The holiday season brings a swirl of excitement, and there’s nothing quite like the cheerful cheer of fresh-baked cookies to fill your home with warmth. Picture this: the sweet scent of chocolate melding with a hint of cool peppermint, wafting through the air as you prepare a batch of Easy Christmas Peppermint Oreo Cookies.
These delightful treats are not just easy to whip up; they’re a festive delight that will dazzle everyone at your holiday gatherings. I discovered this recipe while trying to impress friends at a cookie exchange, and let me tell you, the combination of rich chocolate and refreshing peppermint was a game-changer! Each cookie is a perfect blend of chewy and tender, and they come together with minimal effort—ideal for those bustling days leading up to the holidays.
With this recipe, you have the freedom to get creative with substitutions, ensuring that you can adapt it to your pantry or dietary preferences without stress. So, whether you’re baking for a family gathering or simply indulging in a homemade treat, get ready to spread some holiday joy with these irresistible cookies!
Why are Christmas Peppermint Oreo Cookies Must-Try?
Festive Flavor Explosion: These cookies bring seasonal joy with a delightful mix of chocolate and peppermint.
Quick and Easy: Perfect for busy bakers—whip them up in no time!
Customizable: Feel free to swap ingredients to match your pantry or dietary needs.
Crowd-Pleaser: Ideal for holiday gatherings or cookie exchanges, sure to impress your friends and family.
Beautiful Presentation: Their vibrant colors and festive appeal make them a stunning addition to any dessert table.
Get ready to make your holidays even sweeter with this easy recipe!
Christmas Peppermint Oreo Cookies Ingredients
For the Cookie Dough
• Cold Butter – Provides the cookie’s rich flavor and chewy texture; avoid softening for best results.
• Light Brown Sugar – Adds moisture and chewiness; swap with dark brown sugar for a deeper flavor.
• Granulated Sugar – Contributes sweetness and texture balance; no specific substitutions needed.
• Large Eggs – Binds ingredients and helps cookies rise; fresh eggs are recommended with no substitutions.
• Vanilla Extract – Enhances overall flavor; almond extract can be a fun substitute for a twist.
• All-Purpose Flour – Provides structure; consider replacing some with whole wheat flour for a healthier option.
• Cornstarch – Keeps the cookies soft and tender; replace it with a little flour if needed.
• Baking Soda – Helps cookies rise; this is essential for a great texture.
• Salt – Balances sweetness; you can use kosher or sea salt if preferred.
For the Peppermint Flavor
• Andes Peppermint Baking Bits – Adds bursts of peppermint flavor perfect for Christmas Peppermint Oreo Cookies; substitute with crushed candy canes if desired.
• Oreo Cookies – The classic chocolate cookie base; mint Oreos can amp up the minty flavor.
• Semisweet Chocolate Chips – Provides additional chocolate depth; feel free to mix in dark or white chocolate chips for variety.
Get ready to create a batch that will bring smiles and festive cheer, one cookie at a time!
How to Make Christmas Peppermint Oreo Cookies
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Preheat Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). This ensures that your cookies bake evenly and turn out perfectly!
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Cream Together: In a mixer, cream together the cold butter, light brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. This step builds a beautiful base for your cookies.
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Add Eggs and Vanilla: Add in the large eggs and vanilla extract, mixing until everything is well incorporated. Look for a smooth and cohesive mixture.
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Mix Dry Ingredients: Gradually mix in the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt at low speed. Stop mixing when just combined to keep your cookies tender and delicious!
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Fold in Mix-ins: Gently fold in the Andes peppermint baking bits, chopped Oreo cookies, and semisweet chocolate chips by hand. This adds bursts of flavor and a delightful texture!
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Scoop Dough: Using a 1/4 cup measuring scoop, portion out the cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart for even baking.
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Bake Cookies: Place the sheets in the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, until the edges are golden, but the centers remain soft. This ensures a chewy texture.
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Cool Cookies: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps maintain their shape and texture.
Optional: Drizzle with melted chocolate for an extra festive touch!
Exact quantities are listed in the recipe card below.
Expert Tips for Christmas Peppermint Oreo Cookies
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Chill the Dough: Refrigerate your cookie dough for at least 2 hours. This prevents excessive spreading and helps maintain the cookie’s chewy texture.
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Don’t Overmix: When adding the flour mixture, mix just until combined. Overmixing can lead to tough cookies, so mix gently for the best result.
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Use Cold Butter: Cold, cubed butter is key to achieving that rich, chewy texture. Avoid using softened butter for optimal results.
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Check for Doneness: Bake the cookies until the edges are golden, but the centers remain soft. This slight underbaking helps create a delightful chewy bite.
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Store Properly: Keep your Christmas Peppermint Oreo Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Adding a slice of bread helps maintain their freshness.
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Freezing Options: Consider freezing the unbaked dough or baked cookies for later enjoyment, making it a breeze to access delicious treats anytime!
How to Store and Freeze Christmas Peppermint Oreo Cookies
Room Temperature: Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Adding a slice of bread helps maintain their softness.
Fridge: You can refrigerate these cookies if you want them to last a bit longer, but they are best enjoyed fresh. They can stay in the fridge for about a week.
Freezer: For longer storage, freeze baked cookies for up to 3 months. To freeze, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to an airtight container.
