Chewy Peppermint Sugar Cookies - Easy Christmas Cookies Recipe! (2024)

This post may contain affiliate sales links. Please read my disclosure policy.

These easy Peppermint Sugar Cookies are soft and chewy cookies with peppermint pieces and white chocolate chips. They’re festive, flavorful and hard not to get addicted to! The perfect homemade cookies for Christmas and just soaking up those holiday vibes.

Chewy Peppermint Sugar Cookies - Easy Christmas Cookies Recipe! (1)

Table of Contents

  • Recipe Ingredients
  • How to Make This Easy Peppermint Sugar Cookie Recipe
  • Can I Make These Cookies Ahead?
  • How to Store Homemade Sugar Cookies
  • Can I Freeze These Cookies?
  • More Sugar Cookie Recipes
  • Get the Recipe

Soft & Chewy Peppermint Sugar Cookies

I can’t get enough of the white chocolate and peppermint combo in these cookies! This minty recipe is an adaptation of my tried and true homemade sugar cookies recipe. They have the same soft and chewy texture with an added coolness and sweetness from the peppermint pieces and white chocolate. These cookies are also made with peppermint extract, so they have plenty of flavor without being overpowering.

These easy Christmas cookies come together in just 20 minutes! They’ll look amazing on your holiday cookie plate, and they make the perfect treat for Santa Claus. And, even though these cookies are ideal for Christmas, they’re also good enough to make year round!

Chewy Peppermint Sugar Cookies - Easy Christmas Cookies Recipe! (2)

Recipe Ingredients

These cookies are made with the same ingredients as my classic sugar cookies, plus peppermint extract, peppermint pieces, and white chocolate chips. Here’s your ingredient lineup (check out the recipe card below for exact amounts):

  • All-purpose flour – Be careful not to pack the flour in your measuring cups. Otherwise, you risk over-measuring your flour and making your cookies dry.
  • Baking soda
  • Baking powder
  • Salt
  • Unsalted butter – Bring your butter to room temperature.
  • Granulated sugar
  • Light brown sugar
  • Egg
  • Vanilla extract
  • Peppermint extract
  • White chocolate chips – Feel free to use semisweet or dark chocolate chips instead, if preferred.
  • Crushed peppermint pieces

What Kind of Peppermint Candy Should I Use?

I recommend using either candy canes or Brach’s peppermint candies for this recipe. They both have great peppermint flavor, they’re inexpensive and they’re easy to crush. Simply place them in a plastic bag and pound them with a rolling pin! If you want bigger chunks of peppermint in your cookies, don’t crush your mints too finely. You can also often find pre-crushed peppermint pieces on the baking aisle in certain stores.

Chewy Peppermint Sugar Cookies - Easy Christmas Cookies Recipe! (3)

How to Make This Easy Peppermint Sugar Cookie Recipe

These cookies are anything but complicated. All you have to do is make your dough, add in the peppermint pieces and chocolate chips, and bake!

  • Prepare for Baking: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats and set them aside.
  • Combine Dry Ingredients: Combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt in a medium sized bowl and set aside.
  • Cream Butter & Sugars: Cream the butter and sugars together in a large mixer bowl on medium speed until light in color and fluffy. You should be able to see the change in color happen and know it’s ready.
  • Add Egg & Extracts: Add the egg and mix until well combined. Then, add the vanilla extract and peppermint extract and mix until well combined.
  • Combine Wet & Dry Ingredients: Add the dry ingredients and mix until the dough is well combined. It will be thick and shouldn’t be sticky. Do not over mix it.
  • Add Chocolate & Peppermint: Once it’s well combined, add the white chocolate chips and peppermint pieces and use a rubber spatula to help it come together to form a more cohesive ball.
  • Assemble Dough on Baking Sheet: Create 1 1/2 tablespoon sized balls of cookie dough. Gently roll into a ball, then set the balls on the baking sheet.
  • Bake: Bake your cookies for 7-9 minutes. The cookies will spread and the centers will look soft, but should look done. Remove just as the edges begin to turn golden. Don’t overbake them. The cookies may look a little puffy when you take them out of the oven, but they’ll fall a bit as they cool.
  • Let Cool: Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheets for 4-5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Chewy Peppermint Sugar Cookies - Easy Christmas Cookies Recipe! (4)

Can I Make These Cookies Ahead?

Yes, it’s easy to make these peppermint sugar cookies months in advance! Simply pack the cooled cookies in a ziploc bag, squeeze all the extra air out, and store them in the freezer.

You can layer your cookies between parchment paper, if desired, to prevent them from sticking together. When you want to eat your cookies, just thaw them in the fridge and enjoy.

