes, or until cookies are set, but still soft in the center. Don’t overbake. Remove from oven and let sit on baking sheet for 3 minutes. If desired, add extra candy cane pieces right after they come out of the oven to make the cookies extra pretty. Move to a cooling rack and cool completely.
