Irresistibly Soft & Chewy Peppermint White Chocolate Chip Cookies: Your Ultimate Holiday Treat

Step into the festive season with a batch of these truly irresistible peppermint white chocolate chip cookies. They are the epitome of holiday baking: wonderfully soft, perfectly chewy, and bursting with a delightful fusion of cool peppermint and sweet white chocolate. Whether you prefer them adorned with a sprinkle of sparkling sanding sugar or elegantly drizzled with extra melted white chocolate, these cookies are destined to become your new favorite holiday tradition, bringing joy and a touch of magic to every bite.

As the holiday season approaches, there’s a distinct feeling in the air that calls for cozy evenings, classic Christmas movies, and, of course, endless cookie baking. For many, this time of year signifies a delightful pause from daily responsibilities, inviting us to embrace warmth and simple pleasures. And if there’s one recipe that always tops my holiday baking list, it’s these spectacular peppermint white chocolate chip cookies!

This cherished recipe has graced my kitchen and my website since 2013, making a festive appearance every single holiday season without fail. It’s a tradition I eagerly anticipate each year, and for good reason! These cookies boast an incredibly soft and remarkably chewy texture, delivering an explosion of flavor from the generous quantities of creamy white chocolate chips, vibrant peppermint bits, and a hint of refreshing peppermint extract. The combination creates a truly harmonious taste experience that captures the very essence of the holidays.

It takes just one batch – perhaps even just one single bite – for these white chocolate peppermint cookies to firmly establish themselves as a treasured favorite in your own holiday repertoire. Prepare for them to vanish quickly!

Table of Contents

• Why You’ll Love These Peppermint White Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Essential Ingredients for Your Peppermint White Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make Peppermint White Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Expert Tips for Perfect Peppermint White Chocolate Chip Cookies
• More Festive Holiday Cookie Recipes
• Get the Full Recipe

Why You’ll Love These Peppermint White Chocolate Chip Cookies

• Unbeatable Texture: These cookies are celebrated for their incredible softness, coupled with just the right amount of delightful chewiness. They’re never dry or crumbly, always tender and inviting.
• Holiday Flavor Symphony: White chocolate and peppermint are truly a match made in heaven, especially during the holidays. This combination evokes all the cozy, joyful feelings of the season with every single bite. It’s like Christmas in a cookie!
• Superior Peppermint Bits: We use peppermint crunch baking chips because they maintain their shape and flavor beautifully during baking. Unlike crushed candy canes, which can melt and alter the cookie’s texture, these chips provide a consistent, satisfying crunch and burst of mint.
• No Chilling Required: Forget the waiting game! This recipe is incredibly convenient and easy, requiring absolutely no chilling of the dough. You can go from mixing bowl to warm cookies in under 30 minutes.
• Versatile Presentation: These cookies are absolutely delicious as-is, with their rustic charm. However, for those special occasions, you can easily dress them up with a sprinkle of festive sanding sugar or an elegant drizzle of melted white chocolate for an extra touch of sophistication.

So, what are we waiting for? Let’s get baking and fill your home with the enchanting aroma of these amazing holiday treats!

Essential Ingredients for Your Peppermint White Chocolate Chip Cookies

Crafting these delectable peppermint white chocolate chip cookies starts with a selection of high-quality ingredients, each playing a crucial role in achieving that perfect taste and texture:

• Unsalted Butter: Ensure your butter is softened to room temperature. This is key for creating a smooth, creamy base when combined with the sugars and helps achieve that tender crumb.
• Cream Cheese: This is our special secret ingredient! Full-fat cream cheese, also at room temperature, works wonders. It not only adds a subtle tang but also contributes significantly to the cookies’ incredibly soft and tender texture, making them melt-in-your-mouth delicious.
• Granulated Sugar & Brown Sugar: The combination of both sugars is intentional. Granulated sugar provides crispness and sweetness, while packed light or dark brown sugar introduces moisture, a rich, caramelized flavor, and that irresistible chewy texture we all love in a perfect cookie.
• Large Eggs: Eggs act as a binder, adding structure and richness to the dough. Make sure they are at room temperature to emulsify better with the fats.
• Vanilla Extract: A staple in almost any cookie recipe, vanilla extract enhances all the other flavors, adding a warm, aromatic depth that complements the peppermint beautifully.
• Peppermint Extract: This is where the magic happens for the holiday flavor! A small amount of peppermint extract delivers a powerful punch of refreshing mint, elevating these from ordinary to extraordinary holiday cookies.
• All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of our cookie structure. Proper measurement is crucial here to prevent dry or dense cookies.
• Baking Soda & Salt: Baking soda provides the lift and contributes to the chewy texture by reacting with acidic ingredients, while salt balances the sweetness and enhances all the flavors, making them pop.
• White Chocolate Chips: I highly recommend using good quality white chocolate chips made with real cocoa butter for the best flavor and melt. However, any standard white chocolate chips will work wonderfully, adding creamy sweetness.
• Peppermint Crunch Baking Chips: These are an absolute MUST for the quintessential peppermint experience! Andes brand is my personal favorite, as they bake beautifully without melting away. They can sometimes be a seasonal find in stores, but thankfully, you can almost always find them readily available on Amazon. Trust me, they are definitely worth the purchase for that perfect festive touch!
• Sanding Sugar or More White Chocolate: (Optional, for garnish and decoration) For an extra visual appeal and a slight crunch, a sprinkle of coarse or sanding sugar before baking is lovely. Alternatively, a drizzle of melted white chocolate after baking adds an elegant finish.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make Peppermint White Chocolate Chip Cookies

