Nothing brings holiday cheer like a warm batch of peppermint chocolate chip cookies for christmas, loaded with chocolate chips and bits of crushed candy cane. Using real peppermint extract gives these cookies a refreshing, festive taste. Mixing in the candy cane pieces by hand keeps them from staining the dough too much. An easy and family-friendly cookie that makes your kitchen smell like Christmas morning.
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A Little Batch of Holiday Happiness
- Festive Flavor in Every Bite – The combination of peppermint and chocolate creates the perfect taste of the season.
- Incredibly Simple to Make – With just 15 minutes of prep, you can have these holiday peppermint cookies ready for the oven.
- Chewy, Soft Texture – These soft baked peppermint chocolate chip cookies stay wonderfully chewy for days.
- Makes Your Home Smell Amazing – The aroma of these festive mint chocolate chip treats baking is pure Christmas magic.
Gathering Your Ingredients for a Cozy Baking Session
For the cookies
- All-purpose flour – The base of your cookie dough—just make sure it’s fresh for the best texture.
- Baking soda – Helps the cookies rise and get that perfect chewy-crisp balance.
- Salt – Don’t skip it! It enhances all the flavors.
- Unsalted butter – Softened to room temperature for easy mixing and creaminess.
- Granulated sugar – Adds that classic sweetness we all love in cookies.
- Light brown sugar – Pack it in for a rich, caramel-like flavor.
- Eggs – Room temperature is key for even mixing.
- Pure vanilla extract – Use the real stuff for the best flavor—no imitation here.
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips – The classic choice, but feel free to go darker if you prefer.
- Andes peppermint crunch baking chips – These add the perfect holiday minty twist.
- Crushed candy canes or peppermint candies – For a festive crunch and extra peppermint pop.
Your Kitchen Time for These Festive Cookies
I love recipes that fit into a busy holiday schedule without making you feel rushed. These peppermint chocolate chip cookies for christmas are just that. You’ll need about 15 minutes to get everything measured and mixed, which feels like a quiet moment of preparation before the festive chaos.
The actual baking time is a quick 10 minutes, filling your home with the most wonderful scent. In just about 25 minutes total, you can have a plate of warm, chewy cookies ready to share. It’s the perfect little project for an afternoon when you want to create something special without spending hours in the kitchen. If you enjoy simpler bakes like this, you might also like my small batch oatmeal chocolate chip cookies for another quick treat.
Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies for Christmas
Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened to room temperature
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup light brown sugar packed
- 2 large eggs at room temperature
- 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup Andes peppermint crunch baking chips
- 1/2 cup crushed candy canes or peppermint candies
Equipment
- electric mixer
- baking sheet
- spatula
Method
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt until fully combined; set this dry mixture aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer on medium speed to cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar for 2 to 3 minutes, until the mixture is light and fluffy.
- Beat the eggs and vanilla extract into the butter and sugar mixture until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
- Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until the dough just comes together with no visible streaks of flour.
- Use a spatula or spoon to gently fold in the chocolate chips, peppermint crunch chips, and crushed candy canes until they are evenly distributed throughout the cookie dough.
- Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
- Bake for 9 to 11 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the centers appear set; allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Nutrition
Private Notes
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!Adapting These Cookies for Special Diets
I know many of us are more sugar conscious these days, even during the holidays. If you’re looking for a lower sugar or diabetic-friendly version of these peppermint chocolate chip cookies for christmas, a few simple swaps can help. I always believe that holiday baking should feel inclusive, so here are some gentle ideas.
For a low sugar version, you could replace the granulated sugar with a natural sweetener like stevia that’s made for baking. Using sugar-free chocolate chips is another great way to reduce the overall sugar content. Remember, even with adjustments, portion size is key for glycemic control—sometimes enjoying one or two wonderful cookies is more satisfying than none at all.
My Pro-Tips for Cookie Perfection
After making countless batches of these peppermint chocolate chip cookies for christmas, I’ve learned a few tricks that make all the difference. Here are my favorite ways to ensure your holiday cookies turn out perfectly every time.
- For a Flavor Twist – Try using dark chocolate chips instead of semi-sweet for a richer, deeper chocolate flavor that pairs beautifully with the peppermint.
- For a Dietary Tweak – To make these Christmas cookie recipes gluten-free, simply use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend in place of the all-purpose flour.
- For the Perfect Texture – Don’t overmix the dough after adding the flour; mix just until the streaks disappear for a tender cookie. For more chewy cookie secrets, check out my classic chocolate chip cookies guide.
- For Keeping Them Fresh – Store cooled cookies in an airtight container with a slice of bread; the bread helps maintain the soft, chewy texture for days. You can find more storage tips in my Christmas snickerdoodles post.
A Look at Nutrition and Enjoyment
While these are certainly a treat, it’s nice to understand what we’re enjoying. These chewy peppermint chocolate chip cookies for christmas provide a little energy boost from the carbohydrates, and using real butter and eggs adds some protein and fat to help you feel satisfied.
