Chocolate Peppermint Cookie Cups: 5 Irresistible Bites

1. Indulge in Chocolate Peppermint Cookie Cups: The Perfect Holiday Treat
2. Why You’ll Love These Chocolate Peppermint Cookie Cups
3. What You’ll Need: Ingredients for Chocolate Peppermint Bliss
4. How to Make Chocolate Peppermint Cookie Cups: A Step-by-Step Guide
5. Expert Tips for the Best Results
6. Variations and Substitutions to Customize Your Cookie Cups
7. Serving Suggestions: Elevate Your Experience
8. Storing Your Delicious Treats
9. Foire Aux Questions

Welcome to the ultimate holiday treat that will have everyone reaching for seconds! These Chocolate Peppermint Cookie Cups are delightful, five-bite wonders that perfectly capture the festive spirit. Combining a soft, chewy chocolate cookie base with a rich, creamy peppermint filling, this recipe is a must-try for any fan of classic holiday flavors. Get ready to create the most talked-about dessert at your next gathering.

This easy recipe is perfect for bakers of all skill levels. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting your holiday baking journey, you’ll find these mini desserts simple to make and impossible to resist. Let’s bake some magic together!

1. Indulge in Chocolate Peppermint Cookie Cups: The Perfect Holiday Treat

There’s something truly special about the combination of deep, dark chocolate and cool, crisp peppermint. It’s a flavor profile that instantly brings to mind cozy nights, festive lights, and the joy of the holiday season. These Chocolate Peppermint Cookie Cups are the embodiment of that feeling.

Unlike traditional cookies, these are baked in a mini muffin tin, creating a perfect cup shape that holds a luscious peppermint cream center. They are the ideal make-ahead treat for parties, cookie exchanges, or a quiet night in with a warm drink. This is more than just a cookie; it’s a complete dessert experience in one little package.

2. Why You’ll Love These Chocolate Peppermint Cookie Cups

Still on the fence? Let me tell you why this will become your new go-to recipe for holiday baking. These treats are not only delicious but also incredibly versatile and fun to make.

Perfectly Portioned: Each cookie cup is a satisfying, individual dessert, making them ideal for portion control and easy serving at parties. No cutting or slicing required!
Festive & Beautiful: The rich brown of the cookie, the bright white of the filling, and a sprinkle of crushed candy canes make for a visually stunning treat that looks as good as it tastes.
Incredibly Easy: With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, this is a fantastic easy Christmas recipe for bakers of any experience level.
Make-Ahead Friendly: You can prepare the components or even the entire batch ahead of time, freeing you up on the day of your event.

3. What You’ll Need: Ingredients for Chocolate Peppermint Bliss

The magic starts with high-quality ingredients. Here’s everything you’ll need to create these amazing Chocolate Peppermint Cookie Cups. For the best chocolate flavor, I recommend using a good Dutch-process cocoa powder, which you can learn more about in this guide on different types of cocoa from King Arthur Baking.

All-Purpose Flour: The structural base for our cookie dough.
Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: For that deep, rich chocolate flavor.
Baking Soda: Helps the cookie cups puff up perfectly.

Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the chocolate.
Unsalted Butter: Softened to room temperature for a creamy dough.
Granulated & Brown Sugar: A mix for the perfect chewiness and sweetness.
Egg: Binds the dough together.
Vanilla Extract: Adds a layer of warmth and complexity.
Cream Cheese: Softened, for the creamy peppermint filling.
Powdered Sugar: To sweeten and thicken the filling.
Peppermint Extract: The star of the show for that cool, minty flavor.
Crushed Candy Canes or Peppermint Candies: For a festive and crunchy topping.

4. How to Make Chocolate Peppermint Cookie Cups: A Step-by-Step Guide

Ready to get started? Follow these simple steps to create your very own batch of these delightful treats. It’s easier than you think!

4.1. Step 1: Preparing the Chocolate Cookie Dough

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 24-cup mini muffin tin.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Set this dry mixture aside.
In a separate large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the softened unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until just combined. Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until a soft dough forms. Do not overmix!

4.2. Step 2: Forming the Cookie Cups

Scoop about 1 tablespoon of the chocolate cookie dough for each cup. Roll it into a ball and place one ball into each prepared mini muffin cup.
Using your thumb or the back of a small spoon, gently press down in the center of each dough ball to create a small indentation or “cup” shape. This will hold the peppermint filling later.