Cookie Decorating & Variation Ideas

Looking for a way to jazz up these cookies even more? Try out some of these fun ideas:

  • Drizzle With Chocolate: In addition to putting the white chocolate chips in your cookie batter, you can melt some of them and drizzle the chocolate over your cookies once they’ve cooled.
  • Add More Chocolate Chips: When your cookies come out of the oven, you can lightly press some white chocolate chips on top to make them stand out!
Chewy Peppermint Sugar Cookies - Easy Christmas Cookies Recipe! (5)

How to Store Homemade Sugar Cookies

These cookies should be stored at room temperature in an airtight container or a ziploc bag with all the air squeezed out. They’ll stay perfectly soft and chewy for 4-5 days! I recommend enjoying your sugar cookies within a week of making them.

Can I Freeze These Cookies?

If you want your cookies to last for longer than a week, you can pop them in the freezer. Keep them in an airtight plastic bag and thaw them out before eating them. Frozen cookies will last for about 3 months!

More Sugar Cookie Recipes

There are so many ways to make an irresistible sugar cookie! Check out some more recipes below:

  • Soft Cut Out Sugar Cookies
  • Sprinkle Sugar Cookies
  • Chocolate Sugar Cookies
  • Lemon Sugar Cookies
  • Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars

Print

Chewy Peppermint Sugar Cookies - Easy Christmas Cookies Recipe! (6)

Recipe

Peppermint Sugar Cookies

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 1 review

  • Author: Lindsay
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 8 minutes
  • Total Time: 23 minutes
  • Yield: 40
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Oven
  • Cuisine: American
Print

Description

These peppermint sugar cookies are packed with crushed peppermint and white chocolate chips. They’re a perfect pick for your holiday cookie tray!

Ingredients

  • 2 3/4 cups (358g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup (224g) unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1 cup + 2 tbsp (233g) granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons (28g) light brown sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
  • 1 1/4 cups (211g) white chocolate chips
  • 6 tablespoons crushed peppermint pieces

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. Set aside.
  2. Combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt in a medium sized bowl and set aside.
  3. Cream the butter and sugars together in a large mixer bowl on medium speed until light in color and fluffy. You should be able to see the change in color happen and know it’s ready.
  4. Add the egg and mix until well combined.
  5. Add the vanilla extract and peppermint extract and mix until well combined.
  6. Add the dry ingredients and mix until the dough is well combined. It will be thick and shouldn’t be sticky. Do not over mix.
  7. Once it’s well combined, add the white chocolate chips and peppermint pieces and use a rubber spatula to help it come together to form a more cohesive ball.
  8. Create 1 1/2 tablespoon sized balls of cookie dough. Gently roll into a ball, then set the balls on the baking sheet.
  9. Bake cookies for 7-9 minutes. The cookies will spread and the centers will look soft, but should look done. Remove just as the edges begin to turn golden. Don’t overbake. The cookies may look a little puffy when you take them out of the oven but will fall a bit as they cool.
  10. Remove from the oven and allow to cool on baking sheets for 4-5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

  • To store: These cookies should be stored at room temperature in an airtight container or a ziploc bag with all the air squeezed out. They’ll stay perfectly soft and chewy for 4-5 days! I recommend enjoying your sugar cookies within a week of making them.
  • To freeze: If you want your cookies to last for longer than a week, you can pop them in the freezer. Keep them in an airtight plastic bag and thaw them out before eating them. Frozen cookies will last for about 3 months!

Nutrition

  • Serving Size:
  • Calories: 124
  • Sugar: 8.6 g
  • Sodium: 68.2 mg
  • Fat: 6.5 g
  • Carbohydrates: 15.2 g
  • Protein: 1.4 g
  • Cholesterol: 18 mg

Categories

  • Christmas
  • Cookies
  • Fall and Holiday Favorites
  • Holidays
  • Recipes
  • Sweets and Treats
Chewy Peppermint Sugar Cookies - Easy Christmas Cookies Recipe! (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to chewy cookies? ›

Cornstarch helps product soft and thick cookies. Using more brown sugar than white sugar results in a moister, softer cookie. An extra egg yolk increases chewiness. Rolling the cookie dough balls to be tall and lumpy instead of wide and smooth gives the cookies a bakery-style textured thickness.

How do I make my cookies chewy instead of crunchy? ›

How To Make Cookies Chewy Without Cornstarch
  1. Go heavy on brown sugar. It has more moisture than its granulated counterpart, which means the cookie comes out less crispy. ...
  2. Choose margarine or shortening instead of butter. ...
  3. Use baking powder instead of baking soda. ...
  4. Rest your dough. ...
  5. Shorten baking time.
May 14, 2023

Does more sugar make cookies chewy? ›

Chewy cookies

Different types of sugars affect the texture because they absorb different amounts of water. Remember moisture is the key! White sugar creates crispier cookies and brown sugar creates chewier cookies.

