Name: Heavenly: Peppermint Bark Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 32 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 cups all-purpose flour; 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1 teaspoon sea salt; 1 cup unsalted butter, at cool room temperature; 1 1/2 cups light brown sugar; 1/2 cup granulated sugar; 2 large eggs; 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract; 2 cups chopped peppermint bark, divided; 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips; Flaked sea salt, for sprinkling on cookies

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Baking during the holidays? It’s like a tradition etched in my heart! And nothing screams festive quite like the combo of chocolate and peppermint. That’s why I’m *obsessed* with these Peppermint Bark Chocolate Chip Cookies. Seriously, they’re the perfect way to get your holiday baking on!

These aren’t just your average chocolate chip cookies, oh no. We’re talking about a delightful mix of classic cookie goodness swirled together with crunchy, minty peppermint bark. It’s like Christmas exploded in the best possible way, right in your mouth! I’ve been baking for years, and trust me, this recipe is a winner. Every time I make them, they disappear *fast*. Get ready to spread some holiday cheer…one cookie at a time!

Why You’ll Love These Peppermint Bark Chocolate Chip Cookies

Okay, so why should you make *these* cookies? Let me tell you, it’s a no-brainer! They’re seriously the best, and here’s why:

Easy to Make

Seriously, this isn’t some complicated, all-day baking project. I promise! The recipe is super straightforward, even if you’re not a pro baker. You’ll be munching on warm cookies in no time!

Festive Flavor

Peppermint and chocolate? Come on! It’s like a match made in holiday heaven. That cool peppermint crunch with the rich chocolate… my favorite part is the burst of flavor in every single bite!

Perfect for the Holidays

These cookies are *made* for Christmas, Hanukkah, any winter holiday, really! They look so festive, they taste amazing, and they’re perfect for gifting… or, you know, just keeping all to yourself. I won’t judge!

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Peppermint Bark Chocolate Chip Cookies Ingredients

Alright, let’s gather our goodies! Here’s what you’ll need to make these amazing Peppermint Bark Chocolate Chip Cookies. Don’t skimp on the good stuff – it makes a difference, trust me!

3 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 cup unsalted butter, at cool room temperature (this is important, not melted!)
1 1/2 cups packed light brown sugar (yep, pack it in!)
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
2 cups chopped peppermint bark, divided (I like to use a mix of sizes!)
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Flaked sea salt, for sprinkling on cookies (this is optional, but *so* good!)

How to Prepare Peppermint Bark Chocolate Chip Cookies

Okay, ready to get baking? Don’t worry, it’s easier than you think! Just follow these steps, and you’ll have a batch of delicious Peppermint Bark Chocolate Chip Cookies in no time. I promise, the results are *totally* worth it!

Preparing the Dough

First things first: preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. While that’s heating up, line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Trust me, parchment paper is your friend here – it makes cleanup a breeze!

Next, grab a medium bowl and whisk together 3 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 1/2 teaspoons of baking powder, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, and 1 teaspoon of sea salt. Just whisk it all together until it’s nicely combined. This makes sure everything’s evenly distributed.

Now for the fun part! In a large bowl, cream together 1 cup of softened butter and 1 1/2 cups of packed light brown sugar and 1/2 cup of granulated sugar. You’ll want to use a mixer for this. Beat it all together until it’s light and fluffy…like whipped honey as my grandma used to say! Then, add 2 large eggs and 2 teaspoons of pure vanilla extract. Mix until everything is *just* combined. Don’t overmix!

Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until *just* combined. Finally, stir in 1 1/2 cups of the chopped peppermint bark and 1 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips. Make sure everything is evenly distributed. Mmm, it’s already looking so good!

Baking the Peppermint Bark Chocolate Chip Cookies

Okay, now it’s time to bake! Form the dough into balls (I like to use a cookie scoop for this, so they’re all the same size). Place them on the baking sheet, about 2 inches apart. They’ll spread a little, so don’t overcrowd them!

Sprinkle the tops of the cookies with a little flaked sea salt. This is optional, but it really brings out the flavor. Then, pop them in the oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown. Don’t worry if they still look a little soft in the center – they’ll firm up as they cool.

Once they’re out of the oven, let them cool on the baking sheet for 2-3 minutes. Then, gently press the remaining 1/2 cup of chopped peppermint bark into the tops of the cookies while they’re still warm. This is what makes them look so festive!

Finally, transfer the cookies to a wire rack and let them cool completely. And that’s it! Time to enjoy your amazing Peppermint Bark Chocolate Chip Cookies. I bet you can’t eat just one!

