Rich Chocolate Peppermint Bark Sugar Cookies Recipe

Decadent Rich Chocolate Peppermint Bark Sugar Cookies Recipe

Festive baking reaches new heights with these chocolate peppermint bark sugar cookies that blend classic holiday flavors into a single delectable treat.

Crisp sugar cookie edges meet smooth chocolate and crunchy peppermint pieces for an irresistible combination.

Soft yet structured, these cookies promise a delightful texture in every single bite.

The recipe strikes a perfect balance between sweet and minty, creating a dessert that captures winter’s most beloved taste profile.

Candy cane fragments scattered across the surface add a playful visual element and satisfying crunch.

Each cookie becomes a miniature celebration of seasonal cheer, inviting everyone to savor the magic of holiday baking.

Prepare to be the star of any cookie exchange with this show-stopping recipe that will have everyone asking for seconds.

How to Serve Peppermint Sugar Cookies Nicely

  • Holiday Cookie Platter: Arrange these delightful chocolate peppermint bark sugar cookies on a festive platter with sprigs of fresh mint and a dusting of powdered sugar for a stunning presentation.
  • Dessert Pairing Magic: Serve alongside a rich hot chocolate or creamy peppermint mocha for an indulgent winter treat that elevates the cookie's cool mint flavor profile.
  • Gift-Worthy Packaging: Stack cookies between parchment paper in a decorative tin or clear cellophane bag tied with a red ribbon, creating a homemade gift perfect for holiday sharing.
  • Chocolate Drizzle Upgrade: Melt dark or white chocolate and drizzle over cooled cookies for an extra layer of decadence that enhances the bark-inspired aesthetic.
  • Smart Storage Solutions: Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
  • Freezing Fresh Goodness: Wrap cooled cookies individually in plastic wrap, then store in a freezer-safe container for maximum 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for best texture.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare cookie dough balls in advance and refrigerate for 24 hours or freeze unbaked dough for 1 month. Bake directly from refrigerated or frozen state, adding 1-2 minutes to baking time.
  • Moisture Management: Add a small piece of bread to the storage container to keep cookies soft and prevent them from becoming dry or crumbly. Replace bread slice every 2 days to maintain optimal freshness.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 210 kcal

Servings: 24

Ingredients in Peppermint Bark Sugar Cookies

For Flour Base:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Creates the tender, soft cookie foundation with perfect structure and smooth texture.
  • Baking Soda, Baking Powder: Provides essential lift and helps cookies rise with a delicate, light crumb.
  • Salt: Enhances flavor depth and balances the sweetness of the cookies.
For Moisture and Richness:
  • Unsalted Butter: Delivers rich, creamy flavor and ensures tender cookie texture.
  • Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create crisp cookie edges.
  • Egg: Binds ingredients together and contributes to soft, chewy cookie consistency.
For Flavor Boost:
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, comforting background flavor to complement the chocolate.
  • Peppermint Extract: Introduces refreshing, cool minty note that pairs beautifully with chocolate.

What Tools to Use for Peppermint Bark Cookies

  • Hand or Stand Mixer: Essential for creaming butter and sugar, and mixing ingredients smoothly.
  • Medium Bowl: Perfect for whisking dry ingredients together.
  • Large Mixing Bowl: Needed for combining wet ingredients and creaming butter.
  • Baking Sheets: Critical for baking and holding cookie dough during baking.
  • Parchment Paper or Silicone Mats: Prevents cookies from sticking and ensures easy cleanup.
  • Wire Rack: Helps cookies cool evenly after baking.
  • Spoon: Used to flatten cookie dough balls before baking.
  • Whisk: For blending dry ingredients thoroughly.

Bake Chocolate Peppermint Cookies at Home

  • Warm Up the Oven Prep your kitchen space by heating the oven to a cozy 350F and lining baking sheets with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
  • Mix Dry Ingredients Whisk flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt together in a bowl, creating a smooth dry base for your delicious cookies.
  • Cream Butter and Sugar Beat softened butter and sugar until they transform into a fluffy, light mixture that looks like delightful clouds.
  • Add Flavor Boosters Blend in egg, vanilla, and peppermint extract, letting the ingredients dance together and create a mouthwatering aroma.
  • Combine Wet and Dry Gently fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring until everything just comes together without overmixing.
  • Shape Cookie Magic Roll dough into small balls, placing them with plenty of breathing room on the baking sheet. Give each cookie a gentle press to flatten.
  • Bake and Cool Pop the cookies into the oven for 8-10 minutes until edges look perfectly set. Let them rest briefly on the baking sheet before transferring to a cooling rack.

