I still remember my first holiday season in the U.S. — juggling work, family, and that endless, “What’s for dessert?” question. That’s when I created these peppermint chocolate chip cookies: quick, festive, and deliciously chewy. They’re my go-to when I want that perfect holiday treat without the stress, taking just about 30 minutes active time from start to finish.
Table of Contents
peppermint chocolate chip cookies
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Cream vegetable shortening, sugar, and brown sugar until creamy (3-4 minutes). Add vanilla and egg, mix until just combined.
- Whisk flour, sea salt, and baking soda in a separate bowl. Mix into wet ingredients until combined.
- Stir in chocolate chips and crushed candy canes.
- Chill dough for 30-60 minutes (or up to 3 days). Let sit out 10-15 minutes before baking if chilled longer than 2 hours.
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Roll dough into balls, bake for 9-12 minutes until slightly golden. Use a cookie cutter to shape cookies if needed.
- Allow cookies to cool for several minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.
Notes
Holiday Cookie Baking Planner
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Why You’ll Love These Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Perfectly Chewy Texture: Thanks to a balance of shortening and brown sugar, these cookies are deliciously soft with just the right chew.
- Foolproof Method: Clear, simple steps guarantee success even if you’re short on time or new to baking.
- Peppermint and Chocolate Bliss: Packed with both white and dark chocolate chips plus crunchy candy cane pieces, these cookies deliver a festive flavor punch.
- Great for Cookie Exchanges: Their lovely round shape and festive colors make them a showstopper at any holiday gathering.
- Flexible Dough Chill Time: You can make the dough ahead and chill it up to 3 days, fitting perfectly into any busy schedule.
Candy Cane Pieces vs. Peppermint Chips
If you’re wondering whether to use crushed candy canes or peppermint baking chips, here’s what you need to know:
- Crushed Candy Canes: Create a satisfying crunchy texture that contrasts with the soft cookie. They add vibrant color flecks and a strong peppermint kick that’s slightly more intense. Visually, candy cane pieces give a speckled, crystalline look.
- Peppermint Chips: These soften as they bake, blending smoothly with the chocolate chips for a more uniform texture. They offer a milder peppermint flavor and a smoother, creamier bite. On the cookie surface, peppermint chips are solid white and hold their shape without bleeding color.
Visually, side-by-side you’ll see candy cane cookies with sparkle and crunch, while peppermint chip cookies appear creamier and more uniformly chocolate-studded.
Ingredients for Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies
Here’s why each ingredient is essential for these cookies:
- ½ cup vegetable shortening, softened (1 stick): Provides a tender, soft texture that holds the cookie shape well.
- ½ cup sugar: Adds sweetness and balances the flavors.
- ⅓ cup light brown sugar, packed firmly: Adds moisture for that chewy, soft bite.
- 1 ½ tsp vanilla: Enhances depth of flavor.
- 1 large egg: Binds ingredients while adding richness.
- 1 ½ cups flour (204 g): The structure of your cookie, ensuring softness and chewiness.
- ½ tsp sea salt: Balances sweetness and amplifies flavor.
- ½ tsp baking soda: Helps cookies rise and spread just right.
- ¾ cup white chocolate chips: Adds creamy sweetness.
- ¾ cup dark or regular chocolate chips: Brings rich chocolate notes.
- 5 candy canes, crushed into fine pieces (about 1/4 cup plus a tablespoon): Adds crunch and festive peppermint flavor.
Specialty Ingredient Links: For a festive twist, try peppermint crunch chips or flaky sea salt to elevate your cookies even more.
Recommended Equipment
To make the best peppermint chocolate chip cookies, these tools will help:
- Hand mixer or stand mixer: Essential for creaming shortening and sugars smoothly.
- 2-tablespoon cookie scoop: Ensures uniform dough balls for even baking and consistent yield.
- Non-stick baking sheets: Prevent cookies from sticking and promote even browning.
- Parchment paper: Makes cleanup easier and keeps cookies perfectly round.
- Rolling pin and sturdy plastic bag: Handy for crushing candy canes mess-free.
How to Make Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies Step-by-Step
Follow these simple steps for perfect cookies every time. Each step is paired with photos to guide you visually.