Creating these delightful peppermint white chocolate chip cookies is a straightforward process, promising delicious results with every batch. Follow these easy steps to holiday baking perfection:

1. Cream Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, or the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, combine the softened butter, cream cheese, brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Beat on medium speed for about 2-3 minutes until the mixture is light, fluffy, and creamy. Remember to scrape down the sides of the bowl periodically to ensure everything is well combined.
2. Incorporate Eggs and Extracts: Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition until fully incorporated. Then, stir in the vanilla extract and, importantly, the peppermint extract. Mix until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
3. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. This ensures even distribution of the leavening agent and seasoning throughout the dough.
4. Add Dry to Wet: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients in the mixer. Mix on low speed just until the flour streaks disappear and the dough starts to come together. Avoid overmixing, as this can lead to tough cookies.
5. Fold in Chips: Gently fold in the white chocolate chips and the peppermint crunch chips. Mix just until they are evenly distributed throughout the dough. You want to see those beautiful chips without breaking them up too much.
   
6. Portion and Decorate (Optional): Using a cookie scoop (about 1.5 to 2 tablespoons), portion the dough into balls. If you’re using sanding sugar, gently roll each dough ball in the sugar for a beautiful, sparkling finish. Place the dough balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet, ensuring they are spaced about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
7. Bake to Perfection: Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for approximately 9-11 minutes, or until the edges are just beginning to turn golden brown and the tops show slight cracks. The centers might still look a little soft, which is perfect for that chewy texture. The key is to avoid overbaking!
8. Cool and Finish: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. If desired, melt an additional ½ cup of white chocolate chips (using the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring until smooth) and drizzle generously over the cooled cookies for an extra touch of elegance and flavor.

And there you have it! Your batch of homemade peppermint white chocolate chip cookies is ready to be enjoyed. I truly hope you’ll adore these cookies as much as I do. They are simply sensational – always the first to disappear at any potluck, party, or family gathering. Get ready for compliments!

Expert Tips for Perfect Peppermint White Chocolate Chip Cookies

Achieving cookie perfection is all about the details. Here are some pro tips to ensure your peppermint white chocolate chip cookies turn out wonderfully every time:

• Peppermint Crunch Substitutions: If you’re having trouble finding peppermint crunch baking chips, don’t despair! You have a few alternatives:
  • Crushed Candy Canes: While they will melt in the oven and impart a slightly different, chewier texture, crushed candy canes can be used. Consider sprinkling them on top of the baked cookies instead of mixing them into the dough for better visual appeal.
  • Seasonal Baking Aisle: Keep an eye out in the seasonal aisle of your local grocery store. Many manufacturers release similar peppermint baking items during the holidays.
  • Omit for Pure White Chocolate: If all else fails, you can simply omit them and enjoy a pure white chocolate chip cookie with a hint of peppermint extract!
• Room Temperature Butter is Key: Ensure your butter is truly at room temperature. It should be soft enough that a gentle press with your finger leaves an indent, but it shouldn’t be shiny, greasy, or melting. Butter that is too soft or melted will cause your cookies to spread excessively in the oven, leading to flat results.
• Softened Cream Cheese: Just like butter, your full-fat cream cheese should also be at room temperature and soft. This allows it to cream smoothly with the butter and sugars, contributing to the cookies’ signature soft and tender texture. If you’re in a hurry, here are some quick tips for softening cream cheese.
• Measure Flour Accurately: This is a common pitfall in baking! Always be sure to measure your flour correctly. All my recipes are tested using the spoon and level method, which prevents overpacking the flour. Too much flour can result in dry, crumbly, or cakey cookies, while too little can make them spread too much.
• Parchment Paper is Your Friend: For effortless baking and easy cleanup, I highly recommend using pre-cut parchment sheets. They prevent sticking and promote even baking.
• Freezing Cookie Dough: These cookies are fantastic for freezing! You can easily freeze portioned cookie dough balls. Simply arrange them on a baking sheet and freeze until solid, then transfer to an airtight freezer bag. You can then bake fresh cookies on demand, straight from the freezer (add a minute or two to the baking time).
• Storage: These delightful cookies will stay fresh at room temperature in an airtight container for about a week. However, for the best flavor and texture, I highly recommend enjoying them within a few days of baking.

