I’m thrilled to share my Frosty Peppermint Chocolate Cookie recipe with you today. There’s something magical about the combination of rich chocolate and cool peppermint that just screams “holiday season.” These cookies have the perfect texture—chewy in the middle with slightly crisp edges—and those crushed candy canes on top? They add the most delightful crunch and festive look. Want to know my secret for getting that perfect balance of chocolate depth and peppermint brightness? Well, it all starts with quality ingredients and a little trick I’ve learned along the way…
Why You’ll Love these Frosty Peppermint Chocolate Cookies
When the holiday season arrives, nothing beats the magical combination of chocolate and peppermint in a perfect cookie.
I’m talking rich cocoa, sweet chocolate chips, and that invigorating peppermint zing that makes your taste buds dance.
These cookies are wonderfully versatile – chewy centers with slightly crisp edges, just the way a proper chocolate cookie should be.
Can you imagine the aroma that fills your kitchen? Divine.
The crushed candy cane topping adds a festive touch, perfect for holiday gatherings or midnight snacking with hot cocoa.
Simple ingredients, straightforward steps, magnificent results.
What Ingredients are in Frosty Peppermint Chocolate Cookies?
These festive holiday cookies require just a handful of pantry staples plus that magical peppermint twist that makes them truly special for the season.
- ¾ cup butter, at room temperature
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- ½ teaspoon peppermint extract
- 1 ¾ cups flour
- ⅓ cup cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup chocolate chips
- Crushed candy cane (optional, for topping)
The quality of your cocoa powder will make a noticeable difference in these cookies, so if you’ve been saving that fancy Dutch-processed cocoa for something special, now might be the time to break it out.
How to Make these Frosty Peppermint Chocolate Cookies
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Set your oven to 350°F and make sure the rack is in the middle position. This temperature gives us that perfect balance of crispy edges and chewy centers that make these cookies irresistible.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, beat ¾ cup of room temperature butter with 1 cup of sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy.
Room temperature butter is non-negotiable here, folks—cold butter just won’t cream properly.
Step 3: Add Eggs and Peppermint
Add 2 eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
Then pour in that magical ½ teaspoon of peppermint extract that transforms these from ordinary chocolate cookies into holiday showstoppers.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together 1 ¾ cups flour, ⅓ cup cocoa powder, 1 teaspoon baking powder, and ½ teaspoon salt.
The cocoa powder quality really matters here—better cocoa means better cookies, simple as that.
Step 5: Mix Wet and Dry Together
Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to your wet ingredients, mixing just until combined.
Over-mixing leads to tough cookies, and nobody wants that holiday disappointment.
Step 6: Fold in Chocolate Chips
Gently stir in ½ cup of chocolate chips until they’re evenly distributed throughout the dough.
This double chocolate situation is what dreams are made of, right?
Step 7: Bake to Perfection
Drop spoonfuls of dough onto a greased baking sheet, leaving enough space between cookies for spreading.
Bake for 8-10 minutes until the edges are set but centers still look slightly underdone—they’ll continue cooking after you remove them.
Step 8: Cool and Decorate
Allow cookies to cool completely before drizzling with melted chocolate and sprinkling with crushed candy canes if desired.
The candy canes add that festive touch and extra peppermint zing that makes these cookies truly frosty.
Using a premium baking supply set would take the precision and quality of these peppermint cookies to the next level.
What to Serve with Frosty Peppermint Chocolate Cookies
These minty chocolate delights deserve the perfect companions, don’t they? For a cozy holiday cookie plate, pair them with a steaming mug of hot chocolate topped with whipped cream—the warm chocolate drink amplifies the cool peppermint in the cookies.
A glass of cold milk is the classic choice, creating that nostalgic cookies-and-milk moment we all love.
For a more grown-up gathering, serve alongside vanilla bean ice cream (the cookies crumbled on top make an amazing impromptu dessert), or offer a creamy eggnog latte that complements the festive peppermint flavor.
If you’re putting together a holiday dessert spread, balance these rich cookies with some fresh berries or clementine segments for a bright, acidic contrast.
These cookies make perfect afternoon snacks or after-dinner treats when you need that little something sweet.
Frosty Peppermint Chocolate Cookies Substitutions and Variations
Need to switch things up? These cookies are wonderfully adaptable:
- Butter alternatives: Use dairy-free margarine for lactose concerns, or coconut oil (solid, not melted) for a tropical hint.
- Gluten-free option: Substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend.
- Peppermint variations: Try almond extract for a different flavor or vanilla extract if mint isn’t your thing.
- Chocolate options: Dark, milk, or white chocolate chips all work beautifully—or try mint chips for extra zing!
- Vegan version: Replace eggs with flax eggs (1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water per egg).
- Sugar adjustments: Reduce sugar to ¾ cup or try coconut sugar for a lower glycemic option.
- Fun add-ins: Crushed Oreos, chopped nuts, or white chocolate drizzle make these even more spectacular.
- Holiday twist: Press a chocolate mint candy into each cookie right after baking.
Leftovers and Storage for these Frosty Peppermint Chocolate Cookies
These delightful cookies keep remarkably well when stored properly. Once completely cooled:
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, placing parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking.
- For longer storage, freeze in a sealed container for up to 3 months. Pro tip: flash-freeze them on a baking sheet first, then transfer to your container to prevent them from freezing together.
- To refresh, microwave a frozen cookie for 10-15 seconds or let thawed cookies sit at room temperature for 30 minutes.
- If cookies begin to harden, add a slice of bread to the container—the cookies will absorb the moisture and soften right up.
While these cookies are divine fresh from the oven, many fans swear the peppermint flavor actually intensifies after a day, making them perfect for make-ahead holiday treats!
Final Thoughts
These Frosty Peppermint Chocolate Cookies bring together the rich depth of chocolate with the cool, invigorating zing of peppermint—a classic winter pairing that never disappoints.
The soft, chewy texture contrasted with optional candy cane crunch makes them irresistible for cookie exchanges, holiday gatherings, or midnight snacking with a glass of milk.
Their festive flavor profile and relatively quick preparation make them ideal for the busy holiday season when you need something special without spending hours in the kitchen.
As the scent of chocolate and peppermint fills your home, you’ll find yourself returning to this recipe year after year, marking the season with each delicious batch.