Get ready to meet your new favorite holiday (or anytime!) cookie Peppermint Hot Chocolate Cookies. These little beauties are everything you love about a cozy winter drink, wrapped up in a fudgy, festive treat. Imagine biting into a rich, chewy chocolate cookie that tastes just like hot cocoa, only to find gooey pockets of marshmallow and a refreshing burst of cool peppermint in every bite. It’s like Christmas in cookie form but trust me, you’ll be making these year-round. These cookies are warm, indulgent, and just whimsical enough to make you feel like a kid again.

Why You’ll Love Peppermint Hot Chocolate Cookies

This recipe isn’t just about the ingredients it’s about creating moments. Whether you’re baking them for a holiday cookie exchange, a sweet surprise for your loved ones, or a self-care night with your coziest blanket, these cookies deliver all the warm fuzzy vibes. Here’s why it’s a favorite:

Versatile: Ideal for holidays, parties, or as an afternoon pick-me-up with your favorite cup of coffee or cocoa.

Budget-Friendly: Uses common baking staples with a touch of festive flair—perfect for gift-giving or batch baking.

Quick and Easy: Simple steps, minimal prep, and no fancy equipment needed—just classic cookie magic.

Customizable: Swap in dark chocolate, change up the peppermint candies, or add extra marshmallows—this one’s all yours to play with.

Crowd-Pleasing: They’re chocolatey, minty, gooey, and festive. Kids, adults, even the grumpiest of elves can’t resist.

Ingredients in Peppermint Hot Chocolate Cookies

Each ingredient adds a little something special to this winter wonder-cookie lineup:

Butter: Provides richness and helps the cookies spread into chewy perfection.

Brown Sugar & Granulated Sugar: Adds depth of flavor and just the right amount of sweetness.

Eggs: For structure and softness.

Vanilla Extract: Enhances the chocolate and peppermint don’t skip it!

All-Purpose Flour: The trusty foundation for these magical bites.

Cocoa Powder: Gives that rich, hot cocoa flavor base we all crave.

Baking Soda & Salt: For lift and balance.

Chocolate Chips or Chunks: Melty, chocolatey goodness in every bite.

Mini Marshmallows: Like little hot cocoa clouds that bake into gooey heaven.

Crushed Peppermint Candies or Candy Canes: For a refreshing crunch and festive flair.

Instructions

Let’s dive into the steps to create this flavorful masterpiece:

Preheat Your Equipment: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). A hot oven helps get those perfect chewy edges.

Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.

Prepare Your Cooking Vessel: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. It keeps the cookies from sticking and makes cleanup super easy.

Assemble the Dish: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet until just combined. Fold in the chocolate chips, marshmallows, and crushed peppermint.

Cook to Perfection: Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the baking sheet. Bake for 9–11 minutes until the edges are set but the centers still look a little soft. That’s the secret to chewy cookies!

Finishing Touches: Let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. The marshmallows might get a little toasty and caramelized, which is exactly what you want.

Serve and Enjoy: These are best enjoyed warm, when the chocolate is melty and the marshmallows are gooey. But they’re just as magical at room temp trust me, they don’t last long.

Nutrition Facts:
Servings: 24 cookies
Calories per serving: Approx. 200

Preparation Time
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes

How to Serve Peppermint Hot Chocolate Cookies

This dish pairs wonderfully with various sides and accompaniments. Here are a few serving suggestions to enhance your dining experience:

• Serve with a mug of peppermint mocha or classic hot chocolate for the full cozy effect.
• Add to a holiday dessert board with other cookies, truffles, and candy canes.
• Stack and wrap them as sweet edible gifts tied with ribbon.
• Top with a scoop of peppermint ice cream for a chilly twist.

Additional Tips

Here are some extra tips to help you get the most out of this recipe:

• If you’re not a huge peppermint fan, reduce the crushed candy or replace it with sprinkles for fun.
• Chill the dough for 30 minutes if you want a thicker, puffier cookie.
• Press a few extra marshmallows and candy pieces on top before baking for bakery-style looks.
• Store in an airtight container with a slice of bread to keep cookies soft.
• Freeze dough balls for holiday baking on demand.

FAQ’s

1. Can I use peppermint extract instead of crushed candies?
Yes! Just add ½ teaspoon to the dough for a subtler, evenly-distributed mint flavor.

2. Will the marshmallows melt completely?
They may melt into the dough, creating gooey pockets. It’s part of the delicious charm!

3. Can I freeze baked cookies?
Absolutely. Let them cool completely, then freeze in layers with parchment between.

4. What cocoa powder works best?
Unsweetened natural cocoa powder is perfect, but you can also use Dutch-process for a deeper flavor.

5. Are these cookies overly sweet?
They’re rich but balanced by the cocoa and mint. You can use dark chocolate to cut the sweetness a bit.

6. Can I make them gluten-free?
Yes, just use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend that includes xanthan gum.

7. How long do they stay fresh?
Stored in an airtight container, they’ll stay chewy and delicious for about 4–5 days.

8. Can I make them without eggs?
Yes! Substitute with flax eggs or an egg replacer. The texture will be slightly different but still tasty.

9. Will the peppermint candy melt in the oven?
It will soften and slightly melt into the cookie, adding flavor and crunch.

10. Can I double the recipe?
Definitely! This is a great one to make in big batches for sharing (or not sharing—we won’t judge).

Conclusion

Peppermint Hot Chocolate Cookies are more than just a festive treatthey’re a warm hug in cookie form. With their chewy chocolate base, gooey marshmallows, and refreshing peppermint crunch, they capture all the magic of a steaming mug of cocoa in a bite-sized masterpiece. Whether you’re baking them for the holidays or just to treat yourself, these cookies are pure joy from start to finish. So go ahead, bake up a batch you’ve got cozy moments waiting to happen.

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