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Chocolate Peppermint Cookie Cups Recipe

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★★★★★

5 from 93 reviews

Decadent Chocolate Peppermint Cookie Cups featuring rich cocoa cookie bases filled with creamy peppermint cheesecake filling and topped with festive chopped candy canes. These delightful treats combine the flavors of chocolate and peppermint for a perfect holiday dessert that is both visually appealing and delicious.

Ingredients

Scale

Chocolate Cookie Cups

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup Dutch-processed cocoa powder (sifted)
  • 1/4 cup black cocoa powder
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup light brown sugar (packed)
  • 2 large eggs (room temperature)
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Peppermint Cheesecake Filling

  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream (chilled)
  • 8 oz cream cheese (full fat)
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp peppermint extract
  • Red color gel
  • Candy canes (chopped)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Oven and Pans: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray two regular-sized cupcake tins with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, Dutch-processed cocoa powder, black cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt until well combined. Set aside.
  3. Cream Butter and Sugars: Using an electric mixer, beat the unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and light brown sugar on medium-high speed until the mixture is light and fluffy, approximately 2 to 3 minutes.
  4. Add Eggs and Vanilla: Reduce mixer speed to low and add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then add the vanilla extract and beat until just incorporated.
  5. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the flour mixture into the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined to avoid overmixing.
  6. Scoop Dough into Pans: Using a large cookie scoop (about 3 tablespoons), divide the cookie dough evenly into the prepared muffin tins.
  7. Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 13 minutes or until mostly set but still soft in the centers.
  8. Create Wells in Cookies: Remove the pans from the oven and immediately press down the center of each cookie with a small jar or similar container to form a well for the filling.
  9. Cool Cookies: Let the cookies cool in the pans for 10 minutes. Then gently loosen each cookie by twisting it slightly in the pan, cool for an additional 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
  10. Whip Heavy Cream: In a cold bowl with a cold whisk, whip the chilled heavy cream until stiff peaks form.
  11. Prepare Cheesecake Mixture: In a separate bowl, beat the cream cheese, granulated sugar, and peppermint extract until smooth and creamy.
  12. Fold in Whipped Cream: Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture and beat until fully combined and smooth.
  13. Decorate Piping Bag: Use a small food-safe paintbrush to apply two red gel stripes inside a piping bag fitted with a large round tip. Fill the bag carefully with the cheesecake filling.
  14. Fill Cookie Cups: Pipe a swirl of the peppermint cheesecake filling into the center wells of the cooled cookie cups.
  15. Chill: Refrigerate the filled cookie cups for 1 to 2 hours until the filling is set.
  16. Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle chopped candy canes on top of the chilled cookie cups if desired. Serve chilled. Store leftovers in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days or freeze without the candy canes for up to 4 weeks.

Notes

  • For best results, ensure butter and eggs are at room temperature before beginning to create a smooth dough.
  • Chilling the heavy cream and bowl helps achieve stiffer peaks when whipping.
  • The red gel stripes inside the piping bag create a festive look but can be omitted if desired.
  • Store assembled cookie cups in an airtight container in the refrigerator to maintain freshness.
  • Frozen cookie cups should be thawed in the refrigerator before eating and candy cane topping should be added after thawing.

Keywords: Chocolate Peppermint Cookie Cups, Peppermint Cheesecake Cookies, Holiday Cookies, Chocolate Candy Cups, Peppermint Dessert

Find it online: https://cookcrisis.com/chocolate-peppermint-cookie-cups-recipe/