Chocolate Peppermint Cake Mix Cookies
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Whip up these festive chocolate peppermint cake mix cookies for a holiday treat that’s fast, fun, and full of minty-chocolate goodness. No fancy equipment, just a cake mix, a few pantry staples, and peppermint candy for that seasonal crunch. This will be your new cookie swap fave!
If you’re looking for a quick, festive cookie that delivers big on flavor with minimal fuss, these chocolate peppermint cake mix cookies hit the spot. Using a boxed chocolate cake mix, a few simple pantry staples, and crunchy peppermint candy, you’ll get cookies that are soft, chewy, minty and chocolatey—all rolled into one. Whether you’re baking for a holiday gathering or just craving a cozy sweet treat, these cookies are a winner.
You know we love a dessert that starts with a box of cake mix. I’ve tried delicious flavors like our 3‑ingredient pumpkin cake mix cookies for Thanksgiving and these carrot cake mix cookies for Easter so I figured it was about time we make a Christmas version!
These soft, rich, chocolate cookies are dipped in chocolate and topped with crunchy peppermint are the perfect addition to a holiday cookie exchange!
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Chocolate cake mix – This is the base of your dough, giving you flavor and structure. If you’d rather go darker, try devil’s food or dark chocolate.
- Eggs – These help bind the dough and give the cookies a rich, tender texture. You can try a flax egg as a sub, but the texture will change.
- Vegetable oil – Keeps the cookies soft and moist. You could use light olive oil or melted coconut oil for a different flavor.
- Peppermint extract – This boosts the peppermint flavor throughout the whole cookie.
- Chocolate chips – Dipping your cookies into melted chocolate takes them to the next level.
- Peppermint candy – Broken into small pieces. These little peppermint chips will the topping for your cookies.
Instructions
Step 1- Mix the dough. In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, eggs, vegetable oil, and peppermint extract. Stir until everything comes together into a soft dough.
Step 2 – Chill the dough. Refrigerate the dough for 20–30 minutes. It helps keep the cookies from spreading too much.
Step 3 – Preheat the oven. Set your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 4 – Portion out dough. Scoop the chilled dough into 2-tablespoon portions (about 1.5 oz) and roll into balls. Place them 2 inches apart on the sheet.
Step 5 – Bake. Bake for 9–11 minutes, just until the edges are set but the centers are still soft.
Step 6 – Cool. Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 7 – Prep the toppings. While the cookies cool crush the peppermint into small pieces. Chop the chocolate chips up roughly and add to a mmicrowave-safe bowl.
Step 8 – Melt chocolate. Once the cookies are cool place the bowl of chopped chocolate in the microwave and cook for 30 seconds before stirring and then continuing to cook for 15 seconds at a time until melted and smooth.
Step 9 – Decorate. Dip each cookie into the melted chocolate so that it coats one half. Sprinkle crushed peppermint over the chocolate and set cookies aside to allow the chocolate to harden.
Step 10 – Serve. Once the chocolate has hardened enjoy!
Don’t miss our list of The Best Christmas Cookies: A Holiday Baking Guide
Expert Tips & Tricks
- Watch the time – Bake just until the edges look set. These cookies firm up as they cool.
- Don’t skip the chill – Chilling helps keep the cookies thick and chewy.
- Size matters – Use a cookie scoop for even baking. If your dough balls are too large or small, you’ll get uneven cookies.
- Use parchment paper – It prevents sticking and makes cleanup easier.
Serving Suggestions
Serve these cookies with a big mug of hot chocolate or alongside your favorite seasonal drink. They’re perfect on a cookie platter with other holiday treats, or sandwich a little vanilla ice cream between two for a simple winter dessert.
Hosting a cookie exchange? These are ideal. They look festive, taste amazing, and don’t require hours in the kitchen. You can even box them up as a sweet edible gift.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Absolutely! Devil’s food or fudge cake mix works beautifully. Even red velvet could be fun for a Valentine’s Day twist.
Yes! The dough can chill in the fridge for up to 24 hours. You can also portion and freeze it for later.
Freeze dough balls on a tray until solid, then store in a freezer bag. Bake from frozen at 350°F, adding 1–2 minutes to the time.
They’re perfect! They pack well and stay soft for several days, making them great for holiday cookie boxes.
Storage & Reheating
Room Temp: Store cookies in an airtight container at room temp for up to 5 days.
Freezer: Freeze baked cookies or dough balls in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
To Reheat: Warm baked cookies in the microwave for 10 seconds or pop in the oven at 300°F for 3–5 minutes to refresh.
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Chocolate Peppermint Cake Mix Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 box Chocolate Cake Mix
- 2 large Eggs
- ½ cup Vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon Peppermint Extract
- 2 cups Chocolate chips
- 1 cup Crushed Peppermint
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, eggs, vegetable oil, and peppermint extract. Stir until everything comes together into a soft dough.
- Refrigerate the dough for 20–30 minutes. It helps keep the cookies from spreading too much.
- Set your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Scoop the chilled dough into 2-tablespoon portions (about 1.5 oz) and roll into balls. Place them 2 inches apart on the sheet.
- Bake for 9–11 minutes, just until the edges are set but the centers are still soft.
- Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- While the cookies cool crush the peppermint into small pieces. Chop the chocolate chips up roughly and add to a microwave-safe bowl.
- Once the cookies are cool place the bowl of chopped chocolate in the microwave and cook for 30 seconds before stirring and then continuing to cook for 15 seconds at a time until melted and smooth.
- Dip each cookie into the melted chocolate so that it coats one half. Sprinkle crushed peppermint over the chocolate and set cookies aside to allow the chocolate to harden.
- Once the chocolate has hardened enjoy!
Nutrition
