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!

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 :-)

Peppermint Oreo Balls

Peppermint and Chocolate are so in love. And I am in love with them. You are, too.

You don't think so? What about those Peppermint Mocha Lattes you've been pounding back? Or that mint hot chocolate that you can't get enough of? And how many boxes of Thin Mints do you buy each year from those cute little Girl Scouts?

Do you know what happens when you take Oreos (America's favorite cookie obviously), candy canes, and cream cheese and dip them all in chocolate?

Answer: An amazing explosion of chocolatey, minty, rich and creamy goodness!

Alternative Answer: A surprisingly simply but decadent holiday dessert!

Alternative to the Alternative Answer: Peppermint Oreo Balls!

Traditionally, Oreo Balls consist of mashed up Oreos mixed together with cream cheese then dipped in chocolate (milk, white, dark, semi-sweet, whatever you fancy!). They are absolutely addictive.

In an effort to be festive I imagined the aforementioned treats with an extra, pepperminty surprise. And since my cat keeps ruining Christmas by knocking all the candy canes off the Christmas tree I thought...yes. I will remove the candy canes from the tree and I will put them in the Oreo balls. Double win.

The process is super easy. Blend the oreos and candy canes together in a small food processor.

Then, using your best tools (your hands!), mash together the cookie and candy cane crumbs with softened cream cheese until well combined.

Form the mixture into 2-inch balls (I use a heaping teaspoon) and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Freeze and wait, trying your best to be patient.

Using a double boiler, we will melt together a little bit of milk and a whole bunch of semi-sweet chocolate.

The frozen balls go for a swim in the chocolate pool. Then they are topped with tiny pieces of candy cane and returned to the freezer.

After the chocolate has set, you will simply transfer the balls to the refridgerator for storage until they are ready to serve!

If you get invited to a last minute holiday party, these are a super quick and delicious dessert. Nearly everyone at the party will devour them! They are a bit like a truffle and a cookie combined. And better still - there is no baking required!