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Do you ever get something in your head and your just can't get it out? I've had peppermint bark on my brain lately.
I'm crazy about it; layers of melt-in-your-mouth white and dark chocolate showered with crunchy bits of peppermint candy cane............... to me it's quite addictive! And it seems that everywhere I go I see boxes of the yummy stuff all beautifully wrapped and stacked, just waiting to be carried away to the delight the recipients!
Now I know there are lots of recipes out there for peppermint bark but I decided to do something a little different................. something fun to give it a new twist ............... yet keep the same delicious chocolate and mint flavors. I experimented and played with a few ideas but finally came up with these Peppermint Bark Crackle Cookies. I took a tried and true, favorite cookie recipe I've been making for many years, Chocolate Mint Snaps, added lots of chunks of dark, milk and white chocolate and after forming the dough into balls as the recipe called for, I rolled them in crushed candy canes instead of sugar before the final baking step.
The aroma was heavenly as they baked early one morning when I had a bit of extra time - I'm a bit ashamed to say that they were so enticing we sampled one for breakfast! The final result is delightful and if you enjoy peppermint bark, you will LOVE these cookies. They come together quite quickly and would make a lovely gift for neighbors, friends, teachers, etc. Just don't expect them to last long in the cookie jar!
Oh, and I almost forgot to tell you the most important thing................. there seems to be a fellow from the North Pole who's quite crazy about these cookies.............. so you just might want to keep some handy in cause he shows up at your house! 🙂
Ho, ho, ho! Well, it's been well over a quarter of a century ago, since this picture and the note above were penned......................but the Christmas magic lives on!
- 4 ounces unsweetened baking chocolate
- ¾ cup butter
- ½ cup shortening
- 2 cups sugar
- 2 large eggs
- ⅓ cup corn syrup
- 2 ½ tablespoons water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 4 cups flour
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 6 ounces semi sweet chocolate chunks coarsely chopped*
- 6 ounces milk chocolate chips coarsely chopped*
- 6 ounces white chocolate chips coarsely chopped*
- 2 cup crushed candy canes divided
- ½ teaspoon salt
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Preheat oven to 350˚F. Grease several sheet pans with cooking spray. Melt chocolate in microwave for 1 ½ - 2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds.
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Cream butter and shortening. Gradually add sugar, beating until light and fluffy. Add melted chocolate, eggs, corn syrup, water, and vanilla. Mix well. Combine flour, soda, and salt and add to creamed mixture, beating just until blended. Add chopped chocolate and 1 cup of the crushed candy canes.
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Shape dough into 1 inch balls (I like to use an ice cream scoop for even sized balls) and roll in remaining crushed candy canes.
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Place on greased cookie sheets and flatten slightly with a flat-bottomed glass, just so cookies don't roll around the pan. Bake at 350 for approximately 12 minutes, do not over bake! If edges of cookies are uneven when you remove them from the oven, gently push them back into submission with a small plastic scraper or a table knife while they're still hot.
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Cool on cookie sheets for just a minute or two.
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Remove to cooling rack and cool completely.
*For the chocolate chunks and chips, I put them in batches, on a large cutting board and run a large sharp knife through them, until they are coarsely chopped.
Karen says
Hi Chris,
I was looking at this recipe for Peppermint Bark Chocolate Crackle cookies and was wondering about the butter/ shortening.. Is it 3/4 cup butter plus 1/2 cup shortening because they were typed on the same line. I want to make them soon and just wanted to verify the correct amounts. Thanks so much. I enjoy your posts and recipes. I have made many! I enjoy traveling with you to the UK and Paris. I have not been to Europe and seeing it through your eyes is wonderful. I have been around the US and many islands, but Europe has not happened. Your sharing is such a treat.
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks so much Karen, for you kind comment. We love that you've enjoyed The Café. Thanks also for noticing the butter/shortening issue. Yes, you do use both. I don't really care too much for shortening but I have a few recipes that just aren't the same with all butter, this being one of them. I think using both, gives the cookies great flavor (from the butter) but also makes them chewy and they don't dry out easily (from the shortening). I fixed the recipe, thanks!
