Name: Levain Bakery Chocolate Peppermint Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 11 min
Total time: 21 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup Cold Butter (cut into cubes); 1 cup Brown Sugar; 2/3 cup Sugar; 2 large Eggs; 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract; 1/2 cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder; 2 1/2 cups Flour (can use 1 cup cake flour plus 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour); 1 teaspoon Cornstarch; 3/4 teaspoon Baking Soda; 3/4 teaspoon Salt; 1 1/2 cups Chocolate Chips; 10 ounces Peppermint Crunch Baking Chips

Jump to Recipe· 4.3 from 26 reviews

There is something truly magical about the Levain Bakery Chocolate Peppermint Cookies Recipe that instantly transports you to cozy winter moments filled with the perfect balance of rich chocolate and refreshing peppermint. These cookies are thick, chunky, and packed with a delightful crunch from peppermint baking chips, making every bite a sensational treat. If you’ve ever wanted to recreate a bakery favorite with that irresistibly chewy center and crispy edges, this recipe will quickly become your new go-to. Trust me, you’re going to want to keep a batch of these around for whenever you need an instant mood booster.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Three thick chocolate cookies with a rough surface, filled with dark brown chocolate chips and sprinkled generously with small red and white crushed candy pieces on top. The cookies sit directly on a white marbled surface with scattered crushed candy bits around them. To the right, there is a white and red striped candy cane partly visible. The lighting highlights the texture, making the cookies look soft and rich. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Getting the ingredients just right is the secret to making these cookies both decadent and balanced. Each component plays its part in delivering that signature chewy texture and rich flavor that you expect from a classic Levain treat.

Cold Butter: Cubed cold butter helps achieve that thick, fudgy texture without flattening the cookies during baking.
Brown Sugar: Adds moisture and a subtle caramel undertone for depth of flavor.
Sugar: Balances sweetness while promoting browning and a slight crispness on the edges.
Large Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and contribute to the soft, chewy center.
Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor with its warm, sweet aroma.
Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: Delivers rich chocolate flavor without overpowering sweetness.
Flour: Provides structure; a mix of cake and all-purpose flour ensures tenderness and just the right amount of chew.
Cornstarch: Keeps the cookies soft and tender instead of tough.
Baking Soda: Gives the cookies a slight lift and contributes to browning.
Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances the chocolate and peppermint notes.
Chocolate Chips: Melts into gooey pockets of rich chocolate throughout each cookie.
Peppermint Crunch Baking Chips: Add refreshing bursts of mint and a satisfying crunch to complement the chocolate.

How to Make Levain Bakery Chocolate Peppermint Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

First things first, preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit if making the classic 6-ounce cookies. If you decide to make smaller cookies, say 3 to 5 ounces, bring the oven temperature down slightly to 385 degrees to prevent overbaking. This step ensures perfect baking temperature for the best texture.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars

In a large mixing bowl, cream together your cold butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar for about 4 minutes until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and just a bit airy. Be sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl halfway through so everything is blended evenly. This creaming step is crucial for that tender crumb and delightful chew.

Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla

Next, add the eggs one at a time along with the vanilla extract. Mix these in for an additional minute, allowing the wet ingredients to emulsify with the creamed butter and sugars, creating a smooth batter that’s ready to hold the dry ingredients.

Step 4: Incorporate Dry Ingredients

Gently fold in the unsweetened cocoa powder, flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt. This careful folding keeps your dough tender while mixing just enough to incorporate all the dry ingredients for the perfect cookie structure. Avoid overmixing to maintain that melt-in-your-mouth quality.

Step 5: Add Chocolate and Peppermint Chips

This is the moment where the magic really happens. Fold in the chocolate chips so they melt into dreamy pockets of rich chocolate after baking, and add the peppermint crunch baking chips for vibrant minty bursts and delightful texture contrasts throughout every bite.

