Chocolate Peppermint Snowflake Cookies: A Festive Winter Treat
Delicate shapes and cool flavors in a crisp holiday treat that delights every guest.
Holiday baking is a cherished tradition, and few treats capture the spirit of the season quite like chocolate peppermint snowflake cookies. With their crisp, chocolatey texture, refreshing mint flavor, and elegant snowflake shape, these cookies provide a beautiful and delicious way to celebrate winter. Whether crafted for cookie swaps, festive gatherings, or as edible gifts, these cookies bring joy to bakers and recipients alike.
Why Chocolate and Peppermint Are a Seasonal Classic
The combination of chocolate and peppermint is synonymous with winter. The richness of bittersweet chocolate balances perfectly with the cool refreshment of peppermint, evoking memories of snowy days, hot cocoa, and the comforting coziness of holiday traditions. Snowflake-shaped cookies add an extra layer of seasonal whimsy, making them a standout on any dessert table or gift platter.
Ingredients for Chocolate Peppermint Snowflake Cookies
Creating these cookies requires a thoughtful selection of both standard and specialty ingredients. Each component contributes to the final flavor, texture, and visual appeal.
- All-purpose flour – Establishes the structure of the cookie.
- Salt – Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor.
- Baking soda – Helps the cookies rise and develop a crisp yet tender texture.
- Bittersweet chocolate – Supplies deep, rich chocolate flavor; opt for high-quality chocolate for best results.
- Unsalted butter – Lends richness while controlling the salt content.
- Granulated sugar – Sweetens and contributes to the cookie’s crisp texture.
- Egg – Binds the dough and adds structure.
- Vanilla extract – Boosts the background sweetness and rounds out the flavors.
- Peppermint extract – Delivers the refreshing, unmistakable flavor of mint.
Optional decorations include:
- Shimmering sanding sugars (gold, silver, or white)
- Royal icing or cookie glaze for piping
- Crushed peppermint candies
- Mini chocolate chips
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- For a more intense chocolate flavor, substitute part or all of the bittersweet chocolate with semisweet or dark chocolate, but avoid milk chocolate as it will make the cookies too sweet.
- If peppermint is too strong for you, reduce the extract amount to half or play with a blend of peppermint and vanilla extracts for a subtler flavor.
Essential Tools and Equipment
To produce beautiful snowflake shapes and ensure simple preparation and cleanup, have the following on hand:
- Snowflake-shaped cookie cutters (various sizes for interest)
- Rolling pin
- Parchment paper (for rolling, chilling, and baking)
- Baking sheets
- Plastic wrap (to chill dough)
- Electric mixer (stand or hand-held)
- Small offset spatula or thin knife
- Cooling racks
Step-by-Step Guide: Making Chocolate Peppermint Snowflake Cookies
1. Prepare the Dry and Wet Ingredients
- Sift the flour together with salt and baking soda; set aside to allow for easy incorporation later.
- Melt the bittersweet chocolate using a double boiler or microwave (in 20-second bursts, stirring in between) until smooth. Set aside to cool slightly.
2. Cream the Butter and Sugar
- In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the butter and sugar on high speed until pale and fluffy (about 3 minutes).
- Add the egg; beat until combined. Mix in the vanilla and peppermint extracts.
3. Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures
- With the mixer on low, drizzle in the melted chocolate and blend until smooth.
- Add the flour mixture in two batches, mixing just until a dough forms. Do not overwork the dough.
4. Chill and Roll out the Dough
- Form dough into a ball, flatten into a disk, and wrap in plastic. Chill for at least 30 minutes, or until firm but pliable.
- Place dough between two sheets of parchment and roll to 1/4-inch thickness. Chill the rolled dough on a baking sheet for 1 hour (crucial for sharp edges and easy cutting).
What others are reading
5. Cut and Prepare the Cookies
- Cut out snowflake shapes using cookie cutters. If dough softens, return to fridge for 10–15 minutes before proceeding.
- Arrange cookies on parchment-lined baking sheets. If using sanding sugars, sprinkle before baking.
- Freeze cookies for 15 minutes. This helps them retain their shape during baking.
6. Bake the Cookies
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake cookies for 8–10 minutes, or until edges are set but centers are still slightly soft.
- Allow cookies to cool on the sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to racks to cool completely.
Finishing Touches: Decorating Your Snowflakes
Chocolate peppermint snowflake cookies are striking on their own, but careful decoration elevates them to edible works of art. Here are several ideas to inspire your creativity:
- Sanding Sugars: Sprinkle gold, silver, or pearlescent sugars on the cookies before baking for a sparkling effect.
- Piped Icing: Use royal icing or a simple cookie glaze to outline or detail snowflake arms and centers. White icing pops beautifully against chocolate backgrounds.
- Crushed Peppermint: After baking, drizzle cooled cookies with thin icing and sprinkle with crushed peppermint candy for extra crunch and flavor.
