Cookies are a classic treat year round but especially seem to pop up more during the winter holidays. These hot chocolate peppermint cookies are the perfect seasonal dessert, combining a quintessential festive drink with a twist of candy canes. Making even the most basic baker look like a pro, you’ll be able to impress everyone at your jolly gatherings with these easy-to-make and oh-so-delicious cookies.

Prep time: 30-40 minutes

Bake time: 10 minutes

Cool time: 10 minutes

Makes: 36+ cookies

Ingredients:

• 2 ½ cups flour
• 1 cup sugar
• ½ tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 2 sticks softened butter
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 tbsp milk
• 1 egg
• 10-12 packets of hot chocolate mix
• 9 crushed candy canes
• 1 ½ cups chocolate chips

Machinery and other items:

• An oven
• 1 medium sized mixing bowl
• 1 large mixing bowl
• An electronic mixer
• A baking sheet
• Silpat or parchment paper
• A cooling rack

Recipe:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Line a baking sheet with a Silpat. Parchment paper works too, but for best results use a Silpat or Silpat alternative.
3. In a medium-sized bowl, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
4. In a separate, larger bowl, whip together sugar and butter with an electronic mixer. While still mixing, add an egg and milk.
5. Slowly pour the flour mixture into the butter and sugar mixture, continuing to blend with the mixer.
6. Once the dough is all combined, add hot cocoa, 2 packets at a time, and vanilla. If the dough becomes too dry, add a small splash of milk. If it becomes too wet, add a handful of flour.
7. Next, stir in candy canes and chocolate chips. The dough should be slightly sticky but moldable in your hands.
8. Roll in hands to form a ball that can fit in between your palms and place it on the baking sheet. You should be able to fit 9-12 balls of dough on one sheet.
9. Bake for 10 minutes.
10. Let cool for 5 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack for another 5 minutes.
11. Repeat steps 8-10 until there is no dough left and enjoy these sweet creations!