Reheating: To enjoy frozen cookies, simply let them thaw at room temperature or pop them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds. Enjoy your delicious Christmas Peppermint Oreo Cookies any time!
What to Serve with Christmas Peppermint Oreo Cookies?
These festive cookies are a delightful treat that can elevate any holiday gathering!
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Hot Chocolate: The rich, sweet flavor of hot chocolate beautifully complements the peppermint and chocolate notes of the cookies, creating a cozy pairing.
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Peppermint Milkshake: A creamy and minty shake enhances the holiday spirit. The coolness of the milkshake will elevate the cookie’s flavor profile beautifully.
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Vanilla Ice Cream: Vanilla ice cream’s creamy sweetness provides a perfect balance to the crunchy, peppermint-coated cookies. A scoop served alongside will make your dessert unforgettable.
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Fruit Salad: Fresh, vibrant fruits can provide a refreshing contrast to the rich cookies. The juicy bites will cleanse the palate beautifully between treats.
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Coffee or Espresso: A warm cup of coffee offers a comforting contrast to the sweet treat, making it a sophisticated choice that elevates the experience.
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Chocolate Ganache: Drizzling warm chocolate ganache over the cookies can enhance the indulgence, inviting extra joy in every bite.
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Peppermint Tea: This fragrant tea will complement each cookie’s peppermint, creating a refreshing yet soothing drink after a sweet treat.
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Whipped Cream Topping: Add a dollop of luscious whipped cream on the side for a light, airy complement that offsets the cookies’ richness.
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Sugar Cookie Bars: The sweet, buttery taste of sugar cookie bars provides a fun alternate dessert that appeals to cookie lovers of all ages at holiday gatherings.
Christmas Peppermint Oreo Cookies Variations
Feel free to unleash your creativity and customize these festive cookies to match your taste!
- Gluten-Free: Substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend for a delightful gluten-free version.
- Minty Fresh: Replace regular Oreos with mint Oreos for an extra punch of mint flavor that truly shines.
- Nutty Delight: Add chopped walnuts or pecans into the dough for a delightful crunch that complements the chewy texture.
- White Chocolate Joy: Swap semisweet chocolate chips for white chocolate chips, adding a creamy sweetness that pairs beautifully with peppermint.
- Dark Chocolate Twist: Use dark chocolate chips instead of semisweet for a rich, intense chocolate experience.
- Coconut Flake Surprise: Fold in some sweetened shredded coconut for a tropical twist that adds texture and flavor.
- Spicy Kick: Mix in a pinch of cayenne pepper or cinnamon to introduce a warm, spicy note that beautifully contrasts with the cold peppermint.
- Dried Fruit Addition: Consider adding chopped dried cherries or cranberries for a chewy burst of tartness that brightens each bite.
Make Ahead Options
These Easy Christmas Peppermint Oreo Cookies are perfect for meal prep, making your holiday baking stress-free! You can prepare the cookie dough up to 24 hours in advance. Simply follow the recipe up to the scooping step, then wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate. This not only enhances the flavors but also prevents excessive spreading while baking. When you’re ready to bake, scoop the chilled dough onto baking sheets and bake as directed. Alternatively, you can freeze the formed cookie dough for up to 3 months; just let it thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking. These make-ahead options ensure that your cookies will be just as delicious with minimal last-minute effort!
Christmas Peppermint Oreo Cookies Recipe FAQs
What type of butter should I use for the cookies?
Absolutely, I recommend using cold, cubed butter. This will provide the rich flavor and chewy texture that makes these cookies so delightful. Softened butter can lead to overly spread cookies, so stick with cold for the best results!
How long can I store my Christmas Peppermint Oreo Cookies?
You can keep these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. To maintain their softness, add a slice of bread to the container. This little trick works wonders and keeps your cookies nice and fresh!
Can I freeze the cookie dough or baked cookies?
Yes, you can easily freeze both! For the dough, scoop it out onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, freeze until firm, then transfer the balls to an airtight container or zip-top bag for up to 3 months. For baked cookies, allow them to cool completely, then store in an airtight container or freezer bag for the same duration. When you’re ready, just thaw and enjoy!
What if my cookies turn out too flat?
If your cookies spread too much, it could be due to using softened butter or insufficient chilling of the dough. Always ensure the butter is cold and try chilling the dough for at least 2 hours before baking. This helps control the spread and keeps them nice and thick!
Can these cookies be made gluten-free?
Certainly! You can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free 1:1 baking flour. However, be sure to check the baking soda’s label to confirm it’s gluten-free. Additionally, be cautious about cross-contamination if allergies are a concern.
Are there any alternatives for the Andes Peppermint Baking Bits?
Very! If you can’t find those, consider using crushed candy canes mixed with white chocolate chips or chopped mint chocolate bars. They will add a festive touch and maintain that signature peppermint flavor perfect for your Christmas Peppermint Oreo Cookies!
Irresistible Christmas Peppermint Oreo Cookies You’ll Love
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Cream together the cold butter, light brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add in the large eggs and vanilla extract, mixing until well incorporated.
- Gradually mix in the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt at low speed until just combined.
- Gently fold in the Andes peppermint baking bits, chopped Oreo cookies, and semisweet chocolate chips.
- Using a 1/4 cup scoop, portion the dough onto baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are golden but centers are soft.
- Allow cookies to cool for 5 minutes on sheets before transferring to a wire rack.