The Magical Peppermint Bark Shortbread Cookies Recipe You Need

Sweet memories of holiday cheer dance through my kitchen whenever peppermint bark shortbread cookies emerge from the oven.

Crisp butter-rich edges promise delectable moments ahead.

Festive aromas swirl with hints of chocolate and cool mint.

Delicate crumbles melt softly against your tongue, creating pure winter magic.

Magical ingredients blend tradition with contemporary dessert creativity.

Buttery rounds studded with peppermint pieces beckon you to savor each delightful bite.

Whip up these irresistible treats and watch smiles bloom around your table.

Chocolate Covered Pretzels What You’ll Need

• All-Purpose Flour: A versatile base for the cookie dough.
• Cocoa Powder: Adds rich chocolate flavor to the dark dough.
• Cornstarch: Helps create a tender, delicate texture.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor profile.

• Butter: Provides richness and helps bind the dough.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with cookie texture.
• Vanilla Extract: Offers a classic baking flavor.
• Peppermint Extract: Brings a festive holiday mint taste.
• Milk: Used in the glaze for smooth consistency.
• Ice Water: Helps adjust dough consistency if needed.

• Candy Canes: Provides a festive crunch and peppermint flavor.

How to Bake Peppermint Bark Shortbread Cookies

Step 1: Create Chocolate Cookie Dough

Grab a mixing bowl and toss in flour, cocoa powder, cornstarch, softened butter, salt, sugar, and vanilla extract. Mix everything until a smooth dough forms. If the mixture feels too dry, add a splash of ice water. Once combined, wrap the dough and chill it in the freezer for 20 minutes or refrigerate for an hour.

Step 2: Whip Up Peppermint Cookie Dough

In a separate bowl, combine flour, cornstarch, salt, softened butter, sugar, and peppermint extract. Work the ingredients into a soft dough, adding ice water if needed. Wrap and chill the dough just like the chocolate version.

Step 3: Roll Out the Doughs

Dust your work surface with flour and carefully roll out both doughs to an even thickness. Take your time to ensure smooth, consistent layers.

Step 4: Cut and Layer Cookie Shapes

Use festive cookie cutters to create fun shapes from each dough. Layer the chocolate dough on the bottom and place the peppermint dough on top. Arrange the cookies on a baking sheet and pop them in the freezer for 5-10 minutes to firm up.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Slide the baking sheet into the oven and bake the cookies for 10 minutes. After baking, let them cool on the sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.

Step 6: Add Finishing Touches

Whip up a quick glaze by mixing sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Drizzle the glaze over the cooled cookies and sprinkle with crushed candy canes. Allow the glaze to set before serving these delightful holiday treats.

Cookie Tips That Infuse Shortbread with Peppermint Bark Bliss

• Chill Dough Perfectly: Freezing or refrigerating the dough helps prevent spreading and maintains crisp cookie shapes during baking.
• Prevent Sticking: Dust your work surface and rolling pin with flour to ensure easy dough handling and clean cookie cutting.
• Control Extract Intensity: Adjust peppermint extract amount to suit your taste preference, starting with less and adding gradually for balanced flavor.
• Uniform Thickness Matters: Roll doughs to consistent thickness (about 1/4 inch) for even baking and professional-looking cookies.
• Decorate with Precision: Crush candy canes finely and sprinkle strategically for a beautiful, festive finish that adds crunch and visual appeal.

Store Peppermint Shortbread Without Breaking

• Store cookies in an airtight container layered with parchment paper for up to 5 days. Keep in the refrigerator to maintain freshness and prevent candy cane topping from melting.
• Wrap cookies individually in plastic wrap, place in a freezer-safe container, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving.
• Warm cookies gently in the microwave for 10-15 seconds on low power. Avoid overheating to prevent glaze from becoming runny or cookies becoming tough.
• Keep cookies in a sealed container at room temperature for 2-3 days, away from direct sunlight and heat sources to maintain their crisp texture.

Walnut Snowball Cookies Flavor Ideas

• Pair with Warming Winter Beverages: Cozy hot chocolate or spiced chai tea complement the peppermint bark shortbread cookies perfectly, enhancing their rich chocolate and cool mint flavors with warm, comforting notes.
• Serve with Creamy Dessert Companions: Vanilla bean ice cream or peppermint gelato create a delightful contrast, offering a cool, smooth texture that balances the cookies' crisp and buttery profile.
• Match with Festive Cocktail Options: Peppermint white russian or chocolate martini elevate the cookie experience, adding a grown-up twist that echoes the dessert's holiday spirit and decadent chocolate undertones.
• Complement with Winter Beverage Classics: Mulled wine or spiked eggnog provide a sophisticated pairing that resonates with the cookies' festive character and rich, indulgent flavors.

