Gluten-Free White Chocolate Peppermint & Milk Chocolate Chip Cookies: The Ultimate Holiday Treat
Welcome to the most wonderful time of the year! What better way to celebrate the festive season than with a batch of irresistible cookies? Imagine biting into a soft, chewy, and buttery cookie, perfectly balanced with the refreshing tingle of peppermint and the sweet richness of white and milk chocolate. These Gluten-Free White Chocolate Peppermint & Milk Chocolate Chip Cookies are not just any holiday treat; they are a delightful experience that will have everyone singing “I’ll be home for Christmas” just for a taste! We’ve even added a secret ingredient – cream cheese – to the dough, ensuring an unparalleled melt-in-your-mouth texture that will make these cookies an instant holiday classic.
Why These Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies Will Become Your Holiday Favorite
If you’re searching for the perfect cookie to add to your holiday baking repertoire, look no further. These gluten-free wonders combine everything you love about Christmas treats into one delightful bite.
- Irresistible Flavor Combination: The marriage of cool, refreshing peppermint with creamy white chocolate and classic milk chocolate creates a symphony of flavors that is truly magical. It’s a festive explosion for your taste buds!
- Perfectly Soft & Chewy Texture: Thanks to the inclusion of cream cheese in the dough, these cookies boast an incredibly soft interior and delightfully chewy edges. They stay wonderfully moist for days, making them ideal for gifting or enjoying throughout the week.
- Gluten-Free Goodness: Don’t let dietary restrictions hold you back from enjoying amazing holiday cookies. Our recipe uses a high-quality gluten-free all-purpose flour blend, ensuring a delicious outcome without compromising on taste or texture.
- Easy to Make: Despite their gourmet taste, these cookies are surprisingly simple to prepare. With clear, step-by-step instructions, even novice bakers can achieve spectacular results.
- Festive Appearance: Adorned with pops of red and white from the peppermint chips, these cookies are as beautiful as they are delicious, perfect for any holiday dessert spread.
“Please have snow and mistletoe.
And presents under the tree.”
And these cookies…o.k.?
The Magic of Peppermint and Cream Cheese in Cookies
Peppermint is synonymous with the holidays, and its crisp, refreshing flavor cuts through the sweetness of chocolate beautifully. We’ve chosen Andes Peppermint Crunch Baking Chips for their perfect balance of white chocolate and peppermint, adding both flavor and a delightful texture. The classic milk chocolate chips add another layer of creamy indulgence that perfectly complements the cool peppermint.
But the real game-changer in this recipe is the cream cheese. Often overlooked in cookie recipes, cream cheese works wonders to tenderize the dough, resulting in cookies that are exceptionally soft, moist, and chewy. It adds a subtle tang that complements the sweet chocolate and peppermint, elevating these from good cookies to truly extraordinary ones. If you’ve never tried cream cheese in your cookie dough, prepare to be amazed!
“Christmas Eve will find me.
Where the love light gleams“
I’ll be home for Christmas.
If only in my dreams.”
Demystifying Gluten-Free Baking for Perfect Results
For those new to gluten-free baking, or even seasoned GF bakers, these cookies are a fantastic demonstration of how delicious and satisfying gluten-free treats can be. The key is using a good quality gluten-free all-purpose flour blend, preferably one that contains xanthan gum (or you can add a quarter teaspoon per cup of flour if your blend doesn’t include it). This helps mimic the elasticity and structure that gluten provides, resulting in cookies that hold together beautifully and have that desirable chewiness. Don’t be afraid to experiment with your favorite GF flour blend; brands like Better Batter GF Flour are excellent choices that deliver consistent results for cookies.
Essential Ingredients for Your Holiday Masterpiece
Gathering your ingredients at room temperature is crucial for the best cookie dough consistency. Make sure to have these on hand:
- Gluten-Free All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of our GF cookies. A good blend is essential for texture.
- Baking Soda & Salt: Leavening and flavor enhancers.
- Butter & Cream Cheese (Room Temperature): The dynamic duo for richness, flavor, and that signature soft, chewy texture. Room temperature ensures they cream together smoothly.
- Granulated & Light Brown Sugar: A mix provides both crispness and moisture, contributing to the perfect chew.
- Vanilla Extract: Essential for depth of flavor. Don’t skimp on quality!
- Large Eggs: Binders that add richness and structure.
- Milk Chocolate Chips: A classic, comforting sweetness that pairs wonderfully with peppermint.
- Andes Peppermint Crunch Baking Chips: The star of the show, delivering that iconic festive peppermint flavor and delightful crunch.
GF White Chocolate Peppermint & Milk Chocolate Chip Cookies {Cream Cheese included!}
Kim Lange
Pin Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 – ¼ cups Gluten Free all-purpose flour like Better Batter GF Flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup butter room temperature
- ¼ cup cream cheese room temperature
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup milk chocolate chocolate chips
- 1 cup Andes Peppermint Crunch Baking Chips
Instructions
- Preparation is Key: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line your cookie sheets with parchment paper or spray lightly with non-stick spray. This prevents sticking and ensures even baking.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together your gluten-free all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside. Whisking ensures these ingredients are evenly distributed, which is important for proper rising.
- Cream the Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, using an electric mixer, cream together the softened butter and cream cheese until smooth and well combined. This can take a couple of minutes. Then, gradually add the granulated sugar, light brown sugar, and vanilla extract. Continue mixing until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale in color. This process incorporates air, contributing to the cookies’ light texture.
- Add Eggs Gradually: Incorporate the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to ensure everything is fully combined. Adding eggs gradually helps maintain the emulsified mixture.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough cookies, even with gluten-free flour.
