Double Dark Chocolate Peppermint Cookies

Rich, chewy, and bursting with cool peppermint flavor — these dark chocolate cookies are everything you love about a winter night wrapped in one sweet bite. Perfect for gifting, cookie exchanges, or leaving out for Santa!

The Perfect Christmas Cookie

I've been baking for years now. Many, many years. And in all of that time, I've had the privilege of coming up with new recipes for a variety of different flavor combinations. This Christmas I was looking for a cookie so rich in flavor, so gooey and lush, that coming up with the ingredients and methodology was a joy to me.

That's how I landed on this double dark chocolate peppermint idea. I found a bag of crushed peppermint at the grocery store and my mind started reeling. I knew that my Double Dark Chocolate Cherry cookies were a personal favorite, but could I take that same dark chocolate base and use crushed peppermints in place of the cherries?

That was the question. And the answer, my friends, was a resounding "Yes!"

The Most Delicious Flavor Combination

If you like chocolate and you're a fan of minty goodness, these are the cookies for you! They give you a burst of flavor, but the crunch of those crushed peppermints on top? Well, that's my very favorite part.

I feel sure you're going to love these, too, especially during the holidays. This could be my new favorite Christmas cookie, y'all!

What are we waiting for? Let me tell you how you're going to make them!

At a Glance

• Skill Level: Easy — no chilling required unless you prefer thicker cookies
• Flavor Profile: Deep chocolate with a burst of minty freshness
• Texture: Soft, chewy centers with just the right edge of crisp
• Best For: Cookie exchanges, Christmas dessert trays, gifting neighbors, or pairing with peppermint hot cocoa
• Optional Twists: Add white chocolate drizzle or crushed candy canes for extra sparkle

Double Dark Chocolate Peppermint Cookie Ingredients

You will find a full printable recipe card at the bottom of this post but I want to give you a quick peek at what you'll need. These are simple cookies you're going to love! Here's what you'll need:

• 1¼ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• Pinch of salt
• ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup light brown sugar
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips
• ¾ cup crushed peppermint candies (plus more for sprinkling)
• ⅔ cup chocolate chips + 1-2 tablespoons heavy cream or milk (for ganache)

How to Make Double Dark Chocolate Peppermint Cookies

This is one of the simplest recipes I've come up with, and that's handy, especially during the holiday season when you're in a hurry. Here's how you'll make these delicious cookies.

Preheat oven to 375°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.

Cream butter and sugars: In a large bowl (or stand mixer), beat the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy — about 2–3 minutes.

Add eggs and vanilla: Beat in eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract, mixing until smooth.

Combine: Gradually mix in the dry ingredients until just combined.

Fold in chips: Stir in chocolate chips and peppermint chips. (If your dough feels too soft, chill for 20–30 minutes.)

Scoop and bake: Drop tablespoon-sized balls onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing about 2 inches apart.

Bake 9–11 minutes, just until edges are set and centers still look slightly soft.

Cool: Let cookies cool on the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.

Finish them Off:

Drizzle with melted white chocolate and sprinkle crushed peppermint on top for an elegant holiday finish. (I did this, and I don't regret it!)

What to Expect from These Cookies

If you’re dreaming of a cookie that captures the very spirit of Christmas, this is it. These Dark Chocolate Peppermint Chip Cookies strike that perfect balance between rich, fudgy chocolate and cool, refreshing peppermint — like a mug of hot cocoa kissed by a candy cane. They’re fancy enough for a holiday cookie platter but easy enough for a late-night bake when carols are playing and twinkle lights are glowing.

These cookies are decadent, refreshing, and just fancy enough to make anyone feel special. As I mentioned above, my favorite part is the crunch of the peppermint pieces on top, but they are beautifully paired with that rich dark chocolate flavor.

Even though it's just early November as I bake these, I'm tempted to turn on the Christmas music. No, really. They give off that full holiday vibe, and I can't wait to take these over to the grandkids to get them in the holiday spirit.

You can thank me later for the recipe, friends. In the meantime, just grab your mixing bowl and whip up a batch of these for your family and friends.

Variations to this Recipe

This one's pretty near perfect as it is, but here are a few options to change things up.

Add a pinch of instant coffee (espresso powder) to the batter. Coffee enhances the flavor of chocolate.

Can't find crushed peppermints? Crush your own or use peppermint baking chips, (if you can find them). I love to use Andes chips, so those would work in a pinch, (though you won't have the crunch on top).

Tighten them up: This is a flat-ish cookie (on purpose) but you can make it more hearty with an extra couple tablespoons of flour. Or, simply refrigerate the dough for half an hour before baking.

Other Holiday Cookies

If you like this cookie you'll love these other Christmas favorites:

Christmas Crinkle Cookies: These cake mix cookies are simple and over-the-top delicious! They're also adorable to look at. The kids are going to love them!

Christmas Fruitcake Cookies: I made up this recipe and I'm so glad I did. Stuffed full of sweet surprises and crunch, you're going to adore them!

Best Holiday Sugar Cookies: This is my cut-out sugar cookie recipe and it's absolutely perfect come baking day. Use it with the kids, grandkids, neighbors, and friends. Folks love painting these with my yummy royal icing.

That's it for this Recipe, Friends!

Thanks for stopping by. Before you go, why not pin some photos to your Pinterest boards? And if you bake these cookies and love them, please consider leaving a review!

Janice Thompson is a professional baker, cake designer, and author with over 20 years of experience creating unique cakes and desserts. She’s the creator of Out of the Box Baking, where she shares her favorite doctored cake mix recipes, tutorials, and baking tips. Learn more →