Chocolate Pretzel Sweet Salty Takes

• Gluten-Free Peppermint Bark Cookies: Replace regular flour with a gluten-free blend, ensuring the same texture and taste for those with wheat sensitivities.
• Vegan Chocolate Peppermint Cookies: Swap butter with coconut oil or vegan margarine, and use plant-based milk for the glaze to create a dairy-free version.
• Low-Sugar Candy Cane Shortbread: Substitute sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia, reducing overall sugar content while maintaining sweet flavor.
• Dairy-Free Festive Cookies: Use almond milk or oat milk instead of regular milk in the glaze, and select dairy-free butter alternatives for a completely lactose-free treat.

FAQs

• What are the key ingredients for this recipe?

The key ingredients are flour, cocoa powder, butter, sugar, vanilla extract, peppermint extract, cornstarch, and candy canes. The recipe requires two separate doughs – one chocolate and one peppermint – to create a layered cookie.

• Is this recipe difficult to make?

No, this recipe is moderate in difficulty. The main challenge is creating two separate doughs and layering them carefully. Basic baking skills and patience are needed to achieve the perfect shortbread cookie.

• Can I make these cookies ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough in advance and refrigerate or freeze it. The dough can be stored for a few days before baking, which makes it convenient for holiday preparations.

• How do I prevent the cookies from spreading while baking?

Chilling the dough in the freezer for 5-10 minutes before baking helps prevent spreading. This technique ensures the cookies maintain their shape and crisp texture during baking.

Cookies That Mix Peppermint Bark and Buttery Shortbread Bliss

• Craft Layered Delights: Create stunning two-toned cookies that look professionally made with minimal baking skills, perfect for impressing family and friends during holiday gatherings.
• Quick Holiday Baking: Whip up these festive treats with simple ingredients and basic kitchen tools, making them an ideal last-minute dessert for seasonal celebrations.
• Customize Your Crunch: Personalize the cookies by adjusting candy cane topping intensity or experimenting with different extract flavors to match your taste preferences.
• Stress-Free Treat Preparation: Break down the recipe into manageable steps that can be completed in advance, allowing for relaxed and enjoyable cookie-making experience without overwhelming kitchen chaos.

Peppermint Bark Shortbread Cookies Recipe

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4.8 from 23 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 12 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Sweet shortbread meets festive peppermint bark in this irresistible holiday cookie fusion. Crisp buttery layers meld chocolate and peppermint into a delightful seasonal treat you’ll crave all winter long.

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Ingredients

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Shortbread Cookie Base:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 sticks (226 grams) butter
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 2 pinches salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Chocolate and Peppermint Layer:

• 1/4 cup dark cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon peppermint extract

Garnish:

• 2 tablespoons cornstarch (remaining)
• 1 stick (113 grams) butter (remaining)

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Instructions

1. Meticulously blend the chocolate dough ingredients in a mixing bowl, ensuring a uniform consistency. Knead until a cohesive mixture forms, incorporating ice water sparingly if the texture seems dry. Tightly wrap the dough and refrigerate for optimal firmness.
2. Repeat the precise mixing process for the peppermint dough, maintaining the same careful technique. Wrap and chill alongside the chocolate dough to stabilize the texture.
3. Dust a clean work surface with flour and gently roll out both doughs to an even, consistent thickness using a rolling pin. Aim for uniform coverage to ensure balanced cookie texture.
4. Select decorative cookie cutters and carefully cut shapes from each dough. Strategically layer the chocolate base with the peppermint topping, creating visually appealing two-toned cookies. Arrange the shaped cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
5. Briefly freeze the assembled cookies to preserve their intricate shape and prevent spreading during baking. This crucial step ensures crisp, defined edges.
6. Preheat the oven to 350°F, positioning the rack in the center. Bake the cookies until edges are lightly golden, watching carefully to prevent over-browning.
7. Allow cookies to rest on the baking sheet for a few minutes to firm up, then transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling.
8. Craft a delicate glaze by whisking sugar, milk, and vanilla until silky smooth. Drizzle artfully over the cooled cookies, then garnish with finely crushed candy canes for a festive flourish.
9. Permit the glaze to set completely, creating a elegant, glossy finish before serving these sophisticated holiday treats.

Notes

• Chill the dough thoroughly to prevent spreading and maintain crisp cookie edges during baking.
• Use high-quality cocoa powder and pure peppermint extract for the most intense, authentic flavor profile.
• Crush candy canes finely for a delicate, even sprinkle that looks professionally finished.
• For gluten-free version, swap regular flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend to maintain the cookie’s texture and structure.

• Prep Time: 2 hours
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 50 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 19 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg