Name: Oreo Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 14 min
Total time: 29 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1/2 cup butter softened; 1/3 cup dark brown sugar; 1/4 cup white sugar; 1 egg room temperature; 1 tbsp vanilla; 1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour; 1 tbsp cornstarch; 1/2 tsp baking soda; 1/4 tsp salt; 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips; 1/4 cup candy cane crushed; 7 Oreos crushed

There’s something irresistibly festive and comforting about these cookies. The crunchy Oreos meet the cool zest of peppermint and classic chocolate chips in this Oreo Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe, making every bite a perfect winter treat or holiday party showstopper.

The image shows a close-up of several cookies on white baking paper inside a metal tray. The cookies are round and thick with a light golden brown color. They are filled with dark brown chocolate chunks, black cookie pieces, and small white and red bits that look like crushed candy. Three cookies are stacked on top of each other in the center, but each is cut in half showing the soft inside layer with the same mix of chocolate, cookie pieces, and candy bits. The background is a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Oreo Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Oreo Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Oreo Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I first made these cookies on a chilly December afternoon, and they instantly became my go-to when I want something festive but not overly complicated. The blend of textures and flavors is unique but totally approachable, so I just know you’ll be as hooked as I am.

Perfect Holiday Twist: The peppermint adds a refreshing lift that pairs beautifully with chocolate and Oreos, making these cookies stand out from your usual chocolate chip batch.
Texture Heaven: Crunchy Oreos and candy cane bits combined with gooey chocolate chips create delightful layers in every bite.
Simple Ingredients: You don’t need fancy stuff – most are pantry staples with a fun holiday kick.
Great for Gifting: These cookies look and taste special enough to impress friends and family without hours in the kitchen.

A single round cookie with a light golden-brown base is shown on a piece of white parchment paper over a white marbled surface. The cookie has chunks of dark brown chocolate, pieces of black and white cookies, and small bits of red candy scattered throughout. Its texture looks soft with melted chocolate patches and a slightly crisp edge. Another cookie partially appears at the top right corner. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

What I love about this Oreo Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe is how every ingredient pulls double duty — flavor, texture, and that cozy, festive vibe you want in a cookie. Here’s a quick rundown of why they’re essential and what to look for at the store.

Flat lay of a few small cubes of softened butter, a small mound of dark brown sugar, a small mound of white granulated sugar, one whole uncracked brown egg, a small white bowl with golden vanilla extract, a small pile of all-purpose flour, a small pile of white cornstarch powder, a small pile of fine baking soda powder, a small pinch of salt crystals, a small white bowl filled with semi-sweet chocolate chips, a small white bowl containing crushed red and white candy cane pieces, seven whole Oreo cookies arranged neatly, all placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Butter: Softened butter gives these cookies their tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Don’t substitute with margarine; real butter makes all the difference.
Dark Brown Sugar: Adds a deep, caramel-like sweetness that pairs wonderfully with the chocolate and peppermint.
White Sugar: Balances out the brown sugar, contributing to crisp edges on your cookies.
Egg: Acts as a binder and adds moisture. Make sure it’s at room temperature for better mixing.
Vanilla Extract: A splash of vanilla brings warmth and rounds out the flavors.
All-Purpose Flour: The backbone of the dough, providing structure without weighing it down too much.
Cornstarch: This is my secret weapon — it keeps cookies soft and slightly cakey, which makes a nice contrast with the crispy Oreos.
Baking Soda: Helps the cookies rise just right, giving them a soft yet sturdy texture.
Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances all those rich flavors.
Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: Classic melty chocolate bites that bring comfort and richness.
Crushed Candy Cane: Provides the signature peppermint crunch and gives the cookies a festive look and flavor.
Crushed Oreos: The star ingredient! These add bold cookie crunch and chocolate-vanilla goodness with no need for extra prep.

📝

Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of my favorite things about this recipe is how flexible it is. I’ve played around with a few variations to suit different tastes or occasions, and honestly, it’s always delicious.

Variation: Sometimes I swap crushed Oreos for chocolate sandwich cookies with mint flavor for an even stronger peppermint kick — it’s a fun twist when you want it extra minty.
Dietary Mod: To make these dairy-free, try using a vegan butter substitute and dairy-free semi-sweet chocolate chips. The texture shifts a bit but still totally yummy.
Seasonal Changes: Skip the peppermint in summer and throw in some chopped nuts or dried cherries instead. You’ll love how versatile the base dough is.
Difficulty Level: It’s a beginner-friendly recipe, so even if baking cookies makes you nervous, this one’s straightforward and forgiving.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Oreo Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Set Up for Success

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining your baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat. This step ensures your cookies won’t stick and helps them bake evenly. I always get this done first because it saves me scrambling while the dough’s ready.