- Stir in the Chips: Gently fold in the milk chocolate chips and Andes Peppermint Crunch Baking Chips with a spatula. Ensure they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- Chill for Success: This is a crucial step! Cover the cookie dough and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or even overnight (up to 72 hours). Chilling the dough allows the flavors to meld, prevents the cookies from spreading too much, and results in a thicker, chewier cookie.
- Scoop and Space: Once chilled, use a cookie dough scoop (a 1-tablespoon scoop, mounded slightly, works perfectly for 18 servings) to place dough balls onto your prepared cookie sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Bake to Golden Perfection: Bake for 9 to 11 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown and the centers are still slightly soft. Ovens vary, so keep an eye on them.
- Cool and Enjoy: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 2 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps them set and prevents them from breaking.
Notes
I froze 1/2 of my dough by scooping up the rest of the dough balls and placing them on a baking sheet and putting them in the freezer for 45 minutes and then take them out and place the balls into a freezer bag and place back into the freezer. I already ate those too…and they were just as delicious as the first time around.
Expert Tips for Baking the Best Gluten-Free Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure your butter, cream cheese, and eggs are at room temperature. This allows them to cream together smoothly, creating an even emulsion and a better texture.
- Don’t Overmix: Once you add the dry ingredients, mix only until they are just combined. Overmixing can develop any existing gluten structure (even in GF blends that can sometimes contain trace amounts or act similarly) or make the cookies tough.
- The Chill is Essential: Do not skip the chilling step! Refrigerating the dough for at least two hours (or up to 72 hours) is crucial. It allows the flour to fully hydrate, prevents excessive spreading, and intensifies the flavors. This leads to thicker, chewier, and more flavorful cookies.
- Proper Oven Temperature: An accurate oven temperature is vital. Consider using an oven thermometer to ensure your oven is truly at 375°F (190°C).
- Avoid Overbaking: Bake just until the edges are set and lightly golden, and the centers still look slightly soft. The cookies will continue to cook slightly on the hot baking sheet after they are removed from the oven. Overbaked cookies will be dry and crumbly.
- Measure Flour Correctly: For consistent results, weigh your gluten-free flour if possible. If measuring by volume, spoon the flour into the measuring cup and level it off with a straight edge, rather than scooping directly from the bag.
- Quality Ingredients: Use good quality butter, chocolate, and a trusted GF flour blend for the best flavor and texture.
Variations to Customize Your Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies
Feel free to get creative with your holiday cookies! Here are some ideas to customize this recipe:
- Chocolate Swap: Instead of milk chocolate chips, try dark chocolate chips for a more intense chocolate flavor, or semi-sweet for a classic balance. White chocolate chunks could also be a delicious addition.
- Extra Peppermint Power: For an even stronger peppermint kick, add a ¼ to ½ teaspoon of peppermint extract to the wet ingredients along with the vanilla.
- Nutty Addition: Fold in ½ cup of chopped pecans or walnuts for a delightful crunch and nutty flavor.
- Festive Sprinkles: Immediately after baking, while the cookies are still warm, sprinkle them with some festive red and green sprinkles for an extra holiday touch.
- Drizzle Delight: Once cooled, melt some extra white chocolate and drizzle it over the cookies for a beautiful finish and added richness.
- Peppermint Bark Remix: Crush some actual peppermint bark and mix it in instead of, or in addition to, the Andes Peppermint Crunch chips for a varied texture and flavor profile.
Serving Suggestions for Your Holiday Cookies
These gluten-free white chocolate peppermint and milk chocolate chip cookies are perfect for any occasion during the festive season.
- With a Warm Drink: Pair them with a steaming mug of creamy hot chocolate, a cozy latte, or a cup of your favorite tea.
- Holiday Dessert Platter: Arrange them beautifully on a platter with other festive treats for holiday parties.
- Homemade Gifts: Package them in decorative tins or bags to give as thoughtful, homemade gifts to friends, family, and neighbors.
- For Santa: Don’t forget to leave a few out for Santa Claus on Christmas Eve – he’s sure to appreciate these gourmet gluten-free treats!
Storage and Make-Ahead Options
These cookies are fantastic fresh, but they also store well, making them ideal for holiday prep!
- Storing Baked Cookies: Once completely cooled, store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-5 days. For longer storage, freeze baked cookies in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature.
- Make-Ahead Dough: The cookie dough can be refrigerated, well-covered, for up to 72 hours. This is perfect for baking fresh batches throughout the week!
- Freezing Dough Balls: Scoop the dough into individual balls and place them on a baking sheet. Freeze for about 45 minutes until firm. Then, transfer the frozen dough balls to a freezer-safe bag or container and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake as directed, adding a minute or two to the baking time if baking from frozen.
Other Holiday Cookie Favorites You Might Want to Leave Out for Santa Too!
Looking for more festive treats to share? Explore these other delectable Christmas cookie recipes:
- Red Velvet Santa {Cake Mix} Cookies
- Christmas Chocolate Crackle Cookies
- ‘Ugly Sweater’ Christmas Cookies
- Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Santa’s Christmas Trash Cookies
- JUMBO ‘Soft Batch’ M&M Cookies
And if you’re feeling adventurous with holiday desserts, check out 10 Super Sweet Christmas Tree Desserts To Pine Over!
Conclusion
These Gluten-Free White Chocolate Peppermint & Milk Chocolate Chip Cookies are more than just a recipe; they are an invitation to create heartwarming holiday memories. Their tender texture, vibrant peppermint flavor, and rich chocolate goodness make them truly unforgettable. So gather your ingredients, turn on your favorite Christmas tunes, and get ready to bake some holiday magic. Happy baking, and may your season be filled with joy and delicious cookies!