🎉 Introduction
If you’re dreaming of the perfect Christmas cookie — fudgy, soft, chocolatey, and kissed with cool peppermint — these Chocolate Peppermint Crinkle Cookies are exactly what you need. They combine the rich flavor of classic chocolate crinkles with a refreshing peppermint twist, making them one of the most festive and crowd-pleasing cookies you can bake during the holiday season.
These cookies bake up with dramatic snowy cracks, deep cocoa flavor, and soft brownie-like centers. The addition of peppermint gives them that unmistakable Christmas touch, making every bite taste like a winter wonderland. They’re beautiful on cookie platters, perfect for holiday gifting, and guaranteed to be one of your most popular Christmas recipes on Pinterest, Instagram, or your blog.
Inspired by the cozy, family-friendly style of “Cooking With Karli,” this recipe keeps things simple, approachable, and ultra delicious. You don’t need any complicated techniques — just simple ingredients, a chilled dough, and a generous coating of powdered sugar to create that signature crinkle finish.
Let’s bake the most festive, fudgy, peppermint-infused crinkles ever!
🧰 Equipment Needed
- Mixing bowls
- Hand mixer or stand mixer
- Silicone spatula
- Whisk
- Measuring cups & spoons
- Plastic wrap
- Parchment paper
- Baking trays
- Cooling rack
- Shallow bowl for powdered sugar
🛒 Ingredients
Fresh Ingredients
- 2 Large eggs
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup All-purpose flour
- ½ cup Unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon Baking powder
- ½ cup Granulated sugar
- ½ cup Brown sugar
- ½ cup Powdered sugar (for rolling)
- ¼ teaspoon Salt
Flavorings
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon Peppermint extract
Fat
- ¼ cup Vegetable oil
Optional Toppings
- Crushed candy canes
- Mini chocolate chips
- Holiday sprinkles
👩🍳 Directions
Step 1: Mix the Wet Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together:
- Eggs
- Vegetable oil
- Vanilla extract
- Peppermint extract
- Brown sugar
- Granulated sugar
Whisk until smooth, glossy, and well combined.
Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk:
- Flour
- Cocoa powder
- Baking powder
- Salt
Make sure the cocoa powder is well incorporated.
Step 3: Form the Dough
Add the dry mixture into the wet mixture.
Fold gently using a spatula until a soft, sticky dough forms.
This dough will look thick and chocolatey — exactly right for fudgy crinkles.
Step 4: Chill the Dough
Cover bowl tightly with plastic wrap.
Refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or up to overnight.
Chilling ensures:
- Perfect cracking
- Soft fudgy centers
- Thick cookie structure
Step 5: Preheat Your Oven
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Line your baking trays with parchment paper.
Step 6: Shape the Dough
Place powdered sugar in a shallow bowl.
Scoop dough into balls (1–1½ tablespoons each).
Roll each ball generously in powdered sugar.
For Christmas flair, roll the top in crushed candy canes.
Step 7: Bake
Place dough balls on your baking tray.
Bake for 10–12 minutes, until:
- Tops crack beautifully
- Edges look set
- Centers are soft
Let the cookies remain slightly underbaked for maximum fudginess.
Step 8: Cool
Allow cookies to cool on the tray for 5 minutes, then move them to a cooling rack.
Once cool, add extra crushed candy cane on top for sparkle.
🍽️ Servings & Timing
- Servings: 18–22 cookies
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Chill Time: 1 hour
- Bake Time: 10–12 minutes
- Total Time: ~1 hour 25 minutes
🧊 Storage & Reheating
Room Temperature
Store in an airtight container for 5–6 days.
Freezer
Freeze baked cookies or dough balls for up to 2 months.
Reheating
Microwave for 6 seconds to soften the centers.
🥄 Variations
1. Double Peppermint Crinkles
Add crushed peppermint candies to the dough.
2. Chocolate Chip Peppermint Crinkles
Fold mini chocolate chips into the dough for extra fudginess.
3. Hot Cocoa Peppermint Crinkles
Add mini marshmallows on top right after baking.
4. White Chocolate Peppermint Crinkles
Dip half the cookie in melted white chocolate, then sprinkle crushed candy canes.
5. Red Velvet Peppermint Crinkles
Swap cocoa with red velvet cake mix for a colorful twist.
6. Mocha Peppermint Crinkles
Add ½ teaspoon instant espresso powder to the dough.
❓ 10 FAQs
1. Why didn’t my cookies crack?
Dough must be cold — chill for at least 1 hour.
2. Why did my powdered sugar melt?
You need a thicker coating. Roll twice if needed.
3. Can I make these without peppermint?
Yes — replace peppermint with more vanilla.
4. Can I use butter instead of oil?
Yes, but oil gives softer, fudgier centers.
5. Can I make them gluten-free?
Yes — use a 1:1 gluten-free blend.
6. Why did my cookies spread too much?
The dough was too warm. Chill longer.
