Chocolate Peppermint Crinkles
A Cozy Christmas Cookie Recipe with a Hint of Holiday Magic.
Some cookies feel festive the moment you see them — and Chocolate Peppermint Crinkles are one of those. Dark, rich, and dusted in powdered sugar like freshly fallen snow, they’re a quiet nod to the magic of the season.
These are the cookies I reach for when the days are short and the evenings glow with candlelight. The chocolate is deep and comforting, while the peppermint adds just enough brightness to wake up your senses — never overpowering, just gently festive.
At the Lavender Valley Inn, these crinkles often appear in the evenings, when the baking is slower and the kitchen fills with warmth. They’re the kind of cookie meant for sharing — one on a small plate, two if the conversation lingers.
Chocolate Peppermint Crinkles Recipe
Ingredients
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon peppermint extract
1¾ cups all-purpose flour
½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
½ cup confectioners’ sugar, for rolling
Directions
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, cream the butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
Beat in the eggs one at a time, then mix in the vanilla and peppermint extracts.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until a soft dough forms.
Cover and refrigerate the dough for 30 minutes to make it easier to handle.
Roll dough into 1-inch balls, then roll generously in confectioners’ sugar.
Place cookies 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet.
Bake for 10–12 minutes, until cookies are set but still soft in the center.
Cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
A Cozy Baking Note
These cookies are even better the next day, once the peppermint flavor has had time to mellow and blend with the chocolate. Store in an airtight container, or tuck them into a holiday tin lined with parchment for a simple, thoughtful gift.
A Little More Holiday Inspiration
These Chocolate Peppermint Crinkles are one of twelve recipes featured in The Lavender Valley Inn’s 12 Days of Christmas Cookies Recipes & Journal — a seasonal companion filled with cozy baking inspiration and gentle reflection prompts designed to help you slow down and savor the heart of December.
If this recipe brings a bit of warmth to your kitchen, you’ll find eleven more waiting inside the journal.
May your baking be unhurried, your evenings quiet, and your holiday season filled with small moments of sweetness.