Unlock the Magic of Holiday Baking: One Dough, Three Irresistible Chocolate Cookie Varieties!
The holiday season is synonymous with delicious treats, and nothing says “festive” quite like a beautifully arranged platter of homemade cookies. But let’s be honest, baking can be time-consuming, especially when you want variety. What if you could create three distinct, show-stopping chocolate cookie recipes from a single, versatile dough? We’re thrilled to share our ultimate secret for simplifying your holiday baking without compromising on flavor or presentation: one incredible chocolate cookie dough transforms into three beloved holiday classics!
This ingenious approach allows you to whip up a diverse array of Christmas cookies with minimal effort, making your cookie exchange contributions legendary and your family gatherings extra special. Forget spending endless hours measuring and mixing multiple batches; this method is a game-changer for busy bakers who still want to impress.
Looking for more holiday inspiration? You’ll also adore these Peppermint Frosted Chocolate Cookies, our decadent Oreo Chocolate Ganache Cheesecake, delightful Peppermint Sugar Cookie Bars, and these 13 Holiday Peppermint Desserts for a truly festive spread.
Crafting Three Distinct Chocolate Cookie Varieties from One Simple Dough
The beauty of this holiday baking hack lies in its simplicity. We begin by preparing one rich, chewy double chocolate cookie dough. Once baked to perfection and cooled, these plain chocolate cookies are truly amazing on their own – rich, deeply chocolatey, and incredibly satisfying. However, the holidays call for something extra special, so we divide the batch and transform them into three distinct flavor experiences using popular and traditional Christmas season combinations. This flexibility also allows you to make a full batch of just one kind if you have a specific craving or preference.
A key to these delightful creations is the creamy, smooth buttercream frosting. It’s easy to prepare, holds its shape beautifully once set, and provides a perfect canvas for various toppings. Once frosted, these cookies can be stored until you’re ready to assemble your festive cookie tray or simply enjoy them as a sweet indulgence.
Introducing the Star Flavors: Hot Chocolate, Cookies & Cream, and Peppermint!
Imagine soft, chewy chocolate cookies, intensely flavored with dark cocoa and studded with dark chocolate chips. This rich base is delicious in its natural state, but for the holidays, we elevate them with festive toppings and frostings. These soft chocolate cookies are ideal for cookie exchanges, holiday parties, or simply cozying up on a cold night with a warm mug of cocoa. We’re pretty sure even Santa himself can’t resist these magical treats!
Each of our three holiday cookie variations offers a unique taste and texture, ensuring there’s a favorite for everyone on your cookie platter. Let’s dive into the delicious details of each:
1. Hot Chocolate Marshmallow Vanilla Buttercream Frosted Cookies
Who doesn’t adore a comforting cup of hot chocolate, especially during the festive season? We’ve captured that beloved flavor in a cookie! Our first transformation features a luxurious vanilla buttercream frosting, reminiscent of fluffy whipped cream. It’s then generously adorned with mini marshmallows, creating that classic hot chocolate visual and a wonderfully soft, chewy texture. A sprinkle of finely chopped chocolate adds an extra layer of chocolatey goodness and a delightful crunch. These cookies evoke the warmth and joy of a winter evening, making them an instant family favorite, perfect for kids and adults alike.
2. Double Chocolate Cookies and Cream Cookies
For the true chocoholic, our Double Chocolate Cookies and Cream variety is an absolute dream come true. These cookies boast a tempting chocolate cream cheese buttercream frosting that’s incredibly smooth, rich, and decadent. The frosting itself is infused with chocolate, doubling down on the chocolate flavor profile of the base cookie. The crowning glory? A generous scattering of roughly chopped Oreo cookies, providing an irresistible textural contrast and an iconic flavor that everyone loves. This combination is pure indulgence, offering a satisfying crunch followed by a melt-in-your-mouth experience.
3. Peppermint Buttercream Cookies
Embrace the refreshing taste of the holidays with our Peppermint Buttercream Cookies. These sweet treats feature a luscious cream cheese buttercream, delicately infused with peppermint extract. The cool, minty flavor perfectly complements the rich chocolate cookie base, creating a balanced and exciting taste experience. To enhance the festive feel, each cookie is dusted with crushed peppermint candy, adding a beautiful pop of color and a satisfying crunch. For an extra touch of holiday cheer, a Hershey’s Candy Cane Swirl Kiss can be placed on top, adding both visual appeal and another layer of minty chocolate flavor. These peppermint chocolate cookies are a true celebration of holiday flavors.
With just one adaptable cookie dough, you can effortlessly create a stunning and diverse array of chocolate cookies, simplifying your holiday baking without sacrificing any of the festive fun. It’s the ultimate solution for a stress-free and delicious holiday season!
Beyond these three delightful varieties, the base double chocolate cookie dough is incredibly versatile. Experiment with different frostings, sprinkles, or candy toppings to create your own unique holiday traditions. The possibilities are endless!
More Delectable Cookie Ideas to Inspire Your Baking Adventures!
- Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Holiday Cranberry Orange Chocolate Chip Shortbread Cookies
- Homemade Chocolate Chip Pudding Cookies
- Best Monster Cookies
- Santa’s Christmas Trash Cookies
- Ultimate Reese’s Pieces Cookies
- Soft Snickerdoodles
- Hot Chocolate Marshmallow Cookies
Soft and Chewy Double Chocolate Cookies – 3 Kinds
By Kim Lange
Chewy, double chocolate cookies infused with dark cocoa and dark chocolate chips that are amazing! Everyone loves these! Serve plain or make up to 3 kinds of Christmas cookie ideas too!
Cook Time: 10 mins
Servings: 24 Cookies
Course: Dessert
Keyword: chocolate, christmas, christmas cookies, cookie dough, cookies, cookies and cream, hot chocolate, Oreos, peppermint, peppermint buttercream
Ingredients
For the Double Chocolate Cookie Dough:
- 1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks, softened)
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 2 eggs
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour)
- ⅔ cup Hershey’s Special Dark Cocoa Powder (or your favorite unsweetened cocoa powder)
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ⅔ cup Ghirardelli dark, bittersweet, or semisweet chocolate chips
Hot Chocolate Marshmallow Vanilla Buttercream Frosting (for 1/3 of the cookies):
- 1 package mini marshmallows
- 1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks, softened)
- 4 cups confectioners’ powdered sugar
- 2-3 tablespoons heavy cream or milk
- ⅓ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (chopped into bits for sprinkling)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
Double Chocolate Cookies and Cream Frosting (for 1/3 of the cookies):
- 8 ounces cream cheese (softened)
- ½ cup unsalted butter (1 stick, softened)
- 3 cups confectioners’ powdered sugar
- ¾ – 1 cup unsweetened chocolate powder
- 2 – 3 tablespoons heavy cream or milk
- 20 Oreo Cookies (chopped, not crushed)
Peppermint Buttercream Frosting (for 1/3 of the cookies):
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 8 ounces cream cheese (softened)
- 4 cups confectioners’ powdered sugar
- 2-3 tablespoons heavy cream or milk
- ¼ teaspoon peppermint extract
- Crushed peppermint (3-4 peppermint sticks crushed)
- 24 Hershey’s Candy Cane Swirl Kisses
Instructions
To Make the Base Double Chocolate Cookies:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large bowl, using a mixer, cream the butter and sugar for 1-2 minutes until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs and beat well. Add vanilla, if using.
- Sift flour, salt, cocoa powder, baking soda, and baking powder over the wet ingredients. (The cocoa may be slightly lumpy.)
- Mix until just well combined, being careful not to overmix.
- Add chocolate chips and stir in with a mixing spoon.
- Chill the dough in the freezer for 10 minutes. This helps prevent spreading.
- Form the dough into small balls, about a heaping tablespoon each. Place them 1.5 inches apart on an ungreased or parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes.
- Let cookies set on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a cooling rack to cool completely.
- Store in an airtight container to keep fresh for up to a few days or freeze for several weeks.
To Make Hot Chocolate Marshmallow Vanilla Buttercream Frosting:
- Using a mixer, in a large bowl, cream softened butter for 2-3 minutes until smooth.
- Add vanilla extract, 2-3 tablespoons cream or milk, and confectioners’ powdered sugar. Mix on low speed until the sugar is incorporated, then increase speed and beat until smooth and creamy. Adjust consistency by adding more milk/cream or powdered sugar as needed.
- Frost one-third of the cooled cookies. Immediately press 3 mini marshmallows onto the top of each frosted cookie, then sprinkle with chopped chocolate bits. Allow to set.
To Make Double Chocolate Cookies and Cream Frosting:
- Using a mixer, in a large bowl, cream softened butter and cream cheese together for 2-3 minutes until smooth.
- Add 2-3 tablespoons cream or milk, unsweetened cocoa powder, and confectioners’ powdered sugar. Mix on low speed until sugar is incorporated, then increase speed and beat until smooth and creamy. Adjust consistency as needed.
- Frost one-third of the cooled cookies. Sprinkle a generous amount of chopped Oreo cookies on top. Allow to set.
To Make Peppermint Buttercream Frosting:
- Using a mixer, in a large bowl, cream softened butter and cream cheese together for 2-3 minutes until smooth.
- Add peppermint extract, 2-3 tablespoons cream or milk, and confectioners’ powdered sugar. Mix on low speed until sugar is incorporated, then increase speed and beat until smooth and creamy. Adjust consistency as needed.
- Frost one-third of the cooled cookies. Sprinkle with crushed peppermint candy and place a Hershey’s Candy Cane Swirl Kiss on top of each. Allow to set.
Notes
The frosting ingredient quantities listed above are for full batches of each type. If you are dividing one batch of cookies into three varieties, you will need to divide the frosting ingredients by approximately one-third for each flavor to frost your portion of cookies.
You can find all kinds of helpful baking tips here! Also, check out Nielsen-Massey and McCrea’s Gift Ideas for wonderful gifts for the bakers in your life.