Joyful Chocolate Peppermint Cookie Cups Recipe for the Holidays

Decadent holiday treats always spark joy during the season, and these chocolate peppermint cookie cups bring pure magic to your dessert table.

Sweet memories dance through rich chocolate and cool peppermint flavors that blend perfectly in every bite.

Delicate cookie shells cradle a creamy filling that melts on your tongue with festive cheer.

Each batch creates a delightful experience of texture and taste that celebrates winter’s most beloved flavor combination.

Peppermint adds a refreshing twist to classic chocolate, making these cookie cups an irresistible centerpiece for any gathering.

The combination of crisp cookies and smooth chocolate promises a delectable experience you won’t want to miss.

Prepare to wow everyone with these elegant, crowd-pleasing holiday delights.

Tools That Help Shape and Bake Cookie Cups

• Mixing bowl: Essential for combining wet and dry ingredients smoothly.
• Electric mixer or whisk: Helps cream butter and sugar to light, fluffy perfection.
• Mini muffin tin: Crucial for creating perfect cookie cup shapes.
• Measuring spoons: Precise for measuring extracts and other ingredients.
• Microwave-safe bowl: Needed for melting chocolate and cream.
• Teaspoon or small measuring spoon: Used to create wells in warm cookie cups.
• Wire cooling rack: Allows cookies to cool evenly and prevent soggy bottoms.
• Whisk: Perfect for mixing dry ingredients thoroughly.

How to Make Peppermint Cookie Cups at Home

• Warm Up Your Kitchen

Crank the oven to a toasty 350F. Give your mini muffin tin a quick spray of nonstick magic.

• Whip Up the Cookie Base

Blend butter and sugars until they’re cloud-like and fluffy. Splash in egg and flavor extracts, stirring until perfectly combined. Gently fold in dry ingredients, creating a rich chocolate dough.

• Shape and Bake the Cups

Roll dough into bite-sized balls, nestling each into muffin wells. Pop in the oven for 8-10 minutes until edges look set.

• Create Cookie Wells

Fresh out of the oven, use a spoon to gently press centers, forming adorable little cups. Let them rest briefly before moving to a cooling rack.

• Craft the Decadent Filling

Melt chocolate and cream together in short bursts, stirring until silky smooth. Add a hint of peppermint for extra pizzazz.

• Fill and Fancy Up

Drizzle molten chocolate into each cookie cup. Sprinkle crushed candy canes on top while still warm for a festive touch.

• Chill and Enjoy

Let chocolate set at room temperature or speed things up in the fridge. Serve these delightful treats and watch everyone smile.

Flavor Combos That Work With Chocolate and Mint

• Let butter soften at room temperature for 30 minutes before mixing to guarantee ultra-smooth, creamy cookie dough that blends perfectly.
• When creating cookie cup wells, use the back of a cold, slightly greased spoon to prevent sticking and create uniform indentations for professional-looking results.
• Swap regular flour with a gluten-free all-purpose blend to make these delightful treats celiac-friendly without compromising taste or texture.
• Replace heavy cream with coconut cream and dairy-free chocolate chips to craft a vegan version that's equally rich and indulgent.
• Prepare cookie cups and filling separately up to 3 days in advance, storing them in airtight containers, then assemble just before serving for maximum freshness and convenience.

Serve Cookie Cups for a Festive Gathering

• Holiday Party Platter: Arrange these decadent cookie cups on a festive plate with sprigs of fresh mint and extra crushed candy canes scattered around for a gorgeous presentation.
• Dessert Pairing Perfection: Serve alongside a warm mug of hot chocolate or peppermint mocha for a delightful winter flavor combination that will wow your guests.
• Ice Cream Companion: Top each cookie cup with a small scoop of vanilla or chocolate peppermint ice cream for an extra indulgent dessert experience that elevates the treat.
• Gift-Worthy Packaging: Pack these cookie cups in clear cellophane bags tied with red and white ribbon for a charming homemade holiday gift that looks as delicious as it tastes.

