Welcome to the world of sweets where we are about to embark on a flavorful journey to create white chocolate dipped peppermint chocolate cookies. These cookies deliver a divine combination of rich cocoa, creamy white chocolate and a burst of peppermint. Perfect for the holidays, these cookies are sure to be a hit at your next gathering.
Most of the ingredients in this recipe are likely already in your pantry, like all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, and sugars. Two ingredients you might need to seek out are the peppermint extract and peppermint bits. Both can typically be found in the baking aisle of your local supermarket. The peppermint extract gives our cookies that distinct minty flavor, while the peppermint bits add a festive crunch.
Ingredients for White Chocolate Dipped Peppermint Chocolate Cookies
All-purpose flour: This is essential for the structure of the cookies. It absorbs the wet ingredients, giving them shape and a crumbly texture.
Cocoa powder: Adds the rich and deep chocolate flavor to the cookies. Ensure to get unsweetened variety.
Baking soda: Acts as a leavening agent that helps the cookies rise and spread.
Salt: Enhances the flavors of the other ingredients.
Unsalted butter: Adds moisture and flavor to the cookies.
Granulated sugar and Light brown sugar: Provides sweetness and contributes to the texture of the cookies.
Eggs: Gives the cookies structure and stability.
Vanilla extract and Peppermint extract: These are the flavoring agents. Vanilla provides a warm, sweet note while peppermint adds a refreshing twist.
White chocolate: This will be melted and used to dip the cookies. It adds a sweet, creamy flavor that balances the dark cocoa in the cookie.
Peppermint bits: These add a festive touch and a delightful crunch to the finished cookies.
One reader, Cheri Hales says:
These white chocolate dipped peppermint chocolate cookies are a delightful holiday treat! The combination of rich chocolate and refreshing peppermint is simply divine. The white chocolate coating adds a luxurious touch, making them a perfect indulgence for the festive season. Highly recommended for anyone with a sweet tooth!
Techniques Required for Making White Chocolate Dipped Peppermint Chocolate Cookies
How to prepare the cookie dough: Mixing the dry ingredients and creaming the butter and sugars until well combined.
How to shape the cookie dough: Scooping the dough into rounded tablespoons and shaping them into balls before flattening them slightly.
How to bake the cookies: Baking the cookies in a preheated oven at 350 degrees F for about 8 minutes until they appear slightly under-baked.
How to melt the white chocolate: Melting the white chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl on 50% power in 30-second increments, stirring between intervals until smooth.
How to dip the cookies in white chocolate: Dipping half of each cookie in the melted white chocolate and then transferring them to parchment paper to sprinkle with peppermint bits.
How to chill the cookies: Chilling the cookies to let the chocolate set for about 10 minutes.
How to store the cookies: Storing the cookies in an airtight container.
How To Make White Chocolate Dipped Peppermint Chocolate Cookies
The refreshing aftertaste of peppermint complements the chocolate flavor at the same time gets a lovely white chocolate dip in this chocolate cookie recipe.
Serves:
Ingredients
- 1 ⅔cupsall-purpose flour
- 1cupunsweetened cocoa powder
- 1tspBaking Soda
- ½tspsalt
- 1cupunsalted butter(softened about halfway (it should be fairly firm still)
- 1¼cupsgranulated sugar
- ¾cuplight brown sugar
- 2largeeggs
- 2tspvanilla extract
- 1tspPeppermint Extract
- 16oz.white chocolatechopped
- ¼cuppeppermint bitsfinely chopped
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line baking sheets with silicone liners or parchment paper.
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In a medium mixing bowl whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt for 20 seconds. Set aside.
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In the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment cream together butter, granulated sugar and brown sugar until well combined.
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Mix in eggs one at a time then blend in vanilla extract and peppermint extract.
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With mixer set on low speed slowly add in flour mixture and mix just until combined.
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Scoop dough out by a rounded tablespoon and shape into balls.
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Space on cookies sheets 2-inches apart. Flatten cookies slightly.
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Bake one sheet at a time in preheated oven about 8 minutes (cookies should appear slightly under-baked).
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Let cool on baking sheet several minutes then transfer to a wire rack to cool 5 minutes then transfer to an airtight container to fully cool.
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Once cookies are cool, melt white chocolate in a microwave safe bowl on 50% power in 30 second increments, stirring between intervals until melted and smooth.
