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Soft and chewy, just like a chocolate chip cookie should be--these Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies are your new favorite Christmas Cookie! Take these to the cookie exchange--or save them for yourself--loaded with candy canes and lots of chips, they will make Santa extra happy!
- Originally posted December 2018. Photos updated November 2020. -
As soon as the holiday season hits, all I want is chocolate and peppermint--and I will take it just about any way I can get it.
These peppermint chip cookies, fully of crushed up candy canes have become a tradition the past several years, and it wouldn't be Christmas without them.
Why we love these peppermint chip cookies so much:
- They take a classic and give it a holiday kick! Who can resist a chocolate chip cookie? And giving them a little bit of Christmas cheer just makes them more fun over the holiday season.
- These are super kid friendly. Get the kids in the kitchen. Oh what fun it is to CRUSH UP CANDY CANES! I can't promise things won't get messy though.
- They are delish! I mean, isn't that the reason we bake cookies??
These Peppermint Chip Cookies are bound to become a family favorite in your house very soon. Grab some milk and get ready!
What you will need:
- butter: I use unsalted butter. Salted butter will work too, just half the amount of salt added later. Softened to room temperature, but not too soft that if you press into it, it is very mushy. Just enough to press a finger print into.
- brown sugar: light brown sugar is what we use.
- sugar: classic, granulated sugar
- egg: a large egg
- flour: all purpose flour, if you can measure the weight, that is ideal. If not, stir the flour to aerate and then spoon and level into the measuring cup for best results. It is very easy to over measure flour especially if you scoop the measuring cup right into the flour.
- baking soda: make sure it is fresh. Expired baking soda can cause your cookies to be the opposite of a success!
- sea salt: regular salt will work as well, we just prefer sea salt
- vanilla: extract is preference here. You can also add a touch (¼- ½ teaspoon) of peppermint extract for more mint flavor.
- candy canes (or peppermint candies if not in season)
- dark and white chocolate chips--or any combo you prefer!
How to make this recipe:
- Cream the butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Add in the egg and vanilla and beat to incorporate.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the salt, flour and baking soda. Slowly add the dry ingredients and mix only to incorporate. You don't want to over mix at this point.
- Once the flour is incorporated, fold in the chocolate chips and crushed candy canes.
- Chill until ready to bake or scoop onto parchment lined baking sheets and bake!
Check out some of my cookie baking tips and FAQs here before you start baking these cookies!
Notes and Pro-Tips:
- Too much candy cane near the edges of the cookie will run. Now this is the only issue I have with these cookies and I have been able to figure out a way for the most part to help keep the candy cane from running in all directions. When you scoop the cookies onto the cookie sheet, check around the edges to see if there are any big pieces of candy cane. If there are, either pull them out or try to press them into the dough. Having the candy cane run doesn't ruin the cookie--it just doesn't look quite as pretty!
- When in doubt, crush the candy canes REALLY SMALL. This will alleviate most issues with candy canes running. Just skip the big chunks--you will still love these!
- Chilling cookie dough is always a great idea. It helps to solidify the fats in the cookie so that when baking it takes longer for them to soften. No time to chill? Not the end of the world, but there will be a difference in the chewiness of the cookie.
- Always, always ALWAYS make sure that your baking soda is fresh. Old or expired baking soda can make your cookies flat. No one wants a flat cookie!
- I tried to make these simple to double the batch if you are wanting to make more to share with the people you love! I have made double the batch several times with great results!
- All the chips! The key to the best chocolate chip cookies is extra chips, right? Add whatever you like! I always end up throwing extra in and so can you! I loved the chocolate chunks I found at the store to add some extra texture. Chips are great as well!
- Candy canes are great, but peppermint candies will work fine if it is not candy cane season.
Enjoy these Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies and all of your favorite treats this season and beyond!
