Festive Chocolate Peppermint Bark Shortbread Cookies
Celebrate the holiday season with these delightful Chocolate Peppermint Bark Shortbread Cookies. Featuring a buttery shortbread base that melts in your mouth, these cookies are topped with rich bittersweet chocolate and a generous scattering of crushed peppermint candies for a festive crunch. The finishing touch of silky white chocolate drizzle adds an elegant look and extra sweetness, making each cookie a perfect holiday treat. Serve them at gatherings, or package them up as heartfelt gifts for friends and family. Irregular cuts not only enhance the rustic charm but also add to the fun and casual spirit of these delicious cookies.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
nonstick vegetable cooking spray
as needed (for greasing the baking pan)
all-purpose flour
2 cups (sifted)
salt
1/4 teaspoon (finely ground)
unsalted butter
1 cup (at room temperature)
sugar
1 cup (granulated)
vanilla extract
1 teaspoon (pure)
large egg yolk
1 (separated from the white)
bittersweet or semisweet chocolate
6 ounces (chopped)
red-and-white-striped hard peppermint candies or candy canes
1/2 cup (finely chopped)
high-quality white chocolate
2 ounces (such as Lindt or Perugina, chopped)
Instructions
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Festive Chocolate Peppermint Bark Shortbread Cookies?
They are a holiday-themed treat featuring a buttery shortbread base topped with bittersweet chocolate, crushed peppermint, and a white chocolate drizzle.
How many ingredients are needed for this recipe?
This recipe requires 10 ingredients, including staples like flour, butter, and sugar, plus holiday toppings like peppermint and chocolate.
What is the base of these cookies made of?
The base is a buttery shortbread made from all-purpose flour, salt, unsalted butter, sugar, vanilla extract, and an egg yolk.
What type of chocolate is used for the main topping?
The recipe calls for 6 ounces of chopped bittersweet or semisweet chocolate.
What kind of peppermint can I use?
You can use 1/2 cup of finely chopped red-and-white-striped hard peppermint candies or crushed candy canes.
What type of flour is recommended?
The recipe specifies 2 cups of sifted all-purpose flour.
Does the butter need to be a specific temperature?
Yes, the 1 cup of unsalted butter should be at room temperature for proper mixing.
What is the purpose of the egg yolk in this shortbread?
The egg yolk helps create a rich, melt-in-your-mouth texture for the shortbread base.
How is the white chocolate used in this recipe?
Two ounces of high-quality white chocolate are chopped and used as a silky drizzle for an elegant finish.
Which white chocolate brands are suggested?
High-quality brands such as Lindt or Perugina are recommended for the best flavor and melting consistency.
Do I need to grease the baking pan?
Yes, use nonstick vegetable cooking spray as needed to grease the baking pan.
How should the finished cookies be cut?
The cookies should be cut into irregular shapes to enhance their rustic charm and casual holiday spirit.
What texture can I expect from these cookies?
Expect a buttery, melt-in-your-mouth shortbread base with a festive crunch from the peppermint topping.
Is this recipe suitable for gifting?
Yes, these cookies are perfect for packaging as heartfelt gifts for friends and family during the holiday season.
What kind of vanilla extract should I use?
The recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract.
Can I use granulated sugar?
Yes, 1 cup of granulated sugar is used to sweeten the shortbread dough.
How much salt is in the recipe?
The recipe requires 1/4 teaspoon of finely ground salt.
What are the primary flavor profiles?
The primary flavors are buttery vanilla, rich dark chocolate, and refreshing peppermint.
Is this recipe categorized as a dessert?
Yes, it is categorized as a dessert and a holiday baking treat.
What tags are associated with this recipe?
Tags include chocolate, peppermint, cookies, shortbread, dessert, holiday, baking, festive, and treat.
How much peppermint candy is needed?
You will need 1/2 cup of finely chopped peppermint candies.
Can I use semisweet chocolate instead of bittersweet?
Yes, either bittersweet or semisweet chocolate will work for the topping.
Why should I sift the flour?
Sifting the flour helps ensure a light, delicate texture for the shortbread.
Is the salt finely ground?
Yes, the recipe specifies 1/4 teaspoon of finely ground salt.
What is the recipe ID?
The unique identifier for this recipe is festive-chocolate-peppermint-bark-shortbread-cookies.
How much white chocolate is required?
The recipe uses 2 ounces of high-quality white chocolate.
Does the recipe use a whole egg?
No, it only uses one large egg yolk, separated from the white.
What makes the cookies look elegant?
The silky white chocolate drizzle adds an elegant look and extra sweetness to the cookies.
Are these cookies hard or soft?
They have a buttery, melt-in-your-mouth shortbread texture with a crisp chocolate and candy topping.
Can I use any cooking spray?
The recipe suggests nonstick vegetable cooking spray specifically for greasing the pan.