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Dip half of each cookie in white chocolate then transfer to parchment paper and sprinkle with peppermint bits. Chill to let chocolate set about 10 minutes.
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Store cookies in an airtight container.
Nutrition
- Calories: 1142.33kcal
- Fat: 9.44g
- Saturated Fat: 5.14g
- Trans Fat: 0.17g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 2.31g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.96g
- Carbohydrates: 253.26g
- Fiber: 6.17g
- Sugar: 151.70g
- Protein: 15.36g
- Cholesterol: 21.71mg
- Sodium: 744.50mg
- Calcium: 227.33mg
- Potassium: 536.49mg
- Iron: 8.48mg
- Vitamin A: 94.15µg
- Vitamin C: 8.20mg
Crucial Technique for Perfectly Dipped Cookies
When melting the white chocolate, ensure that you do it slowly and gently to prevent it from burning. White chocolate has a lower burning point than other chocolates, so it's crucial to melt it on a lower power setting in the microwave and to stir it frequently. If you notice the chocolate starting to seize or become grainy, this is a sign that it has been overheated. To rescue it, you can try adding a small amount of vegetable oil or clarified butter, stirring it in until the chocolate becomes smooth again.
Time-Saving Tips for Making These Festive Cookies
Prep ahead: Make the cookie dough in advance and store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 days before baking.
Use a cookie scoop: Using a cookie scoop will help ensure that all the cookies are the same size, allowing for even baking.
Double up: Double the recipe and freeze half of the baked cookies for later, saving time on future baking sessions.
Use pre-crushed peppermint: Save time by using pre-crushed peppermint bits instead of crushing them yourself.
Melt chocolate in advance: Melt the white chocolate in advance and store it in an airtight container until ready to use.
Substitute Ingredients For White Chocolate Dipped Peppermint Chocolate Cookies Recipe
all-purpose flour - Substitute with gluten-free all-purpose flour: This substitute is suitable for those who are gluten intolerant or have celiac disease. It provides a similar texture and structure to the cookies.
unsweetened cocoa powder - Substitute with cacao powder: Cacao powder is less processed and has a richer flavor compared to cocoa powder. It can be used as a 1:1 replacement.
baking soda - Substitute with baking powder: If you don't have baking soda, you can use baking powder as a substitute. Keep in mind that baking powder is not as strong as baking soda, so you may need to use more.
unsalted butter - Substitute with coconut oil: Coconut oil can be used as a dairy-free alternative to butter. It adds a subtle coconut flavor to the cookies.
granulated sugar - Substitute with coconut sugar: Coconut sugar can be used as a 1:1 replacement for granulated sugar. It has a lower glycemic index and adds a caramel-like flavor to the cookies.
light brown sugar - Substitute with maple syrup: Maple syrup can be used as a liquid sweetener in place of brown sugar. It adds a hint of natural sweetness and a unique flavor to the cookies.
white chocolate - Substitute with vegan white chocolate: For a dairy-free option, you can use vegan white chocolate. It provides a similar creamy and sweet flavor to the cookies.
peppermint bits - Substitute with crushed candy canes: If you don't have peppermint bits, crushed candy canes can be used as a substitute to add a minty flavor and festive touch to the cookies.
Presentation Ideas for Peppermint Chocolate Cookies
Elevate the plating: When presenting the cookies, arrange them on a pristine white plate with a slight dusting of powdered sugar to create a clean and elegant presentation.
Incorporate contrasting textures: Pair the smooth white chocolate coating with a sprinkle of crushed candy canes to add a pop of color and a delightful crunch to each bite.
Balance the flavors: Ensure that the peppermint flavor is not overpowering by using a light hand when adding the peppermint extract and peppermint bits, allowing the rich chocolate and sweet white chocolate to shine through.
Create visual interest: Place the cookies in a circular pattern, alternating the direction of each cookie to create a visually appealing and dynamic arrangement on the plate.
Emphasize precision: Use a fine sieve to lightly dust the cookies with cocoa powder, adding a touch of sophistication and a hint of bitterness to complement the sweetness of the white chocolate and peppermint.
Highlight the cookies as the focal point: Keep the plating minimalistic to draw attention to the cookies themselves, allowing their rich, chocolatey aroma and festive appearance to take center stage.
Essential Tools for Making Chocolate-Dipped Cookies
- Oven: Used for baking and roasting food items.