Janet says
Have you posted your "Chocolate Mint Snaps" recipe that you talk about being one of your favorite tried and true recipes yet? I would love to try that recipe too, along with these delicious looking cookies! I just discovered your blog and can't wait to try some of the many delicious looking recipes!
Chris Scheuer says
Hi Janet,
Thanks for your kind words. I haven’t posted the recipe for the Chocolate Mint Snaps but here it is. It came from Southern Living many years ago.
Hope you enjoy it! Chris
plasterer bristol says
Wow they look lush...
Kim Bee says
These look so delicious. I bet these would be a hit at any Christmas party. Lovely recipe.
renee @ Singing With Birds says
Such pretty cookies and a precious note from so many years ago. I wish I'd shared your insight and saved such merry memories. Look for these on my Christmas pin board and thanks for sharing your recipe.
www.you-made-that.com says
I have been pinning peppermint recipes to try and these are perfect. I always make the bark and now I must try these cookies. Cute letter to Santa.
Kim - Liv Life says
Simply perfect! My kids love anything with crushed up candy cane in them, and these would do the trick. I know our Santa would be pretty darn pleased as well!
Anna @ Food Fitness Frolicking says
These cookies look just delicious! What a great idea for a twist on peppermint bark! I will definitely give these a try and I may just give them out as gifts to my friends for christmas!
Inside a British Mum's Kitchen says
Such a lovely post! your cookies look full of Christmas cheer - really lovely 🙂
Mary x
Anne@frommysweetheart says
Chris...I think I've been waiting all year just to have peppermint bark again! These cookies are so pretty! I love how the pieces of candy cane really shine on the tops! Your packaging looks so pretty, too. Great ideas and a really great cookie! (and love those letters to Santa....so sweet!)
The Mom Chef says
So very cute! You're quite the amazing woman; both adapting this recipe to something amazing and styling the photo so beautifully.
I have a feeling that Dudette would go crazy over these; which is reason enough to give them a try!
Emily Malloy says
This has me in a peppermint mood!
Eri says
Festive!!! They look lovely, such a good idea!
Have a nice week!
Grams H says
Cookies are my all time favorite to bake and these will be this years speical, new treat. I also appreciate your insight into the scriptures....as that's what Christmas IS really all about! Thanks so much. Blessings ~ linda 🙂
Kelly Mulcair Registered Nutritionist. Content © 2011 Trinity Nutrition. says
Oh my goodness... so you have me on the verge of tears looking at the pictures and letters to Santa...Oh, how time flies...my heart. Your presentation is what really captured me here Chris - everything about it spells warmth, love and Christmas; just beautiful. (And of course the bark cookies are pretty smashing too!) - *Wonderful* post!
Kelly Mulcair Registered Nutritionist. Content © 2011 Trinity Nutrition. says
Oh my goodness... so you have me on the verge of tears looking at the pictures and letters to Santa...Oh, how time flies...my heart. Your presentation is what really captured me here Chris - everything about it spells warmth, love and Christmas; just beautiful. (And of course the bark cookies are pretty smashing too!) - *Wonderful* post!
Hovkonditorn says
The aroma must have been great! These are so beautiful!
Veronica says
LOL, I love the "have fun!" PS at the end of the letter! Kids are so cute! The cookies sound fabrilicrilous! (that's a good thing lol)
Vicki Bensinger says
What fun photos. These also look like a cookie I use to make from and old recipe from Bon Appetit and those were delish. I'm sure these are as well - Southern Living recipes are all so wonderful! I especially love your festive photos.
Mary says
These must be wonderful. The combination of chocolate and mint is really hard to beat and I know I'd love these. I hope you have a great day. Blessings...Mary
Sandra says
The notes are adorable and you've put me into a holiday mood. Love , love, love those pictures and this creative recipe!
Lenia says
They are soooo cute!I bet they are yummy too!
Claire @ Claire K Creations says
They're fabulous! I love chocolate and mint so these would definitely be a hit with me. I love the idea of rolling them in candy canes.