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Tips for Perfect Peppermint Bark Chocolate Chip Cookies

Want to take your Peppermint Bark Chocolate Chip Cookies from good to *amazing*? I’ve got a few tricks up my sleeve that’ll help you bake the best batch ever. Trust me, these little tips make a BIG difference!

Don’t Overbake

This is key! Overbaked cookies are dry and crumbly, and nobody wants that. You want to take them out of the oven when the edges are golden brown but the centers still look a little soft. They’ll continue to bake on the hot cookie sheet, so don’t worry if they seem underdone at first. It’s better to underbake slightly than to overbake!

Use Quality Ingredients

Seriously, this matters! Good butter makes for richer, more flavorful cookies. And don’t skimp on the chocolate or peppermint bark, either. The better the ingredients, the better the cookies. It’s that simple! My favorite part is using a peppermint bark with a good, strong peppermint flavor!

Chill the Dough

Okay, this is my secret weapon. If you have the time, chill the dough for at least 30 minutes (or even overnight!) before baking. Chilling the dough helps prevent the cookies from spreading too thin and gives them a chewier texture. Plus, it intensifies the flavors. It’s SO worth it, I promise!

Peppermint Bark Chocolate Chip Cookies Variations

Okay, so you’ve mastered the basic Peppermint Bark Chocolate Chip Cookies recipe? Awesome! Now, let’s get a little crazy and try some fun variations. Don’t be afraid to experiment and make these cookies your own. Baking should be fun, right?

Different Extracts

Want to kick up the flavor a notch? Try adding a different extract! A little almond extract can add a nutty sweetness that complements the chocolate and peppermint perfectly. Or, for an even *stronger* peppermint flavor, add a little peppermint extract. Just be careful – a little goes a long way!

Different Chocolate

Not a fan of semi-sweet chocolate chips? No problem! You can easily swap them out for dark chocolate chips for a richer, more intense chocolate flavor. Or, for a sweeter, more festive twist, try using white chocolate chips. They look so pretty with the red and white peppermint bark!

Nuts

For a little extra crunch and flavor, try adding some chopped nuts to the dough. Pecans or walnuts would be amazing in these cookies! Just make sure to chop them finely so they don’t overpower the other flavors. I love the added texture…it’s like a surprise in every bite!

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Storing Your Peppermint Bark Chocolate Chip Cookies

So, you’ve baked a batch of these amazing cookies…and *maybe* you have some leftovers (if you didn’t eat them all!). No worries, they’re easy to store! Just pop them in an airtight container. They’ll stay fresh for up to 3 days… though, let’s be real, they probably won’t last that long! If you want to warm them up a bit, a few seconds in the microwave does the trick!

Frequently Asked Questions About Peppermint Bark Chocolate Chip Cookies

Got questions about these Peppermint Bark Chocolate Chip Cookies? I bet you do! Here are some of the most common questions I get asked. Hopefully, this helps you bake the *perfect* batch!

Can I freeze the Peppermint Bark Chocolate Chip Cookies dough?

Absolutely! Freezing the dough is a great way to have cookies ready whenever you want them. Just form the dough into balls, place them on a baking sheet, and freeze until solid. Then, transfer them to a freezer bag. When you’re ready to bake, just pop them straight into the oven (you might need to add a minute or two to the baking time). Boom! Freshly baked cookies anytime!

How do I keep my Peppermint Bark Chocolate Chip Cookies soft?

Nobody likes a hard, crunchy chocolate chip cookie, right? To keep these Peppermint Bark Chocolate Chip Cookies soft, make sure you store them in an airtight container. Adding a slice of bread to the container can also help keep them moist! Also, be careful not to overbake them in the first place, as that makes them dry out faster.

Can I use peppermint candies instead of peppermint bark?

Okay, so you don’t have any peppermint bark on hand? No problem! You *can* use peppermint candies instead. Just crush them up really finely (a food processor works great for this!). Keep in mind that the texture will be a little different – the peppermint candies will melt more than the bark, so they might not have the same crunchy bits. But hey, it’s still gonna taste delicious!

Nutritional Information for Peppermint Bark Chocolate Chip Cookies

Okay, so let’s talk nutrition…but remember, this is just an estimate! The exact nutritional info for these Peppermint Bark Chocolate Chip Cookies will depend on the specific brands and ingredients you use. I’m not a nutritionist, so don’t take this as gospel! Just a general idea, okay?

Rate This Peppermint Bark Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

So, did you love these Peppermint Bark Chocolate Chip Cookies as much as I do? Leave a rating and a comment below! I’d *love* to hear what you think and if you made any fun tweaks!