Cool Peppermint Chocolate Glaze Cookies

Indulge in the festive magic of our Iced Peppermint Chocolate Cookies! These delightful treats combine a rich, chewy chocolate cookie base with a vibrant, creamy peppermint buttercream, all crowned with crunchy bits of candy cane. They are not just cookies; they are little bites of holiday cheer, perfect for seasonal gatherings, gifting, or simply enjoying with a warm cup of cocoa on a chilly evening.

For those who prefer to dive straight into the baking process, a comprehensive recipe card is available at the bottom of this page. However, for home cooks of all skill levels, we’ve filled this article with valuable tips and insights designed to make your baking experience as enjoyable and successful as possible. As a self-taught cook, I believe understanding the ‘why’ behind each step and ingredient empowers you in the kitchen, turning every recipe into a confident culinary adventure.

Discover Iced Peppermint Chocolate Cookies: Your New Holiday Favorite

There’s something inherently delightful about the combination of rich chocolate and cool, refreshing peppermint. Our Iced Peppermint Chocolate Cookies capture this classic flavor pairing in an incredibly simple-to-make package. Imagine biting into a soft, intensely chocolatey cookie, followed by the smooth, sweet kiss of peppermint buttercream, finished with a satisfying crunch from festive candy cane bits. It’s a symphony of textures and flavors that embodies the spirit of the holidays.

What makes these cookies truly special, beyond their irresistible taste, is their remarkable ease of preparation. We take a clever shortcut by starting with a boxed cake mix, transforming what could be a time-consuming baking project into a quick and stress-free endeavor. This method ensures consistent results every time, making them perfect for last-minute holiday baking or when you simply crave that chocolate-peppermint kick without the fuss.

While these cookies shine brightly during Christmas, their delicious appeal isn’t limited to the festive season. They are a wonderful treat any time you desire a balance of deep chocolate and invigorating mint. Whether you’re hosting a party, preparing a thoughtful edible gift, or simply indulging in a personal dessert, these cookies deliver on flavor and charm.

Pairing these minty marvels elevates the experience. Imagine them alongside a steaming mug of mulled cider, a sophisticated caramel espresso martini, or a cozy boozy rumchata hot cocoa. The refreshing peppermint cuts through the richness, creating a harmonious balance. We are confident that these iced cookies will quickly become a cherished recipe in your baking repertoire, loved by everyone who tries them!

The Secret to Easy Chocolate Cookies: Cake Mix Magic

Our chocolate cookies are designed for maximum flavor with minimal effort. The secret? A simple boxed German Chocolate Cake Mix. This brilliant shortcut dramatically streamlines the baking process, allowing you to whip up a batch of delicious cookies in a fraction of the time it would take to bake from scratch. Forget measuring multiple dry ingredients or worrying about the perfect flour-to-sugar ratio; the cake mix does most of the heavy lifting for you.

The beauty of using a cake mix is its inherent simplicity. You won’t need to separate wet and dry ingredients into different bowls, nor will you spend endless minutes mixing. Instead, just combine the cake mix with softened butter and large eggs in a single bowl. The result is a wonderfully pliable dough that’s easy to handle and bakes into a cookie with a delightful chewiness and deep chocolate flavor. This method is incredibly forgiving, making it perfect for novice bakers or anyone short on time but unwilling to compromise on taste.

Once your dough is mixed, simply scoop it onto a prepared baking sheet. We recommend using parchment paper or a nonstick spray to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup. Bake these beauties at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for approximately 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the centers are set but still soft. Overbaking can lead to dry cookies, so keep a close eye on them! Let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This crucial step prevents them from breaking and ensures they are firm enough to hold the luscious peppermint icing.

Ingredients for Effortless Chocolate Cookies:

• 1 box (15.25 oz) German Chocolate Cake Mix
• ¼ cup butter, softened
• 2 large eggs

Crafting the Perfect Peppermint Icing: A Cool & Creamy Finish

No Iced Peppermint Chocolate Cookie would be complete without its signature frosting. Our easy peppermint buttercream is the ideal complement to the rich chocolate base, offering a cool, creamy texture and an invigorating burst of mint flavor. This icing is designed for simplicity and versatility, ensuring a beautiful and delicious finish every time, even for those new to frosting.

