Peppermint Chocolate Crinkle Cookies Recipe - Fork Knife Swoon (2024)

The best peppermint chocolate crinkle cookies, a minty twist on the Christmas cookie platter classic! Packed with dark chocolate, cocoa, brown sugar, vanilla, and peppermint, and rolled in both cane sugar and powdered sugar for extra crinkly tops, these decadent, flavorful chocolate cookies are sure to become a holiday favorite!

Peppermint Chocolate Crinkle Cookies Recipe - Fork Knife Swoon (1)

Peppermint chocolate crinkle cookies

Popping in to wish you a very Merry Christmas! However you celebrate, I hope you’re having a wonderful holiday filled with love, laughter and lots of good food.

We’re currently at my parent’s house in Santa Barbara, visiting with family, soaking up the California sunshine, eating our weight in Christmas cookies and the best local Mexican food, and loving being home. My mom and I have been doing some Christmas baking – richly spiced pumpkin bread, powdered sugar-dusted pecan praline cookies, classic chocolate chip cookies, frosted sugar cookies for Santa (decorated by Henry), melty peanut butter blossoms, and these minty chocolate crinkle cookies. To name a few!

I’m sneaking away from the family festivities for a few minutes to share this last decadent holiday recipe with you. Since resolutions, and kale smoothies, and veggie-laden salads stand poised to take over in January. Thank you for your support this year, and I look forward to cooking and baking together again in 2020! Wishing you and your family a cozy, wonderful holiday! xoxo, Laura

Peppermint Chocolate Crinkle Cookies Recipe - Fork Knife Swoon (2)

why you’ll love these peppermint chocolate crinkle cookies

These chocolate crinkle cookies have become a yearly Christmas tradition since I first found the recipe in Cook’s Illustrated about five years ago. Nearly foolproof and always a hit, I love these craggy black and white cookies for several reasons.

Taking deep caramel and molasses notes from dark brown sugar, they’re more complex and less saccharine than many versions of chocolate crinkle cookies that you’ll find languishing atop a holiday cookie platter. That being said, they’re still rolled in a generous amount of both granulated and powdered sugar, so there’s no worry about lack of indulgence here.

The combination of sugars outside helps to develop deep, and importantly, distinct cracks and fissures, making for a really pretty Christmas cookie.

Peppermint Chocolate Crinkle Cookies Recipe - Fork Knife Swoon (3)

But looks aren’t everything. While this recipe does produce nicely consistent, round cookies with perfectly crackly tops and soft and fudge centers, they’re also packed with tons of flavor from dark chocolate, rich cocoa, dark brown sugar, and fragrant vanilla and peppermint.

Because they don’t require chilling, you can also whip up a batch fairly quickly and relatively last minute, if the mood strikes or extra guests are arriving.

The original recipe calls for espresso powder – always a friend of chocolate – but I usually opt for a few drops of pure peppermint extract in addition to vanilla, instead. You can always add both (for a peppermint mocha inspired flavor profile).

The results are decadent and delicious and perfect for the holidays (or for any dark chocolate lover!).

Peppermint Chocolate Crinkle Cookies Recipe - Fork Knife Swoon (4)

what you need to make chocolate crinkle cookies

If you bake often, you probably have all the ingredients you need to make these minty chocolate cookies on hand, right now:

  • dark chocolate: Look for a pure, unsweetened chocolate baking bar (100% cacao). Because these cookies are chocolate-focused, I like to use the good stuff.
  • butter: adds flavor, and makes for super glossy melted chocolate.
  • flour: we’re using traditional all-purpose flour. Be sure to measure by weight or spooning and leveling for the best results!
  • cocoa powder: we add both melted chocolate and cocoa powder for double the dark chocolate flavor. I’ve always used natural unsweetened cocoa powder (such as Hershey’s), but Dutch-processed (like Rodelle baking cocoa) will work too.
  • baking powder and soda: we combine both for the perfect amount of both lift and spread. This produces consistently round, gently puffed cookies.
  • kosher salt: intensifies all of the flavors (I always use Diamond Crystal.)
  • eggs: Add moisture, lift, bind the dough together, and gives us chewier cookies.
  • dark brown sugar: adds sweetness with a more complex flavor than granulated sugar thanks to its natural molasses content.
  • vanilla: always and forever.
  • peppermint extract: adds a minty, holiday touch!
  • cane sugar: helps to develop defined cracks on the outside of the cookies as they bake.
  • powdered sugar: provides a pretty “snowy” contrast to the chocolate.

Find all the exact measurements and recipe instructions below.

Peppermint Chocolate Crinkle Cookies Recipe - Fork Knife Swoon (5)

how to make the best chocolate crinkle cookies:

We start by melting chocolate and butter together until smooth and glossy. Don’t the best recipes start with good dark chocolate?

The chocolate is whisked together with the eggs, brown sugar, vanilla, and peppermint. Then we fold in the dry ingredients, and a thick, somewhat sticky dough is formed.

