Nothing beats the cozy feeling of biting into a cookie that’s bursting with festive flavors. This Oreo Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe combines the classic crunch of Oreos with the refreshing zing of peppermint and melty chocolate chips—seriously, it’s like holiday magic for your taste buds.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients & Why They Work
- Make It Your Way
- Step-by-Step: How I Make Oreo Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
- Top Tip
- How to Serve Oreo Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
- Make Ahead and Storage
- Frequently Asked Questions:
- Final Thoughts
- Oreo Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Why You'll Love This Recipe
Honestly, this cookie recipe has become one of my go-to treats when I want something that’s a little different but totally comforting. I love how the peppermint doesn’t overpower; instead, it perfectly complements the bittersweet chocolate and Oreo chunks for a cookie that feels both familiar and festive.
- Festive Flavor Fusion: The blend of Oreos, chocolate chips, and crushed candy canes offers a unique taste you won’t find in your average cookie.
- Simple Ingredients: You don’t need specialty items – just pantry basics plus Oreos and candy canes.
- Perfect Texture: Soft, chewy centers with crisp edges that hold their shape beautifully.
- Great for Gifting: These cookies make a thoughtful homemade gift for the holidays or anytime you want to wow a friend.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Every ingredient in this Oreo Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe plays an important role—from the rich butter to the crunchy candy cane pieces. I always use room temperature butter for creaming because it makes the dough silkier, and I find soft brown sugar lends just the right amount of moisture and caramel flavor.
- Butter: Adds richness and ensures the cookies stay moist and tender.
- Dark Brown Sugar: Gives a deep, molasses flavor and chewy texture.
- White Sugar: Balances sweetness and helps with a slight crispness.
- Egg: Binds ingredients and provides structure.
- Vanilla Extract: Brings warmth and rounds out the flavors.
- All-Purpose Flour: The base for your cookie dough.
- Cornstarch: A secret trick to make cookies soft and cakey without heaviness.
- Baking Soda: Helps the cookies spread just enough and rise slightly.
- Salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances sweetness.
- Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: Melts into gooey pockets of chocolate good-ness.
- Crushed Candy Cane: Adds a peppermint crunch and festive color.
- Oreos (crushed): The star of the show—chunks provide texture and that classic chocolate sandwich cookie flavor.
Make It Your Way
One of the things I love most about this Oreo Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe is how easy it is to tweak. Whether you want to dial up the peppermint for a stronger holiday vibe or add nuts for some extra crunch, this dough is a versatile starting point that welcomes your creativity.
- Variation: I sometimes swap semi-sweet chocolate chips for white chocolate chips and add extra crushed candy canes—this gives a sweeter, creamier cookie with that refreshing peppermint snap.
- Dietary Modifications: For a gluten-free version, try a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend instead of all-purpose.
- Texture Tweaks: If you prefer cakier cookies, chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking. For thinner, crispier edges, flatten the dough balls slightly before popping them in the oven.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Oreo Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Get Your Oven and Pan Ready
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line your baking tray with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Getting this ready ahead means you can move swiftly when the dough is done—no waiting around for the tray to cool down if you’re doing batches!
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars Until Fluffy
In a large bowl, combine softened butter, dark brown sugar, and white sugar. I usually use a regular spatula and muscle a bit for smaller batches, but if you’ve got a hand mixer, it’ll save you some elbow grease. Cream this mixture until it’s smooth and airy—this helps build the texture we want.
Step 3: Add Egg and Vanilla for Flavor and Structure
Crack in your room-temperature egg and pour in vanilla extract, then mix just until fully incorporated. The egg brings that moisture and soft chew, while vanilla adds warmth and rounds out the sweetness beautifully.
Step 4: Fold In Dry Ingredients Gently
Combine your all-purpose flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt in a separate bowl, then gradually fold these into the wet mixture. Be careful not to overmix here—you want the dough soft and just combined to avoid tough cookies.
Step 5: Add Chocolate Chips, Candy Cane, and Oreo Crunch
Now for the fun part! Fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips, crushed candy cane pieces, and chopped Oreos. I like to save a few chunks to press lightly onto the tops of the cookies just before baking—they look so pretty and give a hint at what’s inside.
Step 6: Bake and Watch Closely
Drop scoops of dough onto the prepared tray – I usually do six at a time for the perfect oven circulation. After about 13-14 minutes, you’ll notice the cookie edges are set and the centers still look soft and slightly gooey. That’s the sweet spot. Remember, cookies continue to bake a little after you remove them from the oven, so don’t overbake!