7. How do I make the peppermint flavor stronger?
Add more extract OR crushed candies.
8. Can I double the recipe?
Yes — perfect for holiday cookie boxes.
9. Can kids help make these?
Yes — rolling in sugar and topping with candy canes is fun!
10. Can I freeze the dough?
Yes — freeze dough balls, roll in sugar before baking.
🏁 Conclusion
These Chocolate Peppermint Crinkle Cookies are everything a Christmas cookie should be: festive, fudgy, chocolatey, snowy, and full of cool peppermint flavor that instantly brings winter holiday cheer. They’re easy to make, beautiful to display, and absolutely irresistible on a dessert board or cookie tray.
They’re perfect for Christmas parties, school treats, winter baking, Pinterest content, cookie exchanges, or cozy nights next to the tree. With their deep chocolate taste, cool peppermint aroma, and snowy crackle finish, they’re guaranteed to become one of your favorite holiday recipes.
Bake a batch, share them with loved ones, and enjoy the true flavor of Christmas!
Chocolate Peppermint Crinkle Cookies – Soft, Fudgy & Festive Holiday Treat
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Ingredients
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Discover more than 1700+ delicious recipes you can cook at home. Easy, step-by-step instructions with new recipes added every day.
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Equipment
Method
- In a large bowl, whisk together:
- Eggs
- Vegetable oil
- Vanilla extract
- Peppermint extract
- Brown sugar
- Granulated sugar
- Whisk until smooth, glossy, and well combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk:
- Flour
- Cocoa powder
- Baking powder
- Salt
- Make sure the cocoa powder is well incorporated.
- Add the dry mixture into the wet mixture.
- Fold gently using a spatula until a soft, sticky dough forms.
- This dough will look thick and chocolatey — exactly right for fudgy crinkles.
- Cover bowl tightly with plastic wrap.
- Refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or up to overnight.
- Chilling ensures:
- Perfect cracking
- Soft fudgy centers
- Thick cookie structure
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Line your baking trays with parchment paper.
- Place powdered sugar in a shallow bowl.
- Scoop dough into balls (1–1½ tablespoons each).
- Roll each ball generously in powdered sugar.
- For Christmas flair, roll the top in crushed candy canes.
- Place dough balls on your baking tray.
- Bake for 10–12 minutes, until:
- Tops crack beautifully
- Edges look set
- Centers are soft
- Let the cookies remain slightly underbaked for maximum fudginess.
- Allow cookies to cool on the tray for 5 minutes, then move them to a cooling rack.
- Once cool, add extra crushed candy cane on top for sparkle.
Notes
Room Temperature Store in an airtight container for 5–6 days. Freezer Freeze baked cookies or dough balls for up to 2 months. Reheating Microwave for 6 seconds to soften the centers. 🥄 Variations
1. Double Peppermint Crinkles Add crushed peppermint candies to the dough. 2. Chocolate Chip Peppermint Crinkles Fold mini chocolate chips into the dough for extra fudginess. 3. Hot Cocoa Peppermint Crinkles Add mini marshmallows on top right after baking. 4. White Chocolate Peppermint Crinkles Dip half the cookie in melted white chocolate, then sprinkle crushed candy canes. 5. Red Velvet Peppermint Crinkles Swap cocoa with red velvet cake mix for a colorful twist. 6. Mocha Peppermint Crinkles Add ½ teaspoon instant espresso powder to the dough. ❓ 10 FAQs
1. Why didn’t my cookies crack? Dough must be cold — chill for at least 1 hour. 2. Why did my powdered sugar melt? You need a thicker coating. Roll twice if needed. 3. Can I make these without peppermint? Yes — replace peppermint with more vanilla. 4. Can I use butter instead of oil? Yes, but oil gives softer, fudgier centers. 5. Can I make them gluten-free? Yes — use a 1:1 gluten-free blend. 6. Why did my cookies spread too much? The dough was too warm. Chill longer. 7. How do I make the peppermint flavor stronger? Add more extract OR crushed candies. 8. Can I double the recipe? Yes — perfect for holiday cookie boxes. 9. Can kids help make these? Yes — rolling in sugar and topping with candy canes is fun! 10. Can I freeze the dough? Yes — freeze dough balls, roll in sugar before baking. 🏁 Conclusion These Chocolate Peppermint Crinkle Cookies are everything a Christmas cookie should be: festive, fudgy, chocolatey, snowy, and full of cool peppermint flavor that instantly brings winter holiday cheer. They’re easy to make, beautiful to display, and absolutely irresistible on a dessert board or cookie tray. They’re perfect for Christmas parties, school treats, winter baking, Pinterest content, cookie exchanges, or cozy nights next to the tree. With their deep chocolate taste, cool peppermint aroma, and snowy crackle finish, they’re guaranteed to become one of your favorite holiday recipes. Bake a batch, share them with loved ones, and enjoy the true flavor of Christmas!