Other Holiday Treats:
- Nutella Stuffed Ritz Cracker Cookies with Peppermint White Chocolate
- Cream Cheese Snowball Cookies
- One Bowl Small Batch Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Christmas Golden Oreo Truffles
- Snickerdoodle Cheesecake Stuffed Crescent Wreath
- Dark Chocolate Candy Cane Pretzel Bark
- Dark Chocolate Peppermint Puppy Chow
- Individual Cranberry Orange Crisps
- Maple Vanilla Spiced Pecans Recipe
- Nutella Crumble Bars
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Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies
Dark and white chocolate chips, and candy canes make these Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies such a perfect treat to celebrate the holidays!
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Servings: 24 cookies
Calories: 152kcal
Ingredients
- ½ c unsalted butter, softened and room temperature
- 1 egg
- 1 ½ c flour (204 g)* see note **If doubling the recipe, please see notes for grams!!
- ½ c sugar
- ⅓ c brown sugar, packed firmly
- 1 ½ teaspoon Vanilla
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¾ c white chocolate chips
- ¾ c dark or regular chocolate chips
- 5 candy canes, crushed into fine pieces about ¼ cup plus a tablespoon
Instructions
- Using a hand or standing mixer, cream butter, sugar and brown sugar until nice and creamy. Add in vanilla and egg and beat until incorporated. You don't want to over do this part or cookies will be stiff. Just enough until the egg is mixed in (about 20 seconds.)
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, sea salt and baking soda. Mix dry ingredients into wet ingredients until combined.
- Stir in chocolate chips and candy canes.
- Chill the dough if possible for at least 15-30 minutes, seal tightly and chill up to 3 days before baking. (Allow to sit out 10-15 minutes before you bake them)
- When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350°F. Roll dough into balls or use a cookie scoop and line on a parchment lined baking sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until cookies look slightly golden. The key here is NOT to over bake these! They may not look done but they are!
- Allow to cool for several minutes before transferring to your mouth--er, a cooling rack.
Notes
*Flour weight conversions are not universal. I researched this thoroughly finding one cup of flour to weight anywhere from 120g to 150 g. I tested several weights and found that 204 grams seemed ideal for this recipe. That is on the heavier side with one cup weighing about 136 grams. If you are not using a scale, keep an extra tablespoon or two of flour just in case.
**If doubling the recipe: the calculator will NOT automatically double or triple the grams of flour. If doubling, you will need 408 grams of flour and if tripling, use 612 grams of flour.
- Too much candy cane near the edges of the cookie will run. Now this is the only issue I have with these cookies and I have been able to figure out a way for the most part to help keep the candy cane from running in all directions. When you scoop the cookies onto the cookie sheet, check around the edges to see if there are any big pieces of candy cane. If there are, either pull them out or try to press them into the dough. Having the candy cane run doesn't ruin the cookie--it just doesn't look quite as pretty!
- When in doubt, crush the candy canes REALLY SMALL. This will alleviate most issues with candy canes running. Just skip the big chunks--you will still love these!
- Chilling cookie dough is always a great idea. It helps to solidify the fats in the cookie so that when baking it takes longer for them to soften. No time to chill? Not the end of the world, but there will be a difference in the chewiness of the cookie.
- If dough is chilled and cookies are spreading a lot, add 1 or 2 tablespoons of flour to help them hold their shape better. If flour is just slightly off, it can make a big difference in the amount the cookies hold together.
Nutrition
Calories: 152kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 19mg | Sodium: 121mg | Potassium: 31mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 141IU | Calcium: 24mg | Iron: 1mg
Did you try this recipe? I would love to see it! Mention @LemonsAndZest or tag #LemonsAndZest!
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Monica A. says
These are so simple and delicious. These were a family favorite this Christmas. I have a batch in the fridge chilling now because there were no leftover cookies for me to take home and enjoy the next day! Lol
Lorie says
Haaaa I get that so much. Leftovers are what I live for on these. I keep a bunch in the freezer too. So happy you loved them Monica!!
