Peppermint Bark Cookies bring together rich cocoa and sweet peppermint in a soft, festive treat that feels right at home during the holiday season. They're simple to make and always a hit on cookie trays this time of year.
I've always loved making peppermint recipes in December, and these remind me of the cozy baking days when I'd make these Peppermint Hot Cocoa Bombs for gifts. If you enjoy holiday peppermint cookies, this one fits right in with those traditions.
Jump to:
Why You'll Love Peppermint Bark Cookies Recipe
Soft texture: tender centers with crisp edges for a balanced bite.
Easy mix: one bowl for wet ingredients, one bowl for dry - great for busy days.
Holiday flavor: cocoa and peppermint come together for a classic treat.
Key Ingredients for Holiday Peppermint Cookies
See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and instrucitons.
- Butter: gives the dough structure and a smooth, creamy base.
- Brown and white sugar: add sweetness and help create a soft cookie.
- Eggs: add richness and support the cookie's shape.
- Cocoa powder: creates the chocolate base needed for a chocolate peppermint cookie recipe.
- Peppermint bark baking chips: the star ingredient that brings sweetness and peppermint crunch.
Ingredient Substitutions
- Peppermint chips: use chopped peppermint bark if peppermint baking bits aren't available.
- Cocoa powder: use dark cocoa for a deeper chocolate flavor.
- Butter: swap with margarine for a dairy-free option that still creams well.
Variations on Peppermint Bark Cookies
- White Chocolate Drizzle: add a warm drizzle of melted white chocolate across the cooled cookies.
- Double Peppermint: stir crushed candy canes into the dough along with the bark chips.
- Mint Mocha: add 1 teaspoon instant expresso powder to the dry ingredients.
Tips for Great Holiday Cookie Results
- Chill the dough if your kitchen is warm - this helps prevent spreading.
- Remove cookies early since they continue to set as they cool, keeping the texture soft and chewy.
- Use parchment paper for even baking and easy cleanup when making easy Christmas cookies.
How to Store
Keep cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer storage, freeze baked cookies for up to 3 months in airtight freezer bags.
Serve With...
Peppermint Bark Cookies pair well with a warm drink such as creamy hot cocoa or a cup of hot coffee. They also are a festive addition to the holiday dessert boards and make a sweet gift for friends who enjoy easy Christmas cookies.
More Easy Christmas Cookies You'll Love
If you want more seasonal treats, try my White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies, Triple Chocolate Biscotti with Almonds, Mexican Hot Chocolate Cookies, and Oreo Brownie Cookies.
When you make this recipe, please comment below and let me know what you think. I'd love it if you tag me on Instagram @grumpyshoneybunch or #grumpyshoneybunch so I can see your photos!
If you love this recipe, please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating
📖 Recipe
Chocolate Peppermint Bark Cookies
Equipment
- Wire cooling rack
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Ingredients
- ½ cup butter , room temperature
- 1½ cups brown sugar
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 large eggs , room temperature
- 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup cocoa powder
- 1½ cups peppermint bark chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Cream the butter, sugar, and brown sugar with a hand mixer until completely blended. Add one egg at a time until well blended.
- Stir in the vanilla. In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt, and cocoa.
- Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing until completely blended. Fold in the Peppermint Bark Baking Bits.
- Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls onto a baking sheet with parchment paper about 3 inches apart.
- Bake for 12 minutes or until cookies give only slightly to the touch. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.
Amanda says
Thank you so much for posting this recipe!! I haven't been able to find it since that one year when they sold the peppermint bark bits!! fwiw for others, this year, I found this recipe too late and everyone was sold out of peppermint bark. So, I substituted with cinnamon chips in the fashion of chocolate chips and then seasoned with sea salt as suggested by someone else. Truly fantastic flavor. Neighbors and my family were raving.
Parsley Sage says
One of my all time favorite types of cookies given a lovely Christmasy reboot 🙂 Love it!
Rachel Ring says
I assume that these Peppermint Baking Chips are like chocolate chips and you therefore avoid the sharp shards of broken Peppermints in your cookies!? LOVE this, I'll be shopping soon 🙂
Jeff @ Cheeseburger says
This is definitely going to my go to cookie recipe list.
bellini says
The closest Trader Joe's would be in Vancouver but that would never stop me from making these tasty and crisp cookies.
Jersey Girl Cooks says
Great cookie! I love everything about Trader Joe's. The sea salt is a nice addition....salt tastes great on deserts.
Stacy says
I DO love sweet and salty and I will definitely sprinkle a little sea salt when I make these! I have been invited to a cookie exchange next week and these would be perfect. I am living Dubai right now without access to Trader Joe's but I was thinking I could make my peppermint bark early this year. And if it's not too early: Merry Christmas!
Peggy Clyde says
What a great looking cookie. I always have broken candy canes. Maybe they could be crushed and added to these cookies also. Thanks.