4.3. Step 3: Baking to Perfection

Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are set. The centers will still be soft.
Remove the tin from the oven. If the indentations have puffed up, immediately use the back of a small spoon to gently press them down again to re-form the cup shape.
Let the Chocolate Peppermint Cookie Cups cool completely in the muffin tin before carefully removing them. This is crucial to prevent them from breaking.

4.4. Step 4: Adding the Peppermint Twist

While the cookie cups are cooling, prepare the filling. In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth.
Gradually beat in the powdered sugar until fully incorporated and smooth. Stir in the peppermint extract. Start with 1/4 teaspoon and add more to taste.
Once the cookie cups are completely cool, pipe or spoon the peppermint filling into the center of each one.
Sprinkle the tops with crushed candy canes just before serving for the perfect festive touch.

5. Expert Tips for the Best Results

A few simple tricks can take your Chocolate Peppermint Cookie Cups from great to absolutely unforgettable. Here are my top tips for success.

Don’t Overbake: The key to a soft, chewy cookie cup is to slightly underbake it. The cookies will continue to set as they cool in the hot muffin tin.
Cool Completely: I can’t stress this enough! Attempting to remove warm cookie cups from the tin will likely result in them crumbling. Patience is key.
Chill the Dough: If your kitchen is warm and the dough feels too sticky, chill it for 20-30 minutes. This will make it much easier to roll into balls.
Fresh Topping: Add the crushed candy canes right before serving. If added too early, the moisture from the filling can cause them to become soft and sticky.

6. Variations and Substitutions to Customize Your Cookie Cups

One of the best things about this recipe is how easily you can adapt it! Feel free to get creative and make these mini desserts your own. See others recipes here for more holiday inspiration!

White Chocolate Drizzle: After filling, drizzle the tops with melted white chocolate for an elegant, peppermint bark inspired look.
Different Filling: Not a fan of peppermint? Swap the peppermint extract for vanilla, almond, or even a hint of orange extract.
Add-Ins: Mix mini chocolate chips into the cookie dough for an extra layer of chocolatey goodness.
Gluten-Free Option: Substitute the all-purpose flour with a high-quality 1-to-1 gluten-free baking flour blend.

7. Serving Suggestions: Elevate Your Experience

These Chocolate Peppermint Cookie Cups are a star on their own, but they also play well with others. Arrange them on a platter with other Christmas cookies for a beautiful and diverse dessert spread. They are fantastic served alongside a cup of hot cocoa, coffee, or even a glass of cold milk.

For a more decadent dessert, serve two or three cookie cups alongside a small scoop of vanilla bean or peppermint ice cream. The contrast of the warm (gently reheated) cookie cup with the cold ice cream is simply divine. This is one of the best chocolate peppermint desserts for any occasion.

8. Storing Your Delicious Treats

Proper storage is essential to keep your Chocolate Peppermint Cookie Cups fresh and delicious. Because of the cream cheese filling, they must be stored in the refrigerator.

Place the finished cookie cups in a single layer in an airtight container. They will keep in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. For the best texture, I recommend letting them sit at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes before serving to allow the cookie to soften slightly.

Foire Aux Questions

Can I make these Chocolate Peppermint Cookie Cups ahead of time?

Absolutely! This is a great make-ahead recipe. You can bake the cookie cups and store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days before filling. You can also prepare the peppermint filling and keep it in a separate airtight container in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to serve, simply fill the cups and add the candy cane topping.

Can I freeze these cookie cups?

Yes, they freeze beautifully. For best results, freeze the unfilled cookie cups in a single layer on a baking sheet before transferring them to a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw them at room temperature before preparing the filling and serving. I do not recommend freezing them after they have been filled, as the cream cheese filling’s texture can change upon thawing.

My cookie cups spread too much. What did I do wrong?

This is a common issue that is usually easy to fix! The most likely culprit is butter that was too soft or melted. Your butter should be at a cool room temperature—soft enough to cream with sugar, but not greasy. If your dough feels overly soft or sticky, chilling it in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before scooping and baking can make a huge difference and prevent excess spreading.