Brie says
Oh no, I chose the “2x” recipe without reading the comments and it became a huge one cookie puddle on the baking sheet . Please update. The dough tastes amazing and I will try again with the correct quantity 3C.
Lorie says
Oh no!!! We’re you using the weight or cups? When I double, it says 3 cups but still says 204 grams. Just want to make sure I have all the notes I need to add in. It may be a glitch in the plug-in and I want to sort that out.
Bammie says
I am going to make these cookies and did the 2x button above the recipe to double it. I was weighing the the flour in grams, the double recipe said 3 cups of four-204 grams, so I weighed out 204 grams and thought there is no way that is even close to 3 cups and I was right, the grams did not double when you do the 2x. Will report back after I get them made and tried, just wanted to let others know, not everyone might not catch that if they just go off the weight. These look so good, so can't wait to get them baked!
Lorie says
Ohhh I just looked and saw the same thing. It’s because the 204 is in the notes and not the measurements. I will have to add this info into the notes. Thanks soooooo much for catching this!!!
Lena says
Hi! These cookies tasted AMAZING! Small thing though- when I baked these, they came out really flat and sticky, and I'm not quite sure why. But when we first bit into them, they tasted so good :). The only difference I made was not freezing the dough, but we didn't have enough time since our cookie trade was the next day. Once they cooled a bit, they were a little less sticky, but I'm pretty sure that's because the candy canes cooled off too. But about the flatness of it... is there a way to maybe give the cookie a little more height? Amazing recipe here! Thanks!
Lorie says
Hi Lena!! Glad they were still tasty!! If they were flat more than likely one of two things: not enough flour or the dough was too warm. I get not having the time to chill—it happens. If they were sticky or greasy then I imagine there was not enough flour. If you are not measuring with a scale, it can be tricky to get just the right amount. But, next time, if you chill them and they still turn out a bit flat and greasy/sticky, add an extra tablespoon or two of flour to the dough to help. Hope that helps!!
Robin Reid says
I made these today...they tasted better than a similar candy cane recipe I made last year. I think the chocolate helps offset the mint. I made 1 batch then made another as I felt I might need more than 24. If I make them again, I will just double the batch.
Thanks for sharing the recipe. I hope everyone enjoys them as much as we do.
Robin
Lorie says
So happy to hear!! And yes, a double batch is for sure a great idea in my opinion!!
Elaine says
I made these today I sent a dozen to my daughter they are the best ! Thanks
Lorie says
Yay!! You are going to have a very happy daughter I imagine. Glad you enjoyed them, Elaine!
Pam says
O…M…Goshhhh!! These lil jewels are amazing!! Of course, I had to test one, for quality control and I’m afraid i may have to test several more, just to make sure!! Hee hee hee…Thanks so much for this winner!! YUM!!
Lorie says
Pam, your comment has made my day! I think you have every right to test at least half a dozen more to make sure they are shareable. So glad you enjoy them as much as we do!!!
Jen says
Hi! I am excited to make these! How long would you say they last after making them? I am planning on handing them out to friends/relatives throughout the next couple weeks as we see them for the holidays. Do you suggest freezing them and taking them out as we use them? Thanks in advance!
Lorie says
Hi!! I freeze Therese for up to about 2 months and they are still great. Obviously not as good as freshly baked, but what is?!
Donna says
I made these cookies yesterday and they turned out awesome and my hubby ate a lot of them. I used brachs crushed candy canes you can find it with the Christmas candy just measure out what you need. I refrigerated the dough for 3o minutes and it makes a big difference in the way they cook. I got 36 cookies out of one batch, 😋 Thanks for sharing this recipe
Lorie says
I have had several readers use the crushed candy canes as well--so much more simple! Glad you enjoyed them!
Christy says
Fun to make and yummy! Chock full of candies but not too sweet in our opinion. Thanks for this recipe! Will make again!
Lorie says
So happy to hear it, Christy! Enjoy them!