Chocolate Peppermint Cookies
These chocolate peppermint cookies remind me of that delectable part of the brownie that I love so very much. You know… when the edges become crispy and chewy? Like that. I’ve provided just a touch of peppermint extract to boost that seasonal flavor, while crushed peppermint candy canes add another pop of flavor, plus a beautiful crunch on top. I prefer a more chewy cookie, so I go for the longer baking time, but there is no right or wrong. Heck, the raw batter is scrumptious as is. The point being, you can push and pull this recipe in many ways, so have fun! Most importantly, these are a fantastic holiday cookie that anyone would be happy to sink their teeth into. Even the Grinch.
Ingredients
¾ cup vegan butter, cold
1 cup granulated sugar
½ cup light brown sugar
½ teaspoon sea salt
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
¼ teaspoon almond extract
½ teaspoon peppermint extract
2 tablespoons ground flax meal
½ cup plant-based milk
2 cups all-purpose flour
¾ cup dutch processed cocoa powder
1 tablespoon instant coffee powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
¼ cup mini chocolate chips
⅓ cup roughly crushed peppermint sticks
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Combine the vegan butter, granulated sugar, light brown sugar, and sea salt in a mixing bowl. Using a fork or a hand mixer, blend until light and fluffy (if using a fork, this could take a minute). Add the vanilla extract, almond extract, peppermint extract, ground flax meal, and milk. Mix well and set aside.
3. In a separate bowl, sift together flour, cocoa, coffee powder, and baking soda. Mix well. Add the dry to the wet and mix well until the batter is incorporated.
4. Scoop mounds (about 2 tablespoons in size) onto the baking sheets with a good amount of space in between each cookie (about 1 ½ inches at least). Next, spray the tops of the mounds with cooking spray and using your finger or the back of a spoon, gently press the cookie dough mounds flat, helping to shape them into beautiful cookies. You don't have to press them too much, so please take a chill pill. Sprinkle the tops with desired amounts of mini chocolate chips and pop them in the oven. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, depending on how soft/chewy you like your cookies.
5. Once done, remove from oven. IMMEDIATELY, sprinkle the crushed peppermint sticks on top and gently press in any large pieces of candy cane there may be. This will make sure everything sticks. Let cool for a few minutes, then transfer the cookies to a wire rack to let set, about 10 minutes.
notes
If using smaller baking sheets, you might have to make more than two batches, as the cookies will spread and you'll need more surface area. Just keep the dough covered in the fridge if this is the case.
For a softer, gooier cookie, go with 10 minutes of baking. For a more crispy on the edges and chewier cookie, go closer to 15 minutes. I prefer 15. 😉
I found these to be delicious hot out of the oven, once completely cooled, and the next day. Each stage offers different characteristics of enjoyment, so try them all ways! Do note that after about 2 days, they will go soft and taste a bit stale.
In regards to the candy canes, I used a hippy-dippy organic brand from the health food store. This means the sugar is not refined (vegan) and the dyes are made from plants (not chemicals). You can, of course, use whatever kind of candy canes you like- I'm just letting you know what I used.
19 comments
Made this last night and they are awesome! I didn’t have the almond extract (but I don’t really like it anyway) and they taste great without it. Recipe was easy to follow and they baked just like the instructions said. I will definitely be baking these for Christmas! …mjpiscopo
Yay! Thank you love!
I just finished making these and I’m in love!! Perfect chocolate to peppermint ratio! Sooo delicious and easy to make! They bake exactly as described. I did one batch for 12 minutes to get soft pillow like cookies which I looooove and the second batch at 16 minutes for a little crispier action. I rolled the dough into balls in my hands before I pressed them as well to get perfect cute circles to decorate with the peppermint. SO CUTE AND SO DELISH THANKS TIMMYYYY!!
Thank you bb! So happy you enjoyed them. ;))
These were an absolute hit! All my clients, friends and family loved them! (Even the non vegans) And I of course got the comment “are these really vegan” they baked perfectly and they turned out adorable and so tasty! I’m not a huge peppermint fan so I was worried, but the peppermint to chocolate ratio was perfect and I need to stock up on candy canes so I can make these all year round. Thank you Timmy for the PERFECT Christmas cookie!
Ayyyy! You’re awesome. Thank you!
I made these for my family last night and they came out beautifully! Everyone loved them. They are the perfect combination of rich chocolate and peppermint. Not too sugary sweet and not too minty. They are perfect with a cold glass of nut or soy milk. I bet you can’t eat just one! Thanks MV for the recipe and inspiration!
Thank you for making them! So happy you enjoyed them. 🙂
These are SO delicious!! My mom and I made them together for Christmas festivities, but I will definitely be making these year round. There is a perfect amount of peppermint and I love how the candy cane sprinkling on top adds a little crunchy texture!!
I was inspired to make these because of your super fun, always entertaining Instagram stories—keep ‘em coming Timmy!
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Aww that’s awesome. Thank you missy! 🙂
These cookies are life. I live in Germany and its super hard to find almond and peppermint extract, but even without them I cant stop eating them ah!
Oh that is so lovely to hear! Thank you!
Hey! I made these sooooooo yummy
Ayyy!
These cookies were the bomb.com! Thanks for sharing these amazing recipes. Can’t wait for your cookbook!
You’re so sweet. Thank you. I can’t wait for you to have it. 🙂
I’m usually bad at making cookies, but these were the best cookies I’ve ever made. Perfect blend of flavors and the texture at 15 minutes is just toooo good. Thank you for a great recipe!
Oh yay! Thank you!
I made these today and they were fantastic! The chocolate, mint, almond, and coffee flavors all came together perfectly. And the little bit of crunch on top – yes!