- Cream shortening and sugars: Using a hand or standing mixer, cream vegetable shortening, sugar, and brown sugar until nice and creamy. Mix for at least 3-4 minutes—don’t skip this part!
- Add vanilla and egg: Beat in vanilla and egg just until combined, about 20 seconds. Avoid overmixing to keep cookies soft.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk flour, sea salt, and baking soda. Add dry mix to wet ingredients and combine.
- Add chocolate chips and candy canes: Stir in both white and dark chocolate chips along with the crushed candy canes.
- Chill the dough: Seal the dough tightly and chill for 30-60 minutes, or up to 3 days. If chilled longer than 2 hours, let it sit out for 10-15 minutes before baking.
- Bake cookies: Preheat oven to 350°F. Form dough balls with a scoop or by hand, place on parchment-lined baking sheets, and bake 9-12 minutes until cookies look slightly golden.
- Shape cookies: While warm, use a circle cookie or biscuit cutter to gently scoot cookies into perfect rounds.
- Cool: Let cookies cool for several minutes before transferring to a rack or your mouth.
The Science of the Perfect Cookie
Understanding why these steps matter makes baking less mysterious:
- Room temperature shortening is key because it creams smoothly with sugars, creating tiny air pockets that give cookies their soft, tender texture.
- Creaming sugar and shortening well aerates the dough, making cookies rise nicely while still chewy.
- Chilling the dough firms up fats so cookies don’t spread too thin. It also deepens flavors as the ingredients meld together during chilling. For more tips on achieving the ideal cookie consistency, check out these Baking Perfect Christmas Cookies Every Time insights.
Expert Tips for the Best Cookies Every Time
- Pre-scoop dough balls before chilling to speed up baking and ensure uniform cookie sizes.
- Crush candy canes inside a sealed plastic bag with a rolling pin to avoid sticky messes. Avoid over-processing to keep some crunch.
- Use a round cookie cutter when warm to ‘scoot’ cookies into perfect circles instead of relying on the baking spread alone.
Recipe Variations & Substitutions
| Variation | Substitution Instructions | Expected Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-Free | Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend in the same amount | Similar texture, slight difference in chewiness |
| Vegan | Substitute vegan butter sticks and use an egg replacer | Slightly different flavor, still soft and tasty |
| No-Chill Version | Add 2 extra tablespoons of flour; skip chilling step | Cookies spread more; edges a little thinner and crispier |
You can also substitute crushable peppermint pieces with peppermint extract: use about 1 teaspoon in the wet ingredients for peppermint flavor without chunks.
How to Store & Freeze Your Cookies
- Storing baked cookies: Keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Freezing baked cookies: Freeze completely cooled cookies in a sealed bag or container for up to 3 months.
- Freezing cookie dough: Scoop dough balls and freeze them in a single layer on a tray. Once frozen, transfer to a sealed bag for up to 3 months. Bake directly from frozen, adding 1-2 extra minutes to bake time.
Frequently Asked Questions (Troubleshooting)
Why are my cookies flat?
Flat cookies often result from too-soft fats (shortening or butter), too little flour, overmixing after adding flour, or expired baking soda.
Why did my candy cane pieces melt and get sticky?
If candy cane pieces are crushed too finely into powder, they melt entirely. Use slightly larger pieces and avoid overbaking to keep crunch.
Why are my cookies dry or cakey?
Over-measuring flour or overmixing after adding flour can dry out the dough, resulting in cakey cookies.
Why are my cookies too hard?
Hard cookies usually mean they were baked too long. Pull them out just as they start to turn golden.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Absolutely! Chill the dough up to 3 days as instructed. Bring it to room temperature before baking.
Creative Presentation Ideas
Make your cookies extra festive by:
- Drizzling melted white chocolate over warm cookies.
- Sprinkling flaky sea salt on top for a sweet-salty contrast.
- Packaging them in clear bags tied with ribbon for cookie swaps or gifts.
Conclusion
These peppermint chocolate chip cookies are as easy as they are delicious. They bring holiday joy with minimal effort and maximum flavor. I’d love to hear which version you made! Are you on Team Candy Cane or Team Peppermint Chip? Let me know in the comments below!