Keep Your Cookie Cups Crisp on the Outside

• Store cookie cups in an airtight container between sheets of parchment paper to prevent sticking and maintain texture for up to 5 days at room temperature.
• Individually wrap each cookie cup in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. These delightful treats can be frozen for 2-3 months, perfect for make-ahead dessert planning.
• Keep chocolate peppermint filling smooth by storing in a cool, dry place. Refrigerate if room temperature exceeds 70°F to prevent separation or melting.
• Bring frozen or refrigerated cookie cups to room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving to restore their original soft, rich texture and enhance flavor complexity.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 180 kcal

Servings: 24

What You’ll Need for Peppermint Cookie Cups

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and binding for the cookie dough, ensuring a perfect texture and crumbly consistency.
• Cocoa Powder: Delivers rich chocolate flavor and deep color, creating an intense chocolate experience.
• Baking Soda: Helps cookies rise and spread evenly, ensuring a light and tender cookie cup.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances the sweetness of the dessert.

• Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Creates caramelized sweetness and soft texture, adding depth to the cookie base.
• Butter: Provides rich flavor and helps create a tender, melt-in-your-mouth cookie.
• Egg: Binds ingredients together and adds richness to the cookie dough.

• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, classic background flavor to complement the chocolate.
• Peppermint Extract: Brings a cool, refreshing mint taste that pairs perfectly with chocolate.
• Chocolate Chips: Creates a smooth, creamy filling with intense chocolate flavor.
• Heavy Cream: Helps melt chocolate and creates a silky, luxurious filling.
• Candy Canes: Adds festive crunch and extra peppermint flavor as a decorative topping.

Festive Chocolate Peppermint Cookie Cups Recipe

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4.8 from 26 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 25 1x

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Description

Sweet holiday magic shines through chocolate peppermint cookie cups, nestled with creamy peppermint filling and dark chocolate drizzle. Festive dessert lovers will savor each rich, minty bite of this delightful seasonal treat.

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Ingredients

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• ½ oz semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips
• ¼ cup (60 ml) heavy cream
• ½ teaspoon peppermint extract
• 1 ¼ cups (156 g) all-purpose flour
• ⅓ cup (40 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
• ½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
• ¼ cup (50 g) brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon peppermint extract
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• Crushed candy canes or peppermint candies

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Warm the oven to 350F (175C) and coat a mini muffin tin with nonstick spray.
2. Cookie Dough Creation: Blend butter, sugars until fluffy. Incorporate egg and extracts. Fold in dry ingredients gradually, forming a cohesive dough.
3. Shaping and Initial Baking: Form dough into small spheres, nestling each into muffin wells. Bake until edges firm, approximately 8-10 minutes.
4. Well Formation: Immediately after removing from oven, gently press a small indentation into each warm cookie using a teaspoon. Allow to cool briefly in the pan before transferring to a cooling rack.
5. Chocolate Filling Preparation: Melt chocolate chips with cream in microwave, stirring between short intervals. Integrate peppermint extract into the smooth mixture.
6. Final Assembly: Carefully fill each cookie cup’s center with the chocolate mixture. Sprinkle crushed candy canes over the warm filling for decorative crunch.
7. Setting and Serving: Let cookie cups rest at room temperature or expedite setting by chilling for 15-20 minutes before presenting.

Notes

• Ensure cookie dough isn’t too soft or sticky by chilling it briefly if it feels warm, which helps maintain perfect shape during baking.
• Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to create uniform-sized balls, guaranteeing consistent baking and professional-looking cookie cups.
• Gently press the centers while cookies are warm but not scorching hot, preventing cracking and creating smooth, perfect wells for filling.
• Stir chocolate mixture thoroughly between microwave intervals to prevent burning and achieve silky-smooth filling consistency.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 25
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 12 g
• Sodium: 100 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 25 mg