๐ Introduction
These Double Chocolate Peppermint Cookies are everything a holiday cookie should be โ rich, fudgy, deeply chocolatey, and studded with a refreshing peppermint crunch. Imagine a brownie and a chocolate cookie blended into one, then finished with melted chocolate chips and crushed candy canes.
Theyโre soft in the center, slightly crisp at the edges, and perfectly festive. If you love peppermint bark or chocolate-mint desserts, these cookies will easily become your new seasonal obsession. Theyโre ideal for holiday gatherings, cookie boxes, or cozy nights with a hot cup of cocoa.
๐งฐ Equipment Needed
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk or electric mixer
- Rubber spatula
- Baking sheets
- Parchment paper
- Cookie scoop
- Cooling rack
๐ Ingredients
For the Cookies
- 1 cup (226 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ยฝ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
- 1ยพ cups all-purpose flour
- ยพ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ยฝ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ยพ cup crushed candy canes
Optional Toppings
- Additional crushed candy canes
- Melted chocolate drizzle
- White chocolate chips
๐ฉโ๐ณ Directions
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
Preheat your oven to 350ยฐF (175ยฐC) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
In a mixing bowl, cream the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy โ about 2โ3 minutes.
Add eggs, vanilla extract, and peppermint extract. Mix until smooth and glossy.
Step 2: Add Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together:
- flour
- cocoa powder
- baking soda
- salt
Add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients and mix until a soft dough forms.
Fold in the chocolate chips and crushed candy canes gently โ overmixing can dissolve the candy.
Chill dough 15โ20 minutes for thicker cookies.
Step 3: Scoop & Bake
Scoop dough into 1ยฝ tablespoon-sized balls.
Place on baking sheets with at least 2 inches of space between cookies.
Bake 9โ11 minutes, until edges are set but centers still look soft.
They will continue to firm up as they cool.
Let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a rack.
๐ฝ๏ธ Servings & Timing
- Yield: 20โ24 cookies
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Chill Time: 15 minutes
- Bake Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: ~35 minutes
๐ง Storage & Reheating
Room Temperature: 4โ5 days
Refrigerator: Up to 1 week
Freeze Dough Balls: Up to 2 months
Freeze Baked Cookies: 1 month
Reheat a cookie for 7 seconds to revive fudginess.
๐ฅ Variations
- Triple Chocolate Peppermint: Add white chocolate chips.
- Peppermint Mocha: Add 1 teaspoon espresso powder.
- Thin & Chewy: Flatten the dough balls slightly before baking.
- Thick & Soft: Chill dough for 1 hour.
- Dark Chocolate Version: Use dark cocoa or Dutch-process cocoa.
- Chocolate Glazed: Drizzle melted chocolate on top.
- White Chocolate Dip: Dip half the cookie in melted white chocolate.
- Mint Chip Version: Replace candy canes with Andes mints pieces.
- Gluten-Free: Use a 1:1 GF flour blend.
- Extra Peppermint: Add more peppermint extract if you prefer a stronger mint flavor.
โ 10 FAQs
- Do the candy canes melt in the cookies?
No โ they soften but remain delightfully crunchy. - Can I skip peppermint extract?
Yes, but the cookies will be less minty. - Why did my cookies spread too much?
Dough was too warm โ chill longer. - Can I add white chocolate chips?
Absolutely โ it makes them taste like peppermint bark. - Can kids help?
Yes โ smashing candy canes is fun! - Can I double the recipe?
Yes โ perfect for holiday baking. - Should cookies be soft when removed from oven?
Yes โ they finish setting as they cool. - Can I use Dutch-process cocoa?
Yes โ it will make the cookies richer and darker. - Can I freeze the dough?
Yes โ freeze scooped dough balls. - How do I keep candy canes from clumping?
Crush them right before adding to the dough for best texture.
๐ Conclusion
These Double Chocolate Peppermint Cookies are the perfect holiday treat โ rich, fudgy, deeply chocolatey, and brightened with cool peppermint crunch. They taste exactly like Christmas should: warm, cozy, festive, and just a little indulgent.
Whether youโre preparing for cookie swaps, gifting, or simply celebrating the season with a little sweetness, these cookies will become a new family favorite.

Double Chocolate Peppermint Cookies โ Rich, Fudgy & Filled With Cool Mint Crunch
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 350ยฐF (175ยฐC) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a mixing bowl, cream the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy โ about 2โ3 minutes.
- Add eggs, vanilla extract, and peppermint extract. Mix until smooth and glossy.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together:
- flour
- cocoa powder
- baking soda
- salt
- Add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients and mix until a soft dough forms.
- Fold in the chocolate chips and crushed candy canes gently โ overmixing can dissolve the candy.
- Chill dough 15โ20 minutes for thicker cookies.
- Scoop dough into 1ยฝ tablespoon-sized balls.
- Place on baking sheets with at least 2 inches of space between cookies.
- Bake 9โ11 minutes, until edges are set but centers still look soft.
- They will continue to firm up as they cool.
- Let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a rack.
Notes
๐ง Storage & Reheating
Room Temperature: 4โ5 daysRefrigerator: Up to 1 week
Freeze Dough Balls: Up to 2 months
Freeze Baked Cookies: 1 month Reheat a cookie for 7 seconds to revive fudginess.
๐ฅ Variations
Triple Chocolate Peppermint: Add white chocolate chips. Peppermint Mocha: Add 1 teaspoon espresso powder. Thin & Chewy: Flatten the dough balls slightly before baking. Thick & Soft: Chill dough for 1 hour. Dark Chocolate Version: Use dark cocoa or Dutch-process cocoa. Chocolate Glazed: Drizzle melted chocolate on top. White Chocolate Dip: Dip half the cookie in melted white chocolate. Mint Chip Version: Replace candy canes with Andes mints pieces. Gluten-Free: Use a 1:1 GF flour blend. Extra Peppermint: Add more peppermint extract if you prefer a stronger mint flavor.โ 10 FAQs
Do the candy canes melt in the cookies?No โ they soften but remain delightfully crunchy. Can I skip peppermint extract?
Yes, but the cookies will be less minty. Why did my cookies spread too much?
Dough was too warm โ chill longer. Can I add white chocolate chips?
Absolutely โ it makes them taste like peppermint bark. Can kids help?
Yes โ smashing candy canes is fun! Can I double the recipe?
Yes โ perfect for holiday baking. Should cookies be soft when removed from oven?
Yes โ they finish setting as they cool. Can I use Dutch-process cocoa?
Yes โ it will make the cookies richer and darker. Can I freeze the dough?
Yes โ freeze scooped dough balls. How do I keep candy canes from clumping?
Crush them right before adding to the dough for best texture.