Peppermint Crunch Chocolate Pudding Cookies

The holiday season is in full swing, and we are thinking aaaallllllll about cookies right now!

I am a major lover of any and all things peppermint mocha, so it's no surprise that my first December baking adventure are fudgy, decadent peppermint crunch cookies.

This recipe for Peppermint Crunch Chocolate Pudding Cookies is truly the essence of the season. A package of devil's food pudding mix gives these cookies an irresistible fudginess and keeps them soft and tender for days and days. I love pudding cookies and have made them a couple of times before - the possibilities are endless!

The star of the show, however, are these awesome peppermint crunch chips from Andes that I found at the grocery store a week or two ago. Unlike just crushing up candy canes, these chips are a base of white chocolate with tiny bits of peppermint candy throughout. They are smooth and creamy, with just the right amount of crunch (no breaking our teeth here!) If you see these at your store, HURRY and grab them - they are just too good!

If I haven't convinced you yet, maybe these pictures will do the talking...

Cookie swaps, here we come!

S'mores Pumpkin Pie

We are just 2 days away from one of the greatest holidays of the year -- Thanksgiving!

And to celebrate, I have done something wild and crazy and really great. I had the idea for this recipe and decided shortly thereafter that this would be our big Thanksgiving recipe here on Gas Stove Girl this year. It's traditional with a major ooey, gooey, twist that you're sure to love.

Here it is, the centerpiece of your dessert table. It is S'mores Pumpkin Pie and, well, just look at it!

This pie is a little outrageous but super ridiculously delicious, it is sweet and full of warming fall spices. It starts with a classic pumpkin pie, but rather than a traditional pie crust, we will fully embrace the s'mores aspect with a graham cracker crust. Once our pumpkin pie has been baked a cooled slightly, we are going to top it with jumbo marshmallows that will get toasted golden brown! Not only are marshmallows very essential to s'mores, but this also reminds me a little bit of the sweet potato casserole our grandparents would make, with lil' baby mallows on top. Nostalgic and decadent, a win-win!

Now, if there is one thing that is always noticeably absent from a Thanksgiving dessert spread, I would argue that it's CHOCOLATE. And lucky for you, I have found a way to remedy that situation without sacrificing our favorite pie. A beautiful drizzle of bittersweet chocolate ganache it the perfect finishing touch to our s'mores pie!

I hope your Thanksgiving is filled with great food (like s'mores pumpkin pie), your closest family, and a full stomach and heart. Have a wonderful holiday weekend!

Chocolate Waffles with Peanut Butter Chips

Apologies in advance for anyone who came here hoping for a salad today.

This...this is very much the opposite of salad.

But, also! It's probably the most delicious recipe you can ever imagine, especially if you are like me and are a chocolate and peanut butter FANATIC.

Look, I understand if you're mad because it's January and we are all supposed to be collectively "eating better and exercising more." I would like to argue, however, that this IS eating better. New England got it's first big snowstorm of the year and that always gives me an itch to cook and bake. And that is a very, very good thing, considering these Chocolate Waffles with Peanut Butter Chips were the result.

These waffles walk the line between breakfast and dessert and that is a wonderful thing. A bit of cocoa powder is all it takes to make a classic waffle a CHOCOLATE waffle, and honestly I'm kind of wondering why we haven't made chocolate waffles more often? Why have we been denying ourselves this magical combination for so long?

The batter for this recipe is rich and slightly sweet. When these waffles first come out of the waffle iron, they are a bit more tender, delicate and softer than a traditional waffle. The amazing thing, though, is that as the waffles cool on a wire rack, a crust begins to form developing that irresistible crunch we crave in our waffles. It's magic!

The melty, salty peanut butter chips are an extra special touch that take a simple recipe over the top. I know, I know.

Bonus! This recipe makes enough waffles for today plus a batch to freeze and reheat whenever you want an extra special breakfast! Just pop them in the toaster right out of the freezer and thy will be just as crispy and delicious as the day you made them. That's my kind of meal planning :-)

Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

ONLY TEN DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS!

BAKE ALL THE COOKIES!!

Are you baking up a storm in your kitchen? 'Tis the season after all. I am whipping up a whole bunch of these AH-mazing Chocolate Crinkle Cookies. Rich, sweet, chocolatey cookies, blanketed in a generous layer of powdered sugar. These cookies look like festive balls of snow, and they taste like everything you could ever want in a chocolate cookie.

I love these cookies for so many reason. First is, you can prepare the batter the night before, because it is critical that it chills for at least a few hours. Then the next morning, just roll the batter, toss each cookie in the powdered sugar, and bake! Another reason these are wonderful treats is that there is no fancy equipment or ingredients required. As long as you have a big bowl, a whisk, and a couple of cookie sheets, you are just a few steps away from decadent chocolate cookies.

