These Peppermint Bark Cookies bring together everything you love about shortbread AND everything you love about peppermint bark in one bite!

Shortbread cookies with chocolate and peppermint stacked on top of each other.

Peppermint Bark Cookies Recipe

Peppermint bark is a classic Christmas tradition, and I LOVE traditions. Especially holiday traditions. However, every once in a while, I like to mix up things and add a new twist in there.

That’s where this recipe for Peppermint Bark Cookies came from. Everything is better as a cookie, right? It is a traditional recipe with a fun spin on it. 

These Peppermint Bark Cookies are super quick and easy to make, and they melt in your mouth. I make these cookies every year for the Christmas cookie boxes that I give to friends and family.

I like how they are shaped differently from any other Christmas cookie. With all the cookies and treats given at Christmas time, these Peppermint Bark Cookies will stand out from the rest and be the favorite treat for sure! 

Candy canes and chocolate chips on a red napkin.

Peppermint and chocolate are one of my all-time favorite holiday flavor combinations. It just tastes like Christmas! I love it so much that I have quite a few peppermint and chocolate recipes on my site. Check them out!

Need more peppermint in your life? Check out these recipes:

Peppermint and Chocolate Recipes from Bloggers I Love:

Picture collage of how to make peppermint bark cookies.

How to make Peppermint Bark Cookies:

  1. First, preheat the oven to 350 degrees and then prepare a pan with nonstick cooking spray.
  2. Next, mix flour, baking powder, and salt, then set aside. 
  3. Then, mix butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla and mix until combined. 
  4. Next, add flour mixture and mix until combined. 
  5. Now pat dough into the bottom of the pan and bake for 22-25 minutes. Then cool for 1 hour. 
  6. Then, place chocolate chips and vegetable shortening in a microwave-safe bowl, and cook on 50% power for 1 minute. Stir and microwave for 30 seconds and then stir again. Repeat this process until completely melted. 
  7. Next, spread melted chocolate over cookie crust evenly. Sprinkle crushed candy canes over the top.
  8. Finally, place the pan in the fridge for 1 hour until chocolate sets before cutting into triangles to serve. 

Shortbread Peppermint Bark Cookies broken into triangles.

Peppermint Bark Sugar Cookies Question Answered:

Can you freeze peppermint bark cookies?

Yes, just as long as you store it properly. You can wrap the cookies in plastic wrap or foil and then place the peppermint bark into an airtight container. It will stay fresh for a few months. 

Cook’s Tools:

9×13-inch pan

mixing bowls

stand mixer

wire rack

offset spatula      

Cook’s Note:

  • These cookies will keep for one week while covered in the refrigerator. Bring the cookies to room temperature before serving.
Easy Peppermint Bark Cookies recipe
4.92 from 12 votes

Peppermint Bark Cookies

Author Jillian - a Food, Folks and Fun original!
Prep Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 55 minutes
24 pieces
These Peppermint Bark Cookies bring together everything you love about shortbread AND everything you love about peppermint bark in one bite!

Ingredients
 
 

  • ½ cup salted butter
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg at room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 ½ cups of all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 12 ounce bag semisweet chocolate chips
  • 1 Tablespoon vegetable shortening Crisco
  • 1 cup crushed candy canes

Instructions

  • Move oven rack to middle position and preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray 9x13-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
  • In a small bowl whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside.
  • In a bowl of a stand mixer add butter and sugar and mix on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
  • Add egg and vanilla and mix until combined.
  • Add flour mixture and mix to combine (the dough should look crumbly).
  • Pat dough into the bottom of the prepared 9x13-inch baking pan and bake for 22-25 minutes or until edges are golden brown. Move pan to wire rack and cool for 1 hour.
  • Place chocolate chips and vegetable shortening in a microwave-safe bowl, and cook on 50% power for 1 minute. Stir and microwave for 30 seconds and stir. Repeat until chocolate is completely melted.
  • Spread melted chocolate over cookie crust and spread into an even layer. Sprinkle crushed candy canes over the top. Place pan in the refrigerator for 1 hour, or until chocolate is set. Cut into triangles and serve.

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 1piece | Calories: 208kcal | Carbohydrates: 27.6g | Protein: 2.24g | Fat: 10.97g | Cholesterol: 20mg | Sodium: 65mg | Potassium: 101mg | Fiber: 1.3g | Sugar: 19.7g | Vitamin A: 300IU | Calcium: 30mg | Iron: 1.1mg

did you love this recipe?

Share it with me on Facebook and find more recipes on foodfolksandfun for more!

Shortbread Peppermint Bark Cookies picture collage for Pinterest.

These Peppermint Bark Cookies bring together everything you love about shortbread AND everything you love about peppermint bark in one bite!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




11 Comments

  1. I love peppermint and chocolate together so much! The shortbread looks so melt in your mouth too. Definitely a must-make for the holiday cookie platters or for cookie exchanges! 🙂

  2. Brian Jones says:

    Thgey look superb, I love the minty flavour with the chocolate… I am sure it will taste super.

  3. Love the combination of cookies and bark, this looks so delicious and festive!

  4. Thank you for this collection of peppermint and chocolate recipes, I have the entire Christmas period covered at this point. NO need to look futher

  5. I love this recipe. It’s super easy to make a big batch of cookies. Perfect for Christmas cookies exchange. 🙂

  6. Veena Azmanov says:

    So cute and fun to make too. My kids to love trying them for sure. I want to gift it too. Chocolaty and yum.

  7. Jacqueline Debono says:

    I love Christmas traditions too! Peppermint and chocolate are such a lovely combination. And I adore shortbread! Have to give these cookies a try!

  8. Yum!! This looks like the perfect Christmas treat and those crushed candy canes must bring a nice light and delicious flavour. Will make it for the festive season.

  9. I made this for a holiday work party and oh my was it delicious! It’s definitely a new favorite Christmas sweet treat that I’ll be making again and again!

  10. Claudia Lamascolo says:

    very good idea for gift giving, I needed one more things for my third tin to fill this is it! thanks

  11. Renee Goerger says:

    Such a brilliant idea to combine the cookies with the bark! This recipe is completely delicious!!