Rich with double the chocolate and a festive little sprinkle of crushed candy canes, these Double Chocolate Peppermint Sugar Cookies are the PERFECT way to ring in the holidays!
And just like that…Thanksgiving’s overrrrrr! Next up….the hap-happiest season of all! And what better way to ring in the Christmas season than with some Double Chocolate Peppermint Sugar Cookies!
I hope everyone enjoyed their Thanksgiving! How did your turkey’s turn out? Hopefully they were nice and juicy! Did anyone try anything new for their feast this year? My brother and sister-in-law hosted and everything was quite dee-lish! It couldn’t have been a more enjoyable holiday!
The day after Thanksgiving was spent breaking out Christmas decorations and baking cookies, one of my favorite post Thanksgiving day traditions. The house smelled amazing! Christmas music was playing and lights were twinkling. I spent the day making old favorites and testing out some new recipes I’ll be sharing throughout the month of December, so get ready folks.
These Double Chocolate Peppermint Sugar Cookies are first on the list and have always been a family favorite. I was so excited to share these with Deborah Balint of Rainy Day Bites as part of the #holidaycookieparty2016. Deborah’s the host of a monthly online cookbook club and a fabulous food photographer. Her IG feed always leaves me drooling! You NEED to check it out!
The cookie swap was organized by my sweet friend Rebecca over at Displaced Housewife. Her blog is AMAZING!! She brought together some very talented bloggers to bring you some of the best cookie recipes for the 2016 holiday baking season! I was absolutely thrilled to be part of the group! Scroll down to just above the recipe to see all the other amazing bloggers who were part of the swap and their fabulous recipes! You don’t want to miss any! Join in on the fun on Instagram by using the hashtag #holidaycookieparty2016 when you make any of the cookies on the list or any of your own holiday favorites!
The recipe for these rich and chocolately cookies is essentially a traditional sugar cookie recipe. I added some unsweetened cocoa powder along with one teaspoon of peppermint extract and a sprinkling of crushed candy canes on top, then dipped half of the cookies in some melted chocolate and topped each one off with an extra little sprinkle of candy cane crunch. The crushed candy canes on top are so festive and they always look so pretty on the holiday cookie tray or packaged up as a holiday gift.
I hope these make it onto your holiday baking list friends. Enjoy! Hope you all have a wonderful week!
Meet the #holidaycookieparty2016 bakers…
Wife Mama Foodie | Gluten Free Icebox Cookie
Now Forager | Vanilla Bean Marshmallow & Pink Peppercorn Shortbread Cookies
DisplacedHousewife | Chocolate Peppermint Crinkles
Tutti Dolci | Brown Butter Chai Snickerdoodles
The Daley Plate | Romany Creams
Fig & Bleu | Cornmeal & Cherry Shortbreads
Cloudy Kitchen | Anzac Biscuits
The Beach House Kitchen | Double Chocolate Peppermint Sugar Cookies
Vanilla and Bean | Cocoa Nibby Pecan Shortbread Cookies
Chez LaRae | White Rollout Cookies
Husbands That Cook | Apple Cider Snickerdoodles
Rainy Day Bites | Melody Cookies
Bakeritablog | Brown Butter Shortbreads With Dark Chocolate
The Jam Lab | Thandai Shortbread Cookies
Katie Clova | Espresso Caramel Thumbprint Cookies
Food Fashion Party | Stuffed Shortbread Cookies
My Kitchen Love | Chocolate Toffee Shortbread
No Crumbs Left | Peanut Butter Blossoms
Ingredients
- 1 cup 2 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar plus extra for rolling cookies in
- 1 tsp. peppermint extract
- 2 eggs room temperature
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tsp. baking soda
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- 1 Tbsp. Crisco shortening
- crushed candy canes for sprinkling
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Add peppermint extract and eggs, one at a time, until smooth and creamy.
- In another large bowl, sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt.
- Gradually add flour mixture to wet ingredients until mixture forms a dough. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Scoop dough into balls, about one Tbsp. each. Roll balls in extra granulated sugar and place on prepared sheet, about two inches apart. Back for 8 minutes until slightly crackled. Pull tray out and sprinkle middle of each cookie with some crushed candy canes. Push tray back in the oven and continue cooking for 2 minutes. Transfer to wire rack to cool.
- While cookies are cooling, place chocolate chips and shortening in a microwave safe bowl.
- Microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring in between, until melted and smooth.
- Dip half of each cookie into the chocolate and transfer to wax paper or parchment paper.
- Sprinkle with additional crushed candy canes and let set.
