🎉 Introduction
These Double Chocolate Peppermint Cookies are soft, rich, fudgy, and full of cozy holiday flavor. The chocolate base is deep and smooth thanks to Dutch-process cocoa, while chocolate chips melt into every bite. A touch of peppermint adds a cool, refreshing sparkle that balances the richness beautifully. Crushed candy canes on top bring a festive crunch and holiday cheer.
They taste like a mug of peppermint hot chocolate in cookie form — warm, cozy, chocolatey, and a little magical. These cookies are perfect for cookie exchanges, gifting, Christmas gatherings, or enjoying with your favorite winter drink.
🧰 Equipment Needed
- Mixing bowls
- Hand mixer or stand mixer
- Rubber spatula
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Cooling rack
- Zip-top bag + rolling pin (for candy canes)
🛒 Ingredients
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup light brown sugar, packed
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 2 egg yolks
- 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste (or vanilla extract)
- 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
- 1¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 6 tablespoons Dutch-process cocoa powder
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup semisweet chocolate chips
- ½ cup peppermint chips
- 2 tablespoons crushed candy canes (plus more for topping)
👩🍳 Directions
Step 1: Prep
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
Step 2: Cream the Butter & Sugars
- Beat butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar for 2–3 minutes, until creamy and smooth.
Step 3: Add Yolks & Flavor
- Add egg yolks, vanilla, and peppermint extract.
- Mix until silky and well-combined.
Step 4: Mix Dry Ingredients
In another bowl whisk together:
- flour
- cocoa powder
- baking powder
- baking soda
- salt
Step 5: Combine
- Add dry ingredients to wet.
- Mix until a soft chocolate dough forms — do not overmix.
Step 6: Add Chips & Peppermint
- Fold in:
- semisweet chocolate chips
- peppermint chips
- crushed candy canes
Step 7: Shape & Bake
- Scoop dough into rounded tablespoon balls.
- Place on baking sheet with room to spread.
- Bake 9–12 minutes, until edges are set but centers look soft.
Step 8: Finish
- While cookies are warm, sprinkle extra crushed candy canes on top.
- Cool 5 minutes on tray, then move to cooling rack.
🍽️ Servings & Timing
- Servings: ~20 cookies
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Bake Time: 9–12 minutes
- Total Time: ~22 minutes
🧊 Storage
- Store cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Freeze baked cookies for 2 months.
- Freeze dough balls up to 3 months — bake from frozen (add 1–2 minutes).
🥄 Variations
- Extra Peppermint Punch:
Increase peppermint extract to 1½ teaspoons. - Bakery-Style Thick:
Chill dough 20 minutes before baking. - Triple Chocolate:
Add ¼ cup white chocolate chips. - Peppermint Mocha Version:
Add ½ teaspoon instant espresso powder to dry ingredients. - Crinkle Finish:
Roll dough balls in powdered sugar before baking.
❓ 10 FAQs
- Can I use regular cocoa powder instead of Dutch-process?
Yes — flavor will be slightly lighter but still delicious. - Can I use whole eggs instead of just yolks?
Not recommended — yolks keep cookies rich and chewy. - Do the peppermint chips melt too much?
They soften, but hold shape enough for texture and flavor. - Can I skip the peppermint flavor?
Yes — you’ll have soft double chocolate cookies. - Can I make them smaller?
Yes — reduce bake time by 1–2 minutes. - Why are my cookies flat?
Dough was too warm — chill next time. - Can I use candy cane pieces as mix-ins?
Yes, but keep them coarse so they don’t melt away. - How do I make them extra chewy?
Underbake slightly and let cool on the tray. - Can I make them dairy-free?
Use dairy-free butter + chocolate. - Are these good for gifting?
Yes — especially when packaged chilled to preserve candy cane crunch.
🏁 Conclusion
These Double Chocolate Peppermint Cookies are rich, ultra-soft, chocolatey, and sparkling with holiday peppermint cheer. Every bite is warm, fudgy, and full of cozy winter magic.
Chocolate. Peppermint. Joy.
A holiday cookie that feels like a hug.

Double Chocolate Peppermint Cookies — Rich, Fudgy & Holiday-Bright
Method
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Beat butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar for 2–3 minutes, until creamy and smooth.
- Add egg yolks, vanilla, and peppermint extract.
- Mix until silky and well-combined.
- In another bowl whisk together:
- flour
- cocoa powder
- baking powder
- baking soda
- salt
- Add dry ingredients to wet.
- Mix until a soft chocolate dough forms — do not overmix.
- Fold in:
- semisweet chocolate chips
- peppermint chips
- crushed candy canes
- Scoop dough into rounded tablespoon balls.
- Place on baking sheet with room to spread.
- Bake 9–12 minutes, until edges are set but centers look soft.
- While cookies are warm, sprinkle extra crushed candy canes on top.
- Cool 5 minutes on tray, then move to cooling rack.
Notes
Increase peppermint extract to 1½ teaspoons. Bakery-Style Thick:
Chill dough 20 minutes before baking. Triple Chocolate:
Add ¼ cup white chocolate chips. Peppermint Mocha Version:
Add ½ teaspoon instant espresso powder to dry ingredients. Crinkle Finish:
Roll dough balls in powdered sugar before baking. ❓ 10 FAQs Can I use regular cocoa powder instead of Dutch-process?
Yes — flavor will be slightly lighter but still delicious. Can I use whole eggs instead of just yolks?
Not recommended — yolks keep cookies rich and chewy. Do the peppermint chips melt too much?
They soften, but hold shape enough for texture and flavor. Can I skip the peppermint flavor?
Yes — you’ll have soft double chocolate cookies. Can I make them smaller?
Yes — reduce bake time by 1–2 minutes. Why are my cookies flat?
Dough was too warm — chill next time. Can I use candy cane pieces as mix-ins?
Yes, but keep them coarse so they don’t melt away. How do I make them extra chewy?
Underbake slightly and let cool on the tray. Can I make them dairy-free?
Use dairy-free butter + chocolate. Are these good for gifting?
Yes — especially when packaged chilled to preserve candy cane crunch. 🏁 Conclusion These Double Chocolate Peppermint Cookies are rich, ultra-soft, chocolatey, and sparkling with holiday peppermint cheer. Every bite is warm, fudgy, and full of cozy winter magic. Chocolate. Peppermint. Joy.
A holiday cookie that feels like a hug.
