Chef's Essential Tips

Baking: Ensure your oven is properly preheated before baking to achieve even cooking.
Cooling: Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet before transferring them to avoid breakage.
Storage: Keep cookies in an airtight container to maintain freshness and prevent them from becoming stale.
Substitutions: You can use dark chocolate chips if you prefer a richer flavor instead of semi-sweet.
Chilling the Dough: If time allows, chill the cookie dough for 30 minutes for a thicker cookie.
Peppermint Crush: Use a food processor to finely crush peppermint candies for an even sprinkle.

Essential Ingredients Selection

Unsalted Butter: Essential for a rich flavor and tender texture, softening the cookies. Using unsalted butter allows you to control saltiness.
Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and contributes to the cookie’s texture, making them chewy and delightful.
Brown Sugar: Packed with molasses, it adds moisture and a deeper flavor, resulting in a more complex cookie.
Eggs: Act as a binder, helping to create the structure of the cookies and adding richness.
Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor profile, complementing the chocolate and peppermint beautifully.
All-Purpose Flour: The main structure-building ingredient in cookies, providing the necessary gluten for chewy texture.
Baking Soda: A leavening agent that helps the cookies rise and achieve that perfect light texture.
Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor of the cookies.
Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: Adds melty pockets of chocolate throughout the cookies, creating irresistible flavor.
White Chocolate Chips: Perfect for drizzling on top, adding sweetness and a beautiful contrast to the dark chocolate.

Creating Your Masterpiece

Gifting Ideas:

These cookies make an excellent gift or party favor. Consider packaging them in clear bags tied with a festive ribbon, adding a personal touch for your holiday gifts. They are perfect for cookie exchanges or just spreading holiday cheer.

Storing Cookies:

To maintain freshness, store cookies in single layers in an airtight container. If you need to stack them, place parchment paper between layers to avoid sticking. This method keeps them moist and makes them last longer.

Drizzling Technique:

Use a fork or piping bag to drizzle melted white chocolate over the cookies. This technique allows for a decorative touch, creating a festive look. Add the crushed peppermint immediately after drizzling to ensure it sticks well.

Melting Chocolate Perfectly:

When melting white chocolate, use a microwave in short intervals to prevent burning. Stirring frequently will help achieve a smooth consistency, which is perfect for drizzling on the cookies for a beautiful finish.

Cooling Cookies Properly:

Allowing cookies to cool on the baking sheet before transferring them to a wire rack helps them set properly without breaking. This step is critical for achieving the desired texture and ensures they finish cooking without becoming too dry.

Oven Temperature Monitoring:

Keeping an eye on your oven temperature is vital for baking success. An oven thermometer can help ensure your oven is baking at the correct temperature, preventing undercooked or overcooked cookies. Rotate your baking sheet halfway through for even browning.

Dropping Cookie Dough:

Using a cookie scoop ensures uniform size and shape, leading to evenly baked cookies. Space the dough balls at least 2 inches apart to allow for spreading during baking, which helps maintain a soft, chewy interior.

Fold in Chocolate Chips:

Gently folding in chocolate chips prevents them from breaking and keeps the texture of the dough intact. Use a spatula to incorporate the chips until they are evenly distributed without overmixing, which can toughen the cookies.

Measuring Flour:

Accurate flour measurement is essential for the perfect cookie texture. Too much flour can lead to dry cookies, while too little can cause them to spread too much. Use the spoon and level method: fluff up the flour, spoon it into your measuring cup, and then level it off with a straight edge.

Creaming Butter and Sugar:

This technique is crucial for achieving a light and fluffy texture in your cookies. By creaming the butter and sugars together, you’re incorporating air, which helps the cookies rise and remain tender. Beat for about 3-5 minutes until the mixture is pale and fluffy before adding eggs.

The Complete Guide to Mastering Festive Peppermint Bark Cookies

Gifting Ideas:

Storing Cookies:

Drizzling Technique:

Melting Chocolate Perfectly:

Cooling Cookies Properly:

Oven Temperature Monitoring:

Dropping Cookie Dough:

Fold in Chocolate Chips:

Measuring Flour:

Creaming Butter and Sugar:

Master Your Recipe: Peppermint Bark Cookie Secrets

Add more peppermint on top of the white chocolate drizzle for extra flair.

For an additional flavor twist, add a teaspoon of peppermint extract to the dough.

These cookies pair wonderfully with hot cocoa or coffee for a cozy treat.

Package these treats in festive tins for a perfect homemade gift for friends and family.

Festive Peppermint Bark Cookies with Chocolate and White Chocolate Drizzle

Name: Festive Peppermint Bark Cookies with Chocolate and White Chocolate Drizzle
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 32 min
Yield: 24 cookies
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: For Cookies:; 1 cup unsalted butter, softened; 1 cup granulated sugar; 1 cup brown sugar, packed; 2 large eggs; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 3 cups all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips; For Topping:; 1 cup white chocolate chips; 1/2 cup crushed peppermint candies; Extra crushed peppermint for decoration

Indulge in the holiday spirit with these Festive Peppermint Bark Cookies, a delightful treat that combines the rich flavors of semi-sweet chocolate, creamy white chocolate, and crunchy peppermint. Perfect for your holiday gatherings, cookie exchanges, or cozy evenings by the fire, these cookies offer a sweet yet refreshing burst of peppermint, complemented by a velvety texture that melts in your mouth. Each bite delivers a harmonious balance of sweetness from the chocolate and a satisfying crunch from the peppermint flakes, creating a sensory experience that will evoke warm memories and festive cheer. These cookies are not only a visual delight, adorned with colorful peppermint pieces, but they also embody the essence of the season, making them a beloved choice for family gatherings and holiday parties. Bake these delightful cookies and share them with loved ones for a truly joyous occasion that will warm hearts and spread smiles.

Prep Time

20 Minutes

Cook Time

12 Minutes

Total Time

32 Minutes

Chef

JUE

Ingredients

For Cookies:

1 cup unsalted butter, softened

1 cup granulated sugar

1 cup brown sugar, packed

2 large eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

3 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

For Topping:

1 cup white chocolate chips

1/2 cup crushed peppermint candies

Extra crushed peppermint for decoration

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.

In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes.

Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then mix in the vanilla extract until fully incorporated.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt to combine the dry ingredients.

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined, being careful not to overmix.

Fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips gently with a spatula, distributing them evenly throughout the dough.

Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, drop rounded balls of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.

Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, until the edges are lightly golden but the centers remain soft.

Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

While the cookies cool, melt the white chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second intervals, stirring after each until smooth.

Once the cookies are cool, drizzle the melted white chocolate over the tops, then immediately sprinkle with crushed peppermint candies.

Let the chocolate set for about 10 minutes before serving or packaging for gifts.

Enjoy your peppermint bark cookies with a glass of milk or as a festive dessert at holiday gatherings!

Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.