If you’re searching for the perfect holiday cookie that blends cool peppermint with rich chocolate in every soft, chewy bite, look no further. Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies are the festive treat your dessert table has been missing. These cookies are easy to make, beautifully aromatic, and irresistibly delicious — the ultimate Christmas baking recipe for families, gifting, or cozy winter nights.
In this detailed recipe article, you’ll learn everything you need to make Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies from scratch: ingredients, tools, step-by-step preparation, expert baking tips, serving ideas, and even nutritional information.
What Makes Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies Special?
There’s something magical about combining cool peppermint with creamy dark chocolate. The refreshing mint balances the sweetness, while crushed candy canes add a delightful crunch. These cookies:
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Stay soft in the center
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Have perfectly crispy edges
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Are filled with chunks of chocolate
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Smell like Christmas in your kitchen
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Make beautiful holiday gifts
Whether you’re preparing a cookie box, baking for a school event, or creating content for Pinterest and Instagram, Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies always stand out.
Ingredients for Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies
Below is the complete list of fresh ingredients you’ll need to bake the softest, most flavorful Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies.
Dry Ingredients
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2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
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1 teaspoon baking soda
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½ teaspoon baking powder
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¾ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
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1 cup unsalted butter, softened (225 g)
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¾ cup granulated sugar
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¾ cup packed light brown sugar
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2 large eggs (room temperature)
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2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
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1 teaspoon peppermint extract (adjust to preferred intensity)
Mix-ins
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1 ½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chunks or chips
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½ cup crushed peppermint candies or candy canes
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Optional: ½ cup white chocolate chips for extra sweetness
Required Kitchen Tools
To prepare your Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies smoothly, you’ll need:
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Mixing bowls (small, medium, and large)
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Hand mixer or stand mixer
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Rubber spatula
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Measuring cups & spoons
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Baking sheets
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Parchment paper
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Cookie scoop (optional but recommended)
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Cooling rack
How to Make Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies (Step-by-Step)
Follow these clear, easy steps to make your cookies soft, chewy, and beautifully peppermint-flavored.
Step 1 — Prepare the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together:
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All-purpose flour
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Baking soda
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Baking powder
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Salt
Set aside.
This helps ensure your dough mixes evenly, preventing overmixing later.
Step 2 — Cream the Butter and Sugars
In a large bowl:
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Add the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar.
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Beat using a hand or stand mixer on medium-high for about 2–3 minutes.
You want a fluffy, pale mixture — this traps air and gives the cookies a soft, tender texture.
Step 3 — Add Eggs and Extracts
To your creamed mixture, add:
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Eggs, one at a time
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Vanilla extract
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Peppermint extract
Mix on low until fully combined.
Peppermint extract is strong, so stick to the measurements unless you enjoy a bold mint flavor.
Step 4 — Add Dry Ingredients to Wet Ingredients
Slowly add the dry mixture to the wet mixture.
Mix on low speed until the dough just combines.
❗ Important: Overmixing can make cookies dense and tough.
Step 5 — Fold in Mix-Ins
Using a spatula, gently fold in:
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Chocolate chips or chunks
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White chocolate chips (optional)
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Crushed candy canes
Save a little candy for topping before baking.
Step 6 — Chill the Dough
Cover the bowl and refrigerate the dough for at least 45–60 minutes.
Chilling:
Prevents cookies from spreading
Enhances the peppermint flavor
Develops a better texture
If you’re short on time, 30 minutes in the freezer works too.
Step 7 — Shape the Cookies
Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
Using a cookie scoop (or spoon), scoop dough balls:
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About 2 tablespoons each for medium cookies
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3 tablespoons for large bakery-style cookies
Press a few chocolate chunks and crushed peppermint pieces on top for a beautiful finish.
Step 8 — Bake the Cookies
Bake for:
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10–12 minutes for medium cookies
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12–14 minutes for large cookies
Cookies should look slightly underbaked in the center — they finish setting as they cool.
The edges should be lightly golden, and the center soft.
Step 9 — Let Them Cool
Allow cookies to cool:
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5 minutes on the baking sheet
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Then transfer to a cooling rack
This step prevents breakage and helps maintain a soft, chewy texture.
Expert Tips for the BEST Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies
These baking tips help your cookies turn out perfect every time.
1. Don’t Skip Chilling
Chilling ensures cookies stay thick and bakery-style instead of flat and oily.
2. Use Peppermint Extract, Not Mint Extract
Mint extract tastes more like toothpaste — peppermint extract is fresh, sweet, and minty.
3. Add White Chocolate for Extra Flavor
White chocolate balances the cool peppermint beautifully.
4. Crush Candy Canes to the Right Size
If the pieces are too big, they melt and stick.
If they’re too fine, they disappear into the dough.
Aim for pea-sized pieces.
5. Add Extra Chocolate on Top Before Baking
This gives a bakery-style look and enhances chocolate flavor.
6. Rotate Baking Sheets
If your oven has hot spots, rotate trays halfway through.
7. Use Room-Temperature Ingredients
Room-temperature butter and eggs ensure even mixing and perfect texture.
8. Store Properly
Store cookies in an airtight container with a piece of bread — the bread keeps them soft for days.
9. Freeze the Dough
Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies freeze beautifully.
To freeze:
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Scoop the dough into balls
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Place on a tray and freeze
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Transfer to freezer bags
Bake frozen cookie dough by adding +1 minute to the baking time.
Serving Suggestions
Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies are incredibly versatile during the holiday season. Enjoy them:
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With a cup of hot chocolate
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With mint chocolate chip ice cream
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In Christmas cookie gift boxes
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As a festive snack at parties
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As a beautiful dessert on Christmas eve
You can also dip half the cookie in melted chocolate and sprinkle with more peppermint — perfect for gifting!
Approximate Nutritional Value (Per Cookie)
Values are estimated for a medium-sized cookie.
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Calories: 210
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Fat: 10g
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Carbohydrates: 28g
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Sugar: 19g
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Protein: 2g
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Fiber: 1g
These cookies are a festive indulgence — enjoy them guilt-free during the holiday season!
Why You’ll Love This Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
This recipe is:
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Easy for beginners
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Perfect for holiday gatherings
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Full of rich chocolate and cool peppermint
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Soft, chewy, and bakery-style
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Great for Christmas gifting or cookie boxes
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Ideal for creating viral Pinterest and Instagram posts
The combination of chocolate chunks and peppermint is nostalgic, refreshing, and comforting all at once.
Conclusion
If you want a cookie recipe that melts in your mouth, fills your kitchen with holiday aromas, and impresses anyone who takes a bite, Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies are the answer.
They’re festive, delicious, and surprisingly easy to prepare. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a holiday cooking beginner, this recipe guarantees perfect results every time.
So go ahead — preheat your oven, grab your peppermint candies, and bake a batch of the most irresistible Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies you’ve ever tasted.
Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies
Ingredients
Notes