How long before Christmas can you make cookies? ›

As for the cookies—made for cookie swaps, church potlucks, household snacking, and Santa's plate—there is one little cheat: make now, freeze for later. You'll find that most of your favorite Christmas cookie recipes can be made anywhere from a month to six months before the 25th of December.

What are three factors that contribute to a chewy cookie? ›

Salted butter, softened – I prefer salted butter but you can also use unsalted and add an extra pinch of salt to the dough. Brown sugar – Just brown sugar because we will get the 'granulated sugar' flavor from the corn syrup. Corn syrup – The corn syrup is what makes these cookies CHEWY FOR DAYS.

What makes a cookie chewy and not cakey? ›

Use Melted Butter

If the goal is a chewy cookie, then you absolutely need to be using melted butter. The technique of creaming softened butter and sugar together is often used for making cakes. And for good reason!

What is the secret ingredient to keep cookies soft? ›

There's an ingredient that will make your cookies extra flexible and soft. It's corn syrup. That's it! That, my friend, is the secret ingredient to the best SOFTEST chocolate chip cookies.

How do you keep homemade cookies soft and chewy? ›

“To keep cookies soft, store them in an airtight container and not in a cookie jar,” Amanda recommends.

Should I use baking soda or baking powder in cookies? ›

Baking soda is typically used for chewy cookies, while baking powder is generally used for light and airy cookies. Since baking powder is comprised of a number of ingredients (baking soda, cream of tartar, cornstarch, etc.), using it instead of pure baking soda will affect the taste of your cookies.

What happens if you forget to add brown sugar to cookies? ›

What happens when you bake without brown sugar? To be succinct, the resulting baked good could be slightly drier or more crisp. Without the excess moisture from the molasses in the brown sugar, the final cookie won't be as chewy and the final bread might be drier.

What happens if I only use brown sugar in cookies? ›

The cookies made with 100% brown sugar would be weirdly porous and take a while to crisp, but they'd be extra malty and delicious. The version made with 100% white sugar may not be as light, but they'd be particularly crisp and spicy, as the ginger would remain untamed by molasses.

Which Christmas cookies last the longest? ›

Shortbread and spritz cookies are longer-lasting cookies, which means they are perfect for holidays when there is some competition on the table. After all, Christmas in many homes is celebrated with a variety of dishes and sweet treats.

Can you leave Christmas cookies out overnight? ›

Curious how long cookies last at room temperature? Most homemade cookies will maintain their taste and texture for up to 3 days. If you leave them out for too long, the cookies begin to harden or dry out. To prevent cookies from becoming stale, cover them with plastic wrap or keep in an airtight container.

Why are my Christmas cookies hard? ›

Cookies become hard when the moisture in them evaporates. This can be caused by leaving them out in the air for too long, baking them for too long, or storing them improperly. The lack of moisture makes the cookies hard and dry, which makes them difficult to enjoy.

Why do my cookies never turn out chewy? ›

What's the key to making cookies chewy instead of turning out with a cake or bar cookie texture? Just off the top of my head, more brown sugar will increase the chewiness. I don't know the recipe you are using but generally, a larger amount of brown sugar vs. white sugar will make a more chewy cookie.

What makes cookies chewy butter or shortening? ›

Cookies Made with Butter vs Shortening

Those made with only shortening bake higher and spread less during baking. The butter cookie provides better flavor and a crispier exterior with browning around edges and a chewy interior; the shortening cookie spreads less, holding its shape better while baking.

Why does melted butter make cookies chewy? ›

Melted butter is important in cookie making because it helps create a unique texture and flavor that cannot be achieved with solid butter. During the melting process, the butter's water content evaporates, leaving only fat behind. This results in a more concentrated flavor and a softer texture in your cookies.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Melvina Ondricka

Last Updated:

Views: 6251

Rating: 4.8 / 5 (48 voted)

Reviews: 95% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Melvina Ondricka

Birthday: 2000-12-23

Address: Suite 382 139 Shaniqua Locks, Paulaborough, UT 90498

Phone: +636383657021

Job: Dynamic Government Specialist

Hobby: Kite flying, Watching movies, Knitting, Model building, Reading, Wood carving, Paintball

Introduction: My name is Melvina Ondricka, I am a helpful, fancy, friendly, innocent, outstanding, courageous, thoughtful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.