Name: Chocolate Peppermint Thumbprint Cookies: Irresistible 24
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 32 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 (16 ounce) package refrigerated sugar cookie dough; 4 ounces cream cheese, softened; 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder; 1/2 cup granulated sugar, optional coating; 24 Hershey’s peppermint kisses

Jump to Recipe

Oh my goodness, are you ready for some holiday baking?! Because I sure am! And trust me, these Chocolate Peppermint Thumbprint Cookies are *the* perfect way to kick things off. Seriously, if you’re looking for a cookie that’s both festive and totally delicious, look no further. These little guys combine the richness of chocolate with that refreshing burst of peppermint… it’s like a party in your mouth!

I’ve been baking these Chocolate Peppermint Thumbprint Cookies for years, ever since my kids were little. They *loved* helping me unwrap all those Hershey’s Kisses (and sneaking a few, of course!). Now, even though they’re practically grown-ups, they still ask for them every Christmas. It just wouldn’t be the holidays without that chocolate and peppermint combo, you know? And honestly, they’re so easy to make, even the most beginner baker can whip up a batch in no time. Let’s get baking!

Why You’ll Love These Chocolate Peppermint Thumbprint Cookies

Okay, so why are these cookies *so* amazing? Let me tell you! They’re:

Quick and Easy Holiday Baking

Seriously, who has time to spend *all* day in the kitchen during the holidays? Not me! These Chocolate Peppermint Thumbprint Cookies are super simple and fast. You’ll be enjoying them in under an hour, I promise!

Festive Flavors

That chocolate and peppermint combination? It’s a total classic for a reason! It just *screams* “holiday cheer” with every single bite. My favorite part is that it’s not too sweet, not too minty… it’s just right!

Perfect for Gifting

Need a last-minute gift for a neighbor, teacher, or friend? Boom! These Chocolate Peppermint Thumbprint Cookies are your answer. Pop them in a cute little tin, and you’re good to go. Trust me, everyone loves homemade cookies!

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Ingredients for Chocolate Peppermint Thumbprint Cookies

Alright, let’s talk ingredients! You probably have a lot of this stuff already, which is awesome. But let’s make sure we’re all on the same page, okay? Because the right ingredients make *all* the difference!

Sugar Cookie Dough

You’ll want one of those 16-ounce packages of refrigerated sugar cookie dough. You know, the kind you find in the refrigerator section at the store? I usually go for the name brand stuff, but honestly, the store brand works just fine too! Just make sure it’s chilled – that’s important!

Cream Cheese

Four ounces of cream cheese is what you’ll need, and it *has* to be softened! Seriously, don’t even think about using it straight from the fridge. Let it sit out for a bit until it’s nice and squishy. It’ll mix in so much easier, trust me.

Unsweetened Cocoa Powder

Grab 1/3 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder. This gives our cookies that rich, chocolatey flavor without being overly sweet, since we’re adding those peppermint kisses later. Don’t accidentally grab the sweetened kind – it’ll throw off the whole balance!

Granulated Sugar

Okay, this is optional, but I *highly* recommend it! You’ll need about 1/2 cup of granulated sugar for coating the cookies. It gives them a nice little sparkle and a bit of extra sweetness. Plus, it just looks so pretty!

Hershey’s Peppermint Kisses

And last but definitely not least, you’ll need 24 Hershey’s Peppermint Kisses! These are the stars of the show, after all. And hey, if you sneak a few while you’re unwrapping them, I won’t judge! Just make sure you have enough for the cookies, haha!

How to Make Chocolate Peppermint Thumbprint Cookies

Alright, now for the fun part! Let’s get down to actually *making* these amazing Chocolate Peppermint Thumbprint Cookies. Don’t worry, it’s super easy, I promise. Just follow along, and you’ll be enjoying these in no time!

Preparing the Dough for Chocolate Peppermint Thumbprint Cookies

First things first, go ahead and preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. And don’t forget to line a baking sheet with parchment paper! That way, your cookies won’t stick. Now, in a large bowl, you’re going to beat together that sugar cookie dough, softened cream cheese, and unsweetened cocoa powder. Make sure everything is *really* well combined. You don’t want any streaks of cream cheese! I like to use a hand mixer for this, but you can totally do it by hand if you’re feeling ambitious. Once it’s all mixed up, grab a medium cookie scoop. It’ll help you get evenly sized cookies, which is always a plus!

Shaping and Baking Your Chocolate Peppermint Thumbprint Cookies

Okay, now roll those scoops of dough into balls! Then, roll each ball in the granulated sugar. This is where they get that nice sparkle! Place them on your prepared baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie. You don’t want them to bake together! Pop that baking sheet into the oven and bake for 10 to 12 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when the edges are set, but the centers are still a *tiny* bit soft. Don’t overbake them, or they’ll be dry!

Adding the Peppermint Kisses to Chocolate Peppermint Thumbprint Cookies

As soon as you take the cookies out of the oven (careful, hot!), grab those unwrapped Hershey’s Peppermint Kisses and press one right into the center of each cookie. The heat from the cookie will start to melt the kiss just a little bit. Now, here’s my little trick: let the candies soften for about 2 minutes, then grab a toothpick and swirl the melted chocolate a bit. It makes them look so fancy! But hey, if you’re short on time, you can totally skip the swirling. They’ll still taste amazing!

