Easy & Healthy Peppermint Bark Cookies
These delightful cookies combine rich chocolate and refreshing peppermint for a perfect holiday treat. Simple to make and wonderfully festive!
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 0.5 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 0.5 tsp baking powder
- 0.5 tsp salt
- 8 ounces quality dark chocolate (bars or chips), for coating
- 4 ounces white chocolate for drizzling
- 0.5 cup crushed peppermint candies or candy canes
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to a cozy 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together until it's wonderfully light and fluffy – this creates the perfect foundation for our delicious cookies. Then, mix in the egg and vanilla extract until everything is nicely combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, rich unsweetened cocoa powder, baking powder, and a pinch of salt.
- Gradually add the dry mixture to your wet ingredients, stirring gently until a soft, uniform dough forms. Remember not to overmix to keep your cookies perfectly tender!
- Lightly flour your work surface and roll out the dough to about 1/4 inch thick. Use a 2.5 to 3-inch round cookie cutter to create your cookie shapes, then carefully place them onto the prepared baking sheets.
- Pop them into the oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges feel firm. Let them cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely – this step is key for a great texture.
- Once your cookies are cool, gently melt the dark chocolate. You can use a microwave (in short 30-second bursts, stirring each time) or a double boiler. Dip the top of each cookie into the melted chocolate, letting any excess drip off, then place them back on parchment paper. Chill them in the fridge for 10-15 minutes to set.
- After the dark chocolate has set, melt the white chocolate using the same gentle method. Drizzle it artfully over the set dark chocolate using a spoon or a piping bag for a beautiful, festive touch.
- Immediately sprinkle the crushed peppermint candies over the white chocolate before it hardens, gently pressing them in so they stick perfectly.
- Let the cookies chill again until all the chocolate is completely set. Now, you can enjoy your wholesome and delightful holiday treats!
Notes
Enjoy these wholesome and delightful holiday treats!
Nutrition Information (per serving): Calories: 220 kcal, Total Carbs: 26g, Net Carbs: 24g, Fats: 14g, Protein: 2g.
