Chocolate Peppermint Cookies (Gluten Free & Grain Free)

by Kayla Berman on Dec 15, 2020 (updated Dec 29, 2021) 4 comments

If you are a chocolate peppermint skeptic, you know one of those people who thinks that mint flavor belongs in toothpaste and toothpaste only … you have to try Chocolate Peppermint Cookies. These melt-in-your-mouth, deliciously chocolatey cookies have just the right amount of peppermint flavor and will absolutely change your mind.

Chocolate Peppermint Cookies are the ultimate holiday cookie! They’re rich & chewy double chocolate cookies topped with a sweet white chocolate drizzle and candy cane crunch. This easy recipe is gluten free, grain free, and can be dairy free too … making it a festive treat that almost anyone can enjoy!

Looking for more peppermint? Check out my white chocolate chip peppermint cookies.

Ingredients needed for Healthy Chocolate Peppermint Cookies!

These cookies call for mainly healthy, wholesome ingredients! They’re gluten free, grain free, and can even be dairy free if the white chocolate is substituted. This recipe is a better-for-you version of the classic and one that almost anyone can enjoy!

Coconut Oil: Make sure to use refined coconut oil in these cookies, unrefined or virgin tastes like coconut and will leave your cookies tasting like coconut too. You’ll need a melted 1/3 cup!
Coconut Sugar: I absolutely love to bake with coconut sugar, especially in my cookies! It is one of my favorite refined sugar free options and adds the perfect sweetness here. Add 1/2 cup.
Almond Flour: Almond flour is the only flour used in these cookies, making them gluten and grain free. 1 cup is the perfect amount!
Cocoa Powder: Double chocolate cookies of course call for cocoa powder! It gives these cookies their rich & delicious chocolate base. Add 1/4 cup!
White & Regular Chocolate Chips: I love mixing semi sweet mini chips into this cookie dough and using classic white chocolate chips for the drizzle! If you want these cookies to be dairy free, leave out the white chocolate and use dairy free for the semi sweet chips. You will need 1/4 and 1/3 cup of the semi sweet and white chocolate chips respectively.
Egg: Add 1 egg to this cookie dough for moisture & binding.
Candy Canes: Crushed candy canes add the perfect festive holiday touch to these cookies! Add however much you’d like.
Peppermint Extract: Peppermint extract is needed here to get that delicious chocolate peppermint flavor. This can be found in the baking aisle of most grocery stores. 1/4 tsp is all you’ll need.
Vanilla Extract, Salt, & Baking Powder: Add 1/2 tsp vanilla extract, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp baking powder for all things flavor and texture.

How to make these Chocolate Peppermint Cookies…

Chocolate Peppermint Cookies are quite easy to make. Simply make the dough, chill, bake, and then my favorite part … decorate!

Set the oven to 350 degrees.
Combine the coconut sugar, coconut oil, egg, vanilla extract, and peppermint extract until smooth.
Add in the almond flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Combine evenly.
Stir in the chocolate chips.
Place in the fridge to chill for 10 minutes.
Remove the dough from the fridge, roll about tablespoon sized balls, and place on a parchment paper lined or greased baking tray. Chill for another 10 minutes.
Remove from the fridge and flatten the balls into cookie shapes with your fingers.
Add crushed candy canes on top and press into the cookie.
Bake for 12 minutes.
Melt the white chocolate chips and coconut oil until smooth.
Once the cookies have cooled, drizzle with the white chocolate and top with more crushed candy canes.
Enjoy!

Why such a little amount of peppermint extract in these Holiday Cookies?

Trust me on this one, a little bit of peppermint extract goes a long way! I truly think that 1/4 tsp is all you need for the flavor to shine through without being too much.

And yes, I did learn this the hard way … in the form of cookies that tasted like toothpaste.

Gluten Free Chocolate Peppermint Cookies no-mess candy cane crushing…

It may seem super self explanatory to crush up some candy canes, but in case it is not … I am here to help! My no-mess easy method of crushing, no matter what i’m crushing, is always with a plastic bag.

Here’s what you do:

Unwrap the candy canes.
Add the candy canes to a ziplock bag, seal, and place on the counter.
Bang the bag with a spoon until the candy is crushed to your desired size.
That’s it!

Minimal mess and your crushed candy canes are already stored in a bag. It’s a fool proof method!

White chocolate drizzle tips…

I have two tips when it comes to creating both a beautiful and delicious white chocolate drizzle for the top of these Chocolate Peppermint Cookies!

Melt your white chocolate in the microwave! Simply place the chocolate in a small bowl with the coconut oil and heat in the microwave for 15 second intervals, stirring in between each one until smooth and melted. I find this is always the easiest way to melt chocolate – less mess & kitchen tools are needed. It’s also easier to avoid burning your chocolate this way!
Use a plastic bag for the perfect drizzle! The easiest way to get a perfect chocolate drizzle is, again, with a plastic bag. All you have to do is add the melted chocolate to the bag, seal it, and squeeze to one of the corners. Then cut off the tip, creating a small hole that is perfect to squeeze the chocolate out of and drizzle with control!

How to store White Chocolate Peppermint Cookies…

White Chocolate Peppermint Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for abut 5-7 days! For longer storage, place in the refrigerator where they will keep for 1-2 weeks.

You could also stash these cookies in the freezer. They will last there for a couple of months!

Love these Chocolate Peppermint Cookies? Check out some more holiday cookie favorites…

Connect with me!

If you make Chocolate Peppermint Cookies or any of my other recipes I would absolutely love to know! Tag me @wellnessbykay on instagram, so I can see and share your recreations!!

Love this recipe? Leave a comment and a rating! I love to see and it helps me continue to develop delicious recipes for this blog.