Peppermint Chocolate Crinkle Cookies Recipe: A Holiday Delight

 When the holiday season rolls around, it’s the perfect time to fill your kitchen with the warm, rich smell of freshly baked cookies. Among the festive favorites, Peppermint Chocolate Crinkle Cookies stand out as a sweet, minty treat that’s a true crowd-pleaser. These cookies are a holiday must-have with their rich chocolate flavor, refreshing pop of peppermint, and signature crinkly, powdered sugar-dusted look. Whether you’re whipping them up for a family gathering, adding them to your cookie exchange lineup, or wrapping them as gifts, these cookies are guaranteed to spread holiday cheer.

Below, you’ll find the ultimate recipe to bake these irresistible cookies, along with a few helpful tips to ensure they turn out picture-perfect every time.

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to get started on a batch of Peppermint Chocolate Crinkle Cookies. This recipe makes about 24 cookies.

Wet Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract

Dry Ingredients:

• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Extras:

• 1/2 cup powdered sugar (for rolling)
• Optional: crushed candy canes or peppermint candies for decoration

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

1. Cream the Butter and Sugar: Using a stand mixer or hand mixer, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together in a large bowl until the mixture is light and fluffy. This should take about 2-3 minutes.
2. Add Eggs and Extracts: Crack in the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then, stir in the vanilla and peppermint extracts.

Step 2: Combine the Dry Ingredients

1. Sift and Mix: In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until combined.
2. Chill the Dough: The dough will be sticky, so cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill it in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours. This step is essential, as it helps the cookies stay thick and chewy instead of spreading out while baking.

Step 3: Form and Roll the Cookies

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Shape the Dough: Scoop about 1 tablespoon of chilled dough and roll it into a ball. Repeat until all the dough is used.
3. Roll in Powdered Sugar: Roll each ball of dough generously in powdered sugar, ensuring they’re well-coated. This creates the signature crinkle effect as the cookies bake.

Step 4: Bake to Perfection

1. Bake: Arrange the powdered sugar-coated dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the cookies are puffed up and the crinkles have formed.
2. Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Tips for the Best Peppermint Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

• Chill, Chill, Chill! Don’t skip chilling the dough. It makes the dough easier to handle and helps achieve that perfect cracked top.
• Don’t Overbake: The cookies should look slightly underbaked when you pull them out. They’ll firm up as they cool, leaving you with a soft, fudgy center.
• Go Big on Peppermint: For extra flair, sprinkle crushed candy canes or peppermint candies on top of the cookies while they’re still warm from the oven.
• Use High-Quality Cocoa Powder: A rich cocoa powder makes a noticeable difference in flavor, giving these cookies their deep chocolatey goodness.

Festive Serving and Gifting Ideas

Serve these cookies on a holiday dessert platter alongside classics like gingerbread and sugar cookies. Pair them with a cup of hot cocoa or peppermint tea for an indulgent winter treat.

If you’re looking for gift ideas, these cookies make the perfect edible present. Arrange them in a festive tin or box, and tie it with a bright ribbon for a simple but thoughtful holiday gift. Add a handwritten note or recipe card to make it even more personal.

Final Thoughts

Peppermint Chocolate Crinkle Cookies are a celebration of everything we love about the holidays. Rich, chocolaty, and kissed with a hint of peppermint, they’re festive enough to wow a party and irresistibly easy to whip up. The crinkled, powdered sugar coating makes them almost too pretty to eat—but don’t worry, you’ll want to make a double batch to share and keep plenty for yourself.

Happy holiday baking!