Creating this delectable icing is straightforward. You’ll combine softened butter, confectioners’ sugar, milk, and a crucial splash of peppermint extract. The secret to a light and fluffy buttercream lies in the mixing process. While it can certainly be made by hand, using a stand mixer with a paddle attachment or a hand mixer will yield the best results, ensuring all ingredients are thoroughly incorporated and air is whipped into the mixture. Start on a low speed to combine the powdered sugar without creating a cloud of dust, then increase to medium-high until the frosting is smooth, creamy, and holds its shape.

The peppermint extract provides that distinct, refreshing minty taste, perfectly balanced by the sweetness of the confectioners’ sugar. For an extra festive touch and a satisfying textural contrast, we’ll adorn these frosted cookies with crushed candy canes. This not only adds a lovely visual appeal but also enhances the peppermint experience with every bite. Remember, the cookies must be completely cool before icing to prevent the buttercream from melting and sliding off, ensuring a neat and professional-looking finish.

Essentials for Your Peppermint Buttercream:

• ½ cup butter, at room temperature
• 3½ cups confectioners’ sugar
• 3 tablespoons milk
• ½ teaspoon peppermint extract

Baking and Decorating Pro Tips for Perfect Cookies

Even with a simple recipe, a few insider tips can elevate your baking from good to extraordinary. Here are some pro tips to ensure your Iced Peppermint Chocolate Cookies turn out perfectly every time:

• Room Temperature Ingredients: For both the cookies and the icing, ensure your butter and eggs are at room temperature. This allows for smoother mixing and creates a more emulsified, consistent dough and a creamier, lump-free buttercream.
• Don’t Overmix: When combining the cake mix, butter, and eggs, mix just until combined. Overmixing can develop too much gluten, leading to tougher cookies. A gentle touch ensures a tender, chewy result.
• Use a Cookie Scoop: A cookie scoop isn’t just for speed; it ensures uniform size, which leads to even baking. All your cookies will be perfectly cooked at the same time, preventing some from being underdone and others overbaked.
• Parchment Paper is Your Friend: Always line your baking sheets with parchment paper. It prevents sticking, promotes even browning, and makes cleanup a breeze. Silicone baking mats work equally well.
• Cool Completely Before Icing: This cannot be stressed enough! Warm cookies will melt your beautiful buttercream into a messy puddle. Patience is key for perfectly iced cookies.
• Achieving Icing Consistency: If your icing is too thick, add milk a teaspoon at a time until you reach your desired spreadable consistency. If it’s too thin, add more confectioners’ sugar, a tablespoon at a time.
• Crushing Candy Canes: Place candy canes in a zip-top bag and use a rolling pin or the bottom of a heavy pan to crush them into small pieces. Avoid pulverizing them into a powder; you want those delightful little crunchy bits!
• Storing Iced Cookies: Once iced and decorated, store the cookies in an airtight container. If stacking, place a piece of parchment paper between layers to prevent the icing from sticking. Store at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

More Festive Cookies and Holiday Treats

The holiday season is a wonderful time for baking, and we at Sweet C’s love to share easy, delicious recipes that bring joy to your kitchen. Beyond these Peppermint Chocolate Cookies, we have a treasure trove of other festive delights perfect for sharing with friends and family, holiday parties, or as thoughtful homemade gifts. Each recipe is crafted for ease and maximum flavor, ensuring your holiday baking is both enjoyable and impressive.

