I’m a firm believer in the power of a good chocolate chip cookie. For the holiday season, I like to put a little pep into the step of my chocolate chip cookies by adding a flavor that tastes like Christmas, peppermint. Chunks of the distinctive red-and-white candies softened just enough in the baking process, will put a holiday twist on my beloved chocolate chip cookies. Of all the cookies I make for Christmas, these are the ones my family prefers to set out for Santa Claus, as they’ve proven to be quite a bit hit with Jolly Old St. Nick.

Cookie makers all know the fundamentals of a chocolate chip cookie and I’m not taking any extraordinary liberties with the usual recipe. However, I will tweak an ingredient or two for the purpose of pleasing my jolly guest. I always add cinnamon to my chocolate chip cookies; I love the subtle warmth and aromatics that this spice adds to the cookie. I’m adding peppermint both in extract and in hard candy form, both of which will infuse the cookie with that distinct peppermint flavor.

Typically, I make my peppermint chocolate chip cookies slightly larger than I would my usual chocolate chip cookies. I want to make sure that Santa has put me on his Nice List! These bake in the oven, melting into a perfectly sized cookie treat. They cool and are stored away, although when I want to share these, I’ll grab a decorative cellophane bag and a holiday ribbon and drop a few cookies off to my family, friends, and neighbors. A cookie as good as this peppermint chocolate chip cookie is meant to be shared! They strike the right balance between firm yet chewy, minty, chocolaty, and they’re the perfect snack to rest by the fireplace – or whatever entry point Santa uses in your home. Enjoy!