Delicious Peppermint Chocolate Chip Biscotti: The Ultimate Holiday Treat Recipe
The holiday season is a magical time, filled with warmth, cheer, and the irresistible aroma of freshly baked goods. Among the festive delights, there’s one treat that truly captures the spirit of Christmas: Peppermint Chocolate Chip Biscotti. These delightful, twice-baked Italian cookies offer a perfect blend of crisp texture and decadent flavor, making them an ideal gift for loved ones or a special indulgence for yourself. Imagine the rich depth of chocolate mingling with the cool, invigorating rush of peppermint, all wrapped up in a cookie that’s just begging to be dunked into a steaming mug of coffee or hot chocolate. Forget the diet until January 1st; this is the season to savor every single bite of these extraordinary holiday biscotti. Their charm lies not just in their incredible taste, but also in their elegant appearance and satisfying crunch, promising to bring a touch of gourmet joy to any festive gathering and becoming a cherished part of your holiday baking traditions.
A Beloved Holiday Tradition: The Great Food Blogger Cookie Swap
One of my absolute favorite traditions of the year, right up there with Christmas and my birthday (just saying!), is participating in the Great Food Blogger Cookie Swap. This marks my third year in this wonderful event, and let me tell you, there’s nothing quite like the excitement of receiving three dozen different kinds of cookies from talented food blogger friends all across the country. It’s a truly “sweet” experience in every sense of the word, a delightful exchange that fills my kitchen with an abundance of creative and delicious baked goods. Beyond the obvious benefit of being delightfully hyped up on sugar every day leading up to Christmas, the cookie swap also provides the perfect excuse to dive headfirst into even more holiday baking. It inspires me to get creative, experiment with new flavors, and share my own unique festive creations with fellow baking enthusiasts. This community-driven event not only spreads joy through baked goods but also fosters a fantastic sense of camaraderie among food bloggers, making the holiday season even more special.
My Inspiration: Elevating a Classic Treat
The true inspiration for these particular Peppermint Chocolate Chip Biscotti actually harks back to my very first cookie swap experience. That year, I received a batch of classic chocolate chip biscotti that were so unbelievably good, I admit, I hoarded them all to myself. Seriously, not a single person in my household got a bite! It was just me, my cherished biscotti, and a steaming cup of hot chocolate that holiday season, and it was glorious. That moment of pure, selfish bliss ignited a desire within me to master the art of making these ‘bad boys’ for myself. More importantly, it pushed me to finally learn the valuable lesson of sharing – a challenge for an only child, but a worthy one when it comes to spreading holiday cheer through delicious homemade cookies. I wanted to replicate that incredible texture and flavor, but with a festive twist that screamed “Christmas.” The idea of combining the timeless crunch of biscotti with the iconic holiday duo of peppermint and chocolate became my new baking mission, promising a truly irresistible result.
Festive Flavors and Winter Warmth
Peppermint and chocolate are, without a doubt, my two absolute favorite Christmas flavors. There’s something undeniably magical about the refreshing coolness of peppermint balanced by the deep, comforting richness of chocolate. This iconic duo instantly evokes images of candy canes, festive gatherings, and cozy winter evenings. For these biscotti, I wanted to lean into that classic combination, ensuring every bite delivers that delightful contrast. The subtle yet distinct peppermint extract weaves its way through the crisp cookie, while generous milk chocolate chips provide pockets of melty sweetness. And for an extra touch of decadence, a drizzle of both dark and white chocolate, finished with crushed candy canes, creates a visual and flavorful masterpiece. It’s a flavor profile that’s both traditional and exciting, making these biscotti an unforgettable part of your holiday baking repertoire.
The holidays, while filled with joy and baking, also come with their own unique set of winter realities. Just yesterday, being buried under over a foot of snow was… an adventure, to say the least! I certainly cursed being on a corner lot, as anyone who has experienced shoveling a vast expanse of sidewalk will understand. I mean, I appreciate the workout, but my back is still screaming! In moments like these, when the world outside is cold and demanding, finding comfort and joy in simple pleasures becomes paramount. That’s why I find myself gravitating towards epic kitchen dance parties (I wonder if Lunchmoney Lewis, whose song I can’t stop listening to, has them too? We clearly share a deep-rooted bond from the love of dance!). These peppermint chocolate chip biscotti become a delicious reward after battling the elements, a sweet reminder of the warmth and coziness waiting inside. They represent that perfect blend of effort and reward, transforming mundane winter chores into a prelude for festive indulgence and a moment of pure bliss.