Recipe FAQs

What to Enjoy with Your Minty Cookies

These Iced Peppermint Chocolate Cookies are fantastic on their own, but pairing them with the right beverage or dessert can truly enhance the experience. Here are some delightful suggestions:

• Hot Chocolate: A classic pairing! The warmth and sweetness of hot cocoa amplify the chocolate notes in the cookies, while the peppermint adds a refreshing contrast. Consider a dark hot chocolate for a richer experience.
• Vanilla Ice Cream: The creamy coolness of vanilla ice cream offers a wonderful counterpoint to the rich, minty chocolate cookies. Crumble a cookie over a scoop of ice cream for a decadent dessert.
• Coffee or Espresso: The slight bitterness and robust flavor of a good coffee or a shot of espresso perfectly balance the sweetness of the cookies, making for a sophisticated afternoon treat.
• Cold Milk: Sometimes, the simplest pairings are the best. A tall, cold glass of milk is an iconic choice that complements the chocolatey richness and cuts through the sweetness with refreshing ease.
• Eggnog: During the holiday season, eggnog provides a festive, creamy, and spiced partner that harmonizes beautifully with the peppermint, creating a quintessential holiday flavor profile.
• Mulled Wine: The aromatic spices in mulled wine, such as cinnamon, cloves, and star anise, surprisingly pair well with the invigorating mint, offering a unique and cozy combination.
• Peppermint Tea: For a double dose of minty freshness without extra sweetness, a soothing cup of peppermint tea can be a surprisingly refreshing accompaniment.
• Whipped Cream: A dollop of freshly whipped cream can transform a single cookie into a more elegant dessert, adding a cloud-like texture and extra creaminess.
• Dark Roast Coffee: The intensity of dark roast coffee can stand up to the bold flavors of chocolate and peppermint, creating a more robust and mature flavor pairing.
• Sparkling Water with Mint: For a lighter, more refreshing option, a glass of sparkling water infused with fresh mint leaves can cleanse the palate between bites, highlighting the cookie’s distinct flavors.

We hope you enjoy baking and sharing this easy recipe! Your feedback means the world to us, so please consider leaving a comment below. Don’t forget to share your creations on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest! Tag @sweetcsdesigns so we can see your beautiful baked goods.

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Iced Peppermint Cookies Recipe

By: Courtney O’Dell

Servings: 20 cookies

Prep: 10 minutes mins

Cook: 15 minutes mins

Total: 25 minutes mins

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My iced peppermint cookies are a festive treat with a crisp, buttery base, a cool peppermint flavor, and a sweet, glossy icing that adds the perfect holiday touch.

Equipment

• Kitchenaid Artisan Mini Plus 3.5-Qt. Tilt-Head Stand Mixer with Flex Edge Beater
• Stainless Steel Medium Cookie Scoop
• USA Pan Bakeware Cookie Sheet

Ingredients

For the Cookies:

• 15.25 oz German Chocolate Cake Mix, premixed box
• ¼ cup butter, softened
• 2 large eggs

For the Icing:

• ½ cup butter, at room temperature
• 3½ cups confectioners’ sugar
• 3 tablespoons milk
• ½ teaspoon peppermint extract
• 2-3 candy canes, crushed, to garnish

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. Prepare a baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray or parchment paper.
3. In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, softened butter, and eggs. Mix until a cohesive dough forms.
4. Using a cookie scoop or spoon, shape the dough into 20-22 uniform balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
5. Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly browned and the centers are set.
6. Remove cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This is crucial before icing.
7. While cookies cool, prepare the icing: In a large bowl (or the bowl of a stand mixer), combine softened butter, confectioners’ sugar, milk, and peppermint extract.
8. Beat with a hand mixer or stand mixer until the icing is light, fluffy, and smooth.
9. Once cookies are completely cool, spread a generous amount of peppermint buttercream over each cookie.
10. Garnish with crushed candy canes on top for an extra burst of mint and a festive crunch.
11. Serve and enjoy these delightful Iced Peppermint Chocolate Cookies!

Nutrition

Serving: 1g
Calories: 151kcal
Carbohydrates: 21g
Protein: 1g
Fat: 7g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g
Monounsaturated Fat: 2g
Trans Fat: 0.3g
Cholesterol: 35mg
Sodium: 62mg
Potassium: 12mg
Sugar: 21g
Vitamin A: 240IU
Calcium: 7mg
Iron: 0.1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Cookies

Cuisine: American

Tried this recipe?Mention @sweetcsdesigns or tag #sweetcsdesigns!