More Festive Holiday Cookie Recipes

If you’ve loved these peppermint white chocolate chip cookies, you’re in for a treat! The holiday season is a wonderful time to explore new baking adventures. Here are a few more of my favorite festive cookie recipes that are perfect for sharing, gifting, or simply enjoying with a warm cup of cocoa:

Get the Full Recipe

This beloved recipe was originally published in December 2013 and has been a holiday favorite ever since.

4.41 from 5 reviews

Peppermint White Chocolate Chip Cookies

Servings: 24 cookies

Prep Time: 15 minutes mins

Cook Time: 10 minutes mins

Total Time: 25 minutes mins

These incredibly soft and chewy white chocolate chip cookies are infused with a delightful hint of peppermint, making them absolutely perfect for all your holiday baking endeavors. The addition of cream cheese as a secret ingredient gives these cookies an extra special tender quality that you’ll adore!

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Ingredients

• ▢ ½ cup unsalted butter , softened to room temperature (1 stick, 113 grams)
• ▢ 3 oz full fat cream cheese , softened to room temperature (85 grams)
• ▢ 1 cup packed light or dark brown sugar (210 grams)
• ▢ ½ cup granulated sugar (100 grams)
• ▢ 2 large eggs
• ▢ 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon peppermint extract
• ▢ 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour (300 grams)
• ▢ 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ▢ ½ teaspoon salt
• ▢ 1 cup white chocolate chips (170 grams)
• ▢ 1 cup peppermint crunch baking chips , see Notes (140 grams)
• ▢ Coarse or sanding sugar , for sprinkling
• ▢ ½ cup white chocolate chips , for drizzling (optional)

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Instructions

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190°C). Line a sheet pan with parchment paper.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, or in a large bowl with a hand-held mixer, beat together the softened butter, cream cheese, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and creamy, about 3 minutes. Be sure to scrape down the bowl as needed to ensure all ingredients are well combined. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition, then stir in the vanilla and peppermint extracts until just combined.
• In a separate medium bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients in the mixer. Mix on low speed just until the dough starts to come together and no streaks of dry flour remain. Gently mix in the white chocolate chips and peppermint crunch chips until they are evenly incorporated into the dough. Avoid overmixing.
• Using a cookie scoop, roll cookie dough into rounded tablespoons (the dough may be slightly sticky). Place the dough balls on the prepared sheet pan, ensuring they are spaced about 2 inches apart. If using coarse or sanding sugar, sprinkle it generously over the tops of the cookie dough balls. Bake for approximately 9-11 minutes, or until the edges just begin to turn golden and the tops show slight cracks. Do not over bake! Let the cookies cool on the sheet pan for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

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Notes

NOTES:

• I highly recommend using Andes brand peppermint crunch baking chips for these cookies due to their superior baking properties and flavor. You might find them in some stores around the holidays, but they can be elusive. You can also conveniently buy them online. Other similar products will work well, and in a pinch, crushed candy canes can be used, though be aware they may melt more during baking.
• To melt white chocolate chips for drizzling, place them in a heat-proof, microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in short 30-second increments, stirring well after each interval, until the chocolate is smooth and fully melted. Be careful not to overheat to avoid seizing.
• The provided nutrition information is an estimate based on standard calculations.

Calories: 244kcal, Carbohydrates: 34g, Protein: 3g, Fat: 11g, Saturated Fat: 8g, Cholesterol: 29mg, Sodium: 127mg, Potassium: 58mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 23g, Vitamin A: 188IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 46mg, Iron: 1mg

Cuisine: American

Course: Dessert

Author: Annalise Sandberg

Have you tried this recipe?I’d love to hear about it! Leave a rating and review below, or take a photo and tag it on Instagram @completelydelicious with #completelydelicious.