Holiday Cookie Box Inspiration – Festive Recipes

This holiday season, elevate your gifting and entertaining with a stunning homemade cookie box! Our Chewy Chocolate Peppermint Bark Cookies are a festive showstopper, combining rich chocolate with cool peppermint for an irresistible treat. Perfect for sharing or adding that special touch to your 2024 Christmas Cookie Box, these cookies are sure to spread cheer.

Ingredients

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon peppermint extract (for cookies)
• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 16 oz white chocolate melting wafers or chips
• 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract (for white chocolate
• 3/4 cup crushed candy canes (about 10-12 mini candy canes)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes).
3. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract and 1 teaspoon of peppermint extract until well combined.
4. In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Do not overmix. The dough will be thick.
6. Scoop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
7. Bake for 9-11 minutes, or until the edges are set but the centers are still slightly soft. Let cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
8. Once cookies are completely cool, melt the white chocolate wafers according to package directions (microwave or double boiler). Stir in the remaining 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract.
9. Dip half of each cooled cookie into the melted white chocolate, or spread the chocolate evenly over one side of the cookie using a spoon or offset spatula.
10. Immediately sprinkle the crushed candy canes over the wet white chocolate. Place cookies on parchment paper or a wire rack set over parchment paper to allow the chocolate to set, about 30-60 minutes at room temperature, or 15 minutes in the refrigerator.
11. Once the white chocolate is fully set, store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.