These chocolate peppermint crinkle cookies are a thick and chewy crinkle cookie topped with both chocolate and peppermint buttercream, with some peppermint candies sprinkled on top. They're the perfect holiday cookie!
Chocolate peppermint crinkle cookies are inspired by a cookie sold at Twisted Sugar. After having multiple people request that I make a version of it I decided it was a must. I've never had the actual cookie, but let me tell you, this version is so good.
If you like frosted cookies you should also try my cut-out sugar cookies, my soft gingerbread cookies with cinnamon icing and my key lime cookies.
WHY YOU WILL LOVE THESE
CHOCOLATE & PEPPERMINT: This is the ultimate holiday flavor combo.
SO THICK & CHEWY: These cookies have such a good chewy texture.
CROWD PLEASER: Everyone who has tried these cookies has LOVED them!
INGREDIENT NOTES
- Oil: I used canola oil, but any neutral flavored oil will work great. Even melted coconut oil would be good.
- Cocoa Powder: I used basic cocoa powder, but dutch process would be good as well.
- Peppermint Extract: A little bit goes a long way, but if you want to add a bit more you're welcome to.
- Red Food Coloring: You could leave the peppermint buttercream white if you don't want to use food coloring.
- Crushed Peppermint Candies: I just took a rolling pin and broke up some candy canes.
STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS
STEP ONE: In a large mixing bowl fitted with the paddle attachment, mix together oil, sugar and cocoa powder on medium speed for about 2 minutes, or until all combined. Add eggs and vanilla and mix together until fully incorporated.
STEP TWO: Slowly mix in baking powder, salt and flour until just combined. The dough will be very thick and sticky. Place the dough in the fridge for 2-24 hours to chill.
STEP THREE: Scoop chilled dough using a 3 tablespoon cookie scoop. This dough is stickier and harder to work with than regular cookie dough, but also worth the effort/mess. Roll in granulated sugar first, followed by powdered sugar. This helps the powdered sugar from disintegrating as they bake.
STEP FOUR: Bake 6-8 cookies per sheet for 10-12 minutes, or until edges look cooked and they are crackled. Allow cookies to cool.
STEP FIVE: n a large mixing bowl, cream together butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, salt and milk. Beat until light and fluffy. You may end up needing to add more powdered sugar or cream to get your desired consistency. Separate the buttercream into 2 separate bowls. Add 2 tablespoon of cocoa powder to half the buttercream and add a little milk if needed. Add ¼ teaspoon of peppermint extract and a few drops of red food coloring to the other buttercream. This way you will have a bowl of chocolate butter cream and a bowl of peppermint buttercream for cookies.
STEP SIX: Frost each chocolate crinkle cookie with chocolate buttercream on the bottom, followed by peppermint buttercream on top. Sprinkle the tops of each cookie with crushed peppermint candies.
EXPERT BAKING TIPS
I love these cookies chilled and stored in the fridge, but do whatever you prefer.
You may need to add more or less powdered sugar and milk to get the desired consistency for the buttercream.
I have given both cups and grams as measurements. Grams will be more precise, especially when measuring flour. If you don’t have a kitchen scale, no problem! Just lightly spoon flour into your measuring cup to insure its not packed in there. Light and fluffy is the key.
FAQ
No, you are welcome to just roll them in powdered sugar, but the granulated sugar helps the powdered sugar to adhere and not melt once baking.
Yes, start the buttercream as suggested and then double whichever portion you are wanting to make.
Yes, mint extract tastes more like spearmint, but would also be good. I would suggest dying the buttercream green if you do that.
STORING AND FREEZING
Chocolate peppermint crinkle cookies can be stored at room temperature, or in the fridge, in an airtight container. They will keep fresh this way for 3-4 days. I love to eat mine chilled.
FREEZING
These cookies will keep fresh in an airtight container in the freezer for 3-4 months. Just allow them to come to room temperature before eating!
OTHER POPULAR HOLIDAY RECIPES
Cinnamon Rolls with Apple Pie Filling
For more yummy treats follow me on instagram @thesaltedsweets. And be sure to tag me and comment if you make them and love them as much as I do.
And please make sure to leave a star review below!
