PEPPERMINT FUDGE COOKIES

Peppermint Fudge Cookies made with rich cocoa powder, butter, and sugar for soft, fudgy chocolate cookies packed with chocolate chips. Finished with an easy glaze and crushed peppermint, they’re festive, simple, and full of classic holiday flavor.

There’s something truly magical about the chocolate and peppermint combination in this fudge cookie recipe. With their rich, brownie-like texture and decadent chocolate glaze, they’re a holiday treat that’s as delicious as it is fun to make. Gather the family in the kitchen for some festive baking—mixing, sprinkling, and tasting these cookies together is half the joy!

How to make the BEST Cookies EVER!

Three kitchen tools make baking Christmas cookies a breeze—and I use them in nearly every cookie recipe!

• First, parchment paper lines your cookie sheets perfectly, preventing sticking and messy sprays.
• Second, a KitchenAid mixer with the cookie paddle ensures even mixing every time—one of my most-used small appliances!
• Finally, a cookie scoop guarantees uniform, perfectly shaped cookies—no more uneven spoons or awkward shapes. I use the ½-tablespoon scoop for these thumbprint cookies.

Peppermint Fudge Cookie Ingredients

Cocoa powder: For rich chocolatey cookies, you need ¾ cup of cocoa powder.

Butter & shortening: One stick of butter and ¼ cup of shortening gives these cookies great flavor and even more amazing texture.

Sugar: Using granulated sugar sweetens the dough perfectly and helps create crispy cookie edges.

Eggs: Bind the ingredients with 3 eggs.

Extract: Enhance the flavors by adding vanilla extract.

Flour: The structural base of this cookie dough is all-purpose flour.

Salt: Balance the flavors with ¾ tsp salt.

Chocolate chips: Use 1 cup chocolate chips for extra deliciousness in every bite.

Easy Chocolate Glaze

Chocolate chips: For a nice rich topping, use ½ cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips.

Heavy cream: Create a smooth and sweet topping by adding heavy cream to the mixture.

Butter: ½ TBSP butter gives the glaze a nice shine.

Peppermint pieces: For the delightful peppermint crunch topping, use a few candy canes, smashed into small pieces.

Vanilla Glaze Topping (Alternate option): Whisk together 2 TBSP melted butter, 1 cup powdered sugar, 1 tsp vanilla extract, and 2 TBSP milk until smooth and pourable.

Tips for making Peppermint Fudge Cookies successfully

1. Melt carefully: When microwaving the cocoa, butter, and shortening, watch closely and whisk until fully smooth—any lumps in the cocoa can affect the texture of your cookies.
2. Don’t overmix after adding flour: Fold in the flour and chocolate chips gently to keep the cookies tender and fudgy rather than dense.
3. Timing for glaze: Let cookies cool slightly before glazing, but don’t wait too long—slightly warm cookies help the glaze spread evenly without running off the edges.
4. Crush peppermint finely: For the best texture and even distribution, crush candy canes or peppermint pieces small enough so each bite has a hint of crunch without overpowering the chocolate.

How long are Peppermint Chocolate Cookies good for?

Peppermint Chocolate Cookies stay fresh for up to 5-7 days at room temperature when stored in an airtight container. If you refrigerate them, they’ll keep for about one to two weeks, though the texture may firm up slightly.

Can I freeze peppermint fudge cookies?

Yes, these fudge cookies can be frozen, but wait to add the topping until you’re ready to enjoy them. They’ll keep in the freezer for up to two months. To thaw, simply leave them at room temperature for about an hour.

Can I make peppermint cookies in advance?

Yes, you can make the cookies in advance! This can be done any of several ways. You can prepare the cookie dough and cover it, allowing it to chill in the fridge for up to 2 days in advance. You can also bake and cool the cookies up to 2 days prior to adding the frosting.

Can I use all butter instead of shortening?

Yes! You can substitute the ¼ cup of shortening with an equal amount of butter. The texture will still be fudgy, though slightly less tender.

Can I skip the glaze or peppermint topping?

Absolutely! The cookies are delicious on their own as rich chocolate fudge bites. The glaze and peppermint add extra sweetness and festive flair.

You’ll go crazy over these other favorite holiday recipes too:

• Easy Cracker Toffee is a sweet and salty holiday treat made with saltine crackers, butter, sugar, chocolate, and nuts. Simple to make and irresistibly delicious, it’s perfect for Christmas dessert lovers.
• These Homemade Chocolate Orange Sticks combine a sweet, tangy orange jelly with rich, melted chocolate for a festive, irresistible treat. Easy to make and perfect for gifting—or keeping all to yourself!
• Our recipe for Homemade Peppermint Patties feature a soft, buttery peppermint filling made with powdered sugar and corn syrup, all coated in rich dark chocolate. A simple, festive treat that’s perfect for the holidays!
• Christmas Sprinkle Cookies are soft, chewy vanilla sugar cookies loaded with red and green sprinkles. Just like bakery-style treats, they’re festive, fun, and oh so delicious.
• This Holiday Peppermint Ice Cream Cake Roll is a show-stopping, festive dessert perfect for your Christmas table! Soft vanilla cake wraps creamy peppermint ice cream, then slices are finished with a rich chocolate drizzle.
• Hot Chocolate Christmas Cookie Cups pair a soft, flavorful cookie base with rich fudge filling for the ultimate festive treat. Topped with holiday sprinkles and mini candy canes, they’re as fun to look at as they are to eat!
• Make this Peppermint Popcorn for a crunchy, sweet, and minty holiday treat. It’s so addictive, you might want to make a double batch—whether to share or keep all to yourself!

Peppermint Fudge Cookies are a rich, festive treat perfect for the holiday season. Fudgy brownie-like cookies are finished with a chocolate glaze and sprinkled with crunchy peppermint pieces.