Peppermint Chocolate Crinkle Cookies (Snowy Sugar Dust)

Ready to bake up some holiday cheer? These Peppermint Chocolate Crinkle Cookies are an absolute delight, offering a rich chocolate flavor with a refreshing burst of peppermint.

They’re the perfect festive treat to share with loved ones, and the best part is how simple they are to make, even for busy moms and professionals. Get ready for that beautiful “snowy sugar dust” look that makes them irresistible!

Peppermint Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
Peppermint Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

Why You’ll Love This Peppermint Chocolate Crinkle Cookies Recipe

  • Festive Flavor: The perfect blend of rich chocolate and cool peppermint makes these cookies a holiday staple.

  • Beautiful Presentation: The iconic “snowy sugar dust” crinkle effect is stunning and always impresses.

  • Crowd-Pleaser: These Peppermint Chocolate Crinkle Cookies are a hit with both kids and adults, ideal for parties or gifting.

  • Easy to Make: With straightforward steps, even novice bakers can achieve perfect results.

Peppermint Chocolate Crinkle Cookies Ingredients
Peppermint Chocolate Crinkle Cookies Ingredients

Ingredients You’ll Need

  • Baking Staples: Unsalted butter, granulated sugar, large eggs, all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt form the rich chocolate base.

  • Flavor Enhancers: Vanilla extract and peppermint extract give these cookies their signature holiday taste.

  • Chocolatey Goodness: Chocolate chips (dark or semi-sweet) add extra melt-in-your-mouth texture.

  • The “Snowy” Finish: Powdered sugar is essential for rolling, creating that beautiful crinkled, snowy appearance.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post. Exact quantities appear in the printable recipe card below.

How to Make Peppermint Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

Making these delightful Peppermint Chocolate Crinkle Cookies is a straightforward process, starting with creaming the wet ingredients, combining the dry, forming the dough, chilling, and then rolling in powdered sugar before baking.

For more general cookie baking tips, check out Food Network’s cookie guides.

Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Graham Cracker Base

In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This creates the foundational texture for your delicious cookies.

Step 2: Make the Chocolate Butter Mixture

Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Stir in the vanilla extract and the key ingredient, peppermint extract, to infuse that festive flavor.

Step 3: Mix Sugar and Eggs for a Velvety Batter

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. This ensures all dry ingredients are evenly distributed for a consistent cookie texture.

Peppermint Chocolate Crinkle Cookies - whisk ingredients
Peppermint Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

Step 4: Fold in Dry Ingredients

Gradually add the whisked dry ingredients to your wet mixture, mixing gently until just combined. Over-mixing can lead to tough cookies, so stop as soon as no dry streaks remain.

Step 5: Bake the Brownie Base

Stir in the chocolate chips, distributing them evenly throughout the dough. Cover the dough and chill it for at least 1 hour, or until it’s firm enough to easily handle and roll.

Step 6: Add the S’mores Toppings and Finish Baking

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper. Scoop rounded tablespoons of the chilled dough and roll them into uniform balls.

Peppermint Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

Step 7: Cool and Serve

Roll each dough ball generously in powdered sugar, making sure it’s completely coated for that iconic “snowy sugar dust” effect. Place the coated balls about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.

Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are set but the centers are still slightly soft. The magic happens as they bake, forming those beautiful crinkles. Let them cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Pro Tips for Making Peppermint Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

  • Don’t Overmix: Mix dry ingredients into wet until just combined to keep cookies tender.

  • Chill Thoroughly: Chilling the dough for at least an hour is crucial for preventing spread and enhancing crinkles.

  • Generous Powdered Sugar: Roll dough balls generously in powdered sugar for the best “snowy” effect.

  • Don’t Overbake: Bake until edges are set, but centers are slightly soft for a chewy texture.

  • Cool on Sheet: Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before moving to a wire rack.

  • Add Candy Canes: For extra peppermint zing, crush candy canes and add them with the chocolate chips.

