Published Date: December 5, 2021 | Last Updated: December 17, 2024
This is what my Christmas dreams are made of- a chewy chocolate candy cane kiss cookie!
If you know me at all, you know a cookie’s not worth it to me unless it’s soft and CHEWY. I love this chocolate cookie base recipe because 1- it’s soft and chewy and 2-you can customize it for whatever add-in’s you like!
This is what my Christmas dreams are made of: Chewy Chocolate Cookies with Peppermint Kisses!
If you know me at all, you know a cookie’s not worth it to me unless it’s soft and CHEWY. I love this chocolate cookie base recipe because 1- it’s soft and chewy and 2-you can customize it for whatever add-in’s you like!
Ingredients for Chocolate Cookies with Peppermint Kisses
Butter
I almost always use salted butter, but if you prefer to use unsalted butter you may want to add a pinch more salt. Softened butter helps create a soft and slightly chewy texture as it blends well with the sugar. If the butter is melted, the cookies may spread more, resulting in thinner, crispier cookies. So make sure the butter isn’t melted!
Brown Sugar + White Sugar
Brown sugar adds sweetness, moisture, and chewiness due to its molasses content. White sugar encourages spread and provides a slightly crispy edge!
Eggs
If you can’t use eggs for some reason, you could try an egg replacer like a flaxseed or chia seed egg. I haven’t tried it so I can’t give it my full blessing, but you should try and let me know how it goes! To make an egg replacer, mix 2 tablespoon of ground flaxseed or chia seeds with 5 tablespoons of water and let it sit for 5 minutes to gel. This replaces two eggs.
Vanilla
Vanilla extract adds flavor.
Flour
Use unbleached all-purpose flour for this recipe. The dough will be sticky, so try not to add too much flour. Too much flour can make cookies dry, but just the right amount (like here) balances softness and chewiness.
Cocoa Powder
For a perfect chocolate flavor! I just use regular unsweetened cocoa powder. I would not recommend Dutch-processed cocoa powder.
Baking Soda + Salt
Don’t mix up baking soda for baking powder, and don’t skip the salt!
Candy Cane Kisses
I love the combination of chocolate, peppermint, and white chocolate. It just tastes so Christmassy! I like these Candy Cane Kisses because they have little crunchy bits of candy canes inside that add a wonderfully unexpected texture.
What Can I Use Instead of Candy Cane Kisses?
Though I absolutely love these Hershey’s Candy Cane Kisses, I have some more options for you. If you’re forgoing the candy cane kisses melted on top, you can use a regular Hershey’s Kiss, a rolo, or an Andes mint to top each cookie.
Can I Add Mix-Ins to the Dough?
You can totally add mix-ins instead of topping these cookies with chocolate. You can add smashed Rolos, green mint chips, white chocolate peppermint chunks, peanut butter chips, or just normal chocolate chips to the dough. There are so many options!
How to Make Chocolate Cookies with Peppermint Kisses
Make the Cookie Dough
This recipe is pretty simple. First, you’ll combine the butter and sugars and beat with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 1-2 minutes. Next, add eggs and vanilla and continue to beat for about 1 more minute.
Sift in the cocoa, salt, baking powder and flour and add them to the butter mixture. Mix it until everything is combined, but don’t overmix. The dough will be sticky and that’s okay. I recommend baking a test cookie at this point to see if you have enough flour.
Bake a Test Cookie
I suggest that you bake a test cookie every time that you make a new cookie recipe! It’s so hard to know how much flour to add to your cookie dough, especially if you are looking for a specific cookie texture. That’s why I suggest baking one cookie before you bake the rest, so that you can decide if it’s the texture you’re looking for. If your dough has less flour, your cookies will end up being thinner and crispier. If your dough has more flour it will be more dense and chewy.
Just roll one cookie and bake it for the allotted time. If your cookie comes out flat, add 2-4 more tablespoons flour to the whole bowl of dough. If you like the texture, don’t add any more flour.
Bake the Rest of the Chocolate Cookies with Peppermint Kisses
If you’re satisfied with your test cookie, form the rest of the dough into golf ball sized rounds and place evenly spaced on 2 cookie sheets.
Bake the cookies at 350° F for 8-9 minutes. Don’t overbake! When you pull them out of the oven, immediately place the Candy Cane Kisses on top of each cookie. Enjoy these Chocolate Cookies with Peppermint Kisses!!
More Christmas Cookie Recipes
Ginger Spice Cookies– One of my favorite cookie recipes. It’s less obviously Christmas, but has perfect warm spicy flavor that is great on a cold winter day!
Chocolate Candy Cane Cookies– Not to be confused with these cookies! Chocolate Candy Cane Cookies are a delicious chewy chocolate cookie dipped in white chocolate and sprinkled with crushed candy canes sprinkled overtop. They are beautiful and so delicious!
Browned Butter Sourdough Molasses Cookies– These cookies have such a rich and delicious molasses flavor. These old-school cookies are perfect to bring to family gatherings.
Happy Cooking!
I hope you love this recipe as much as I do. If you want to follow along on my cooking adventures, follow me on Instagram @AMBERSKITCHEN
Chocolate Cookies with Peppermint Kisses
I'm dreaming of a chocolate-cookie filled Christmas! This recipe has been tested and tried to make a perfectly soft and chewy cookie. Add whatever candy to it you want!
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Servings: 24 cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup 2 sticks softened but not melted butter. (I use salted)
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 cup cane sugar
- 2 eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 2 cups + 1/4 cup unbleached flour
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 bag Hershey's Candy Cane Kisses
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350° F. Grease two cookie sheets or line them with parchment paper.
- Combine softened butter and sugars and beat with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 1-2 minutes.
- Add eggs and vanilla and continue to beat for about 1 more minute.
- Sift in the cocoa, salt, baking powder and flour and add them to the butter mixture. Combine well but don’t overmix. Dough will be sticky.
Note: I recommend baking only one cookie at first to see how it comes out. If it’s too flat, add 2 to 4 tablespoons of flour to the remaining dough. - Form dough into golf ball-sized dough balls and place evenly spaced on cookie sheet.
- Bake cookies for 8-9 minutes, remove from oven and insert a candy cane kiss into the center of the warm cookie. Let cool.
*Note: If you’re forgoing the candy cane kisses melted on top, other options you can add to the dough before it bakes are: a smashed Rolo, green mint chips, white chocolate peppermint chunks, peanut butter chips, chocolate chips or skip the mix-ins and add an Andes mint to the top of the hot cookie and spread it out after it melts. So many options!
