Cookies dipped in melted chocolate and sprinkled with crushed peppermint.

Simply Recipes / Karishma Pradhan

During the holidays, I yearn for any treats with chocolate and peppermint.

Chocolate peppermint ice cream?

Overhead view of holiday chocolate and peppermint shortbread on a platter with crushed peppermint around it.

Simply Recipes / Karishma Pradhan

They come together quickly with little fussjust make the dough, chill, slice, bake, and decorate.

These cookies are quick enough to crank out on a weeknight or as a fun weekend family project.

Roll it into a log shape, chill, slice, and bake.

Overhead view of shortbread dipped in chocolate and peppermint on a baking sheet with melted chocolate next to it.

Simply Recipes / Karishma Pradhan

Once cooled completely, dip the shortbread in melted chocolate and crushed peppermint candies.

Unfortunately, chocolate shortbread is naturally darker in color and can be difficult to assess for doneness.

Need a way to use up those leftover candy canes?

Side view of a stack of shortbread dipped in chocolate and peppermint cookies.

Simply Recipes / Karishma Pradhan

Weve got a few easy swaps for you!

How To Store the Cookies

There are several ways to store the shortbread before and after baking.

Then, increase the speed to medium and beat until fluffy and creamy, about 3 minutes.

Overhead view of holiday chocolate and peppermint shortbread on a platter with crushed peppermint around it.

Simply Recipes / Karishma Pradhan

On low speed, add the peppermint extract and salt and mix just until combined.

The dough will be soft and slightly sticky.

Divide the dough in half.

Sifting dry ingredients to make shortbread dipped in chocolate and peppermint.

Simply Recipes / Karishma Pradhan

Place one portion in the center of a large piece of plastic wrap on your kitchen counter.

Fold the plastic over to cover the dough.

It doesnt have to be perfect!

Butter and sugar in a bowl to make shortbread dipped in chocolate and peppermint

Simply Recipes / Karishma Pradhan

The log should be about 2 inches in diameter and 4 to 5 inches long.

Repeat with the other portion.

Refrigerate the cookie logs for about 1 hour or until firm.

Creamed butter and sugar to make chocolate shortbread.

Simply Recipes / Karishma Pradhan

Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

Use a chefs knife to slice the log into 1/4-inch thick circles.

Evenly arrange them onto both baking sheets leaving at least 1 inch between the cookies to account for spreading.

Adding dry ingredients to a bowl to make dough for holiday chocolate and peppermint shortbread.

Simply Recipes / Karishma Pradhan

The cookies will turn from glossy and wet to matte.

If they look shiny or feel too soft, continue baking until firmed up, about 2 minutes.

Let cookies cool on the baking sheets for 2 minutes.

Chocolate dough in a bowl to make shortbread dipped in chocolate and peppermint

Simply Recipes / Karishma Pradhan

Then, transfer to a wire cooling rack to cool completely.

Set the parchment paper-lined baking sheets aside.

You will use them again when decorating the cookies.

Dough for holiday chocolate and peppermint shortbread on a plate in a ball.

Simply Recipes / Karishma Pradhan

Crush the peppermint candies into small pieces using a spice grinder or mortar and pestle.

Alternatively, place the peppermint candies in a double-bagged zip top bag and seal.

With a mallet or rolling pin, crush them until fine in texture.

Chocolate dough split half with one half wrapped in plastic wrap.

Simply Recipes / Karishma Pradhan

Youre looking for pieces that are 1/8 inch to 1/4 inch for a nice visual look and textural contrast.

Transfer the crushed candy to a small plate.

In a small microwave-safe bowl, add the chocolate chips.

Two rolls of dough wrapped in plastic wrap to make easy shortbread with chocolate and crushed peppermint.

Simply Recipes / Karishma Pradhan

Microwave for 30 seconds on full power, then stir.

Repeat, heating and stirring in 15-second intervals until the chocolate melts into a smooth, homogenous texture.

Dip each cooled cookie halfway into the melted chocolate.

Slicing easy shortbread with chocolate and crushed peppermint into rounds.

Simply Recipes / Karishma Pradhan

Sprinkle the crushed peppermint candy over the chocolate on the top side of the cookie.

Shake off any excess candy back onto the peppermint plate to reuse.

Place the decorated cookies on the parchment paper-lined baking sheets.

Overhead view of easy shortbread cooling on a rack.

Simply Recipes / Karishma Pradhan

Allow the chocolate to fully set before serving.

Crushing peppermints to make easy shortbread with chocolate and crushed peppermint.

Chocolate shortbread cookies dipped in chocolate and peppermint pieces.

Bowl of nutella puppy chow next to a smaller bowl with more on a counter with some pieces of puppy chow scattered around

Close-up: honey popcorn (filling up the entire photo)

Side view of a bowl of candied pecans.

Sweet and spicy chex mix in a bowl at a table setting with two glasses of beer and a yellow kitchen towel

overhead view of Classic Mixed Nuts on a sheet pan

Serving of spinach florentine breakfast casserole lifted from a casserole dish

Syrup drizzling onto a French Toast Casserole on white plate with fork

Everything bagel sandwich casserole in a casserole dish at a table setting with a serving on a plate, utensils, and cups of coffee

Monte Cristo croissant casserole in a casserole dish and in the surroundings, a serving on a small plate with a fork, a container of jelly, and cups of coffee

Plated serving of blueberry maple breakfast bake, drenched in maple syrup, alongside baking dish of the bake

Huevos rancheros casserole at a table setting with a stack of plates and utensils, a cup of coffee, a small bowl of herbs, and a spatula

Peanut butter blossoms in a wide ceramic bowl.

Chocolate crinkle cookies on a hot pink cooling rack

Smash sugar cookies on a plate

Platter of molasses spice cookies, one plated cookie, and a glass of milk

Platter of Mexican Wedding Cookies

Overhead shot of assorted sugar cookies on a white background

Gingerbread Bars frosted and decorated with festive sprinkles and set on a rack.

7 Layer Bars with Peanut Butter and Pretzels

Oh Henry bars on a crinkled parchment paper with a bowl of crushed peanuts

Close up of an overhead view of Bar Cookies of the Gluten Free Monster Variety.

Lemon Bars Recipe - lemon bars on blue plate

Stack of slices of marble brownies on a piece of parchment paper, and on the counter surrounding the stack, a carafe of milk and more slices of the brownies

stack of 3-ingredient brownie cookies

overhead view of Mint Brownies squares

Salted Caramel Brownies

Overhead view of chocolate truffles covered in cocoa and chopped nuts.

White chocolate and dark chocolate peppermint bark pieces

Overhead view of holiday chocolate and peppermint shortbread on a platter with crushed peppermint around it.

A square piece of the Easy Jam Cake on a pnik an white plate, with a piece of the corner cut off with a fork, also on the plate with some frosting still attached to the fork

Classic thumbprint cookies on a platter.

slice of cornflake tart on a plate and in the background, the rest of the tart on a plate

Cups of Dirt Cake with Gummy Worms

Overhead view of grasshopper pie cut into slices with one on a plate.