Side Dishes

  • Serve these delightful cookies with a warm mug of homemade hot cocoa for the ultimate cozy treat.

  • A scoop of vanilla bean ice cream makes a wonderful companion, especially if the cookies are still slightly warm.

mug of hot cocoa and a bowl of vanilla bean ice cream
mug of hot cocoa and a bowl of vanilla bean ice cream

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store your cooled Peppermint Chocolate Crinkle Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. This helps maintain their soft, chewy texture and festive flavor.

Freezing

You can freeze baked cookies for up to 3 months in an airtight container or freezer bag.

Alternatively, freeze the dough balls (before rolling in powdered sugar) for up to 1 month.

Reheating

Thaw frozen baked cookies at room temperature for a few hours before serving.

For frozen dough balls, roll in powdered sugar and bake directly from frozen, adding a few minutes to the bake time.

Peppermint Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
Peppermint Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

Final Thoughts

These Peppermint Chocolate Crinkle Cookies are more than just a dessert; they’re a little piece of holiday joy.

Their rich chocolate and refreshing peppermint flavors, combined with that beautiful snowy sugar dust, make them utterly irresistible. Try adding a pinch of espresso powder to the chocolate dough for an extra layer of depth!

FAQs

Why is chilling the dough important for Peppermint Chocolate Crinkle Cookies?

Chilling the dough is crucial for several reasons: it prevents the cookies from spreading too much, helps the flavors meld, and ensures the powdered sugar coating adheres properly for that distinct crinkle effect.

Can I use chocolate mints instead of peppermint extract and chocolate chips?

Yes, you can chop up chocolate mints (like Andes Mints) and incorporate them into the dough. This will provide both chocolate and peppermint flavor in one ingredient, and adds a lovely texture.

How do I get the best “snowy sugar dust” appearance?

For the best snowy look on your Peppermint Chocolate Crinkle Cookies, roll the dough balls very generously in powdered sugar. Don’t be shy, a thick coating ensures a beautiful contrast against the dark chocolate as they bake and crinkle.

Can I make these Peppermint Chocolate Crinkle Cookies gluten-free?

While this recipe uses all-purpose flour, you can often substitute a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend. Ensure the blend contains xanthan gum for best results. The texture might vary slightly but should still be delicious.

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Peppermint Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

Peppermint Chocolate Crinkle Cookies (Snowy Sugar Dust) are an ultimate joyful, zesty treat. Golden Crunch


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  • Author: Donna
  • Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes (including chilling time)
  • Yield: Approximately 3 dozen cookies 1x
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

Peppermint Chocolate Crinkle Cookies, also known as Snowy Sugar Dust cookies, are a joyful and zesty treat, perfect for the holiday season. These cookies feature a rich chocolate base with a refreshing peppermint flavor, rolled in powdered sugar to create a beautiful ‘cracked’ appearance when baked.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup chocolate chips (dark or semi-sweet)
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar, for rolling

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
  2. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract and peppermint extract.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
  4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
  5. Stir in the chocolate chips.
  6. Cover the dough and chill for at least 1 hour, or until firm enough to handle.
  7. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
  8. Scoop rounded tablespoons of dough and roll them into balls.
  9. Roll each dough ball generously in powdered sugar, ensuring it’s completely coated.
  10. Place the coated dough balls about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
  11. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are set and the centers are still slightly soft. The cookies will crinkle as they bake.
  12. Let cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

  • For a more intense peppermint flavor, you can add a few crushed candy canes to the dough along with the chocolate chips.
  • Chilling the dough is crucial for the crinkle effect and to prevent the cookies from spreading too much.
  • Ensure the dough balls are heavily coated in powdered sugar for the best ‘snowy’ appearance.
  • Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cookie
  • Calories: 150-180
  • Sugar: 15-20g
  • Sodium: 50-70mg
  • Fat: 8-12g
  • Saturated Fat: 5-7g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 3-5g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 20-25g
  • Fiber: 1-2g
  • Protein: 2-3g
  • Cholesterol: 20-30mg