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Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies — Soft, Minty & Holiday-Perfect

These Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies are soft, buttery, lightly sweet, and bursting with festive mint-chocolate flavor. The peppermint extract adds a refreshing holiday brightness, while the chocolate chips melt into sweet, cozy pockets of richness. The touch of green gel coloring gives them that fun seasonal look — perfect for cookie exchanges, gifting, winter dessert tables, or a cozy evening treat with hot cocoa. If you love the classic chocolate + mint combination, these cookies are going to feel like home. They’re simple to make, beautiful to serve, and always a crowd favorite.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
bake time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 24 cookies
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • ½ teaspoon peppermint extract
  • ½ teaspoon green gel food coloring
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

✨ Kitchen Essentials You’ll Love

Quick picks I trust for better results, faster prep, and easier cleanup.

  • 🍳

    Lodge Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet

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  • ⚡

    Instant Pot Duo Plus 9-in-1 Electric

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  • 🔥

    CHEFMAN Digital Air Fryer XL 10L

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Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

Equipment

  • Mixing bowls
  • Hand mixer or stand mixer
  • Rubber spatula
  • Baking sheet
  • Parchment paper
  • Cooling rack
  • Measuring cups & spoons

Method
 

Step 1: Preheat & Prepare
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Line your baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 2: Cream Butter & Sugar
  1. In a mixing bowl, beat butter and powdered sugar for 2–3 minutes, until creamy and fluffy.
Step 3: Add Peppermint & Color
  1. Mix in peppermint extract and green gel food coloring until evenly blended.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
  1. In a separate bowl, whisk together:
  2. flour
  3. salt
  4. Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture and stir gently until a soft dough forms.
Step 5: Fold in Chocolate Chips
  1. Stir in the semi-sweet chocolate chips evenly through the dough.
Step 6: Shape & Bake
  1. Scoop dough into small balls (about 1 tablespoon each).
  2. Place on baking sheet with space to spread.
  3. Bake 8–11 minutes, just until edges are set.
  4. (The centers should remain soft — this keeps them tender.)
Step 7: Cool
  1. Cool cookies on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then move to a cooling rack.

Notes

🧊 Storage
Store in an airtight container up to 5 days.
Freeze baked cookies up to 3 months.
Warm briefly to re-soften chocolate before serving.
🥄 Variations
Extra Peppermint Sparkle:
Press a few chocolate chips into the tops right after baking.
White Chocolate Version:
Replace chocolate chips with white chocolate for softer sweetness.
Candy Cane Crunch:
Fold in 2 tablespoons crushed candy canes for a festive crunch.
Stronger Mint Flavor:
Increase peppermint extract to ¾ teaspoon if desired.
Marbled Holiday Look:
Swirl gel color lightly instead of blending fully.
❓ 10 FAQs
Can I use liquid food coloring?
Yes, but the color will be softer.
Can I substitute mint extract for peppermint extract?
Yes — but peppermint gives a brighter holiday flavor.
Are these cookies very sweet?
They’re mildly sweet and balanced by the chocolate.
Can I chill the dough?
Yes — chilling 15 minutes makes thicker cookies.
Can I use salted butter?
Yes — reduce added salt to a pinch.
Can I use chocolate chunks?
Absolutely — they melt beautifully.
Why are my cookies dry?
They may have been overbaked — remove while centers look soft.
Can I make them gluten-free?
Yes — use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
Can I freeze the dough?
Yes — freeze rolled dough balls and bake from frozen.
Are these good for gifting?
Yes — they hold shape, color, and flavor beautifully.
🏁 Conclusion
These Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies are cozy, festive, and full of melt-in-your-mouth holiday flavor. Lightly sweet, softly minty, and dotted with rich chocolate, they bring pure seasonal joy in every bite. Perfect for gifting, sharing, or savoring with warm drinks.
Minty. Buttery. Cheerful.
A holiday cookie that makes memories.