Homemade Gifts: Double Chocolate Peppermint Crunch Cookies {Recipe}

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #TasteTheSeason #CollectiveBias 

At lunch on Friday, my husband and I sat down and made a list of all the holiday gifts that we need to buy.  At first, the list started out small, a few family members, some close friends, the kids’ teachers…but before we knew it, we had a list that was well over a page long.  Secret Santa, co-workers, neighbors, babysitters, the cleaning lady, the list goes on and on; there are just so many people to remember at this time of year.  So many people who I want to get gifts for, but buying for all of them would easily leave us broke.  It was at that point we decided, in an effort to cut down on our holiday spending, we’re going to give some homemade and home-baked gifts this year.

But the key to giving homemade or home-baked gifts is finding the right recipe.  Because it needs to be something that epitomizes the holiday season – and I couldn’t think of anything more fitting then peppermint.  Candy canes to be more specific.  Although I’ve never baked with candy canes in the past, I’ve baked quite a few peppermint recipes and they’ve all turned out perfect.  So I set out on the quest for the perfect peppermint cookie recipe, and quickly found a recipe for chocolate peppermint cookies.  They looked festive with crushed candy cane on the top, but also came with a lengthy ingredient list and intricate instructions.  It’s the holidays.  I don’t have time for long recipes with tons of ingredients, but let’s face it, when do I ever have time for those things?  Never.  So I decided to simplify it.  Using a cake mix, Cool Whip, and Baker’s chocolate that I picked up at Walmart earlier this month I got to work in the kitchen to create the ultimate easy peppermint crunch cookie.  And the results were delicious.Six ingredients, one medium-sized mixing bowl, and 30 minutes are all you’ll need to make these cookies.  And they’re perfect for gifting, leaving out for Santa, or, um, keeping all to yourself.  I make no comment as to where these cookies ended up.  After all, they were just a trial run…

You will need:
1 Devil’s Food chocolate cake box mix
1 container Cool Whip, thawed (8 oz.)
1 egg
3 oz Baker’s Chocolate, chopped (approximately 3/4 of a bar)
1/4 tsp Peppermint Extract
Candy canes, crushed

Step 1 – Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Line cookie sheet with aluminum foil.

Step 2 – Mix Devil’s Food cake mix, Cool Whip, and egg in a medium-sized mixing bowl until well blended.  Batter will be stiff.

Step 3 – Slowly fold in the Baker’s chocolate and peppermint extract with a spatula.  Stir gently until both are well distributed throughout the batter.

Step 4 – Use a small ice cream scoop (or spoon) to drop the cookie batter onto the cookie sheet.

Step 5 – Bake for 13 minutes.  Remove from oven.

Step 6 – While the cookies are still warm, drop crushed candy canes onto the cookies.Enjoy!

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