I’ll never forget the very first time I baked the Festive Chocolate Peppermint Crunch Christmas Cookie Recipe. It was a chilly December evening and I’d just moved into a tiny apartment with two roommates. I wrapped myself in my grandmother’s worn apron the one with faded holly leaves stitched along the hem and turned on some soft holiday music. The kitchen was cold, and outside, the wind rattled windows, but inside, I warmed my hands by bundling up butter and sugar, stirring in egg and vanilla, and cracking peppermint candies. As those cookies baked, the air filled with a warm swirl of chocolate and cool peppermint like a holiday hug. When I finally pulled the first tray out of the oven, the cookies glowed slightly from the melted chocolate chips, and my roommates came rushing in. That was the moment this Festive Chocolate Peppermint Crunch Christmas Cookie Recipe became more than a recipe it became a tradition. Every Christmas since, whether for Easy Class Treats, Neighbor Christmas Treats, or Simple Christmas Sweet Treats with family, these cookies have brought smiles and holiday warmth.
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Why the Festive Chocolate Peppermint Crunch Christmas Cookie Recipe Steals the Show
When you think of Christmas treats, maybe sugar cookies or gingerbread come to mind. But the Festive Chocolate Peppermint Crunch Christmas Cookie Recipe stands apart it packs a punch of chocolatey warmth and peppermint freshness, delivering something festive yet cozy. The chocolate chips give it a rich, comforting feel, while the crushed peppermint adds a crisp, refreshing crunch that feels just right for the holidays.
This recipe fits perfectly in so many holiday scenarios. Need last-minute Easy DIY Christmas Treats for a potluck? Done. Looking for festive cookies to bring as Easy Cookie Exchange Recipes Christmas? These stand out. Hosting a family cookie swap or neighborhood gift basket? The Festive Chocolate Peppermint Crunch Christmas Cookie Recipe blends decadence with a festive vibe that works for Christmas Dinner Finger Food Ideas, Holiday Baking Easy sessions, or group baking with kids under Christmas Ideas For Family Things To Do.
Plus, once you get the hang of this recipe, it’s easy to double or triple the batch ideal when you’re tackling multiple holiday parties.
Festive Chocolate Peppermint Crunch Christmas Cookies
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
- In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the egg and vanilla extract. Beat until fully combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually mix into the wet ingredients until just combined.
- Fold in chocolate chips and crushed peppermint candies. Reserve a few bits for topping.
- Scoop tablespoon-sized balls of dough onto the baking sheet, spacing about 2 inches apart. Optionally flatten slightly.
- Top with reserved peppermint and chocolate, and sprinkle with sea salt if using.
- Bake for 10–12 minutes until edges are set and centers are soft. Let rest on baking sheet 5 minutes, then cool on wire rack.
Notes
What You’ll Need Ingredients for the Festive Chocolate Peppermint Crunch Christmas Cookie Recipe
Here’s a simple list of what you need for one batch of the Festive Chocolate Peppermint Crunch Christmas Cookie Recipe:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (plus extra for topping, optional)
- ½ cup crushed peppermint candies or candy canes (crushed into small pieces)
- Optional: a pinch of coarse sea salt for sprinkling
With these basic pantry ingredients plus peppermint candies, the Festive Chocolate Peppermint Crunch Christmas Cookie Recipe becomes one of those Holiday Baking Easy ideas that doesn’t require a special trip to the store. Perfect for those “I want to bake tonight” moments.
Step‑by‑Step: How to Make Your Festive Chocolate Peppermint Crunch Christmas Cookie Recipe
- Preheat & Prep: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat this prevents sticking and helps cookies bake evenly.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar until light, fluffy, and smooth. This step sets the foundation for tender, melt‑in‑your‑mouth cookies.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Stir in the egg and vanilla until fully combined.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Slowly add the dry mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring until the dough just comes together. Overmixing can make cookies dense so stop once flour disappears.
- Fold in Chocolate & Peppermint: Gently fold in the chocolate chips and crushed peppermint candies. Saving a small handful of peppermint pieces for topping adds a pretty festive look. This is where the magic of the Festive Chocolate Peppermint Crunch Christmas Cookie Recipe comes alive.
- Shape Cookies: Use a tablespoon (or small cookie scoop) to drop dough balls onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. If you like slightly flatter cookies, gently press each ball down with a glass or your palm. For thicker, cookie‑cake–style treats, skip the pressing.
- Top and Decorate: Sprinkle a few extra peppermint bits or chocolate chips on top of each cookie for a festive, sparkly finish.
- Bake: Bake for about 10–12 minutes. Cookies should have set edges but still soft centers they’ll continue to firm up as they cool.
- Cool Down: Let cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then move them to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps them reach that perfect chewy‑crunchy balance characteristic of the Festive Chocolate Peppermint Crunch Christmas Cookie Recipe.
Because the process is straightforward and forgiving, even first‑time bakers can pull off this recipe with ease a true contender for Christmas Bake Off Ideas Dessert Recipes or impromptu Easy Class Treats.
Baking Tips & Tricks for the Best Festive Chocolate Peppermint Crunch Christmas Cookie Recipe
- Watch your mixing: Once wet and dry ingredients combine, stop mixing. Overworking the dough leads to tough cookies.