- Chocolate Drizzle: Melt more chocolate and drizzle over the cooled cookies, then top with festive sprinkles for a decadent finish.
For best results, decorate cookies only after they have cooled completely to prevent colors from bleeding or icing from melting.
Expert Tips for Perfect Chocolate Peppermint Cookies
- Chill your dough—both before rolling and after cutting—to make handling and shaping easier, and to ensure clean, crisp edges after baking.
- Don’t skip freezing cutouts just prior to baking; this helps prevent spreading and maintains the integrity of the intricate snowflake shapes.
- Work with one dough portion at a time: Leave unused dough in the refrigerator to stay cold and manageable while cutting.
- Use flour sparingly when rolling to avoid drying out the dough or toughening the cookies.
- If dough becomes sticky or soft, refrigerate it until workable again.
- Allow cookies to cool before moving them; they will firm up and be less likely to break.
Serving and Gifting Ideas
- Arrange on a holiday tray with a mix of snowflake sizes and other festive cookies, like gingerbread or shortbread, for visual appeal.
- Package in clear cellophane bags and tie with a ribbon for an elegant edible gift.
- Layer in festive tins for shipping or gifting. Separate tiers with parchment paper to prevent sticking and protect designs.
- Pair with hot cocoa or peppermint tea for a cozy treat.
Holiday Pairings and Presentation
These cookies work beautifully alongside other seasonal treats, making them ideal for holiday cookie exchanges or party dessert tables. Consider mixing snowflake cookies with classic ginger snaps, almond crescents, or sugar cookies for a colorful, flavorful variety.
Storing and Freezing Chocolate Peppermint Snowflake Cookies
Proper storage keeps cookies fresher and ensures decorations stay intact. Here’s how to keep your cookies perfect through the holiday season:
- At room temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week, separating layers with parchment paper.
- To freeze unbaked dough: Wrap dough tightly in plastic and place in a freezer bag. Thaw in refrigerator before rolling and baking.
- To freeze baked cookies: Arrange in single layers in airtight containers with parchment between layers. Defrost at room temperature before decorating (if desired).
If decorated with icing or candy, avoid stacking until the decorations are fully dry and set to prevent smudging.
Nutrition Information
| Per Cookie (approx.) | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 322 |
| Total Fat | 19g |
| Saturated Fat | 11g |
| Cholesterol | 45mg |
| Sodium | 87mg |
| Carbohydrates | 34g |
| Fiber | 2g |
| Sugar | 15g |
| Protein | 4g |
Troubleshooting and FAQ
Q: My cookies spread and lost their shape. What should I do?
A: Chilling the dough thoroughly before cutting and freezing the cut cookies before baking are essential for maintaining sharp snowflake edges. Excess butter or very warm dough can also cause spreading. If your cookies are still spreading, consider checking your oven temperature with an oven thermometer for accuracy.
Q: The dough is sticky and difficult to work with. Any fixes?
A: If the dough gets sticky, return it to the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes. Use parchment paper for rolling and be sparing with extra flour to avoid toughening the dough. Chilled tools and cutters can also help.
Q: Can the cookies be made in advance?
A: Absolutely! The dough can be made and refrigerated up to 2 days before rolling and cutting, or frozen for longer storage. Baked cookies, undecorated, can be frozen for up to 1 month and decorated after thawing for best results.
Q: Are there alternatives to peppermint flavor?
A: Yes. Switch out peppermint extract for other flavors like orange, almond, or coffee for a new holiday twist. Adjust quantities to taste, as some extracts are stronger than others.
Q: How do I make the cookies more decorative for gifting?
A: Try layering different shades of icing, adding shimmering edible glitter, or piping delicate snowflake lattice patterns for an extra-special presentation. Layer cookies between sheets of wax or parchment paper in gift boxes or tins.
Variations and Customization Ideas
- Double Chocolate: Add mini dark chocolate chips to the dough for added bursts of chocolate.
- Gluten-Free: Replace the flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend; results may vary slightly in texture.
- Vegan Option: Substitute vegan butter and a flaxseed or chia egg (1 tbsp ground flax or chia + 2.5 tbsp water) for a dairy- and egg-free treat.
- Nutty Snowflakes: Stir in finely chopped toasted almonds or pecans for crunch.
- Spiced Chocolate: Add a pinch of cinnamon or cayenne for a Mexican-inspired flavor profile.
Inspiration and Holiday Traditions
Baking chocolate peppermint snowflake cookies is more than just a recipe—it’s a celebration of winter’s magic, the warmth of home, and the art of sharing. Gather friends and family for a decorating party, use the opportunity to explore new flavor combinations, or start a new holiday tradition by gifting beautifully decorated snowflakes to loved ones. No matter how you enjoy them, these cookies are sure to become a cherished part of your seasonal repertoire.
References
Similar Articles
Read full bio of Sneha Tete