I love how the crushed candy cane looks on these — so festive Mary Ann!!! Love it!! And they look so absolutely delicious — a holiday party in a cookie!! I wish I could stay up and look at everyone’s gorgeous cookies…but sleep is calling me. I can’t wait to pursue everyone’s sites tomorrow. I’m so glad you participated. Next year, now that I know we can do it, let’s make it bigger!! There are so many people I would have wanted to be included. xoxo
Thanks so much Rebecca! I make these every holiday season and they’re always a hit! I can’t wait to check out all the recipes tomorrow! Thanks again!
These are such dreamy cookies, Mary Ann! I adore anything chocolate peppermint and these beauties are a must bake!
Thanks Laura! I love the chocolate peppermint combo during the holidays! Hope you enjoy!
Deborah is a lucky girl to have received a batch of these in the mail! They look absolutely phenomenal, Mary Ann. Love that you dipped them in chocolate too – extra delicious :)
Thanks Rachel! Deborah made me the most delicious cookies from Dorie Greenspan’s new cookie cookbook too! I’m gobbling them up!
I can’t wait for all the holiday baking and these are on the top of my list. Anything dipped in chocolate is amazing in my book. Can’t wait to see all the goodies you have in store for us this holiday season!
Yes! Double chocolate can never be a mistake Karen! My son Casey loves these. Hope your week is off to a great start!
Sounds like you had a great Thanksgiving and it’s SO nice when someone else cooks sometimes, isn’t it? Tastes that much better! We haven’t yet broke out our Christmas decorations, but may decorate the outside of the house this weekend and perhaps interior stuff the weekend after. So exciting!!
Two of us must be on the same thinking. Just this past weekend I made shortbread cookies with white chocolate dipped on the end and sprinkled with crushed candy cane and will be posting soon. Can’t beat those holiday cookies and yours looks AWESOME! Chocolate and mint is one of my favourite combos so I will gladly take a baker’s dozen of these. Pinned, of course. Have a lovely week, my friend! xo
Those shortbread cookies sound so delicious Dawn! Shortbread is probably my favorite kind of cookie! And dipped in chocolate makes them even better! Have a wonderful week!
A blogger holiday cookie swap is an excellent idea! So jealous someone recieved these..although you know I can’t actually eat them because the cocoa, they are so gosh darn pretty I would have stared at them for days before allowing Boy to devour them. ;) Absolute festive holiday cookie perfection, Mary Ann! Pinned of course! Cheers!
You’ll need to make them for Boy Chey! They really are a favorite at our house! So festive! Enjoy your week! XO
Holiday perfection! Chocolate and peppermint are an unbeatable combination this time of year. I’ll take a dozen ;)
Thanks Jennifer! Yes, the chocolate-peppermint combo is always perfect for the holidays!
These look so good! I’m ready to be done with pumpkin and move on the peppermint and gingerbread! Thanksgiving was good – pretty low key and the food was great. But I’m secretly (ok, not so secretly) glad it’s over. Lol!
I’m ready to move onto all things Christmas too Liz! Starting with lots of cookies!
Had a wonderful Thanksgiving – and am looking forward to Christmas. I must admit I don’t like the lead up to Christmas because it can be very stressful. Love these cookies, Mary Ann – chocolate and candy cane cookies are the best!
Me too Geraldine! I get so excited this time of year!
Mary Ann, those cookies look fabulous. What a great idea to use crushed candy canes as decoration. I started to bake Christmas cookies last night. It’s the season.
These look awesome! Love that chocolate dip!
These cookies look so perfect, Mary Ann! I love the dip in chocolate- yum! Bring on all the Christmas baking :)
Yes! Bring it on Jessica! I’m so excited!
So much fun! I love the crushed candy cane on them – the crunch and the extra added flavor!
Yes Naomi, fun making them and even more fun eating them!
Your photography always ‘wows’ me, Mary Ann, these looks incredible.
Awww, thanks so much Sue!! These are my son Casey’s favorite holiday cookies!
These cookies look so great Mary Ann. I love Christmas cookies and have been baking up a storm myself. Will definitely be adding your recipe to the mix!
Great Alida! I hope you all enjoy them! I’m having so much fun baking!
These are incredible Mary Ann! My family is having our annual cookie Christmas baking night this weekend and I am so trying these! I love the candy cane chocolate mix!
Awesome Lauren! So glad you’re going to try them! We love the chocolate peppermint combo too. Hope you all enjoy!
Omg these are perfect!! Long live the peppermint.
Yay! Thanks Sarah!
When I think of Christmas cookies, this is exactly what I imagine. Awesome!
Thanks Matt! The candy canes get everyone in the spirit!
These are absolutely beautiful Mary! I know I will be making them for sure! They look soo chocolatey and pepperminty, absolutely festive and perfect for the holidays! I know I would enjoy dunking them in some coffee! And your food photography is just so beautiful! I am finally at your site, and I know it wont be the last! Love it :)
Thank you so much Amisha! So glad I got to participate in the #holidaycookieparty2016 with you! Your blog and recipes are wonderful! I’m such a fan!
