If you’re craving a delightful blend of rich chocolate and refreshing mint, look no further than Peppermint Brownie Cookies. These festive, fudgy delights come together fast and bring a perfect balance of chewy brownie texture with a crisp peppermint twist. Whether you’re baking for the holidays or just want a comforting, sweet treat, this recipe will have you enjoying warm, irresistible Peppermint Brownie Cookies in no time.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy: Ready in under 30 minutes, perfect for last-minute baking sessions.
- Fudgy Texture: Combines the dense, chewy richness of brownies with the convenience of cookies.
- Festive Flavor: Peppermint adds a refreshing coolness that pairs perfectly with chocolate.
- Simple Ingredients: Uses pantry staples and minimal additions, making it accessible to everyone.
- Versatile Treat: Great for gifting, holiday parties, or a cozy night in with a cup of hot cocoa.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe keeps things straightforward with ingredients that enhance taste, texture, and that beautiful chocolatey color. Each one brings something special to create those perfect Peppermint Brownie Cookies.
- All-purpose flour: Provides structure without weighing down the cookies.
- Cocoa powder: Essential for that deep, rich chocolate flavor and dark color.
- Baking powder: Adds just enough rise for a chewy, soft bite.
- Unsalted butter: Gives moisture and buttery richness to the dough.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens while helping with crisp edges.
- Brown sugar: Adds moisture and a subtle caramel undertone.
- Eggs: Bind everything together while contributing to a fudgy texture.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances all the flavors with warmth.
- Peppermint extract: Delivers the signature minty kick.
- Mini peppermint candies or crushed candy canes: Adds festive crunch and a burst of mintiness.
- Chocolate chips: Optional but recommended for extra melty chocolate pockets.
Variations for Peppermint Brownie Cookies
Feel free to personalize these Peppermint Brownie Cookies to suit your taste buds or dietary needs. Customizing is straightforward and fun!
- Nutty twist: Add chopped walnuts or pecans for extra crunch and flavor depth.
- Gluten-free option: Swap all-purpose flour with almond or gluten-free flour blends.
- Dairy-free version: Use coconut oil or vegan butter substitutes instead of butter.
- White chocolate swap: Replace dark chocolate chips with white chocolate for a sweeter contrast.
- Spicy twist: Add a pinch of cayenne or cinnamon for a warming surprise alongside the mint.
How to Make Peppermint Brownie Cookies
Step 1: Prepare Your Ingredients
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line your baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats to prevent sticking. Measure out all the dry and wet ingredients so everything is ready to mix quickly.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, and baking powder. This ensures your cocoa is clump-free and your rising agent is evenly distributed, setting the stage for perfectly chewy cookies.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugars
Using a hand mixer or stand mixer, beat the softened unsalted butter with granulated and brown sugars until light and fluffy. This step traps air, helping cookies stay tender and giving them a slight rise.
Step 4: Add Eggs and Extracts
Beat in the eggs, vanilla extract, and peppermint extract until fully incorporated. The peppermint extract is the star of the show here, so don’t be shy!
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry
Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture with a spatula, making sure to scrape the bowl sides. Overmixing can toughen the dough, so stop as soon as there are no flour streaks.
Step 6: Add Peppermint and Chocolate
Gently fold in the mini peppermint candies or crushed candy canes and optional chocolate chips. These bits add bursts of coolness and melty chocolate pockets in every bite.
Step 7: Scoop and Bake
Using a cookie scoop or spoon, drop small mounds of dough spaced a couple of inches apart on your prepared baking sheets. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until edges are set but centers still look slightly soft.
Step 8: Cool and Enjoy
Allow cookies to cool on the baking tray for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. This resting helps them firm up while keeping the chewy texture intact.
Pro Tips for Making Peppermint Brownie Cookies
- Butter temperature: Use softened, not melted butter for better texture control.
- Measure cocoa correctly: Spoon cocoa into your measuring cup; don’t scoop to avoid dry, dense cookies.
- Don’t overbake: Remove cookies when edges set but centers look soft to maintain fudginess.
- Storage prep: Line containers with parchment paper to prevent sticking when storing batches.
- Extract quality: Use pure peppermint extract for a clean, authentic mint flavor rather than artificial substitutes.
How to Serve Peppermint Brownie Cookies
Garnishes
Sprinkle extra crushed candy canes or a dusting of powdered sugar on top for a charming, festive look that also enhances the peppermint aroma.
Side Dishes
Pair these cookies with a glass of cold milk, hot cocoa, or even a fresh peppermint tea for complementary flavor combinations that balance sweetness with warmth.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange Peppermint Brownie Cookies on a holiday platter with sprigs of fresh mint or place them in clear gift jars adorned with ribbons to spread the festive joy to friends and family.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store your Peppermint Brownie Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days to maintain freshness and chewy texture.
Freezing
Freeze baked cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container; they keep well up to 3 months.
Reheating
Warm frozen or stored cookies for 10 seconds in the microwave or a few minutes in a low-temperature oven to restore that freshly-baked softness and rich flavor.
FAQs
Can I use regular mint instead of peppermint extract?
Fresh mint leaves won’t provide the same intense flavor; peppermint extract is more concentrated and gives the signature minty taste these cookies need.
Are these cookies gluten-free?
Traditional Peppermint Brownie Cookies use all-purpose flour, but you can easily swap for gluten-free flour blends to make a gluten-free batch.
Can I substitute candy canes for peppermint candies?
Yes! Crushed candy canes work perfectly and add a lovely crunchy texture and festive look.
How chewy are these cookies?
These cookies strike a balance between chewy and fudgy, with slightly crisp edges and a soft, dense center.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Absolutely! Store the dough in the fridge for up to 24 hours before baking; this can actually deepen the flavors and improve texture.
Final Thoughts
These Peppermint Brownie Cookies are a quick, delicious way to bring warmth and festive cheer to any occasion. Once you try this recipe, the combination of fudgy chocolate and refreshing peppermint will become an instant favorite in your baking rotation. Grab your ingredients and enjoy making joyfully chewy, mint-infused treats that everyone will love!