Chocolate Peppermint Kiss Cookies

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
2. Cream the butter and sugars: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter with the granulated sugar and brown sugar using an electric mixer on medium speed. Continue beating for 2–3 minutes until the mixture is light, fluffy, and well combined. Creaming the butter properly helps create soft and tender cookies.
3. Add the eggs and extract: Crack in the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Then mix in the peppermint extract. The peppermint adds a subtle, refreshing note without overpowering the rich chocolate flavor.
4. Mix the dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, salt, baking soda, and baking powder until evenly combined. Cocoa powder can clump, so ensure it’s fully incorporated with the flour mixture.
5. Combine wet and dry ingredients: Gradually add the dry mixture to the butter mixture, beating on low speed just until no dry streaks remain. Avoid overmixing, which can lead to dense cookies.
6. Stir in chocolate chips: Fold in the chocolate chips using a spatula or wooden spoon, distributing them evenly throughout the dough. The chips add bursts of melted chocolate in every bite.
7. Shape the cookies: Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, scoop out heaping tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll into balls. Place them about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets to allow for spreading.
8. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 9–11 minutes, or until the edges are set and the centers look slightly soft and puffed. Do not overbake—the cookies will continue to set as they cool.
9. Add the peppermint kisses: Immediately after removing the cookies from the oven, gently press one peppermint kiss into the center of each cookie. The heat of the cookie will slightly melt the chocolate, helping it adhere.
10. Cool completely: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5–10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. The kisses will firm up again as the cookies cool.

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