All of these “virtual” cookies have been making me hungry. I just so happen to get invited to a real life cookie exchange at my friend’s apartment and it was time to dig in to an absurd amount of holiday cookies. I wore my leggings for the overindulgent occasion and was thankful that I did. There were so many cookies to try, and more for seconds, and even some leftover to take home. As much fun as the virtual cookie exchange was, there is nothing like getting together with girlfriends, chit chatting over wine and cookies, and watching the latest and greatest youtube videos. Oh the wonders of being a girly girl.
I’ve been in the mood to test out new cookies this year, and I found these hot chocolate cookies that piqued my interest. I decided since I love peppermint hot chocolate so much, I would turn them into peppermint hot chocolate cookies with some Ghirardelli peppermint bark and crushed candy canes. They were a little on the time consuming side, but totally worth it. I think these are my favorite cookies that I have made in a long while and they are most definitely going to be made again next year. Or next month. I guess I should stock up on peppermint bark for the off season.
Peppermint Hot Chocolate Cookies
*Recipe adapted from Pib & Ebby’s Hot Cocoa Cookies
Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
Ingredients needed:
- 1 stick (4 ounces) unsalted butter
- 12 oz. semisweet chocolate chips
- 1 1/4 cups light brown sugar
- 3 eggs, at room temperature
- 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups flour
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Large marshmallows
- Peppermint chocolate bars (Ghirardelli)
Melt the following together in a medium saucepan:
- 1 stick (4 ounces) unsalted butter
- 12 oz. semisweet chocolate chips
Stir frequently over medium heat until smooth. Let cool for 15 minutes.
With your mixer, beat the sugar mixture together for about 2 minutes on low speed:
- 1 1/4 cups light brown sugar
- 3 eggs, at room temperature
- 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
Combine the following in a small bowl:
- 1 1/2 cups flour
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Slowly add the cooled chocolate mixture to the sugar mixture, followed by half of the flour mixture, then add the rest of the flour mixture until everything is blended.
I made the dough ahead of time and refrigerated it for 3 days before baking (simply because I was busy), but definitely refrigerate for at least an hour. When it is time to bake, roll them into about 1-1 1/2 inch balls and place them on the cookie sheet.
Bake them for about 12 minutes, or until they have started to crackle. Take them out and put a square of peppermint bark on top of the cookie.
Then top that with a half of a marshmallow.
Add some crushed candy cane sprinkles, and stick them back into the oven for about 5 more minutes.
And there you have ‘em! Peppermint hot chocolate cookies.
Move over Starbucks, I got a cookie that is gonna replace your drink!
The cookie swappin’ bunch:
Look at this array of cookies!
Some of the recipes from the swap:
Mexican Hot Chocolate Chippers
Crispy Salted White Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies
I might need a year off before I consume that many cookies again, but I will be ready come December 2012.
3 Responses
I hope some of those show up at Grams on Christmas Day.
Thanks for all the great posts over the season it helped me virtually pretend I made a few dozen of cookies and ate them too. Love you girly girl.
Awesome! I need to do a East coast version. But nobody bakes out here… I already know what I’m going to do this coming Christmas. it’s brownies all the way, going to make a huge assortment of bar cookies/brownies. Not only do they whip up real fast, they freeze and ship super easily.
these are the best- add em to your list! i froze this dough too and it worked great still.
i like the sounds of next year’s brownie/bar assortment…