After baking off my first batch, I was a bit sad because I didn't feel like the crinkles had enough powdered sugar on them (though they still tasted amazing!). The next time around, I was very generous with the powdered sugar, and now they look great! Just like the classic cookies you think of when you hear "crinkle cookies." So, pro-tip: don't be afraid to be heavy handed with your powdered sugar!

I guarantee Chocolate Crinkle Cookies will be a real crowd pleaser this Christmas season. All the chocolate lovers in your life will be begging you for these year-round!

For other chocolate cookie treats, check out the links below!

Chewy Chocolate Peppermint Cookies

Peppermint Oreo Truffles

Brownie Cookies

Chocolate Chocolate Chip Brownie Cookies

Chocolate lovers, gather 'round. I have a wonderful story for you.

The story is Chocolate Chocolate Chip Brownie Cookies. Double the chocolate, double the fun.

I have this problem with brownies. I tend to overcook them. I don't know why this happens specifically for brownies considering they are one of the easiest things to cook. But, alas. I just can't master the cooking of brownies in my oven.

That all changed when I came across this recipe for brownie cookies. These are rich and fudgy and full of deep chocolate flavor just like a brownie, only they are bite-sized! When these cookies are done baking, they have a thin crispy shell on the outside and an ooey gooey center.

These cookies have a pretty traditional brownie base--butter, eggs, brown sugar, and 2 types of chocolate (unsweetened and semi-sweet). I add in a bunch of mini chocolate chips because there is nothing wrong with a little extra chocolate in our lives (RIGHT!?)

I totally love these cookies. I sprinkled a generous bit of powdered sugar on the top to cut a bit of that chocolate richness. I think that is just what these cookies need to take them to the next level.

Share these with that special person in your life who is a choco-holic. Bring them to a friend who needs a sweet pick me up. Make these and devour them. You're worth it!

Chocolate Gingerbread Cake

I took a gingerbread cake and then I added chocolate to it, twice.

I have no regrets, obviously.

I just feel the need to add chocolate to anything if the occasion seems right. This felt right. I mean, spices+chocolate is one of those oddly perfect pairings. Like salty and sweet, but different.

Chocolate Gingerbread Cake is a wonderful holiday treat. Have it as breakfast, a snack, or a dessert--whatever your fancy, this cake fits the bill. The deep molasses and sweet chocolate and gingerbread spices will make your pallet dance!

This ingredient list may feel long, but trust me--it's worth it. There are no fussy or annoying ingredients in this cake. We just want to be sure that we know it's a gingerbread cake but also that there is a healthy amount of chocolate inside. This cake comes together in a big bowl with a rubber spatula -- no fancy equipment here!

So: melted butter, molasses, cocoa powder, mini chocolate chips, ground ginger...I see where this is going and I like what I see.

Chocolate Peppermint Cookies {Soft and Chewy!}

If you want Christmas in a cookie, I've got you covered. It exists within this chocolatey, peppermint-y treat.

I'm not one to demand you make MY cookies for YOUR family during the holidays. I know everyone has their own traditions, their own cookies that hold a place near and dear to their heart during the holiday season. I have no authority to demand that you change that.

However, if you are looking for a fun and festive cookie to bring to a holiday gathering or to share with coworkers and friends--I think these soft and chewy Chocolate Peppermint Cookies are just perfect!

There is no better combination than peppermint and chocolate. Don't lie--I know you've gotten a few more Peppermint Mocha Lattes from Starbucks than you'd like to admit! Now, you can get your fix in a cookie.

These are no fuss cookies, but they are all kinds of delicious. Chewy chocolate cookies with adorable mini chocolate chips with a nice hint of cool peppermint extract. While the cookies are still piping hot, a bit of crushed up candy canes get sprinkled on top. This melts the candy just slightly and anchors them to the cookies. Yum!

If you want another tasty and no-bake chocolate peppermint treat, try my Peppermint Oreo Balls! These things are going to fly off your dessert table :-)

Chocolate Chai-Spiced Loaf Cake

What can I say about this cake?

I am actually sitting here speechless. That's right -- me! Speechless! This cake is that good.

I'm talking, of course, about my Chocolate Chai-Spiced Loaf Cake. I was inspired this past week to create this recipe as I was sipping on a Starbucks Chocolate Chai Latte (it's a new drink, and you should definitely give it a try!) 

As I was making this cake, I was not expecting things to work out quite as beautifully as they did. The final product that came out of my oven was a rich, fluffy, and decadent choclate cake spiced with the wonderful flavors of Chai Tea. For good measure, I added a chai tea glaze on top. Why wouldn't I?

Chai spices include cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and cloves. They are like a big hug on a cold day. Pair them up with chocolate and you are onto something.

Now, look, I try not to be a very demanding blogger. Everyone should be able to choose for themselves what sort of project to take on in the kitchen. But...can I just say something? You will NOT be disappointed with this cake. Even my boyfriend who is not really a dessert or sweet kind of guy had the following to say about this cake. And I quote:

"This is divine."

DIVINE!! Who can say no to that? Let's impress our friends. Let's make our mom proud. Let us go forth and make this cake!