Chewy Double Chocolate Peppermint Cookies

By courtneyepowell

Ingredients

• 1/2 c (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
• 3/4 c sugar
• 1 egg
• 1/4 t natural peppermint extract
• 1 1/4 c unbleached all purpose flour (or whole wheat pastry)
• 1/3 c cocoa powder
• 1/4 t salt
• 1/2 t baking soda
• 1/4 t baking powder
• 1 candy cane, finely crushed
• 1/3 c dark, bittersweet or semisweet chocolate chips

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350.

In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar together for about 1-2 mins. Add egg, peppermint extract and beat until light and fluffy, scraping down the sides as you go to ensure even mixing.

Add flour, salt, cocoa powder, baking soda and powder to a sifter and sift gradually over the wet ingredients mixing as you go. Mix until well combined.

Add chocolate chips and stir in with a mixing spoon and then chill in the freezer for 10 mins while oven finishes heating.

Form the dough into small balls (heaping 1 T) and place 1.5 inches apart on an ungreased or parchment-lined baking sheet. Press the tops down and then top with a few more chocolate chips (to indicate what's inside).

Bake 10-12 mins - the edges should start to dry but the tops will still be slightly soft looking. Let set on the cookie sheet for a few mins more but sprinkle crushed candy cane on immediately.

Transfer to a cooling rack to rest until completely cooled. Store in an airtight container to keep fresh for up to a few days or freeze for several weeks.