So I decided that this year I would get out of my Christmas cookie comfort zone (say that 3 times fast) and try some new recipes. And I have to say I am pretty darn proud of my first attempt. Let me start by saying I love the York Peppermint Patty! I love the mint, the chocolate and even their cheesy ass commercials that make me giggle like a school girl. So when I found a cookies recipe that incorporated a peppermint patty I was pretty sold. Plus these cookies just look festive!



To begin with, using an electric mixer beat the flour, cocoa powder, granulated sugar, brown sugar, salt and baking soda on low speed. I am not really sure why the recipe wants us to beat the dry ingredients, but I just went with it.


Beat in the butter and the eggs.


Turn the dough onto a piece of plastic wrap and chill in the fridge for an hour. This is actually a very important step because otherwise the dough is just too tacky and your hands will be covered in dough and you will not have any left for cookies. Yes, I know this sounds like the voice of experience...that is because it is.

Working 1T or so of dough, use your fingers to evenly encase a peppermint patty with dough. This is actually easier than it sounds, just think of playing with play dough as a kid, same idea, just chocolate flavored.

Place cookies on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet and bake for 15 minutes at 350 degrees, rotating the pan after about 7 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.

These mats work in place of parchment and they are so much easier to use!!

The recipe has instruction that include melting the white chocolate over a double boiler. However, I just used a microwave and that worked just fine. Drizzle the white chocolate over the cookies and sprinkle with crushed candy canes or peppermint candies.



1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup light brown sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 (6 oz.) unsalted butter, slightly softened
1 egg
24 miniature (about 1 1/2-inch) peppermint patties, such as York, unwrapped and chilled
6 ounces white chocolate (not chips), chopped
Peppermint candy canes or candies, crushed or finely chopped

directions
Using an electric mixer, beat the flour, cocoa powder, both sugars, salt and baking soda on low speed. Beat in the butter, then the egg. Turn out the dough onto a large piece of plastic wrap and flatten into a disk; seal. Refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees . Line 2 large cookie sheets with parchment. Working with 1 tbsp. of dough at a time, use your fingers to evenly encase each peppermint patty with dough. Place on the prepared pans and smooth the dough with your fingers. Bake, switching the pans halfway through, until just firm to the touch, about 15 minutes. Remove the pans from the oven and let cool slightly. Transfer the cookies on the parchment to a rack to cool completely.
Meanwhile, in a double boiler or small, heatproof bowl set over a small saucepan of simmering water, melt half of the white chocolate, stirring until melted. Remove from the heat and stir in the remaining white chocolate until smooth. Using a large spoon, drizzle the white chocolate over the cookies. Sprinkle immediately with the crushed peppermint candies. Let set completely before serving or storing.


These are chocolatey, minty and just so yummy! I love the contrast in textures and they scream Merry Christmas Ho Ho Ho!! Cheers!