Top Tip
I’ve made these cookies dozens of times, and a few simple tips made all the difference to me—especially if you want perfect texture and flavor every batch. I’m sharing these to save you some trial and error.
- Use Room Temperature Butter: You'll get a smoother dough and better cream with the sugars when butter isn't cold.
- Don’t Overmix the Dough: Folding gently when adding flour keeps the cookies tender, not tough.
- Watch Your Oven: Baking times can vary—look for crisp edges and gooey centers as your cue to take them out.
- Add Some Cookie Toppings Last Minute: Press a few extra chocolate chips or Oreo chunks on top before baking for a beautiful presentation.
How to Serve Oreo Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
I love adding a few more crushed peppermint pieces on top of the cookies right after baking while they're still warm—it adds an extra festive crunch and pretty color that says “holiday” at first glance.
Side Dishes
Pair these cookies with a glass of cold milk or a warm mug of hot chocolate—maybe even peppermint mocha—for a dessert experience that feels like a cozy winter hug.
Creative Ways to Present
For holiday gatherings, I like to arrange these cookies in festive tins lined with red and green tissue paper, or stacked on a tiered dessert stand with sprigs of fresh rosemary and candy canes to add visual interest and aroma.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, separating layers with parchment paper so they don’t stick. They keep their softness beautifully for about 4 to 5 days.
Freezing
These cookies freeze wonderfully. I usually freeze the dough balls on a tray first, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag. When I’m ready to bake, I just add a few more minutes to the baking time, and voilà—fresh cookies anytime.
Reheating
To bring back that just-baked warmth, I pop the cookies in a warm oven (about 300°F) for 5 minutes or microwave them for 10-15 seconds. It revives the melty chocolate and soft texture beautifully.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Yes, regular crushed peppermint candies will work just as well. Just be sure to crush them coarse enough so they add crunch without dissolving too fast in the oven.
Make sure your butter is softened but not melted, and avoid overmixing the dough. You can also chill the dough for 30 minutes before scooping and baking to keep the cookies from spreading too thin.
Absolutely! Just keep the ingredients doubled and bake in batches to avoid overcrowding your oven. Keep an eye on bake time since larger batches bake more evenly when spaced properly.
I find breaking them roughly by hand into chunks works best for texture. If you prefer using a food processor, pulse just a few times to keep some nice big chips instead of crumbly powder.
Final Thoughts
Making this Oreo Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe has become one of my favorite ways to celebrate the season and share homemade love. I hope you enjoy the ease and joy these cookies bring to your kitchen as much as I do—don’t be surprised if they quickly disappear from your cookie jar!
Print
Oreo Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 14 minutes
- Total Time: 29 minutes
- Yield: 9 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delight in these Oreo Chocolate Chip Peppermint Cookies, a festive treat combining the classic flavors of crushed Oreos, semi-sweet chocolate chips, and refreshing crushed candy canes. These soft, gooey-centered cookies with crisp edges are perfect for holiday gatherings or a sweet indulgence any time of year.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- ½ cup butter softened
- ⅓ cup dark brown sugar
- ¼ cup white sugar
- 1 egg room temperature
- 1 tablespoon vanilla
Dry Ingredients
- 1 ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Add-ins
- ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ¼ cup candy cane crushed
- 7 Oreos crushed
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a cookie baking tray with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat; set aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, add softened butter, dark brown sugar, and white sugar. Cream together using a spatula or electric mixer until well combined and fluffy.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Mix in the egg and vanilla extract thoroughly until the mixture is smooth and homogenous.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt. Gradually fold these dry ingredients into the wet mixture, forming a soft dough. Be careful not to overmix.
- Fold in Add-ins: Gently fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips, crushed candy cane, and crushed Oreos until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- Scoop and Bake: Portion about six cookies at a time onto the prepared baking tray. Bake in the preheated oven for 14 minutes. The centers should remain gooey while the edges turn crisp.
- Cool and Serve: Remove cookies from oven and allow them to cool slightly on the baking tray. Cookies will continue baking slightly from residual heat. Add extra toppings if desired and enjoy warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- Ensure the butter is softened to room temperature for easy creaming with sugars.
- Do not overmix the dough to keep cookies tender and soft.
- Crushing Oreos and candy canes finely will help distribute flavors evenly.
- Baking only six cookies at a time allows for proper heat circulation and even baking.
- For extra peppermint flavor, add a few drops of peppermint extract along with the vanilla.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Use silicone mats or parchment paper to prevent sticking and promote even baking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 120 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
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