Decadent Peppermint Mocha Cookies: A Festive Holiday Treat

Get ready to delight your taste buds with a holiday favorite – Peppermint Mocha Cookies! These delightful treats capture the essence of a cozy winter coffee shop drink in each chewy, marbled bite. Rich chocolate, warming coffee, and cool peppermint swirl together to create a cookie that’s as visually stunning as it is delicious.

The magic of these cookies isn’t just in their flavor; it’s also in the memories they create. Whether you’re baking a batch for a festive cookie exchange or a cozy family gathering, these cookies are sure to disappear quickly. The mesmerizing marbled design makes them a standout on any dessert table, while the familiar flavors keep guests coming back for more.

As you swirl together the chocolate and peppermint dough, take a moment to enjoy the process – creating edible art that’s as fun to make as it is to eat. Embrace the holiday spirit by savoring these Peppermint Mocha Cookies with a cup of hot cocoa topped with whipped cream and crushed peppermint candies. Let these cookies become a cherished part of your own holiday traditions, bringing joy and warmth to every bite.

Quick Benefits

• Captures the essence of favorite winter coffee shop drink in a chewy, melt-in-your-mouth treat
• Marbled design catches everyone’s eye, making each cookie a tiny work of art
• Maintains soft, chewy texture for up to four days when stored properly
• Can be customized with different flavor combinations for a unique twist

Why You’ll Love This Decadent Peppermint Mocha Cookies: A Festive Holiday Treat Recipe

• Capture the Essence of Your Favorite Winter Coffee Shop Drink: These cookies bring the flavors of peppermint mocha to life in a chewy, melt-in-your-mouth treat that is perfect for the holiday season.
• Impress Everyone with Stunning Marbled Design: The swirled combination of rich chocolate, warming coffee, and cool peppermint not only tastes amazing but also looks gorgeous, making them a showstopper at any gathering.
• Family Favorite and Crowd-Pleaser: A hit at neighborhood cookie exchanges and loved by kids and adults alike, these cookies will disappear within minutes, leaving everyone reaching for more.
• Versatile and Customizable: Experiment with different flavor combinations such as double chocolate peppermint or chocolate-orange-peppermint to create your unique twist on the recipe.
• Elegant Dessert Experience: Elevate your dessert game by serving these cookies with hot cocoa, whipped cream, and crushed peppermint candies for a sophisticated holiday treat.
• Perfect for Gifting: These cookies make charming additions to coffee gift baskets or holiday platters, adding a festive touch to your gift-giving.
• Maintain Soft and Chewy Texture: Properly stored, these cookies maintain their soft, chewy texture and beautiful marbled patterns, making them a delightful treat for up to four days.

Ingredients for Decadent Peppermint Mocha Cookies: A Festive Holiday Treat

Base Dough

• ½ teaspoon peppermint extract
• 1¼ cup (250g) sugar, plus extra for rolling
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon baking soda
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2¼ cups (280g) all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• 1 cup (227g) unsalted butter, softened

Flavor Additions

• 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• ½ teaspoon instant coffee
• Pink food gel

How to Make Decadent Peppermint Mocha Cookies: A Festive Holiday Treat

Step 1: Prep

Preheat the oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

Step 2: Make Base

Beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Stir in egg, vanilla, and peppermint extract until well combined.

Step 3: Add Dry Ingredients

Combine baking powder, salt, and baking soda. Gradually mix in flour until dough forms.

Step 4: Create Flavors

Separate the dough into three portions. Mix coffee into one portion, pink dye into another, and cocoa powder into the third.

Step 5: Form Cookies

Combine 2 teaspoons of each dough, twist together, roll into a ball, and coat in sugar.

Step 6: Bake

Bake for 10-13 minutes until the edges are crisp but the centers are soft. Use a cookie cutter to shape if desired.

Step 7: Cool

Allow the baked goods to cool completely on a wire rack before serving or storing.

Storage Tips

After baking your delightful marbled peppermint mocha cookies, you’ll want to store them properly to maintain their soft, chewy texture. To keep them fresh, place the cookies in an airtight container along with a slice of bread. The bread helps retain moisture and prevents the cookies from drying out. Layer the cookies between parchment paper to preserve their beautiful marbled patterns, ensuring they don’t stick together.

These cookies can be stored at room temperature for up to four days. However, in most households, they are usually enjoyed and devoured well before reaching that point! The cookies are perfect for sharing at holiday gatherings, as gifts, or for simply indulging in a cozy treat with a cup of hot cocoa. Remember, these cookies are not only a delicious treat but a cherished part of your family’s holiday traditions. Enjoy the magical flavors of peppermint, mocha, and chocolate in every delightful bite!

