How are all your Christmas chores going?? I love this time of year! There is so much to do and it’s all so fun. Buying gifts for all your favorite people, the best chore, right? Baking tons of treats for all the neighbors? Best chore! I was very curious about this because the only “chores” this kid has before school include things like, you know, eating breakfast, getting dressed, brushing teeth. (Basic hygiene. WHAT A CHORE.) But he clarified: “No, I’m talking about my Christmas chores. I have to get up early to plug in the Christmas tree lights, find Elfie (our Elf on the Shelf), change the Christmas countdown, open the new number on the advent calendar, and check to see if there are any newly wrapped presents under the tree.” Quite the chore list indeed, right?? It’s a miracle this kid makes it to school on time with all the chores he has in the morning! What a slave driver I am. Voila! Perfect Christmas peppermint cookies that might just bring a tear to your eye! Put these on your Christmas plates this year and all your neighbors will be crying. Just kidding! You know, happy tears! Merry Christmas everyone! It’s true, I’d never had this cookie in my life before I made it up, but there is something very homey and Christmasy about them that may just bring a tear to your eye! Or at least cause you to reach for a second, third, or maybe even fourth one in a 30 minute period. (Guilty.) Here’s a quick shopping list to help you gather your ingredients. See the recipe card below for the full ingredients and instructions! If you can’t find Andes Peppermint Crunch Baking Chips, you can substitute about Ghirardelli Peppermint Bark evenly chopped in small pieces, and then add to that about 1/3 cup of crushed candy cane. Instead of sprinkling crushed candy cane on the tops, you can do a glaze once the cookies are cooled. Put about 1/2 cup white chocolate chips or about 3 1/2 ounces coarsely chopped white baking chocolate and 1 teaspoon of flavorless oil in a small glass bowl. Microwave it at 50% for 15 second intervals until the chocolate is nearly melted, stirring gently between each interval. Then you can use a small spoon to drip the glaze over the cookies (or flip them upside down and carefully dip the tops). We are going to roll them in sugar before baking. I love the sparkle it adds! No need to chill the dough! I love cookies that can go straight in the oven. It means I can get them straight in my mouth faster. I mean right? While they are in the oven, crush up some candy canes. About 2 minutes before the cookies are done baking, take them out of the oven. We’re going to manhandle them a bit. I am anti-flat-cookie, and this is a super simple hack to give your cookies some thickness while still keeping them chewy: right out of the oven, use two spoons to push them in toward the center. See this 30 Minute Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies recipe for more details and photos! I do this with so many types of cookie these days. Once you have very quickly spooned them, sprinkle with a little bit of crushed candy cane, then return them to the oven for 2 more minutes. Want a quick overview of how to make these, step by step? Here you go (but remember to scroll down to the recipe card for complete instructions). Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram
How to Freeze Peppermint Cookie Dough
I love freezing dough balls in advance so I can bake these cookies anytime. Don’t roll the balls in sugar before freezing! Just put them in a zipper bag, label and date, and put them in the freezer for up to three months. When you are ready to bake them, remove them from the freezer and let them set out for about 30 minutes. Preheat the oven. Put about 1/2 cup of granulated sugar in a bowl and roll the balls in the sugar. Then you can bake them for the normal amount of time. Remember to take them out 2 minutes before they’re done to add the crushed candy cane to the tops, and then continue baking.
Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies « these are a top recipe on my site! Some people call them Grinch cookies :) Dipped Chocolate Peppermint Cookies « These use the same method of half baking crushed candy canes on top! Soft and Chewy Andes Mint Cookies « who can resist those classic Andes mints? Ginger Molasses Sandwich Cookies with Buttercream Frosting « these really might be my favorite. Ever. Mexican Wedding Cookies (Russian Tea Cookies) « now these are a classic if there ever was one. The SOFTEST Sugar Cookies of Your Life! « these cookies hold their shape perfectly. Texas Cowboy Cookies « these are larger than life and worth every moment! 30 Minute Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies « they’re a classic for a reason. Prudy’s Thin and Crispy Sugar Cookies « these are insanely addictive. Christmas Magic Cookie Bars from In Katrina’s Kitchen Christmas Peanut Butter M&M Bars from Kitchen Fun with My 3 Sons DIY Peppermint Candy Spoons from Princess Pinky Girl
