Peppermint Bark Chocolate Cookies

Ingredients

• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 3/4 cup white granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• About 1 cup peppermint bark pieces, homemade or store-bought, broken into little chip size pieces

Directions

1. Heat the oven to 350 degrees F, and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a bowl, sift the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cocoa powder, then put it aside.
2. In a mixing bowl, use an electric mixer on medium speed to cream the butter with both sugars for about 2 minutes, until the mixture looks lighter and fully combined.
3. Mix in the egg and vanilla extract until incorporated, about a minute. Pause halfway through to scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl so everything blends evenly.
4. Set the mixer to medium speed and gradually add the sifted flour mixture. Mix only until the flour disappears into the dough, and stop there so the cookies stay tender.
5. Use a sturdy spatula to fold the peppermint bark chips into the dough.
6. Spoon out small portions of dough, then roll them between your palms into 1-inch balls. Place them on the prepared baking sheet with a few inches of space between each one.
7. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes. Leave the cookies on the pan for a few minutes to settle, then move them to a wire rack and let them cool completely.