Peppermint Hot Chocolate Cookie Cups Recipe (2024)

This Peppermint Hot Chocolate Cookie Cups recipe has chocolate cookie cups filled with peppermint ganache and a candy cane handle topped with crushed candy canes and mini marshmallows.

Two years ago I shared my Hot Chocolate Cookie Cups recipe and it continues to not only be a reader favorite but it is also a family favorite! Last year I made a large batch for my husband to give to his clients and they loved them.

This year I am excited to share this recipe for Peppermint Hot Chocolate Cookie Cups. These cookies have a chocolate cookie cup, peppermint hot chocolate ganache, a candy cane handle, and sprinkles of crushed candy canes and mini marshmallows on top. They are almost too cute to eat!

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How To Peppermint Hot Chocolate Cookie Cups

Step One: Chocolate Cookie Cup Dough

Break one tube of Pillsbury refrigerated sugar cookie dough into alarge bowl, add unsweetened baking cocoa and mix well.

If you prefer to use homemade sugar cookie or chocolate cookie dough, that works too. I’ve had great success using the Pillsbury sugar cookie dough so that is what I continue to use.

Step Two: Baking Chocolate Cookie Cups

Scoop level tablespoons of the dough, roll into balls, coat in sugar and bake in a well greased mini muffin pan. Allow the cookie cups to cool before removing them from the pan.

As the cookie cups cool, they will naturally fall in the center making a small well for the ganache. I didn’t do anything to make the well larger since the ganache is very rich and you only need a small amount.

Some of my readers reported issues with their cookie cups sticking to their mini muffin pan. So, I also tested mysilicon mini muffin pan and it works great. I use a Grazia Silicone 24-Cup Mini Muffin Pan.

If you do go with a silicone mini muffin pan, follow the same instructions as above rolling balls of dough, coating it in sugar, greasing the pan, baking, and cooling.

I do prefer the metal non-stick pan slightly over the silicone pan because the cookie cups are a little taller which gave me more room for attaching the candy cane handle.

Step Three: Candy Cane Handles

Make candy cane handles by breaking or cutting off the curved part of mini candy canes. I ended up doing a combination of both.

This step was harder than I thought is was going to be and several of the candy canes crumbled. Save the remaining pieces for crushing or for other baking.

If you are having issues with this step, I would suggest using pretzel handles like I did in the original Hot Chocolate Cookie Cups instead or you can skip the handle completely!

Once you have all the curved handles, melt white chocolate chips in the microwave, dip the ends of the candy cane handle in the melted chocolate, press against the side of the cookie cup and hold until it stays in place.

This is very time-consuming! I held each one in place for 30-60 seconds. If this is too labor intensive, I suggest enjoying the peppermint hot chocolate cookie cups without the handles.

Step Four: Peppermint Ganache

Make the peppermint ganache using heavy cream, semi-sweet chocolate chips, and peppermint extract.

Spoon the peppermint ganache into the cookie cups.

Step Five: Peppermint Hot Chocolate Cookie Cups Toppings

Add a sprinkle of crushed candy canes and Jet-Puffed Mallow Bits (which are tiny crunchy marshmallows).

Peppermint Hot Chocolate Cookie Cups FAQs

1. Is it possible to make these cookie cups be made ahead of time?

Yes, they can be made ahead of time and stored in an airtight container in the fridge or the freezer.

2. Can I use brownie mix instead of cookie dough? To make brownies in a mini muffin pan, prepare the brownie batter as instructed on the package. Add one tablespoon of batter to each greased mini muffin pan cup. Bake at 350ËšK for 12-15 minutes.

3. How do I prevent my cookie cups from sticking to the pan? Rolling the cookie dough balls in sugar helps as does greasing the pan. Also, baking the cookie cups in a silicone pan is a great option. Or use a good, non-stick mini muffin pan.

4. What should I do if the cookie cups are stuck in my pan? Allow the cookie cups to cool completely. Then, use a thin, flexible knife to pry up the edges of the cookie cup and run the knife along the edge of the cookie cups.

5. Will the chocolate peppermint ganache run out of the cookie cups when you take a bite?

No,once the ganache has cooled in the fridge it is more fudge-like andwill not spill out. You can see an example of what the inside will look in the original hot chocolate cookie cup above.

Want More Cookie Cups Recipes? We’ve Got You Covered!

Hot Chocolate Cookie Cups:

These ORIGINAL Hot Chocolate Cookie Cups made with sugar cookie dough are filled with hot chocolate ganache, have a pretzel handle and mini marshmallows on top!

Red Velvet Hot Chocolate Cookie Cups:Red Velvet Hot Chocolate Cookie Cups recipe with red velvet cookie cups, chocolate ganache, a pretzel handle,and mini marshmallows.

Flower Pot Cookie Cups:These Flower Pot Cookie Cups have sugar cookie cups, chocolate ganache, and Oreo dirt, they are as good to eat as they cute to look at.

Easter Basket Cookie Cups:These adorable Easter Basket Cookie Cups are almost too fun to eat! An Easter dessert recipe filled with buttercream frosting, chocolate bunnies, and chocolate eggs.

Eggnog Cookie Cups:Eggnog Cookie Cups are sugar cookie cups filled with eggnog ganache. This edible craft idea is an easy eggnog recipe that is perfect for Christmas.