Ideas to Make Peppermint Cookies More Festive

  • Foolproof Flavor Boost: Crush candy canes extra fine for a more intense peppermint crunch sprinkled over the cookies.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: Cookie dough can be refrigerated up to 3 days before baking, helping busy bakers plan ahead easily.
  • Gluten-Free Option: Swap regular flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend to accommodate wheat-sensitive guests without sacrificing taste.
  • Chocolate Drizzle Technique: Melt dark and white chocolate separately, then create elegant zigzag patterns across cookies for a professional bakery look.
  • Vegan Transformation: Replace butter with coconut oil, use a flax egg instead of regular egg, and select dairy-free chocolate for a completely plant-based version of these festive treats.
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Rich Chocolate Peppermint Bark Sugar Cookies Recipe

Rich Chocolate Peppermint Bark Sugar Cookies Recipe


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4.8 from 31 reviews

  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 25 1x

Description

Luscious chocolate peppermint bark sugar cookies blend festive holiday cheer with classic cookie comfort. Crisp edges and rich chocolate create a delightful dessert that melts in your mouth with peppermint’s cool, sweet kiss.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (227 grams / 8 oz) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 ½ cups (300 grams / 10.5 oz) granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • ½ tsp peppermint extract
  • 2 ¾ cups (350 grams / 12.3 oz) all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 cup (170 grams / 6 oz) semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips, melted
  • ½ cup (85 grams / 3 oz) white chocolate chips, melted
  • ½ cup (60 grams / 2.1 oz) crushed peppermint candies or candy canes

Instructions

  1. Preparation: Position oven rack centrally and preheat to 350F (175C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats for optimal non-stick performance.
  2. Dry Ingredient Integration: Whisk flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a mixing bowl until uniformly combined.
  3. Creaming Process: Employ an electric mixer to whip softened butter and sugar, creating a voluminous, pale mixture with enhanced texture and airiness.
  4. Liquid Ingredient Fusion: Incorporate egg, vanilla extract, and peppermint extract into the butter mixture, blending until completely smooth and homogeneous.
  5. Dough Formation: Gently fold dry ingredients into wet components, mixing minimally to prevent toughening and creating a cohesive dough.
  6. Shaping and Positioning: Form uniform 1½-inch dough balls, spacing them evenly on prepared baking sheets. Gently flatten each sphere using the back of a spoon to create a slight disc shape.
  7. Baking and Cooling: Bake for 8-10 minutes, watching for subtly set edges. Allow cookies to rest on baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack for complete cooling and crisp development.

Notes

  • Prevent Overmixing: Stop mixing cookie dough the moment dry and wet ingredients combine to maintain a tender, soft texture and avoid tough cookies.
  • Temperature Control: Let butter soften naturally at room temperature for 30-45 minutes before mixing, ensuring even incorporation and smoother dough consistency.
  • Extract Quality Matters: Use pure peppermint extract for authentic flavor; artificial extracts can create a harsh, medicinal taste that overwhelms the chocolate notes.
  • Strategic Spacing: Leave sufficient room between cookie dough balls to prevent spreading and merging during baking, maintaining individual cookie shapes and crisp edges.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 25
  • Calories: 220
  • Sugar: 12 g
  • Sodium: 90 mg
  • Fat: 10 g
  • Saturated Fat: 6 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 30 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 25 mg
Emily Lawson

Emily Lawson

Content Creator & Culinary Specialist

Expertise

  • Creative Content Writing and Blogging​
  • Plant-Based and Alternative Grilling Recipes​
  • Food Styling and Visual Storytelling​
  • Nutritional Analysis and Healthy Cooking

Education

Oregon Culinary Institute
Diploma in Culinary Arts
Focus: Emphasis on farm-to-table cooking, sustainable practices, and the fusion of global flavors with traditional grilling methods. ​


Emily Lawson is the content creator at Daves Grill, turning tasty ideas into clear, easy recipes. Based in Portland, she trained at the Oregon Culinary Institute and loves cooking with fresh, seasonal ingredients, especially grilled veggies and global flavors.

Emily mixes food writing with hands-on cooking to bring you recipes that feel fun, not stressful. Her goal is to make every dish simple, flavorful, and worth coming back to. Together, she and Dave serve up real food, one recipe at a time.

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