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These Chocolate Peppermint Cookies start with a simple cake mix base, get topped with a rich chocolate frosting, and finish with a peppermint candy square on top. They’re festive, delicious, and perfect for your holiday cookie tray!
You should also try these Cake Mix Grinch Cookies, Gingerbread Cutout Cookies and Christmas Tree Peanut Butter Blossoms.
A Quick Look at this Recipe
- Recipe Name: Chocolate Peppermint Cookies
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Bake Time: 30 minutes
- Servings: 12 large cookies
- Time Saving “Practically Homemade” Ingredients: Chocolate cake mix and peppermint candies
Table of Contents
Key Ingredients
- Chocolate Cake Mix: Using a cake mix is what makes these peppermint and chocolate cookies so easy! Any brand of chocolate cake mix works great here. I also love to use it for Texas Sheet Cake Cookies and Chocolate Crumb Cake.
- Peppermint Candy Squares: These are the classic white chocolate peppermint candies you find during the holidays. They add the perfect pop of peppermint flavor and make these cookies look festive. I love the individually wrapped Ghirardelli candies.
See recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
How to make Chocolate Peppermint Cookies
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with silicone mats or parchment paper. In a large bowl, whisk together the chocolate cake mix and flour.
Step 2: Add the eggs and melted butter, then mix with an electric mixer until you have a thick dough.
Step 3: Using a large cookie scoop, portion out 12 cookies. Press each scoop of dough into a thick round disc. Bake 6 cookies at a time for 11-13 minutes, or until set.
Step 4: Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool completely on the baking sheet.
Step 5: Once the cookies are cool, combine the butter, cocoa powder, and milk in a small saucepan over medium heat. Whisk until melted and smooth. Remove from heat, then add the vanilla and powdered sugar. Whisk until the frosting is completely smooth.
Step 6: Pour the frosting over each cookie, using a knife or spoon to spread it evenly and cover the entire surface. While the frosting is still wet, press a peppermint candy square onto the top of each cookie. Let the frosting set before serving.
Expert Tips
- Don’t over bake the cookies. These cookies should look just set when you take them out of the oven. If you bake them until they look completely done, they’ll end up dry instead of soft and moist.
- Cool the cookies completely before frosting. This is really important! If you try to frost warm cookies, the frosting will just melt and slide right off. Let them cool all the way on the baking sheet – it takes about 30 minutes.
- Work quickly with the frosting. The cooked frosting starts to set as it cools, so frost all your cookies right away while it’s still pourable. If it gets too thick, you can warm it up slightly on the stovetop.
- Press the cookies into thick discs. Don’t just drop balls of dough on the pan – press them down into flat, thick rounds before baking. This helps them bake evenly. I use this technique for a lot of cake mix cookies, like these Raspberry Cheesecake Cookies and Cosmic Brownie Cookies.
Storage and Freezing
Store: Keep these peppermint chocolate cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Freeze: You can freeze the unfrosted cookies for up to 3 months. Let them cool completely, then place them in a single layer in a freezer-safe container with parchment paper between layers. Thaw at room temperature, then make the fresh frosting and top with peppermint squares.
Chocolate and Peppermint Cookie FAQs
Yes! While chocolate cake mix gives you that deep chocolate flavor, you could use devil’s food cake mix for an even richer taste. I wouldn’t recommend using a white or yellow cake mix though – the chocolate is what makes these cookies work so well with the peppermint topping.
No, the frosting sets at room temperature and the cookies stay fresh in an airtight container. Refrigerating them can actually dry out the cookies and make the frosting look dull.
Yes! You can make the cookie dough and store it covered in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Let it sit at room temperature for about 20 minutes before scooping and baking. The dough will be easier to work with when it’s not ice cold.
Do you love peppermint? Try these Recipes…
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Peppermint Chocolate Cookies
Ingredients
Cookies
- 1 box chocolate cake mix , {13.25 ounces}
- ½ cup all purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- ⅓ cup butter, {melted}
Frosting
- ¼ cup butter
- 1 Tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 Tablespoon milk
- 1 ¼ cups powdered sugar
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
Topping
- 16 peppermint candy squares
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°.
Cookies
- Combine cake mix and flour in a large bowl and whisk to combine. Add eggs, and melted butter, mix using an electric mixer until you have a thick dough.
- Using a large cookie scoop, measure out 12 cookies. Press the cookie dough into a thick round disc. Bake 6 cookies at a time. Place the cookies on a silicone mat {or parchment} lined baking sheet for 11-13 minutes or until set.
- Remove cookies from the oven and allow them to cool completely on the baking sheet.
Frosting
- Once the cookies are cooled, combine the first 3 frosting ingredients in a small saucepan over medium heat and whisk until the mixture has melted. Remove from heat, add vanilla and powdered sugar, whisk until smooth.
- Pour frosting over cookies. Use a knife or spoon to move excess frosting and be sure that each cookie is completely covered. While the frosting is still wet, add a Peppermint Square to the top of each cookie, pressing down slightly.
- Let the frosting set and serve.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
These look so delish!!!
I’m putting together a dessert post on Dec. 16 and would love to have this picture on the post with a link back to your blog.
Please let me know it that interests you 🙂
Rachelle
My Hubbard Home
I would love that! I am so excited. Thank you!
These look so festive and sound delicious. Peppermint and chocolate, what’s not to love about that! Pinned
Thank you Marie! Christmas Flavors are the best.