Instead of chilling like many cookies require, this chocolate crinkle cookie dough takes the unusual step of resting for ten minutes at room-temperature, before the cookies can be rolled and baked.

Peppermint Chocolate Crinkle Cookies Recipe - Fork Knife Swoon (6)

The second surprising step is rolling the cookie dough balls in two kinds of sugar. The first layer, granulated sugar, dries out faster in the oven, producing defined cracks and crevices over the surface of the cookie. It also helps to hold the second layer (confectioners sugar) in place, revealing the chocolate dough beneath.

The result – a festive black and white contrast and gorgeous holiday cookie. Thank you, baking science! 😉

Happy baking!!

Peppermint Chocolate Crinkle Cookies Recipe - Fork Knife Swoon (7)

If you make these peppermint chocolate crinkle cookies, be sure to tag me on Instagram with the hashtag #forkknifeswoon and leave a comment and rating below letting me know how you liked them! ★★★★★ Star ratings are especially helpful because they help others find my recipes too. xo, Laura

Print

Peppermint Chocolate Crinkle Cookies Recipe - Fork Knife Swoon (8)

Peppermint Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

★★★★★4.3 from 9 reviews

  • Author: Laura Bolton
  • Prep Time: 20 mins
  • Cook Time: 25 mins
  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 22 Cookies 1x
  • Category: Dessert, Cookies
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian
Print Recipe

Description

The best peppermint chocolate crinkle cookies, a minty twist on the Christmas cookie platter classic! Packed with dark chocolate, cocoa, brown sugar, vanilla, and peppermint, and rolled in both cane sugar and powdered sugar for extra crinkly tops, these decadent, flavorful chocolate cookies are sure to become a holiday favorite!

Ingredients

Scale

  • 4 oz unsweetened chocolate (100% cacao), chopped
  • 4 Tbsp (55g) unsalted butter
  • 11/4 cup (150g) all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup (40g) natural unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp Kosher salt
  • 3 (150g) large eggs
  • 11/2 cups (298g) dark brown sugar, packed
  • 1 tsp (5g) pure vanilla extract
  • 1/8 tsp pure peppermint extract ¹
  • 1/2 cup (99g) granulated sugar, for rolling
  • 1/2 cup (60g) confectioners (powdered) sugar, for rolling

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 325℉. Line two large rimmed sheet pans with parchment paper. Set aside.
  2. Melt the chocolate and butter together in either a double-boiler over gently simmering water, or in a heat-proof glass bowl in the microwave. If using a microwave, heat in bursts of 30 seconds on medium power, stirring well and scraping down the sides of the bowl with a spatula after each increment, until completely smooth and glossy. Set aside.
  3. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until combined. Set aside.
  4. In another large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs until well-combined. Add the brown sugar, vanilla, and peppermint extract, and continue whisking until smooth and creamy.
  5. Stir in the melted chocolate, and mix until smooth. Fold in the flour mixture until just combined and no dry streaks remain. Let the batter sit for 10 minutes at room temperature.
  6. Meanwhile, place the granulated and powdered sugars in two separate shallow bowls.
  7. Use a 2-Tbsp cookie scoop (I used a #26) to scoop the dough into equal portions directly into the granulated sugar, about 4 at a time. Then gently roll into balls until completely coated, using the sugar to keep your fingers from sticking.
  8. Transfer to the powdered sugar and gently roll again until completely coated. Place on the prepared sheet pans, about 2-inches apart.
  9. Bake each sheet individually for 11-13 minutes, until the cookies are gently puffed and the tops are crackled. Remove from the oven and let cool completely on the baking sheets. Enjoy!

Notes

¹ Start with 1/8 tsp of peppermint extract. If you like your cookies very minty, use up to 1/4 tsp to 1/2 tsp total. Any more and your cookies may become a little tooth-pasty!

Leftover cookies can be stored for 2-3 days. Place in single layers between parchment or wax paper in a tightly-covered container and keep refrigerated or at room-temperature.

Adapted from Cook’s Illustrated.

Keywords: peppermint chocolate crinkle cookies, best peppermint cookie, mint, dark chocolate, no chill, with butter, powdered sugar

Peppermint Chocolate Crinkle Cookies Recipe - Fork Knife Swoon (12)

Originally published on December 26, 2015. Updated recipe and instructions.

Peppermint Chocolate Crinkle Cookies Recipe - Fork Knife Swoon (2024)

FAQs

Why are my crinkle cookies not crinkling? ›

If your crinkle cookies are flat, then it could also be that the leavening is off. Make sure to use only baking powder. Baking soda will cause these cookies to spread, while baking powder will help them puff upwards for a nice crackle.

Why didn't my crinkle cookies crack? ›

Why didn't my chocolate crinkle cookies crack? The most common reason for cookies that don't crack is either that the oven was not hot enough or the baking powder was expired.