The Enduring Appeal of Biscotti
Focusing back on the cookies now, these Peppermint Chocolate Chip Biscotti aren’t just delicious; they’re incredibly versatile and perfect for the holiday season. Their twice-baked nature gives them a wonderfully crisp texture, making them sturdier than your average cookie. This means they travel exceptionally well, making them an excellent choice for sending as gifts to friends and family, or for bringing to holiday potlucks and gatherings. Unlike softer cookies that can quickly go stale, biscotti have a fantastic shelf life, staying fresh and delicious for weeks when stored properly in an airtight container. This allows for proactive holiday baking, reducing stress during the busiest time of the year and ensuring you always have a delightful treat on hand.
Beyond gifting, these peppermint chocolate chip biscotti are the quintessential companion for your favorite warm beverages. Picture yourself with a mug of spiked hot chocolate, a cozy blanket, and a pile of Christmas movies, dunking one of these perfectly crunchy, peppermint-infused treats. It’s the ultimate winter Hygge experience, a moment of pure comfort and joy. With Christmas just around the corner, these cookies, spiked hot chocolate, and festive films are definitely in my immediate future. I might even make another batch next week and, in true hoarder fashion, keep them all to myself again. No shame, I know. #cantstopwontstop. These biscotti are truly the taste of holiday happiness, and I can’t wait for you to experience them!
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This Recipe’s Must Haves
To ensure your Peppermint Chocolate Chip Biscotti come out perfectly, here are a few essential kitchen tools you’ll need:
Investing in good quality Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls will make your baking process much smoother and more enjoyable. They are durable, easy to clean, and come in various sizes, perfect for all your dough-mixing needs.
You will also need a half sheet baking pan for baking these cookies! A sturdy baking pan is crucial for even baking and proper shaping of your biscotti logs.
A sharp and reliable Shun Classic 8-Inch Chef’s Knife will make slicing your baked logs into individual biscotti a breeze, ensuring clean, even cuts without crumbling.
Don’t forget to Pin this Peppermint Chocolate Chip Biscotti recipe for later so you can easily find it for your next holiday baking session!
Peppermint Chocolate Chip Biscotti
ingredients
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 4 Tbsp unsalted butter cold and cubed
- 3 eggs beaten
- 8 oz. milk chocolate chips
- 1 tsp peppermint extract
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 oz. dark chocolate
- 3 oz. white chocolate
- Crushed candy canes
instructions
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 C).
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In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt until well combined. Cut in the cold, cubed unsalted butter using two forks or your hands until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
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Set aside 1 tablespoon of the beaten eggs for later. Add the remaining beaten eggs, vanilla extract, and peppermint extract to the flour mixture. Knead the dough gently until it comes together into a cohesive ball.
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Turn the dough out onto a clean, lightly floured surface and divide it into four even pieces. Roll each piece into a long log, approximately 8 inches long and 2 inches wide. Carefully place these logs onto greased or parchment-lined cookie sheets. Brush the tops of the logs with the reserved beaten egg.
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Bake the logs for 20 to 25 minutes, or until lightly golden brown and firm to the touch. Remove them from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheets for 10 minutes. Keep the oven on, as you’ll be baking them again!
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Once the logs have cooled slightly, carefully transfer them to a cutting board. Using a sharp knife (like a chef’s knife), cut the logs into 1/2-inch thick slices. Place these slices, cut-side down, back onto the baking sheets. Return to the oven and bake for another 15 minutes, or until the biscotti are crisp and golden. Cool completely for 15 to 20 minutes on a wire rack.
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While the biscotti are cooling, prepare your chocolate drizzles. In two separate small, microwave-safe bowls, melt the dark chocolate and white chocolate separately. Heat each in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring well between each interval, until smooth and fully melted. Transfer each melted chocolate to its own Ziplock bag and snip a tiny corner off the bag. Drizzle the cooled biscotti generously with both chocolates in alternating patterns. Immediately sprinkle crushed candy canes on top of the wet chocolate for a festive finish. Allow the chocolate to set completely before storing.