Chocolate Peppermint Crinkle Cookies
Ingredients
Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
- ¼ cup (56 g) neutral oil I used canola
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
- ½ cup (43 g) cocoa powder
- 2 large eggs room temp
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon (0.5 teaspoon) salt
- 1 cup (140 g) all-purpose flour
- ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar for rolling
- ½ cup (60 g) powdered sugar for rolling
Frosting
- ½ cup (113.5 g) butter room temp
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- ⅛ teaspoon (0.13 teaspoon) salt
- 1-2 tablespoon (1 tablespoon) milk or cream
- 2 cups (180 g) powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoon cocoa powder
- ½ teaspoon (0.25 teaspoon) peppermint extract
- few drops red food coloring
- crushed peppermint candies for topping
Instructions
Cookies
- In a large mixing bowl fitted with the paddle attachment, mix together oil, sugar and cocoa powder on medium speed for about 2 minutes, or until all combined.
- Add eggs and vanilla and mix together until fully incorporated.
- Slowly mix in baking powder, salt and flour until just combined. The dough will be very thick and sticky. Place the dough in the fridge for 2-24 hours to chill.
- Preheat oven to 350 F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Scoop chilled dough using a 3 tablespoon cookie scoop. This dough is stickier and harder to work with than regular cookie dough, but also worth the effort/mess. Roll in granulated sugar first, followed by powdered sugar. This helps the powdered sugar from disintegrating as they bake.
- Bake 6-8 cookies per sheet for 10-12 minutes, or until edges look cooked and they are crackled. Allow cookies to cool.
Buttercream
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, salt and milk. Beat until light and fluffy. You may end up needing to add more powdered sugar or cream to get your desired consistency. Separate the buttercream into 2 separate bowls. Add 2 tablespoon of cocoa powder to half the buttercream and add a little milk if needed. Add ¼ teaspoon of peppermint extract and a few drops of red food coloring to the other buttercream. This way you will have a bowl of chocolate butter cream and a bowl of peppermint buttercream for cookies.
- Frost each chocolate crinkle cookie with chocolate buttercream on the bottom, followed by peppermint buttercream on top. Sprinkle the tops of each cookie with crushed peppermint candies.
Julie
I’ve tried several recipes of this type of cookie and this is the best one hands down!
brooke
I am so happy to hear this! Thank you!!
Laikin
These cookies were so fun to make! And they were absolutely delicious! So far they are a favorite with my entire family!
Megan Rader
These tasted great, but I clearly need to work on my frosting technique. 😉
Rachel
These cookies are delicious! I loved the flavor of the frosting with the addition of the peppermint. My cookies weren't pretty by any means, they were super hard to frost without mixing both frosting flavors. I would make them again!
Maribeth Reimer
Brooke has the best recipes! So festive and will go good with the Cinnamon Shortbread cookies and Red Velvet Oreo cookies on my sweet board for Christmas!Mine flattened a little after bringing out of the oven - not sure what I did but they still taste wonderful! So good!!
Dana Marchant
If you like fudgey browies, you'll love this. If you like anything chocolate, you'll love this. If you like peppermint, you'll love this. I don't know how you wouldn't love this cookie. Wasn't hard to make the the fudgey texture, without being overly sweet, is amazing. Also - I will now be using ONLY this chocolate buttercream recipe for anything calling for frosting from here out.
Danielle
I fell in love with this type of cookie last winter at a local soda shop here in Utah and really wanted to figure out how to make it myself so I'm SO EXCITED! Thank you for cracking the code! It says the recipe serves 10, does that mean it makes 10 cookies?
Thanks again, I will be making these soon!
brooke
Yes, it makes 10 cookies if you use a 3 tbsp cookie scoop. Enjoy!!
Nicole Resch
If you use a smaller cookie scoop would the minutes for baking change?
brooke
Yes, I can't say exactly how much because it depends on how much smaller you make them.. but I would set the timer for a few minutes less and just watch them.
Janee’
This cookie is perfect in every way!! Thank you so much for this recipe!
Michelle
Made these for the Christmas cookie tray. My teenager tasted the cookies and said, “there’s a lot going on there.” He meant it in the best possible way. 😁 The cookies look gorgeous, too!
brooke
Thank you so much!! I am so happy they were a hit!
Melissa
These are our new favorite winter cookie as of last year! So fudgy and delicious with just the right amount of peppermint. I put red sprinkles on top instead of the peppermint pieces. Our favorite way to eat them is right out of the refrigerator or freezer. They freeze and save well after being fully frosted.
