chocolate peppermint shortbread cookies
I can’t make it through the holiday season without one new chocolate peppermint creation, and these chocolate peppermint shortbread cookies are my current addiction. Baked in a fluted tart pan for pretty edges (and simplicity – there’s no dough rolling required here), these are melt in your mouth shortbread wedges with perfectly balanced chocolate-peppermint flavor.
Topped with rich chocolate and sparkling crushed candy canes, these buttery shortbread cookies are the ultimate holiday cookie.
Chocolate Peppermint Shortbread Cookies
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 12 wedges
Description
Chocolate peppermint shortbread cookies topped with rich chocolate and crushed peppermint candy canes!
Ingredients
Cookies
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 2/3 cup sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/8 tsp pure peppermint extract
- 1/8 tsp salt
- 1 3/4 cups flour
- 2 tsp sugar (for sprinkling)
Topping
- 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 tsp coconut oil
- 1/8 tsp pure peppermint extract
- 2 peppermint candy canes, crushed
Instructions
- Spray a 9-inch round removable-bottom tart pan with nonstick spray. Beat butter and sugar in a large mixer bowl at medium speed until combined; add extracts and salt and beat until incorporated. Scrape down bowl as needed. Reduce speed to low and mix in flour just until incorporated and dough begins to come together in large pieces. Scrape dough into prepared pan and use a piece of parchment paper lightly coated with nonstick spray to press dough evenly into pan. Cover and chill in the refrigerator until firm, about 45 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 325°F. Prick dough all over with a wooden skewer and sprinkle evenly with sugar. Bake until light golden and set in the center, about 35 minutes. Remove pan from oven and transfer to a wire rack; cool completely in pan.
- For the topping, combine chocolate chips and coconut oil 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. Stir in peppermint extract. Pour melted chocolate over cooled shortbread and smooth with an offset spatula. Sprinkle with crushed candy canes and chill in the freezer for 10 minutes to set chocolate. Cut into wedges with a sharp knife.
Notes
Make ahead: After chilling shortbread for 1 hour, prick dough all over with a wooden skewer. Wrap tart pan with foil and place in a freezer bag to freeze. Bake shortbread directly from the freezer, adding two or three minutes to baking time.
Keywords: Chocolate, Peppermint, Shortbread, Shortbread Cookies
Craving more chocolate peppermint?
Peppermint Brownie Sandwich Cookies
Chocolate Peppermint Crinkle Cookies
Peppermint Brownie Bites
I cannot make it without a chocolate 😀 My small addiction…
I’m total heart eyes for shortbread but then you had to go slather chocolate all over it!? OMGeeee…. Gorgeous work, Laura! My switch is flipped! 😀
I have to agree with Traci ~ I’m all heart eyes!!
These wedges are irresistible! Shortcake, chocolate AND peppermint is one delightfully delicious combo!!!
Love the unique presentation of these cookies, so pretty! And the flavors sound divine, nothing beats chocolate topped shortbread!
I LOVE the chocolate peppermint combo, especially around the holidays Laura! This shortbread looks beautiful! What an awesome cookie for gifting!
I have yet to get into peppermint desserts, but this short bread has me convinced I really need to try it out!
Wow, your photography is so pretty. I recently purchased candy canes and peppermint extract for another recipe, so now I have the perfect recipe to use up the leftover ingredients! YAY, can’t wait!
I can almost taste the peppermint rock!
Beautiful and so perfect for the season! Love peppermint and chocolate always 🙂
The shortbread with the peppermint is such a neat and christmassy treat. Love the combo!!
Gorgeous combo, so perfect for the season and I love now neat the tart looks!
Your pictures are always so enticing! I love the chocolate peppermint combo and combined with your shortbread they sound absolutely delicious!!!
What an alluring chocolate – peppermint cookie! I love the pie shaped pieces, they are gorgeous.
I have a weakness for shortbread, too. I love the fluted edge on these!
I would be addicted to this too! this is such a treat! I´ going to give this a try on saturday, thanks for the recipe 🙂
These. Look. Amazing. Love the shortbread and peppermint combo- so perfectly festive!
I just HAVE to make these! Looks amazingly delicious ♥
Wow, these just look and sound so scrumptious, Laura! Chocolate + peppermint is one of the yummiest combos!
Chocolate and peppermint! Your shortbreads are delicious, and you add this combo to it! Love it Laura! Your cookies this season have been just fabulous! 🙂
These look delicious! Is there an alternative to the coconut oil, though? I’m allergic to coconut (especially the oil) and it’s in everything these days! Would butter or another oil work?
Hi Megan, you can use vegetable oil instead! It just helps the chocolate chips melt more easily. 🙂 Or you can you melt 3 oz of chopped semisweet chocolate over a double boiler, and skip the oil altogether. Hope that helps!