Are you ready to unleash your inner baker and create cookies that are as delicious as they are festive? These Peppermint Patty Cookies are the perfect blend of rich chocolate and refreshing mint, offering a delightful twist on a classic holiday treat. They're surprisingly easy to make, even for beginner bakers, and are guaranteed to be a hit with everyone who takes a bite. This recipe delivers a fantastic homemade cookie experience – perfect for holiday gatherings, gifting, or simply indulging in a sweet treat! Let's get started!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 cup Andes mint baking chips (or your favorite peppermint candies, roughly chopped)
- Optional: Sea salt flakes for sprinkling
Instructions:
Step 1: Prepare the Dough: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper. In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. This is easiest with an electric mixer, but you can certainly do it by hand if you’re feeling ambitious!
Step 2: Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few lumps are okay.
Step 4: Incorporate Peppermint: Gently fold in the Andes mint baking chips.
Step 5: Bake the Cookies: Drop rounded tablespoons of cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie. Sprinkle with sea salt flakes, if desired. Bake for 9-11 minutes, or until the edges are set and the centers are still slightly soft.
Step 6: Cool and Enjoy: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Cooking Tips for Perfect Peppermint Patty Cookies:
- Softened Butter is Key: Make sure your butter is truly softened – this will help create a smooth and creamy cookie dough.
- Don't Overmix: Overmixing the dough can lead to tough cookies. Mix until just combined.
- Chill the Dough (Optional): For thicker, chewier cookies, chill the dough for at least 30 minutes before baking.
- Adjust Baking Time: Oven temperatures can vary, so keep an eye on your cookies and adjust the baking time as needed.
Variations:
- Different Chocolate: Try using dark cocoa powder for a richer chocolate flavor, or add some semi-sweet chocolate chips along with the peppermint.
- Extra Peppermint: For an even more intense peppermint flavor, add a teaspoon of peppermint extract to the dough.
- White Chocolate: Swap the Andes mints for white chocolate chips and chopped peppermint candy for a delicious variation.
Nutritional Information (per cookie, approximate):
This will vary depending on the exact ingredients used, but a reasonable estimate is approximately 200-250 calories, 5-7g of fat, and 25-30g of carbohydrates. This is just an estimate; use a nutritional calculator for a more precise value based on your specific ingredients.
These Peppermint Patty Cookies are a delightful treat that combines the richness of chocolate with the refreshing coolness of peppermint. They’re perfect for holiday baking, sharing with loved ones, or simply enjoying a delicious homemade cookie any time of year. Enjoy!