Ingredient Substitutions

For a dairy-free version of these Peppermint Mocha Cookies, you can substitute the unsalted butter with plant-based butter or margarine. Make sure it is suitable for baking to ensure the cookies turn out as intended. Additionally, if you prefer a different sweetener, you can replace the sugar with a 1:1 ratio of coconut sugar or a sugar substitute like stevia or erythritol.

If you don’t have peppermint extract on hand, you can experiment with other extracts like almond or orange to create unique flavor combinations. For a caffeine-free option, you can omit the instant coffee or replace it with decaffeinated coffee granules. To enhance the chocolate flavor, consider using dark cocoa powder instead of unsweetened cocoa powder. Be mindful of the intensity of the dark cocoa powder and adjust the quantity based on your taste preferences. These simple substitutions allow you to customize the cookies to suit your dietary needs and flavor preferences while still maintaining the essence of the original recipe.

Serving Suggestions

For a festive and elegant holiday dessert spread, serve the marbled peppermint mocha cookies alongside a decadent hot cocoa bar. Set up a station with various toppings like whipped cream, crushed peppermint candies, and chocolate shavings for guests to customize their drinks. The combination of the cookies with rich hot cocoa is sure to warm hearts and delight taste buds at your next gathering.

To create a stunning gift basket for the coffee lover in your life, package a batch of these marbled peppermint mocha cookies with a selection of gourmet coffee beans and a beautiful holiday-themed mug. Add in some chocolate-dipped candy canes for an extra touch of sweetness. This thoughtful and delicious gift is perfect for spreading holiday cheer and indulging in the cozy flavors of the season.

FAQs for Decadent Peppermint Mocha Cookies: A Festive Holiday Treat

Can I substitute the unsalted butter with salted butter?

It’s best to use unsalted butter in this recipe to control the amount of salt in the cookies. If you only have salted butter on hand, reduce the amount of added salt in the recipe to balance the flavors.

Can I skip the instant coffee in the recipe?

The instant coffee adds a rich coffee flavor to the cookies, but you can omit it if you prefer. Your cookies will have a stronger chocolate and peppermint flavor without the coffee.

How do I achieve the marbled effect in the cookies?

To create the marbled effect, divide the dough in half and mix cocoa powder into one half and pink food gel into the other. Gently combine the two doughs without fully mixing them to create swirls of color. Avoid overmixing to maintain the distinct marbled patterns.

Can I freeze the cookie dough for later use?

Yes, you can freeze the cookie dough for later use. Shape the dough into a log or portion it into balls before freezing. When ready to bake, let the dough thaw in the refrigerator overnight before slicing or baking the shaped portions. Remember to adjust the baking time accordingly if baking from frozen.

Conclusion

As you wrap up your Peppermint Mocha Cookies baking adventure, remember that the joy of these treats extends far beyond their delightful flavors. These cookies have a way of bringing people together, evoking nostalgia, and creating lasting memories. Whether you’re baking them for a festive gathering or a cozy night in, these marbled marvels are sure to impress and delight all who taste them.

So, don’t hesitate to dive back into the kitchen and whip up another batch of these Peppermint Mocha Cookies. Enjoy the process of swirling the dough, savor the comforting aroma as they bake, and relish each bite of the finished product. Share them with loved ones and see the smiles they bring – because after all, the magic of the holiday season is best captured in the simple pleasures, like a homemade cookie that warms both heart and soul.

Decadent Peppermint Mocha Cookies: A Festive Holiday Treat

Indulge in the magic of the holidays with these irresistible marbled peppermint mocha cookies—a chewy, festive treat capturing the essence of winter in every bite.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time20 Minutes

Cook Time12 Minutes

Total Time32 Minutes

CuisineAmerican

Skill LevelEasy

Servings18 Servings (18 cookies)

Ingredients

Base Dough

• ½ teaspoon peppermint extract
• 1¼ cup (250g) sugar, plus extra for rolling
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon baking soda
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2¼ cups (280g) all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• 1 cup (227g) unsalted butter, softened

Flavor Additions

• 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• ½ teaspoon instant coffee
• Pink food gel

Instructions

1. Prep: Preheat the oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Make Base: Beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Stir in egg, vanilla, and peppermint extract until well combined.
3. Add Dry Ingredients: Combine baking powder, salt, and baking soda. Gradually mix in flour until dough forms.
4. Create Flavors: Separate the dough into three portions. Mix coffee into one portion, pink dye into another, and cocoa powder into the third.
5. Form Cookies: Combine 2 teaspoons of each dough, twist together, roll into a ball, and coat in sugar.
6. Bake: Bake for 10-13 minutes until the edges are crisp but the centers are soft. Use a cookie cutter to shape if desired.
7. Cool: Allow the baked goods to cool completely on a wire rack before serving or storing.