Step 6: Shape and Bake

Roll your dough into large balls—typically 6 ounces each for the classic Levain look and feel. You can opt for smaller sizes if you prefer, and place the dough balls on a light-colored baking sheet to promote even baking. If you want a slightly thinner cookie, give the doughball a gentle press before baking. Bake the cookies for about 8 to 11 minutes depending on size; they’ll appear just slightly underbaked, but that’s perfect because they continue to set on the baking sheet after coming out of the oven. Allow them to rest for at least 10 minutes to achieve their signature thick and gooey texture.

How to Serve Levain Bakery Chocolate Peppermint Cookies Recipe

A stack of three thick dark chocolate cookies is shown on a white plate with a delicate edge, placed on a white marbled surface. Each cookie is dense and textured with melted dark chocolate chunks and sprinkled with small pieces of red and white crushed candy scattered on and around the cookies. The cookies have a rich, slightly shiny appearance from the melted chocolate, and the crushed candy pieces add bright spots of color and a crunchy texture contrast. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

For a festive touch, sprinkle crushed peppermint candies or a light dusting of powdered sugar over the cookies before serving. This adds a visual pop and extra peppermint flair that pairs beautifully with the rich chocolate.

Side Dishes

These cookies are fantastic on their own, but pairing them with a glass of cold milk or a cup of hot cocoa amplifies their comforting, indulgent nature. For an adult twist, try serving them with a peppermint-spiked coffee or a creamy Bailey’s Irish Cream – the flavors complement each other beautifully.

Creative Ways to Present

Consider stacking a few cookies with a scoop of vanilla or peppermint ice cream in between for an irresistible cookie sandwich. You can also gently warm the cookies and drizzle melted white chocolate over the tops to create a professionally styled dessert that’s sure to impress friends and family alike.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled completely, store your Levain Bakery Chocolate Peppermint Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay fresh and chewy for up to five days, making them perfect for preparing ahead and enjoying over several days of holiday celebrations or cozy nights in.

Freezing

If you want to keep these treats around longer, freeze the cookie dough balls on a baking sheet until firm, then transfer them to a resealable bag. You can bake them straight from the freezer by adding a few extra minutes to the baking time, ensuring fresh-baked cookies anytime the craving strikes.

Reheating

To revive that just-baked goodness, simply microwave the cookies for 10 to 15 seconds or warm them briefly in a 300-degree oven. This quick reheating brings back the gooey, melty texture that makes these cookies so addictive.

FAQs

Can I use all-purpose flour instead of a mix?

Yes, you can use all-purpose flour only, but the textural contrast you get from using some cake flour makes the cookies lighter and more tender. If you don’t have cake flour on hand, all-purpose will still yield delicious cookies.

What if I don’t have peppermint baking chips?

You can substitute crushed peppermint candies or candy canes for the baking chips for a similar minty crunch. Just sprinkle them into the dough before baking, but expect the texture to be a bit crunchier.

Why are the cookies baked at such a high temperature?

Baking at 400 degrees ensures the cookies develop a crispy exterior while staying soft and underbaked in the center, which is critical for achieving that iconic Levain Bakery cookie texture.

Can I make these cookies smaller or bigger?

Absolutely! The recipe allows you to shape the cookies anywhere from 3 ounces up to the classic 6 ounces. Adjust baking times slightly depending on size to make sure they’re perfectly baked without drying out.

Do these cookies keep their peppermint flavor after freezing?

Yes, freezing the dough or baked cookies does not diminish the fresh peppermint flavor. Just be sure to store them airtight to preserve that wonderful minty punch.

Final Thoughts

If you’re longing for a cookie that elegantly marries rich chocolate and vibrant peppermint with that signature Levain bakery chewiness, this Levain Bakery Chocolate Peppermint Cookies Recipe is exactly what you need. These cookies are a joy to bake and an absolute delight to eat, perfect for sharing or simply treating yourself. Go ahead, give this recipe a try—you’re about to discover a new favorite that will brighten up your cookie jar for good!

Levain Bakery Chocolate Peppermint Cookies Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need