For a more detailed understanding of balanced eating, you can explore this New York Times cookie technique article which discusses ingredient functions. If you love cookie baking, my peanut butter cookies offer a different flavor profile, and my Danish oatmeal cookies incorporate whole grains. Remember, the joy and connection found in baking and sharing food is a wonderful benefit in itself.
Creating a Lighter Version
If you’re looking for a way to lighten up these festive treats, it’s easier than you think. For a slightly healthier take on these peppermint chocolate chip cookies for christmas, you can replace half the butter with unsweetened applesauce to reduce the fat content.
You could also use a mix of whole wheat and all-purpose flour for added fiber. For other festive ideas that are naturally simpler, my almond shortbread cookies for christmas have a short ingredient list, and these Andes mint cookies for christmas are another great minty option.
Serving Your Cookies with Love
I love serving these cookies still slightly warm from the oven with a cold glass of milk. It reminds me of Christmas Eves at my grandmother’s house, where the cookie plate was always the centerpiece of our gathering. These holiday cookies with candy cane pieces are a true celebration on a plate.
For a real holiday party, pair them with a cup of rich hot chocolate. They also make wonderful gifts piled into a festive tin or cookie jar. If you need more Christmas inspiration, browse my collection of christmas cookie recipes, or try something like these brown butter chocolate chip cookies for christmas for a different flavor.
Common Mistakes to Avoid for Perfect Cookies
Let’s talk about a few common hiccups so your batch of peppermint chocolate chip cookies for christmas turns out perfectly. First, using butter that’s too soft or melted can cause the cookies to spread excessively. Your butter should be softened but still cool to the touch.
Another mistake is overbaking. Take them out when the edges are golden but the centers still look slightly soft—they will firm up as they cool. Also, be sure to check out these Allrecipes peppermint cookie variations for more ideas. Finally, don’t skip chilling the dough if your kitchen is warm; it helps prevent spreading. For more tips on rich flavors, see my brown butter pistachio cookies for christmas, and for another chewy favorite, my oatmeal chocolate chip cookies.
Storing Your Holiday Cookies
I always make a double batch of these peppermint chocolate chip cookies because they freeze so beautifully. It’s a lovely thing to have a container of dough balls in the freezer, ready to bake for unexpected guests throughout the season.
For storing baked cookies, let them cool completely first. Then, layer them between parchment paper in an airtight container. They’ll stay soft and delicious at room temperature for about a week. You can also freeze the baked cookies for up to 3 months. For other cookies that store well, try my Christmas snickerdoodles or my Halloween cookies for a different seasonal treat.
I Hope You’ll Try These Festive Cookies
Baking these peppermint chocolate chip cookies for christmas has become such a cherished part of my holiday season. It’s a simple act that fills the house with warmth and anticipation. I hope this recipe brings a moment of quiet joy to your kitchen, too.
If you enjoy these, I think you’d love exploring some of my other festive bakes. For another chocolatey option, try these brown butter salted caramel chocolate chip cookies for christmas. You can always find more ideas in my full cookies collection or specifically in the chocolate chip section. Happy baking!
More Festive Cookie Recipes You’ll Adore
If you loved these peppermint delights, here are a few more Christmas cookie recipes to fill your cookie jar with holiday spirit.
Almond Shortbread Cookies for Christmas – Buttery, delicate cookies with a lovely nutty crunch that simply melt in your mouth.
Andes Mint Cookies for Christmas – A rich, fudgy cookie packed with mint chocolate chips for an ultra-decadent treat.
Brown Butter Pistachio Cookies for Christmas – Nutty brown butter and chopped pistachios create a sophisticated and irresistible flavor.
Christmas Snickerdoodles – Classic soft and chewy snickerdoodles rolled in festive red and green cinnamon sugar.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are peppermint cookies?
Peppermint cookies are any cookies that feature peppermint flavor, often from extract or crushed candy canes. These peppermint chocolate chip cookies for christmas are a perfect example, combining classic chocolate chip cookie dough with festive peppermint notes.
What is a Christmas cookie?
A Christmas cookie is any cookie traditionally baked during the holiday season, often featuring spices, peppermint, or festive shapes and decorations. These peppermint chocolate chip cookies are a beloved type of Christmas cookie recipe.
What is a chocolate chip cookie?
A chocolate chip cookie is a classic drop cookie featuring a butter-based dough studded with chocolate chips. This recipe is a festive twist on that classic, making it one of the most popular holiday peppermint cookies. For a traditional version, see my classic chocolate chip cookies.
How do you make candy cane cookies?
Candy cane cookies often refer to cookies shaped like canes or, like this recipe, cookies that incorporate crushed candy canes. The key is to fold in the crushed candy canes at the very end to prevent them from dissolving and staining the dough too much.