- Optional dough chill: If your kitchen is warm, or you want less spreading, chill dough in the fridge for 20–30 minutes before shaping. This helps cookies hold their shape handy when making big batches of Neighbor Christmas Treats or Easy Cookie Exchange Recipes Christmas.
- Peppermint texture matters: Aim for small shards not powdered sugar, not huge chunks. Small pieces give a satisfying crunch and candies stay distributed evenly.
- Choose quality chocolate: Good-quality chocolate chips or chopped bars make a noticeable difference. Since the Festive Chocolate Peppermint Crunch Christmas Cookie Recipe rests on a chocolate–peppermint contrast, better chocolate means better cookies.
- Storage is key: Place cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature they stay fresh for up to 5 days, perfect for holiday gift boxes or last-minute gatherings.
Fun Variations & Serving Ideas for the Festive Chocolate Peppermint Crunch Christmas Cookie Recipe
Want to mix things up or elevate your holiday tray? Try these ideas:
- Double-chocolate peppermint: Add extra chocolate chips or chopped dark chocolate for a deeper chocolate hit ideal as part of Christmas Dinner Finger Food Ideas or dessert tables.
- White‑chocolate drizzle: Once cookies cool, drizzle melted white chocolate over them for a snowy, festive look and extra sweetness.
- Peppermint‑forward version: Use a bit less chocolate and more crushed peppermint for a lighter, mintier cookie great if you love the cool, refreshing kick of mint.
- Cookie sandwiches: Match two cookies and sandwich them with chocolate ganache or mint buttercream for a dessert that’s guaranteed to impress at a cookie swap or holiday party.
- Serve warm: Slightly warm cookies with hot cocoa, coffee, or tea the chocolate softens, peppermint aroma intensifies, and the whole kitchen smells like pure holiday joy.
No matter the variation, the heart of the Festive Chocolate Peppermint Crunch Christmas Cookie Recipe stays the same: simple, comforting, festive, and irresistibly delicious.
Why This Festive Chocolate Peppermint Crunch Christmas Cookie Recipe Is a Holiday Must
There have been countless times during the holidays when I’ve found myself scrambling juggling work, family, parties, and gift wrap. In the madness, I still want something homemade, something that feels like love. The Festive Chocolate Peppermint Crunch Christmas Cookie Recipe fits perfectly into those moments. It’s quick to make, forgiving if you’re a bit rushed, and endlessly giftable.
For Easy DIY Christmas Treats to hand out to neighbors or coworkers, these cookies are ideal no refrigeration needed, they travel well, and they still taste amazing a day or two later. For Easy Cookie Exchange Recipes Christmas, they strike a balance: festive enough to stand out, easy enough that you don’t spend hours baking. On busy holiday evenings, when all you have energy for is a quick bake this recipe delivers.
For family fun nights under Christmas Ideas For Family Things To Do, bring on the peppermint‑crushing and dough scooping even kids can help. Turn it into a small event: play a little holiday music, sip hot cocoa, laugh as peppermint flies everywhere, and by the end, you’ve got trays full of cookies ready to share or gift.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Can I make the Festive Chocolate Peppermint Crunch Christmas Cookie Recipe ahead of time?
Yes! These cookies are perfect for making ahead. The Festive Chocolate Peppermint Crunch Christmas Cookie Recipe stores well in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. You can also freeze the dough balls and bake fresh when needed a great trick for Holiday Baking Easy days.
2. What’s the best way to crush peppermint for this recipe?
Place peppermint candies or candy canes in a zip-top bag and crush them with a rolling pin. Avoid turning them into powder you want small crunchy bits for that iconic Festive Chocolate Peppermint Crunch Christmas Cookie Recipe texture. This also helps if you’re prepping Easy DIY Christmas Treats with kids!
3. Can I use white chocolate instead of semi-sweet chocolate chips?
Absolutely. White chocolate pairs beautifully with peppermint. Feel free to swap or even mix both for a fun twist on the Festive Chocolate Peppermint Crunch Christmas Cookie Recipe. This variation works great for Christmas Bake Off Ideas Dessert Recipes too.
4. Is this cookie recipe good for class parties or cookie exchanges?
Yes! This is one of the best Easy Class Treats and Easy Cookie Exchange Recipes Christmas options. They’re festive, easy to transport, and loved by both kids and adults. Plus, they’re eye-catching with the crushed peppermint topping.
5. Can I make this a gluten-free Festive Chocolate Peppermint Crunch Christmas Cookie Recipe?
Yes, just substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. Keep the rest of the ingredients the same. It’s a great option for making Simple Christmas Sweet Treats everyone can enjoy.
6. How do I package these cookies as Neighbor Christmas Treats?
Use holiday-themed boxes, clear treat bags with a ribbon, or mason jars with festive labels. Add a hand-written note or recipe card featuring the Festive Chocolate Peppermint Crunch Christmas Cookie Recipe to make it extra personal.
7. Can I double or triple the batch for a large party?
Definitely! This recipe scales beautifully. It’s a smart choice for planning Christmas Dinner Finger Food Ideas or bulk gifting. Just make sure to chill the dough slightly if you’re doing a huge batch it helps maintain cookie shape.
8. What can I serve with these cookies?
They’re perfect with hot cocoa, spiced cider, coffee, or even eggnog. If you’re planning Christmas Ideas For Family Things To Do, set up a cookie and cocoa bar with these treats as the star!