Cooling and Setting Chocolate Peppermint Thumbprint Cookies

Alright, almost there! Gently transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool *completely*. This is important! If you try to eat them while they’re still warm, the kisses will be all melty and messy (although, let’s be honest, still delicious!). But cooling them on a wire rack lets the chocolate set up nicely. And that’s it! You’ve made Chocolate Peppermint Thumbprint Cookies! Now, go enjoy!

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Tips for Perfect Chocolate Peppermint Thumbprint Cookies

Want to make sure your Chocolate Peppermint Thumbprint Cookies are *absolutely* perfect? Of course, you do! Here are a few little tricks I’ve learned over the years:

Dough Consistency

If your dough is too sticky, just add a *tiny* bit more flour, like a tablespoon at a time. But be careful not to add too much, or your cookies will be dry! You want the dough to be easy to roll into balls, but not so sticky that it’s glued to your hands, you know?

Baking Time

Keep a *close* eye on those cookies while they’re baking! Every oven is different, so your baking time might vary a bit. You want the edges to be set and lightly golden brown, but the centers should still be a little soft. Trust me, slightly underbaked is way better than overbaked!

Keeping Kisses Intact

To keep those Hershey’s Kisses from melting *too* much, try popping the cookies in the fridge for a few minutes after you press them in. The cold will help the chocolate set up faster. Also, don’t leave the cookies on the hot baking sheet for too long after you take them out of the oven!

Variations on Chocolate Peppermint Thumbprint Cookies

Okay, so you’ve mastered the basic recipe, right? Now let’s get a little crazy and try some fun variations on these Chocolate Peppermint Thumbprint Cookies! Honestly, the possibilities are endless!

Different Hershey’s Kisses

Have you *seen* all the different kinds of Hershey’s Kisses they have now?! Seriously, it’s wild! Try using the hot cocoa kisses for an extra chocolatey flavor, or the caramel kisses for a gooey surprise. And during the holidays, they always have sugar cookie kisses… how fun would those be?!

Extract Additions

Want to amp up the peppermint flavor? Add a few drops of peppermint extract to the dough! But be careful, a little goes a long way! Or, for a more subtle flavor, try adding a teaspoon of vanilla extract. It’ll really enhance the chocolate!

Topping Alternatives

Instead of rolling the cookies in granulated sugar, try using crushed peppermint candies! It’ll give them an extra burst of peppermint flavor and a pretty, festive look. Or, you can always go with sprinkles! My kids *love* sprinkles, so I always have a jar on hand. Just make sure they’re holiday-themed for extra cheer!

Storing Your Chocolate Peppermint Thumbprint Cookies

Alright, you’ve baked these beauties, now how do you keep ’em fresh? Don’t worry, it’s super simple! Here’s the lowdown:

Best Storage Practices

The key is an airtight container! Seriously, that’s it. Pop your Chocolate Peppermint Thumbprint Cookies in a container with a tight-fitting lid, and they’ll stay delicious for days. Just keep them at room temperature – no need to refrigerate!

Frequently Asked Questions About Chocolate Peppermint Thumbprint Cookies

Got questions about these Chocolate Peppermint Thumbprint Cookies? I’ve got answers! Here are some of the most common questions I get asked about this recipe:

Can I use a different type of cookie dough for these Chocolate Peppermint Thumbprint Cookies?

Okay, so the sugar cookie dough is really what makes this recipe super easy, but if you’re feeling adventurous, you *could* try using a chocolate cookie dough instead. Just make sure it’s not too soft or sticky, or the cookies might spread too much. Honestly, I’d stick with the sugar cookie dough for the best results, though!

How do I prevent the peppermint kisses from melting too much in these Chocolate Peppermint Thumbprint Cookies?

Ah, the dreaded melting kiss! Don’t worry, it happens to the best of us. The key is to not leave the cookies in the oven for too long after you press in the kisses. As soon as they’re slightly softened, take them out and let them cool on a wire rack. If they’re *really* melty, try popping them in the fridge for a few minutes to help them set up faster. Works like a charm!

Can I freeze these Chocolate Peppermint Thumbprint Cookies?

Yep, you totally can! These Chocolate Peppermint Thumbprint Cookies freeze really well. Just let them cool completely, then pop them in a freezer-safe container. When you’re ready to eat them, just thaw them at room temperature. They might not look *quite* as perfect as they did fresh, but they’ll still taste amazing!

What if I don’t have peppermint kisses for these Chocolate Peppermint Thumbprint Cookies?

No peppermint kisses?! Oh no! Don’t worry, you can still make these cookies work. Try using regular Hershey’s Kisses or even Rolos instead. Or, you could just skip the kisses altogether and drizzle the cookies with melted chocolate and sprinkle them with crushed peppermint candies. Get creative!

Nutritional Information Disclaimer for Chocolate Peppermint Thumbprint Cookies

Okay, so here’s the deal: I’m a home cook, not a nutritionist! So, I can’t give you exact nutritional info for these Chocolate Peppermint Thumbprint Cookies. It really depends on the brands you use and how big you make the cookies. Just keep that in mind, okay?

Enjoy Your Chocolate Peppermint Thumbprint Cookies!

Alright, that’s it! You’re officially a Chocolate Peppermint Thumbprint Cookie pro! Seriously, I hope you try this recipe – it’s a total winner. And hey, if you do make them, be sure to leave a comment and let me know how they turned out! I’d love to hear from you! Oh, and don’t forget to rate the recipe and share your cookie creations on social media! Happy baking!