Peppermint Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies

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These Peppermint Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies are soft, chewy Christmas chocolate cookies topped with peppermint Hershey kisses – one of my favorite little holiday candies! They are delicious and will make you the hit of your holiday cookie exchange!

If you like thumbprint cookies as much as I do, you should also try these delicious Peanut Butter Blossoms!

Peppermint Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies spread evenly over parchment paper

There are few things that I’ve been loving more than peppermint for the holidays. When I was pregnant last year, all of sudden I craved all things peppermint and that hasn’t really gone away. I’m still totally in love with peppermint flavored things for Christmas!

So when I decided to make a chocolate thumbprint cookie, I knew they needed to be topped with the candy cane Hershey kisses. I think of all the little peppermint candies out there, those might be my fave. Such great flavor and I love the little crunchy things in them. So good!

Naturally when you combine a delicious chocolate cookie with a delicious peppermint kiss, you’ve got a fabulous cookie on your hands that’s totally worthy of your cookie tray!

A Peppermint Chocolate Thumbprint Cookie broken in half with whole Peppermint Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies in the background
Peppermint Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies spread evenly over parchment paper

How to make Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies

To get started making these little drops of Christmas cookie heaven, you’ll want to cream the butter and sugar together until it’s lighter in color and fluffy in texture. I used both regular and brown sugar in these cookies. I often find that brown sugar offers a deeper flavor and more moisture and they definitely add to these chocolate thumbprint cookies.

Next up you’ll add your egg and vanilla extract, then the dry ingredients. When the cookie dough is ready to go, roll it into large tablespoon sized balls, then roll the balls in a little sugar. After placing the ball onto a cookie sheet, press a little indent into the center of the cookie – a “thumbprint”. It will fill back in a good bit when baking, but it’ll give you a spot to add your hershey kiss later.

The cookies bake for just 6-7 minutes and once they are done, you can add your peppermint kiss.

Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies with Hershey Kisses

The final Peppermint Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies are not only pretty, but delicious! So wonderfully soft to bite into, with the crunch of the hershey kisses. I love the chocolate and peppermint flavor combination – just perfect!

Peppermint Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies spread evenly over parchment paper
Overhead view of Peppermint Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies spread evenly over parchment paper on a wooden table

You might also like:
Candy Cane Cookies
Peppermint Cheesecake Brownie Trifle
Chocolate Peppermint Shortbread Cookies
Peppermint Chip Layer Cake
Peppermint Espresso Brownie Cheesecake
Chocolate Peppermint Biscotti
Peppermint Chocolate Pancakes
Peanut Butter Blossoms

Print
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Peppermint Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies spread evenly over parchment paper
Recipe

Peppermint Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies

  • Author: Lindsay
  • Prep Time: 45 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
  • Yield: 26-28 cookies
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Oven
  • Cuisine: American

Description

Peppermint Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies are soft, chewy Christmas chocolate cookies topped with peppermint Hershey kisses. Perfect for cookie exchanges!


Ingredients

  • 10 tbsp (140g) unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1/2 cup (112g) brown sugar, lightly packed
  • 1/2 cup (104g) sugar, plus 3 tbsp for rolling
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 1/4 cups (163g) all purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup (57g) natural unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 2628 Candy Cane Hershey’s Kisses

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (176°C). Line a baking sheet with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper.
2. Combine flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt in a medium sized bowl. Set aside.
3. Cream butter and sugars (minus the 3 tablespoons of sugar for rolling) together until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
4. Mix in egg and vanilla extract.
5. Add the dry ingredients and mix until well incorporated and thick.
6. Roll one tablespoon sized balls of cookie dough. (NOTE: If you make larger balls of cookie dough, the cookies will spread more.)
7. Put the 3 additional tablespoons of sugar into a small bowl and roll each ball of cookie dough in it, coating the ball fully, then place the cookie dough balls on the lined cookie sheet.
8. Bake the cookies for 6-7 minutes.
9. Remove the cookies from the oven and press an unwrapped hershey kiss into the top center of each cookie. Allow cookies to cool for 2-3 minutes, the remove to cooling rack to cool completely.


Notes

The cookie dough can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to 3 days. While you don’t have to refrigerate the cookie dough before baking, I do find that if you refrigerate it for about 24 hours first, the cookies bake even more soft, thick and chewy.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 Cookie
  • Calories: 92
  • Sugar: 6.7 g
  • Sodium: 70.1 mg
  • Fat: 4.9 g
  • Carbohydrates: 11.9 g
  • Protein: 1.2 g
  • Cholesterol: 17.5 mg

Categories

Enjoy!

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36 Comments
  1. Lynn

    I found if you let the cookies cool on the rack for just 2 minutes before putting the kisses on top; they will keep their shape. Has anyone tried putting a little peppermint extract in with the cookie dough? Not sure if it would be too minty. Cookies are fabulous!

    1. Lindsay

      Thank you for sharing! Glad you enjoyed them! You could add a little peppermint extract – maybe 1/2 a teaspoon – and it shouldn’t be too much.

  2. Chesco Holly

    This cookie is delish and a real crowd pleaser! They are my go-to holiday cookie and make just enough to leave folks wanting more.






Lindsay
About Lindsay

I’m the baker, recipe developer and photographer behind Life, Love and Sugar. I love sharing trusted recipes with helpful tips to give you great results.

Scripture I’m Loving

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:28-29