These chocolate peppermint blossoms are festive holiday cookies made from rich cocoa dough rolled in sugar and crowned with chocolate peppermint kisses. They bake up soft and fudgy with just the right amount of minty freshness. Perfect for cookie exchanges and Christmas gatherings, these homemade treats will become your new seasonal favorite.

I discovered these chocolate peppermint blossoms during a snowy December in Vermont, where a local baker shared her family’s secret recipe. The combination of deep chocolate and cool peppermint instantly transported me to cozy winter evenings by the fireplace. Now I make them every holiday season alongside my classic chocolate chip cookies and festive cranberry orange cookies. They pair beautifully with hot cocoa or peppermint tea, creating that perfect moment of seasonal magic we all crave during the holidays.

Ingredients for Perfect Chocolate Peppermint Blossoms

Be sure to see the recipe card below for the full listing of ingredients, instructions, notes, and estimated nutritional information.

Chocolate Peppermint Blossoms

Delicious soft chocolate cookies with a peppermint kiss center, perfect for holiday baking.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 25 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

45 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 48 cookies

Calories 110 kcal

Equipment

• medium bowl
• large mixing bowl
• electric mixer
• whisk
• plastic wrap
• oven
• baking sheets
• parchment paper
• shallow bowls
• measuring spoons
• measuring cups
• wire rack

Ingredients

  

Dry Ingredients

• 2.25 cups all-purpose flour
• 0.75 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 0.5 tsp salt

Wet Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter softened (2 sticks)
• 1.75 cups granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs at room temperature
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp peppermint extract

For Rolling & Assembly

• 0.5 cup granulated sugar for rolling
• 0.5 cup powdered sugar for rolling
• 48 chocolate peppermint kisses unwrapped

Instructions

 

• In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt until thoroughly combined. Set this dry ingredient mixture aside.
• In a large mixing bowl, using an electric mixer, cream the softened unsalted butter and 1 and 3/4 cups granulated sugar on medium speed for 2 to 3 minutes, until the mixture is light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next. Stir in the vanilla extract and peppermint extract until just combined.
• Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until a soft, uniform dough forms. Be careful not to overmix; stop as soon as the flour streaks disappear, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
• Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and chill the cookie dough in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or up to 1 hour. This chilling step is crucial for preventing the cookies from spreading too much during baking, ensuring they maintain their round shape and soft texture.
• While the dough chills, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper for easy cleanup. Prepare two shallow bowls: pour 1/2 cup of granulated sugar into one bowl, and 1/2 cup of powdered sugar into the other, creating your rolling stations.
• Once the dough is chilled, scoop out rounded tablespoons of dough, about 1-inch in diameter, and roll them into smooth balls. First, roll each dough ball in the granulated sugar, ensuring an even coating. Then, transfer it to the powdered sugar and roll again, making sure it’s generously coated with the white powder. Place the coated dough balls about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
• Bake one sheet at a time for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges are just set and the tops appear slightly cracked, but the centers are still soft and puffy. The cookies will firm up as they cool. Do not overbake.
• Immediately upon removing the baking sheet from the oven, gently press one unwrapped chocolate peppermint kiss into the center of each warm cookie. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. The chocolate will melt slightly into the warm cookie and then re-set as they cool, creating a perfect blossom shape.

Notes

The chilling step is crucial for the cookies to hold their shape. Do not overbake to keep the centers soft.

Keyword chocolate, Christmas, cookies, holidays, peppermint

Creative Chocolate Peppermint Variations

• White Chocolate Swirl: Use white chocolate peppermint kisses for a different look.
• Mint Extract Adjustment: Reduce peppermint to ½ teaspoon for subtle mint flavor.
• Dark Chocolate Version: Substitute Dutch-process cocoa for deeper chocolate notes.

Essential Tips for Perfect Blossoms

• Proper Chilling: Chill dough thoroughly to prevent excessive spreading during baking.
• Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure butter and eggs are at room temperature for even mixing.
• Double Sugar Coating: Roll in both sugars for that signature crackled appearance.
• Timing is Everything: Press kisses immediately after baking while cookies are still warm.

Storing Your Holiday Cookies

• Store: Keep in airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
• Freeze: Freeze unbaked dough balls or baked cookies for up to 3 months.
• Refresh: Warm slightly in 300°F oven for 3 minutes if cookies stiffen.
• Make-Ahead Tip: Dough can be refrigerated for up to 3 days before baking.

Frequently Asked Questions

More Holiday Cookie Recipes

• Peanut Butter Cookies
• Flourless Chocolate Cookies
• Chocolate Croissant Bread Pudding
• Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls

Why These Blossoms Become Tradition

With their perfect balance of rich chocolate and refreshing peppermint, these blossoms capture the essence of holiday baking. The soft, fudgy texture contrasted with the smooth chocolate center makes them irresistible to both children and adults. They’re simple enough for beginner bakers yet impressive enough for cookie exchanges, ensuring they’ll become part of your family’s Christmas traditions for years to come.