Peppermint Mocha Cookies
These soft & chewy cookies balance the rich, deep flavors of chocolate and coffee with a cool hit of icy peppermint!
Omg, you guys. You. GUYS!
I seriously need to get out more.
I am waaaay too wrapped up in my own little world here. It’s a character flaw. I see it. I get it. I need to work on it.
Kids, kids, kids… husband… house… and in between all that, it’s nothing but bake, photograph, write, repeat. Sometimes, every once in awhile, there’s time for a leeeeeetle bit of sleep.
Hanging out with friends? Not so much. Shopping? Rarely. Lingering over a cozy café beverage, made by someone other than moi? What is that, again?
Whoa. Wow. I finally just tried, for the very first time, something that the rest of the world has been crowing about for months now.
Peppermint mocha.
Good lord! I know you probably already know this, but seriously. Peppermint mocha lattes are so stinkin’ good! I’ve always known that chocolate + coffee = happy, but throw in some peppermint and a whole new kinda delicious is born. The cool, bright mint cuts through the richness of the coffee and chocolate like whoa. It’s all such a perfect balance and so wintry, cozy, and Christmas-y…
I’ve seriously had a peppermint mocha epiphany and I think my life will be forever changed.
I’m sure I am not the first person to translate the awesomeness that is peppermint mocha into cookie form. I’m not even gonna bother googling it, it’s a foregone conclusion, and I don’t want to be influenced by anyone else’s ideas about what they should or shouldn’t be.
In my little world, peppermint mocha cookies should be soft, warm, and indulgent, with a little chewiness around the edges, and a rich and intensely dark choco-coffee flavor, punctuated with icy wisps of bright peppermint coolness. That is what these cookies are, and that is what I hoped these photos would convey…
If you’ve never had a peppermint mocha latte, you’ve gotta try one asap! There’s only one thing that could possibly be better, and that’s a peppermint mocha cookie! Make these!!!
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These soft & chewy cookies balance the rich, deep flavors of chocolate and coffee with a cool hit of icy peppermint!
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick)
- 1 cup light brown sugar, loosely packed
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg (large)
- 1 egg yolk (large)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
- 3 tablespoons instant espresso granules, dissolved in 3 tablespoons warm water
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 12 ounces semisweet chocolate chips
- 10 ounces peppermint crunch baking chips
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Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
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Place the butter in a medium pot and melt it over low heat.
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Remove from heat and stir in the sugars.
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Crack in the eggs, stirring vigorously.
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Add the vanilla, then the flour, cocoa powder, espresso, baking soda, and salt. Stir until fully incorporated.
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Fold in the chips, and scoop 2-tablespoon sized balls onto parchment-lined baking sheets. Chill for 30 minutes.
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Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
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Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes. Edges should be set, but the middle of the cookies should still be soft.
Oh Allie, I am not surprised, you are just a kind and sweet soul that puts everyone else first. Sometimes us moms need to get out too (I should really tell myself that too hehe) but I’m so glad you got to try the Peppermint Mocha Latte:) Isn’t it wonderful? I love all peppermint and chocolate lately and these cookies sound fantastic and right up my alley 🙂 Love how pretty and festive they look, pinning and hope you enjoy the rest of the week sweetie 🙂
You too, Kelly! Hope you have a great holiday week, relax and enjoy yourself! xoxo
Can I use coffee beans instead
I would not recommend it, but by all means feel free to experiment!
I am so glad that you finally tried a Peppermint Mocha, they have been my favorite drink for about 8 years now!! Your cookies look absolutely wonderful Allie, so gooey and chocolaty….yum!!
8 years?!? Have they really been around that long? Sheesh, I’m even later to the game than I thought! Oh well, better late than never, right? The cookies are gooey, and wonderful! If you like peppermint mocha, these will be a favorite! Thanks for reading and commenting, Lisa!
I love all things peppermint and mocha especially this time of year! We just recently discovered the creamer and it has changed our mornings forever!! These cookies are gorgeous!
Oh, I need to get the creamer! Thx for the tip, Liz! And for the sweet comment. Hugs to you! 😀
Oh my dear!! What a travesty you didn’t have this before. But I am glad you resolved it otherwise I would have to make that drive down with a cup. These cookies look so yummy!! I love peppermint and mocha so much I feel like I overload this time of the year, which I am ok with because it comes but once. Beautiful cookies and I must try your versions for the sake of research on my hunt of the perfect peppermint mocha cookies haha 😉
PS: I owe you a super long email. It is coming today!!
I know, right? Travesty! I hope you enjoy the recipe, I adapted it from another blogger’s. Hers were Mudslide cookies. I could not get over how perfect the texture was. So chewy around the edges, and soft in the middle. I died! And I can’t wait for your email! I’ve been thinking about you and your adventures…
Wow these look gorgeous and decadent! I too have never tried a peppermint mocha drink so don’t feel like your the last person. But I have never heard of peppermint crunch chips. Do you find those in the baking aisle? I hope to put these cookies on my holiday table!
Hey Becky! If you click on the link within the recipe card it will take you to an online mail order source. You don’t have to order them online, but you can at least see a pic this way. I got mine at Target 😉 Ps- Thanks for making me feel better about being late to the Peppermint Mocha party, lol!
Oh I hear ya! I am so busy, I forget my first name!
These cookies look fabulous! I love peppermint this time of year!
SO busy, right? Especially at this time of year. I’ve got a mile-long list for today alone, lol! So glad you liked the cookies, Anna! Hope you get a minute to yourself today 😉
wow these look super amazing! and so pretty to take to holiday events… thank you! =)
My pleasure, Simple Green Moms! They were so good I just had to share. Hope you enjoy! 😀
These look delicious. Any chance you could give some hints for making a peppermint mocha latte? Without any of the ready-made creamers you could find in stores in the states? I do have peppermint essence and instant coffee!
Hi Julie! I’ve done mochas before, just a mug of hot cocoa with a shot of espresso added. The way I do my hot cocoa is just cocoa powder, sugar, vanilla, and milk. I think if you added a little peppermint extract it would work beautifully. But just measure it in carefully- it will probably only take a drop or two; that stuff can be potent! Another option would be to add a squirt of chocolate syrup to your coffee + cream. Have fun!
Girl! I made a very similar recipe two week ago from the back of the Andes peppermint crunch bag. Holy moly they are delicious!
I am not a coffee drinker, but am now really intrigued about peppermint mocha drink. I just might have to give it a whirl! 🙂
PS. Your photos are just perfection.
Give it a whirl! Give it a whirl! It’s like hot cocoa grown up. Super rich and a little bitter, like good bittersweet chocolate. The peppermint cuts right through. Ps- I didn’t even think to look on the back of the bag, duh! Well this recipe I used was phenomenal! I loved the soft/chewy texture. Thanks for the sweet compliment about the photos! I had fun shooting these 😉
I had one the other week and OMG so so good!! I love them and plan on having one on Christmas eve after work 🙂 . The only thing that would make extra special is one of your yummy looking cookies, or two.
What a lovely Christmas Eve treat! Such a nice idea 😉 I’m so happy you enjoyed the post, Laura!
Love peppermint mocha flavors! And I love how warm and gooey these cookies look.
Oh, they were so gooey! So good… Thanks, Ashley! xoxo
Omg peppermind AND mocha…that sounds SO good!
I know, right??? Mimi you’ve gotta try it! TDF!
they look yummy!
Omg, Dina! Sooooo yummy 😉
I’m in love with Peppermint Mocha Lattes so these cookies are right up my alley! These look so yummy. I wish I could just reach and grab one!
Thanks Tina! If you like Peppermint Mocha Lattes then you’ll love these cookies. I’m so happy you enjoyed the post!
If it makes you feel any better: I’ve never tried peppermint + mocha together either ;–) I’m dying to do so, though!
Your cookies look fantastic girl! And the pictures are gorgeous!
Happy Baking 😀
Thank you, Consuelo! And omg- go get some peppermint mocha asap!!!
Allie, I am the same way when I create something. I won’t even google it and be influenced by someone else’s creation while using the same base ingredient. But, I must be in MY little world too much…because I’ve never heard of such a cookie until YOU brought it to my attention. Love these. I can just imagine the aroma these give off while they come straight out of the oven! Scrumptious!
Oh, the aroma was insane!!! I’m so happy you liked, and glad I’m not the only one with this silly complex, lol! You’re too sweet; thanks so much, dear!
Your instinct to put everyone else first is incredibly admirable, but for heaven’s sake, remember that you need a peppermint mocha, or better yet, the cookie version, every once in awhile! Seriously, though, I know you have so little time to relax and refresh, but your family is so lucky to have you … and so are your readers. Once again, the care you seem to have taken with this recipe is palpable in the pictures. These cookies look extraordinarily soft and rich and minty fresh, and I wish I had a plate of them in front of me right now 🙂
Nora, you are too sweet and kind! I hope I didn’t come off like a victim, because I certainly do not feel that I am! Truth is I didn’t even know what I was missing, lol! I thought my life was pretty complete until I took that first sip…
Thanks for the kind words about the post and the recipe- I had a lot of fun making, shooting, and EATING those cookies!
Your pictures looks delicious, unfortunately, this recipe didn’t work for me as written. The dough was way too dry and crumbly even without refrigerating. I looked at the the recipe on the peppermint chips and saw that it was very similar, but called for 1 cup of butter. Also checked the Mudslide recipe and saw that it called for 1/4 cup of coffee liqueur. I added an extra quarter cup of butter to your recipe. This worked much better. Wondering if anyone else has tried this recipe and how it worked for them.
Really? Wow that’s interesting. I wonder if it has to do with the brand of cocoa? I typically use Ghirardelli brand and I’ve noticed it has a higher fat content. Maybe that has something to do with it? Anyhow I’m so sorry you had trouble!
I don’t bake much but I wonder if difference in altitude might make the difference. Hmm.?
Also, as a non-frequent baker who is not a fan of coffee in any form, if I omit the espresso, should I modify or substitute another ingredient to maintain proper consistency? Yours look so yummy!
Thank you Sandie! I think you can probably omit the espresso and maybe just add another teaspoon of vanilla in it’s place. As for the question about altitude I really don’t know… but I hear about how tricky that can be all the time so I wouldn’t be surprised if the recipe would need to be tweaked. Good luck and thanks so much for reading!
Hi Allie,
I’m looking forward to trying this recipe! It sounds divine!
But, one question. When you say espresso, is that the instant espresso powder?
Thanks! jen
Hey Jen! Yes, that’s exactly the stuff I was referring to. I think it really gives a great flavor. I hope you enjoy the cookies! Thanks for reading 🙂
If I can not find the Peppermint Crunch Baking chips, will crushed up candy canes do the trick?
I think that sounds like a great sub-out! Or maybe even chopped up peppermint patties or Andes mints? Depends on the texture you’re after I suppose. The baking chips were similar to white chocolate sort of. Good luck and I hope you enjoy!
I ran into the same issue as Wendy :/
I stick had half a batch left to bake so I doubled the butter and added Kahlua as suggested, and that batch turned out WAYYYYYY better (read: was edible).
Sorry for your trouble MK!
Hello! These look delicious! Question..is there any other substitution for the espresso grounds? I’m a coffee drinker but I never have any kind of instant on hand. THANKS!
Hey Julie! I suppose you could probably try using a few tablespoons of brewed coffee, but the flavor probably won’t be as pronounced. Good luck and I hope you enjoy!
I’ve totally missed it to, mabe I need to follow your leed and wisit a café or two. They sure look amazing
Thank you Cecilia! Definitely give one a try- they’re sooooo good! Thanks for reading 🙂
Hi these look delicious! Do you think I could use pieces of broken up candy canes instead of the peppermint baking bits ? Thx and Happy Holidays!
I think that would be scrumptious!
These cookies will become a holiday staple! SO good and my kids all loved them!!