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When making peppermint chocolate chip cookies, using the right ingredients is key. Here’s what you need: - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature - 3/4 cup packed brown sugar - 3/4 cup granulated sugar - 1 large egg - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract - 1 teaspoon peppermint extract - 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour - 1 teaspoon baking soda - 1/2 teaspoon salt - 1 cup semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips - 1/2 cup crushed peppermint candies or crushed candy canes Each ingredient plays a part in creating that perfect cookie. The butter gives a rich flavor. The sugars add sweetness and help with the texture. The egg binds everything together. Vanilla and peppermint extracts bring out the holiday spirit. Flour, baking soda, and salt form the base. They provide structure and balance. The chocolate chips add delicious bites of chocolate. The crushed peppermint candies offer that festive crunch and bright flavor. This recipe makes around 24 cookies, perfect for sharing. You can find the full recipe above for more details on preparation! 1. First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This helps the cookies bake evenly. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This keeps the cookies from sticking and makes cleanup easy. 2. In a big mixing bowl, cream together 1 cup of softened butter, 3/4 cup of brown sugar, and 3/4 cup of granulated sugar. Use a hand mixer or stand mixer on medium speed. Mix until it is light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. 3. Next, add 1 large egg, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, and 1 teaspoon of peppermint extract. Beat the mixture again until all the ingredients blend well. 1. In another bowl, whisk together 2 1/4 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. This helps to mix the dry ingredients well. 2. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Mix on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, or your cookies may be tough. 1. Now, gently fold in 1 cup of chocolate chips and 1/2 cup of crushed peppermint candies. Use a spatula to ensure even distribution in the cookie dough. 2. Using a tablespoon, drop portions of dough onto the prepared baking sheet. Space them about 2 inches apart. This gives them room to spread while baking. 3. Bake in your preheated oven for 10-12 minutes. Look for golden edges and slightly soft centers. 4. After baking, let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes. This helps them firm up before you move them to a wire rack to cool completely. For the full recipe, check here! To get the best texture for your peppermint chocolate chip cookies, start with room temperature ingredients. This helps the butter cream well with the sugars. If your butter is too cold, it won’t mix properly. This can lead to dense cookies. Next, be careful to avoid overmixing. Mix the dough just until the flour is combined. Overmixing can make the cookies tough. You want them to be soft and chewy. Baking time and temperature are key. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the cookies for about 10-12 minutes. Keep an eye on them. The edges should be golden brown, while the centers stay soft. To check if the cookies are done, look for soft, set centers. They will firm up as they cool. If you wait until they are fully hard, they may overbake. For a fun festive touch, arrange your cookies on a colorful platter. You can stack them or display them in a circle. Add extra crushed peppermint candies on top for a pop of color. Consider serving these cookies with a tall glass of cold milk or a warm cup of hot chocolate. It makes for a cozy holiday treat. For the full recipe, check the details above. {{image_4}} You can make gluten-free peppermint chocolate chip cookies! Use gluten-free flour. Almond flour or coconut flour works great. Just remember, these flours absorb more moisture. You might need to add a bit more liquid to your dough. If you want a vegan version, swap out the butter and egg. Use coconut oil or vegan butter instead of butter. For the egg, try unsweetened applesauce. Use 1/4 cup of applesauce for each egg. This keeps your cookies moist and tasty. Feel free to get creative with add-ins! You can add nuts like walnuts or pecans for crunch. You could also use white chocolate chips or milk chocolate chips instead. Mixing different chocolates adds layers of flavor. To keep your peppermint chocolate chip cookies fresh, use an airtight container. Glass or plastic containers work well. Place parchment paper between layers if stacking. This keeps the cookies from sticking together. Store them at room temperature for the best taste and texture. You can freeze the cookie dough for later use. Shape the dough into balls and place them on a baking sheet. Freeze until solid, then transfer them to a freezer bag. Label the bag with the date. You can bake them straight from the freezer. Just add a couple of extra minutes to the baking time. These cookies stay fresh for about one week at room temperature. If you want to keep them longer, freezing is a great option. Properly stored, they can last for up to three months in the freezer. Enjoy them at your holiday gatherings or whenever you crave something sweet! For the complete recipe, check the Full Recipe. Yes, you can use less sugar. Reducing sugar might change the texture, making cookies less chewy. I suggest lowering each sugar type by one-fourth cup. This still keeps the cookies tasty. You can also add a touch of milk to help balance the dough. If you don’t have peppermint extract, try using mint extract. It gives a similar flavor. You can also crush mint leaves and mix them into the dough for a fresh taste. Another option is to use vanilla extract with a hint of crushed peppermint candies. To stop cookies from spreading too much, chill the dough for 30 minutes. This helps the butter firm up. You can also add a bit more flour to the mix. Lastly, make sure your baking sheet is cool before placing the dough on it. This helps cookies hold their shape better. This blog post covered how to make delicious peppermint chocolate chip cookies. You learned about the key ingredients, step-by-step instructions, and helpful tips. We also explored fun variations like gluten-free and vegan options. Now, it’s your turn to bake! Use these tips to create tasty treats. Enjoy every bite, and share them with friends or family. Happy baking!

Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies

Indulge in the festive delight of Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies! These easy-to-follow recipes bring together the rich flavors of chocolate and refreshing peppermint, perfect for holiday gatherings. With just a few simple ingredients and quick prep time, you can whip up a batch of 24 cookies that will impress your family and friends.
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Ingredients
  

1 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature

3/4 cup packed brown sugar

3/4 cup granulated sugar

1 large egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon peppermint extract

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips

1/2 cup crushed peppermint candies or crushed candy canes

Instructions
 

Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper. This will prevent the cookies from sticking and allow for easy cleanup.

    In a spacious mixing bowl, use a hand mixer or a stand mixer to cream together the softened butter, packed brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Beat the mixture on medium speed until it becomes light and fluffy, which should take about 2-3 minutes.

      Add the egg, vanilla extract, and peppermint extract to the bowl. Beat the mixture again until the ingredients are fully incorporated and the mixture appears smooth.

        In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually incorporate the dry mixture into the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this could affect the texture of your cookies.

          Gently fold in the chocolate chips and crushed peppermint candies using a spatula, ensuring that they are evenly distributed throughout the cookie dough.

            Using a tablespoon, drop portions of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them out about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading during baking.

              Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges turn a lovely golden brown and the centers appear slightly soft and set.

                Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes. This will allow them to firm up slightly before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

                  Prep Time: 15 minutes | Total Time: 30 minutes | Servings: 24 cookies

                    - Presentation Tips: For a festive touch, arrange the cookies on a vibrant platter and sprinkle additional crushed peppermint candies on top. Serve them alongside a tall glass of cold milk or a warm cup of hot chocolate for a truly delightful holiday experience!