My personal favorite cookies are mint and chocolate. Put those two together, and everything is right with the world. Seriously–they’re delicious combinations, and my cookie recipe combines them both. But, there’s a prerequisite. You HAVE to have a sweet tooth. And more than that, you have to like chocolate because these are full of chocolatey goodness.
One of my favorite memories growing up around Christmastime is baking cookies for Santa. We would bake cookies and put them out with a glass of milk, and of course, carrots for the reindeer. I’m sure a lot of you probably have similar memories. I grew up with an eleven year age difference between me and my youngest brother, so for the loongggessttt time, we got to wait for Santa to come and all wake up together (after being startled awake by Chris, the youngest) telling us that Santa had arrived. So many memories of that kid (and my younger sister) jumping on my bed telling me Santa had arrived. Which I obviously knew since I helped be Santa and finish wrapping the presents the night before… and as such, I got to at least eat most of the cookies and carrots and make it look like Santa and his reindeer had enjoyed the delicious treat.
I’m having a hard time this year for Christmas because it will be the first Christmas that I am away from family on Christmas day. Last year, we traveled to Randy’s parents for Christmas, but this year, my husband works on Christmas Eve and Christmas day (plus the weekend after), and my parents will be in Missouri, and his will be in Washington. So, I’m learning to enjoy all of the little things about this holiday season and embracing memories Randy and I make together and making some new ones, as well. One of those is definitely baking up a storm. I have some non-bake treats to share with you soon, though, too! What’s better than having Christmas music in the background and smelling sweetness from the oven with a Christmas tree sparkling AND a cup of hot chocolate in your hand and maybe even a fireplace crackling? All cliche, but nothing, I tell you… Nothing… 🙂
I hope this Christmas you enjoy your favorite traditions and make some new ones, as well! Maybe even add baking these cookies into a new tradition of yours. I don’t think this recipe will disappoint. 🙂
Ingredients
- 2 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 3/4 cups sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 3/4 tsp peppermint extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup baking cocoa powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 3/4 cup chocolate chips
- 3/4 cup mint chips (or thin mint pieces, such as Andes candies, chopped)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 F.
- Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper or coat with cooking spray.
- Beat butter and sugar in large bowl until well blended.
- Beat in eggs and peppermint extract.
- Add flour slowly until well mixed.
- Add cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- Once well blended, add chocolate chips and mint chips.
- Form down into 1-inch balls.
- Place at least 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets as they will spread out quite far.
- Bake cookies 10-12 minutes until edges are firm but center is soft.
- Let cool on baking sheets for at least 5 minutes and then transfer to racks to cool completely.
- Enjoy!