White Chocolate Dipped Peppermint Chocolate Cookies

Ingredients

• 1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened about halfway, it should be fairly firm still
• 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp peppermint extract
• 16 oz. white chocolate, broken or chopped
• 1/4 cup finely crushed peppermint bits

Directions

1. Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Cover your baking sheets with silicone liners or parchment paper. In a medium bowl, whisk the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt for 20 seconds, then put that bowl aside.
2. In the bowl of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, beat the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until the mixture is evenly blended. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing after each addition, then mix in the vanilla extract and peppermint extract.
3. Turn the mixer to low speed and gradually add the flour mixture, mixing only until the dough comes together. Scoop the dough in rounded tablespoon portions, about 25 grams each, and roll them into balls. If the dough feels sticky, chill it as needed, but don’t overthink it if it is easy to handle.
4. Arrange the dough balls on the prepared cookie sheets, leaving 2-inches between them. Press each one down just a bit.
5. Bake the cookies one sheet at a time in the heated oven for about 8 minutes; they should still look a touch underdone. Leave them on the baking sheet for several minutes, then move them to a wire rack for 5 minutes before placing them in an airtight container to cool completely.
6. When the cookies are cool, place the white chocolate in a microwave safe bowl and melt it at 50% power in 30 second bursts, stirring after each burst, until it is smooth.
7. Dip half of each cookie into the melted white chocolate, set the cookies on parchment paper, and scatter peppermint bits over the dipped portion. Chill for about 10 minutes so the chocolate can firm up.
8. Store the cookies in an airtight container.