Gorgeous work, Mary Ann.. SO much to love about these little cookies… especially that chocolate dip! Thanksgiving was fabulous! I had butternut squash gnocchi for the first time and absolutely loved it. Your post t-giving fun is WAY better than black friday stuff (of which I do not participate in). My mom and I baked and went on a hike! It was the best! So happy you had a fabulous holiday Mary Ann!
So glad you like these Traci! I had so much fun staying out of the stores on Black Friday and baking cookies in my cozy kitchen! Glad you enjoyed your holiday too!
Well, these beat any sugar cookie I’ve ever seen! <3
Yay! The candy cane-peppermint-chocolate combo always gets everyone in the holiday spirit Gina!
Chocolate peppermint is my most favorite combination in any form and I would take a couple dozen of these!! So festive and fun. Glad you all had a great Thanksgiving! xo
Then you will definitely like these Tessa! Hope yours was wonderful as well! Now, before we know it, it will be Christmas!
Hope you had a great Thanksgiving, Mary Ann! I haven’t jumped into Christmas baking and decorating yet. After seeing these cookies though I’m longing for peppermint! These cookies are gorgeous :)
Yay! So glad you like them Megan! They’re so fun and festive!
These cookies are stunners, Mary Ann! Just looking at them makes my mouth water. Bravo!
Thanks so much Teresa! They’re a festive holiday favorite!
Peppermint is the best holiday flavor! :)
I totally agree Jennifer!
As pretty as they are tasty! Love this combination of flavors! A real classic!!
Thanks Annie! I love the chocolate peppermint combo too!
These look exactly like some cookies at the store that my daughter begged me to buy! I’m sure yours taste so much better. :) Our whole family loves the chocolate mint combo and the crushed candy cane on top adds such a pop of festivity.
Then you will definitely have to make some with your daughter Emily! Hope they are as big a hit at your house at they are at ours! My son Casey loves them!
These look and sound every bit divine and total bliss. So festive and delicious sounding.
I wanna grab one of the screen, so GOOD!
xx
Thank you Asha! Trade ya for some of your stuffed shortbread!
Anything with the title “double chocolate” gets my vote! And the candy cane crush is such a great festive touch. Happy holidays Mary Ann! This cookie exchange was the perfect way to kick off the festive season.
Yes it was Samantha! I can’t wait to make your toffee shortbreads! So many cookies, so little time!
These are gorgeous as are the photos. Literally mouth watering. Why can’t we have transporters like in Star Trek? Love the crackled tops and chunky sugar. These are so Christmas! Oh I’m hungry. :)
Thank you so much Kevin! I wish we could too! There are so many things from your blog that I’d want beamed over to me!!
These cookies are so festive and sound delicious! Love the sprinkle of peppermint crumbles on top too! Perfect holiday treat!
Thanks Joscelyn! The crushed candy canes always get me in a festive holiday mood!
Oh so many Christmas cookies!!! And I am in love with these chocolate peppermint cookies.
So glad you like then Zainab! Lots of delicious cookie recipes to choose from!
You had me at ‘double-chocolate’ MaryAnn! The photos of your cookies has my mouth watering! I definitely need to give this recipe a try! Love the touch of candy cane topping! xo
Luci’s Morsels | fashion. food. frivolity.
Thanks so much Luci! So glad you like them! The candy cane on top makes them so festive!
Wow, I just started following you on Instagram last week and finally had the chance to visit your page. This recipe makes me smile… ! I love your photos, too :)
So glad you found the BHK. Thanks so much for following. I hope you give these cookies a try. They’re so festive and the candy canes just scream Christmas! Enjoy!
What happens if you dont use shortening? Does that effect the recipe?
No, it doesn’t Carolyn. I only add it to the chocolate so it melts a little smoother. Hope you enjoy!
The best looking christmas cookies! Oh my! x
Thanks Samantha! They are a total favorite at our house!
Can I use coconut oil in place of the shortening?
Yes, you can Melissa. Enjoy!
Oh my goodness! These cookies are amazing!!!! I used ½ tsp of peppermint oil instead of the peppermint extract (because we like mint A LOT) and it was perfect. I made them for my hubby to take to work on Christmas Eve and he brought me home a totally empty container — not a crumb was left. I also didn’t do the chocolate dip as his work is warm and things with chocolate on them tend to get melty — but honestly they were delicious without it! I rolled them in a mixture of golden sugar and candy cane dust which gave a yummy crunchy extra peppermint kick. These are definitely going on my regular cookie rotation!
So so happy you all enjoyed them Diane! Glad they’re going to be an addition to your holiday cookie list!
Has anyone frozen though dough to bake later? Just wondering if I can get a head start on my baking that way.