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Say hello to your new favorite holiday cookie: chocolate peppermint crinkle cookies! So rich, so decadent, and so dreamy, these snowy cookies remind me of a winter wonderland. Crackled tops give way to soft and fudgy centers, flecked with crushed peppermint candy canes that melt ever so slightly into the dough while baking. Finished with a generous roll in powdered sugar (because the more, the merrier!), these crinkle cookies are Christmas bliss!
These fudgy, brownie-like peppermint crinkle cookies are perfect to make when you’re short on time because there’s no dough chilling required here. Simply make the dough, let it rest for a few minutes, then scoop and roll in sugar.
A double coating of sugar is the secret to perfect crinkle cookies. First roll the dough balls in granulated sugar, then coat generously with powdered sugar. This method encourages the cookies to crackle as they bake, and helps the powdered sugar coating remain in place.
Craving more crinkle cookies? You may also like my red velvet crinkle cookies!
How to Make Chocolate Peppermint Crinkle Cookies
Melt Chocolate – Combine unsweetened chocolate and butter in a bowl and microwave in bursts, stirring until melted and smooth. Set aside to cool slightly.
Make Dough – Combine dry ingredients in a medium bowl, whisking until incorporated. In a large bowl, whisk together sugar, brown sugar, and eggs. Add cooled chocolate mixture and whisk until smooth. Fold in dry ingredients just until incorporated, then fold in crushed candy canes. The mixture will resemble fudgy brownie batter. Let dough stand at room temperature for 10 minutes to cool slightly.
Scoop Dough – Spray a medium (1 1/2-inch) cookie scoop with nonstick spray and scoop balls of dough. Roll first in granulated sugar, then in powdered sugar to coat. Place two inches apart on parchment-lined baking sheets.
Bake – Bake at 325°F, rotating pans halfway through, for 14 to 15 minutes, until cookies are puffed and cracked, with edges set. Cool cookies for 15 minutes on baking sheets, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Make Ahead Tips
Make the dough in advance, then roll into balls (without the sugar coating) and freeze on a baking sheet for 1 hour. Transfer cookie dough balls to an airtight container in the freezer for up to 2 months.
Just before baking, roll the cookie dough in granulated sugar and coat generously in powered sugar. Bake as directed, adding 1-2 minutes to baking time.
More holiday cookie recipes you’ll love:
- Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies
- Double Chocolate Mint Cookies
- Dark Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
- Peppermint Bark Brownie Cookies
Did you try this Chocolate Peppermint Crinkle Cookie Recipe? Let me know by leaving a comment below!
PrintFudgy Chocolate Peppermint Crinkle Cookies
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 28 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
Description
Say hello to your new favorite holiday cookie: chocolate peppermint crinkle cookies! So rich, so decadent, and so dreamy, these cookies are Christmas bliss. No mixer or dough chilling required!
Ingredients
Cookies
- 4 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped
- 4 Tbsp unsalted butter, cubed
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1/2 tsp pure peppermint extract
- 4 peppermint candy canes, crushed
For rolling
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Place chocolate and butter in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave on high for 30 seconds. Remove and stir. Continue microwaving and stirring in 15 second intervals until melted and smooth. Set aside to cool slightly.
- Whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl. Whisk together sugar, brown sugar, eggs, and peppermint extract in a large bowl until combined; add cooled chocolate mixture and whisk until smooth. Fold in flour mixture just until incorporated, then fold in crushed candy canes. Let dough stand at room temperature for 10 minutes.
- Place granulated sugar and powdered sugar in separate shallow bowls. Use a cookie scoop coated with nonstick spray to scoop 1 1/2-inch balls of dough. Roll in granulated sugar to coat, then coat generously in powdered sugar. Place two inches apart on prepared baking sheets.
- Bake, rotating pans halfway through, for 14 to 15 minutes, until cookies are puffed and cracked, with edges set. Let cookies cool for 15 minutes on baking sheets, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Store in an airtight container at room temperature.
Notes
Rolling the cookies in granulated sugar first before rolling in powdered sugar helps the cookies crackle and keeps the powered sugar coating in place.
Loved them. Definitely will be making these again ( and again)
Thank you, Karen! 🙂