Step 2: Cream the Sugars and Butter

In a large bowl, toss together the softened butter, dark brown sugar, and white sugar. I use a spatula when I’m in a pinch, but an electric mixer works magic here for a smooth, fluffy texture. This is where you build that tender crumb, so take your time to get it creamy and combined.

Step 3: Add Wet Ingredients

Mix in the egg and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and uniform. The vanilla adds a subtle warmth that brings all the ingredients together – don’t skip this step!

Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt. Then gently fold these dry ingredients into your wet mixture. Take care not to overmix here — just combine until you have a soft dough. Overworking the dough can make cookies tough, and we want soft, chewy bites.

Step 5: Fold in the Goodies

Now for the fun part: fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips, crushed candy canes, and crushed Oreos. Seeing those chunks come together always makes me smile — it’s like setting a countdown to cookie bliss.

Step 6: Bake with Patience

Scoop about six cookies at a time onto your prepared tray. Bake for 13-14 minutes until the edges are crisp and golden but the centers still look soft and gooey — trust me, that’s the sweet spot. They’ll firm up as they cool, so resist the urge to overbake.

If you want, sprinkle a few extra crushed candy canes or mini Oreo bits on top right after removing the cookies from the oven for an extra festive look.

Let cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to finish cooling.

Top Tip

I’ve baked dozens of batches of this Oreo Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe, and here’s what I’ve learned along the way that ensures your cookies come out perfect every time.

Softened Butter is Key: Using butter that’s just softened, not melted, helps the cookies hold their shape without spreading too much.
Don’t Overmix the Dough: This keeps the cookies tender — mix just until the flour disappears.
Bake in Small Batches: I bake about six cookies at a time to keep the oven temperature consistent and the cookies perfect.
Watch the Color: Look for golden edges but soft centers — pull the cookies out before they look fully baked in the middle.

How to Serve Oreo Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

peppermint chocolate cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love topping a fresh batch with some extra crushed candy canes or a light dusting of powdered sugar for that snowy effect. Sometimes, I drizzle melted white chocolate over the cookies for a beautiful touch and an extra layer of sweetness.

Side Dishes

A tall glass of cold milk is my classic pairing, but a cup of peppermint hot chocolate makes the experience extra cozy and festive. For parties, I place these alongside a cheese board to mix sweet with savory – guests always love that balance.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday gatherings, I arrange the cookies in a festive tin lined with holiday-themed paper and tie with a red ribbon. Another cute idea is stacking them with a peppermint stick between each cookie to look like a little candy cane stack – super cute and seasonal!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay soft and delicious for up to 4 days, but truthfully, we rarely have leftovers that long! Adding a slice of bread in the container helps maintain that soft texture by keeping moisture balanced.

Freezing

These cookies freeze wonderfully — I freeze them individually on a baking sheet first, then transfer to a freezer bag. When I’m craving them later, I simply thaw at room temperature or pop a couple in the microwave for about 10 seconds for that fresh-baked warmth.

Reheating

To enjoy leftovers like they’re freshly baked, I gently heat the cookies in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes or microwave them briefly. This trick revives the melty chocolate and soft center that make these cookies irresistible.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use regular peppermint instead of crushed candy canes?

You can! However, crushed candy canes are preferred because they blend better into the cookie dough and provide a nice crunch without overpowering the flavor. Regular peppermint candies might be too large or hard and could affect baking time or texture.

How do I avoid the cookies spreading too much in the oven?

Make sure your butter is softened but not melted, and don’t overmix the dough. Also, chilling the dough for 15-30 minutes before baking can help keep the shape firm. Baking on a lined tray with enough space between cookies is also key.

Can I make this recipe dairy-free?

Absolutely! Substitute the butter for a vegan or dairy-free butter alternative and use dairy-free chocolate chips. Keep in mind that the texture might be slightly different, but the cookies will still taste delicious.

How many cookies does this recipe make?

This recipe makes approximately 9 cookies, depending on how large you scoop them. It's perfect for a small batch to enjoy fresh or share with a few friends!

Final Thoughts

This Oreo Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe holds a special place in my heart because it’s straightforward yet feels so decadent. It’s the perfect way to bring festive cheer to your kitchen or your gift-giving table without fuss. I’m excited for you to try it and hope it brings as much joy and sweetness to your home as it has to mine!