What makes a cookie crinkle? ›

The part that makes this a 'crinkle' cookie is the generous coating of powdered sugar that the cookie dough ball gets before going into the oven. As it bakes and spreads on the baking sheet, cracks develop and are exposed, giving the perfect crackle cookie.

Why are my crinkle cookies hard? ›

Most cookies have top crusts that remain relatively soft and flexible as the cookies set during baking. However, if the top surface dries out before the cookie is finished spreading and rising, it hardens, cracks, and pulls apart, producing an attractive crinkly, cracked exterior.

How do you make cookies softer instead of crunchy? ›

Baking cookies quickly in a hot oven – at 375 degrees F as opposed to a lower temperature – will make for soft results. They'll bake fast instead of sitting and drying out in the oven's hot air. Ever so slightly underbaking your cookies will give you softer results than cooking them the full amount the recipe says.

What makes cookies chewy vs crunchy? ›

The ingredients you use and how you shape your cookies both play an important role in whether your cookies turn out crispy or chewy. The type of flour and sugar you use, if your cookie dough contains eggs, and whether you use melted or softened butter all factor into the crispy-chewy equation, too.

Why are my crinkle cookies spreading? ›

One of the most common causes of cookie spread is that the fat is too warm. Make sure to chill your dough thoroughly if the recipe calls for it. If you're forming dough balls and the dough is too sticky to work with, this is a sign that your dough may be too warm. Try chilling the dough for at least 15 minutes!

Why is my crinkle cookie dough dry? ›

To avoid this, try using as little flour as possible while preparing to roll your dough. Dry – “Dry” or “Crumbly” dough is a product of over-mixing or using too much of any ingredient during the mixing process. This can be reversed by adding one to two tablespoons of liquid (water, milk or softened butter) to your mix.

Why are my cookies never crunchy? ›

Q: Why are my cookies not crisp enough? They are underbaked. Lower your oven temperature and bake longer but at a lower temperature. Using too much flour or the wrong kind of flour.

What are crunchy cookies called? ›

Most English-speaking countries call crunchy cookies "biscuits", except for the United States and Canada, where "biscuit" refers to a type of quick bread. Chewier biscuits are sometimes called "cookies" even in the United Kingdom.

Can I bake crinkles without parchment paper? ›

Can you bake crinkles without parchment? Yes, you can bake Chocolate Crinkle Cookies without parchment paper. Grease the baking sheet with cooking spray, oil, or butter. Don't overdo it because it can cause the cookies to spread out too much.

Why are my crinkles not moist? ›

See note above about baking times. The most likely reason that the cookies are not moist is that they've been overbaked. With cookies, overbaking by only a few minutes can be the difference between a perfect cookie and a dry, crumbly one. Another reason could be that they haven't been stored in an airtight container.

Why are my crinkle cookies cakey? ›

If there is too much baking powder or baking soda in the dough, the cookies will rise too much when baking, creating a cakier structure. Eggs also promote a cakey structure in cookies. Solution: Reduce the amount of baking powder or baking soda slightly.

Do you flatten sugar cookies before baking? ›

Certain cookies — Sugar Cookies, Snickerdoodles, Classic Peanut Butter Cookies — need to be flattened a bit before they bake, lest they end up emerging from the oven looking like ping-pong balls rather than typical flat, round cookies.

Why don't my cookies come out crispy? ›

Decrease the number of eggs in your recipe, or use egg yolks in place of whole eggs. Too high a ratio of brown sugar to white sugar. Increase the ratio of white sugar to brown sugar, or use all white sugar. Using corn syrup will also help crisp up a cookie when it bakes.

Why are my cookies not puffing up? ›

If the butter is any warmer, it won't incorporate enough air and your cookies will have less rise. Moreover, butter that's warmer than room temperature melts in an instant in the oven, encouraging the dough to spread quickly with it.

Why didn't my cookies crackle? ›

The oven isn't hot enough. (it needs to set the top before the middle's fully risen) Not enough leavening (it needs to be strong enough to crack the top once it's set) Using a single-acting baking powder (double acting gives extra rise when it gets heated)

How do you keep cookies crunchy? ›

Keep those cookies crisp by storing them in an airtight container. Some people toss a piece of bread in with the cookies to help absorb any excess moisture. You could also re-crisp them by baking on a wire rack in a 300 degree F oven for a few minutes.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Fredrick Kertzmann

Last Updated:

Views: 6098

Rating: 4.6 / 5 (66 voted)

Reviews: 89% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Fredrick Kertzmann

Birthday: 2000-04-29

Address: Apt. 203 613 Huels Gateway, Ralphtown, LA 40204

Phone: +2135150832870

Job: Regional Design Producer

Hobby: Nordic skating, Lacemaking, Mountain biking, Rowing, Gardening, Water sports, role-playing games

Introduction: My name is Fredrick Kertzmann, I am a gleaming, encouraging, inexpensive, thankful, tender, quaint, precious person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.