- Silicone liners or parchment paper: Used to line baking sheets to prevent sticking and for easy cleanup.
- Medium mixing bowl: Used for mixing dry ingredients.
- Electric stand mixer: Used for creaming butter and sugar, and mixing dough.
- Paddle attachment: An attachment for the stand mixer used for creaming and mixing.
- Microwave safe bowl: A bowl that is safe to use in the microwave for melting ingredients.
- Wire rack: Used for cooling baked goods and allowing air to circulate around them.
- Airtight container: Used for storing cookies to keep them fresh.
Storage and Freezing Instructions for White Chocolate Dipped Peppermint Chocolate Cookies
- Once the white chocolate has set, store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Separate layers with wax paper or parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- For longer storage, freeze the cookies in a freezer-safe container or resealable plastic bag for up to 3 months. Thaw the cookies at room temperature before serving.
- If freezing the cookies, it's best to freeze them without the white chocolate coating. When ready to serve, thaw the cookies and then dip them in melted white chocolate and sprinkle with peppermint bits.
- Alternatively, you can freeze the cookie dough balls for up to 3 months. Thaw the dough in the refrigerator overnight before baking as directed in the recipe.
- To maintain the best texture and flavor, avoid storing the cookies in the refrigerator, as the cold temperature can cause them to become dry and crumbly.
Interesting Trivia About Peppermint Chocolate Cookies
The peppermint extract in this recipe adds a refreshing and festive flavor to the cookies, making them perfect for the holiday season.
Is Making White Chocolate Dipped Peppermint Chocolate Cookies at Home Cost-Effective?
This white chocolate dipped peppermint chocolate cookies recipe is moderately cost-effective for a household. The ingredients, such as unsweetened cocoa powder and peppermint extract, may require an initial investment, but they can be used in various recipes. The approximate cost for a household of 4 people is around $15. The cookies are a delightful treat, earning a solid 8/10 rating for their rich chocolate flavor and refreshing peppermint twist.
Are These Cookies Healthy or Unhealthy?
This white chocolate dipped peppermint chocolate cookie recipe, while undeniably delicious, is not particularly healthy. Here's why:
- The recipe is high in sugar, with both granulated and brown sugar adding up to a considerable amount. Excessive sugar consumption can lead to various health issues, such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.
- The use of butter and white chocolate contributes to a high saturated fat content, which can raise LDL (bad) cholesterol levels and increase the risk of cardiovascular problems.
- The recipe is also relatively low in nutrients, as it primarily consists of refined flour, sugar, and fat, with no significant sources of vitamins, minerals, or fiber.
However, there are ways to make this recipe healthier without compromising on taste:
- Reduce the amount of sugar by 25-50% and replace some of the white sugar with natural sweeteners like coconut sugar or maple syrup, which have a lower glycemic index.
- Swap out half of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour or almond flour to increase the fiber content and add some healthy fats.
- Use dark chocolate (70% cocoa or higher) instead of white chocolate for the coating. Dark chocolate is rich in antioxidants and has less sugar and fat compared to white chocolate.
- Reduce the amount of butter by 25% and replace it with Greek yogurt or mashed avocado, which can provide moisture and healthy fats.
- Add some finely grated zucchini or beetroot to the batter to sneak in some extra vegetables and fiber without affecting the taste.
Editor's Opinion on This Delightful Holiday Cookie Recipe
The combination of rich chocolate and refreshing peppermint in these cookies creates a delightful flavor profile. The addition of white chocolate and peppermint bits adds a festive touch, making these cookies perfect for the holiday season. The recipe's instructions are clear and easy to follow, ensuring that even novice bakers can successfully recreate these delicious treats. The use of high-quality ingredients is essential to achieve the best results. Overall, this recipe is a wonderful choice for anyone looking to impress their guests with a decadent and visually appealing dessert.
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Why trust this White Chocolate Dipped Peppermint Chocolate Cookies Recipe:
This recipe offers a delightful combination of rich chocolate and refreshing peppermint, creating a perfect balance of flavors. The use of high-quality white chocolate and peppermint extract ensures a premium taste experience. The detailed instructions guarantee successful results, and the inclusion of unsweetened cocoa powder and peppermint bits adds depth and texture to the cookies. Trust the expertise behind this recipe to elevate your baking experience and indulge in a delightful treat.
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