Food Recipes Chocolate Peppermint Shortbreads 3.8 (55) 1 Review Classic holiday flavors combine for a delicious cookie—perfect for holiday parties or gift-giving. By Dawn Perry Dawn Perry Dawn is the author of Ready, Set, Cook; How to Make Good Food With What's on Hand. She served as the food director for Real Simple and has worked in the test kitchens of Everyday Food, Bon Appétit, and the meal kit delivery service Martha & Marley Spoon. Dawn is the author of Short Stack Editions' Cucumbers and her recipes and writing have been featured in the LA Times, The New York Times, and The Washington Post among other publications. She recently started Superkind Cookies, a premium cookie company shipping treats nationwide. Highlights: * Author of Ready, Set, Cook; How to Make Good Food With What's on Hand. * Former food director for Real Simple * Worked in the test kitchens of Everyday Food, Bon Appétit, and Martha & Marley Spoon * Recipes and writing have been featured in the LA Times, The New York Times, and The Washington Post Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Published on November 12, 2018 Print Rate It Share Share Tweet Pin Email Photo: Johnny Miller Hands On Time: 40 mins Total Time: 2 hrs Yield: 40 cookies Jump to recipe Double chocolate plus peppermint? That’s a recipe for holiday cookie success! First, you’ll make a cocoa-infused shortbread dough spiked with just enough peppermint extract to give a hint of mint rather than an intense toothpaste-like flavor. Then you’ll press the dough into a cool-looking square-edged log. Once the cookies are baked, they get a glossy coating of melted chocolate and a sprinkle of peppermint candies. The result? A modern take on peppermint patty flavors, all dressed up for a party. Serve alongside hot cocoa or eggnog for a festive pairing. Ingredients 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour ½ cup cocoa powder ½ teaspoon kosher salt 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature ½ cup light brown sugar ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract 6 ounces chopped semisweet chocolate or chocolate chips (about 1 cup) ½ teaspoon peppermint extract Crushed peppermint candies, for decorating (about 5) Flaky sea salt, for decorating Directions Whisk together flour, cocoa powder, and salt. Combine butter, sugar, and vanilla in a food processor and process until creamy and evenly incorporated. Add flour mixture and pulse until mixture is uniform but still crumbly, scraping down sides of bowl as needed. Turn dough out and knead until smooth. Divide dough in half and form each into a square-edged log. Wrap in plastic wrap, squaring off edges, and refrigerate until firm, at least 1 hour or up to 2 days. Preheat oven to 350 F with racks in upper and lower thirds. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Slice dough ¼-inch thick and transfer to the prepared sheets. Bake until dry around the edges, 10 to 12 minutes, rotating top to bottom and back to front. Let cool completely on sheet. Transfer shortbread to a wire rack set over a baking sheet. Heat chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl, stirring every 30 seconds, until melted and smooth; stir in peppermint extract. Dip tops of cooled cookies in chocolate mixture. Turn right-side up and place on rack. Sprinkle with crushed peppermint candies and a little salt. Refrigerate until chocolate is set, 15 to 20 minutes. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Rate it Print