Treasure
These cookies are delicious and oh so pretty! And I’m not even a peppermint lover, but these have just the right amount of everything. The dough is very fudgey, which makes it a bit difficult to work with, but oh so worth it. I did have a little bit of difficulty getting the first layer of frosting to stick due to the powdered sugar. Maybe piping it on would be easier. Definitely recommend!
Brooke Homec
Yes, that dough is not the most fun to work with.. but so worth it when you're eating them. Thank you so much!!
Amanda Smith
We LOVED these. Perfect amount of chocolate and peppermint. So cute and festive looking as well. Definitely making them again!
Megan
Worth the extra bit of effort! These were a hot with all of my family members. Chocolate and peppermint is one of my favorite flavor combinations!
Jordan
My #1 fave holiday cookie!!! Thank you for this Christmas gift!! They’re a labor of love but so worth it.
Madison Herbst
Peppermint chocolate heaven! Love these so much!
Kristen
This cookie id my 1st crinkle cookie and far exceeded my expectations! Thank you for another amazing recipe!
Erica Crunkleton
These are a little bit of work but totally worth it. They come out looking so professional
Gina
Chocolate Crinkles are one of my favorite cookies and these are great! I actually just made the crinkle part because I like to use oil versus butter in my crinkles and this recipe worked great even without the additional elements on top. I had been looking for a recipe that was closer to an old recipe I remembered, and this was perfect. Thanks, Brooke!
Laura
These are so good! Fudgy and rich and delicious!
Bailey
these have become my favorite holiday cookie to take to friends and family. they're so pretty and so delicious!
Cindy
These are outstanding. Perfect chocolate flavor and texture and the double frosting makes them a 10/10. I also loved learning how to get the powdered sugar to stick to the dough. Great pro tip!
Tiffany Millington
Absolutely love these cookies! I’ve always loved the twisted sugar version so when you shared this recipe I had to give it a try! It is perfection! My entire family is obsessed.
Diana T
I love these cookies; they turn out perfectly every time. My friends can't wait for these to appear around Christmas time. The cookies are so soft, and the frosting combo is perfection.
Rebecca
So delicious!! I love the crinkle cookie and it has the perfect amount of peppermint!
Treasure McPherson
Made these last year for the Holidays and these were the number one most requested recipes! They have the right amount of peppermint to chocolate and are oh so pretty!! They are a little extra work, but definitely worth it!! One of my family’s favorites! A++
Andrea
The only downside to this recipe is that it doesn’t make more. Definitely double the batch-because these cookies will disappear quickly. We all love crinkle cookies and the fun addition of the peppermint flavor just made them even better.
Lonna Seger
This cookie was so yummy! I loved how fudgey the cookie was. And these are so pretty! We didn’t add red food coloring to the top frosting. Perfect amount of peppermint too.
Stephanie Wright
Another delicious cookie recipe!
Jen Bucher
This recipe takes a little extra time, but it is worth it. Great combination of chocolate, peppermint, and crunch. The buttercream was delicious!
Ashley J
These are very fudgy! With both of the icings, it is a very rich cookie!
Adrienne L.
Oh my goodness! This cookie is the perfect combo of chocolate and peppermint. Loved it!
Brooklyn
I love a good chocolate peppermint combo! Mine didn’t turn out as thick & pretty as yours but still tasted delish!
Shauna Phillips
Loved these cold. Perfectly soft and the two frostings made them extra special.
Kirsten M
I had never seen or made a cookie quite like this one, and oh my... it turned out even more amazing than I hoped. SO fun, such good textures and flavors. These will be on repeat every December for our family (at least!)
Sofia Oliveira
So good and perfect for Christmas. Thank you
Camille Knudsen
The best holiday cookie! The cookie itself alone is so good but the added frosting layers of chocolate and peppermint propel this cookie to another level. I highly recommend using heavy cream in the frosting over milk, it elevates the frosting in both taste and texture. These cookies would be the perfect addition to any holiday party!
Elisa M
Chocolate and peppermint are my favorite Christmas combo, and these cookies definitely taste like Christmas! So divine!
Hannah
Soo good! I didn’t get the frosting made (which I’m sure is 10/10) but they were still great without!
Chris Miller
These cookies were the biggest hit at my house this Christmas! Everyone loved them. I made one double batch and shared with my Bake Club in n mid-December. Froze the rest for my family and friends. They freeze beautifully and are amazingly delicious. Will definitely make again next December. Yum!!!