Peppermint Bark Cookies

Featured in: Simple Sweet Treats

These chocolate cookies blend rich cocoa with soft, buttery dough, baked to perfection. After cooling, they're adorned with melted white chocolate and crushed peppermint candies, combining creamy sweetness and refreshing mint in each bite. Ideal for holiday gatherings or anytime a festive treat is desired, they offer a delightful crunch and smooth finish.

Updated on Mon, 24 Nov 2025 14:29:00 GMT
Freshly baked Peppermint Bark Cookies: White chocolate drizzled over rich chocolate cookies, peppermint candies sprinkled. Save
Freshly baked Peppermint Bark Cookies: White chocolate drizzled over rich chocolate cookies, peppermint candies sprinkled. | hazelfork.com

Buttery chocolate cookies topped with creamy white chocolate and crunchy peppermint candies, these festive treats are a holiday delight for white chocolate lovers.

This recipe has become a seasonal favorite in my family because of its delightful combination of flavors and textures.

Ingredients

  • For the Cookies: 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter softened
  • 3/4 cup (150 g) granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 3/4 cups (220 g) all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup (45 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • For the Topping: 12 oz (340 g) high-quality white chocolate chopped or chips
  • 1/2 cup (60 g) crushed peppermint candies or candy canes

Instructions

Step 1:
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
Step 2:
In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 2 3 minutes.
Step 3:
Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until combined.
Step 4:
In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
Step 5:
Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until incorporated.
Step 6:
Scoop heaping tablespoons of dough onto prepared baking sheets, spacing 2 inches apart.
Step 7:
Flatten each cookie slightly with your fingers or the back of a spoon.
Step 8:
Bake for 10 12 minutes until set but still soft in the center.
Step 9:
Cool cookies on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 10:
Melt white chocolate in a heatproof bowl over simmering water (double boiler) or microwave in 20-second bursts, stirring until smooth.
Step 11:
Spread or drizzle melted white chocolate over each cooled cookie.
Step 12:
Immediately sprinkle crushed peppermint candies on top.
Step 13:
Allow chocolate to set completely before serving (speed up by chilling cookies in the refrigerator for 10 minutes).
Delicious Peppermint Bark Cookies, a holiday treat: Buttery chocolate base topped with creamy white chocolate and peppermint. Save
Delicious Peppermint Bark Cookies, a holiday treat: Buttery chocolate base topped with creamy white chocolate and peppermint. | hazelfork.com

Making these peppermint bark cookies has created warm and joyful family traditions during the holidays.

Required Tools

Mixing bowls hand or stand mixer measuring cups and spoons baking sheets parchment paper wire rack heatproof bowl spatula or spoon

Allergen Information

Contains wheat (gluten) eggs dairy and soy (if present in chocolate) Contains peppermint candies may contain allergens depending on brand Always check ingredient labels for specific allergen information

Nutritional Information

Calories 180 Total Fat 9 g Carbohydrates 24 g Protein 2 g per serving

Festive Peppermint Bark Cookies ready to eat: Imagine the sweet crunch of peppermint atop smooth white chocolate. Save
Festive Peppermint Bark Cookies ready to eat: Imagine the sweet crunch of peppermint atop smooth white chocolate. | hazelfork.com

These cookies bring festive joy and delicious flavor perfect for the holiday season.

Recipe Questions & Answers

What type of chocolate is best for topping?

High-quality white chocolate chips or chopped bars melt smoothly and provide a creamy texture for the topping.

Can I substitute peppermint candies with another flavor?

Yes, crushed candy canes or other mint-flavored candies work well to impart a refreshing crunch.

How do I prevent the cookies from spreading too much while baking?

Chilling the dough before baking or flattening the cookies slightly helps maintain their shape during baking.

What’s the best way to melt the white chocolate?

Use a double boiler or microwave in short bursts, stirring frequently to prevent burning.

How should I store the finished cookies?

Store in an airtight container at room temperature to keep them fresh for up to five days.

Peppermint Bark Cookies

Buttery chocolate cookies topped with white chocolate and peppermint candies for a festive touch.

Prep Time
20 minutes
Time to Cook
12 minutes
Time Required
32 minutes
Created by Lydia Carver

Recipe Group Simple Sweet Treats

Skill Level Easy

Cuisine Type American

Makes 24 Portions

Diet Preferences Meat-Free

Needed Ingredients

Cookies

01 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
02 3/4 cup granulated sugar
03 1 large egg
04 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
05 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
06 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
07 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
08 1/4 teaspoon salt

Topping

01 12 oz high-quality white chocolate, chopped or chips
02 1/2 cup crushed peppermint candies or candy canes

Preparation Steps

Step 01

Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

Step 02

Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, approximately 2 to 3 minutes.

Step 03

Incorporate Egg and Vanilla: Beat in the large egg and vanilla extract until fully combined.

Step 04

Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.

Step 05

Mix Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring just until incorporated to avoid overmixing.

Step 06

Portion Dough: Scoop heaping tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving 2 inches between each portion.

Step 07

Shape Cookies: Gently flatten each cookie dough ball slightly using fingers or the back of a spoon.

Step 08

Bake Cookies: Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until edges are set but centers remain soft.

Step 09

Cool Cookies: Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 10

Melt White Chocolate: Melt white chocolate in a heatproof bowl over simmering water or in the microwave in 20-second intervals, stirring until smooth.

Step 11

Apply Chocolate and Peppermint: Spread or drizzle melted white chocolate evenly over cooled cookies, then immediately sprinkle crushed peppermint candies on top.

Step 12

Set Chocolate: Allow the white chocolate to fully set before serving; accelerate setting by chilling cookies in the refrigerator for 10 minutes.

Essential Tools

  • Mixing bowls
  • Hand or stand mixer
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Baking sheets
  • Parchment paper
  • Wire rack
  • Heatproof bowl
  • Spatula or spoon

Allergy Details

Review ingredients for allergens and speak to your doctor with any concerns.
  • Contains wheat (gluten), eggs, dairy, and soy (depending on chocolate brand)
  • May contain allergens from peppermint candies depending on brand

Nutritional Info (each portion)

Nutrition details are for reference and aren't a substitute for medical advice.
  • Energy (Calories): 180
  • Fats: 9 g
  • Carbohydrates: 24 g
  • Proteins: 2 g