Gluten-Free Chocolate Peppermint Cookies

For a nostalgic holiday treat, try my Gluten-Free Chocolate Peppermint Cookies studded with dark chocolate chips and crushed candy canes. These healthy protein cookies are the perfect gluten-free Christmas cookie recipe. 

Alright, y’all, it’s time to jingle those taste buds because these Gluten-Free Chocolate Peppermint Cookies are about to bring serious holiday cheer to your kitchen! 

If you’re anything like me, the combo of rich chocolate and cool peppermint is basically what Christmas dreams are made of. And now, we’re throwing that into a batch of cookies that are so good, even your non-gluten-free friends will be begging for the recipe.

These are chewy on the inside like a brownie cookie and intensely chocolatey. Yes, my friend, these are double chocolate cookies meaning they do not only contain cocoa powder in the cookie batter, but also chocolate chips. 

Strictly speaking, they are actually triple chocolate as I also put chocolate protein powder into the batter to turn these into protein cookies. Which means they’re basically a health food, right? 

They are the perfect cookies for the holiday season. 

So grab your gluten-free flour and let’s sleigh (pun absolutely intended) this holiday cookie game!

If you’re already looking for some gluten-free Christmas cookies, you want to bookmark these babies and also try out my Soft And Chewy Ginger Molasses Cookies or my Gluten-Free Chocolate Crinkle Cookies.

WHY YOU’LL LOVE THESE GLUTEN-FREE CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINT COOKIES

• Festive AF: Nothing screams holiday spirit like the combo of chocolate and peppermint! These cookies are basically Christmas in a bite.
• Protein-Packed: Thanks to the added protein powder, these cookies give you that holiday indulgence with a little extra muscle-building power. Consider them a post-workout treat (or, you know, a treat just because).
• Gluten-Free Goodness: Gluten-free doesn’t mean flavor-free! These cookies are chewy, chocolatey, and full of rich, holiday flavor without any gluten in sight. Your gluten-free and gluten-loving friends will be fighting over these.
• Easy to Make: We’re talking one bowl for wet, one bowl for dry, and then mix it up. Pop them in the oven, and BOOM—you’re holiday baking like a boss. Perfect for your next cookie exchange or just to snack on while watching holiday movies.

SIMPLE INGREDIENTS YOU NEED TO MAKE CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINT PROTEIN COOKIES

You will need the following ingredients listed below to make the chocolate cookie dough (the exact measurements, nutrition information and full recipe are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post):

• gluten-free all purpose flour – use your favorite brand, but make sure it contains xanthan gum
• natural cocoa powder adds the chocolate flavor 
• baking soda and baking powder give these the perfect rise 
• a pinch of sea salt intensities the chocolate flavor 
• protein powder: my favourite brand of protein is PEScience.  Use code “BAILEY” at checkout to save money on all their products!
• eggs bind the ingredients together
• as a fat, I use unsalted butter but vegan butter would work as well if that’s what you prefer
• a blend of brown sugar and white sugar make these perfectly chewy and sweet. Can substitute for some coconut sugar as well if desired.
• peppermint extract – use a bit less or more according to your taste. A little will give it a strong peppermint flavor.
• vanilla extract makes these taste extra cozy 
• semi-sweet chocolate chips – use your favorite kind and opt for sugar-free if you want. Dark or white chocolate chips also work great.
• candy cane bits/peppermint candies – there are brands out there that are sugar-free or reduced in sugar so feel free to use those. Can crush them up in a ziploc bag with something heavy.
• optional – coconut oil, almond flour, cane sugar, oat flour, etc.

HOW TO MAKE THE BROWNIE-LIKE COOKIES

1. In a large bowl, whisk together all the dry ingredients and set aside. 
2. In a separate bowl, add the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar and mix until completely combined. 
3. Mix in the eggs one at a time. Then add in the peppermint extract and vanilla extract. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula. 
4. Add the flour mixture to wet ingredients, and mix until everything is incorporated. Then mix in the chocolate chips. 
5. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and freeze the dough for 1 hour. 
6. Once the dough has chilled, preheat the oven to 350 degrees and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. 
7. Portion into 12 medium-large cookie dough balls. Roll each into a round ball then press down gently with the palm of your hand to flatten to tops. The cookies will not spread much. 
8. Bake for 12-15 minutes on prepared baking sheet. Let cookies cool and firm up for 10 minutes on baking tray. Then add them to a cooling rack.
9. Drizzle more melted chocolate chips over the top of cookies, and sprinkle with crushed candy canes. Enjoy! 

BENEFITS OF PROTEIN POWDER IN COOKIES

If you’ve ever wondered if baking with protein powder destroys or denatures it – no, it does not. Adding protein powder to cookie dough is a very clever way to boost their nutritional value.

It also helps that they come in fun flavors, making your treats even more delicious.  Just in case you needed another reason to make protein cookies a part of your healthy diet.

TIPS AND TRICKS FOR BEST RESULTS

• Chill, Baby, Chill: Don’t skip chilling the dough! It’s the secret to getting that chewy center and perfectly soft cookie. Plus, it helps the flavors develop and the dough firm up.
• Crush the Candy Canes: For the perfect peppermint crunch, crush your candy canes into small pieces. Too big, and they’ll make the cookies uneven; too small, and they’ll disappear into the dough.
• Don’t Overbake: Keep an eye on these cookies—they should still look soft in the center when you take them out of the oven. They’ll firm up as they cool, leaving you with a perfectly fudgy middle.
• Get Creative: Want to make them even more extra? Drizzle some melted chocolate over the top or roll the edges in crushed peppermint after baking for a super festive look.

HOW TO STORE THE PERFECT HOLIDAY COOKIE

To store your gluten-free cookies, place them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. If you want to keep them fresh for longer, pop them in the fridge for up to a week. 

You can also freeze them—just layer the cookies between sheets of parchment paper in a freezer-safe container, and they’ll last up to 3 months.

When you’re ready to indulge, let them thaw at room temperature or give them a quick zap in the microwave to bring back that chewy goodness!

FAQS

CAN I MAKE THESE GLUTEN-FREE PEPPERMINT COOKIES VEGAN?

This recipe uses eggs so it’s not vegan. You could substitute the butter with vegan butter and you could try using flax eggs but I have not tried this. If you try it, please let me know how it went in the comment section.

Looking for vegan Christmas cookie recipes? Make my Vegan Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies and add some peppermint candy cane pieces to them. YUM!

CAN I ADD EXTRA CHOCOLATE?

Yes, please! If you’re a serious chocolate lover, feel free to toss in even more chocolate chips for a double dose of that classic combination of chocolate and peppermint.

HOW SHOULD I CRUSH THE CANDY CANES FOR THE TOPPING?

Use a rolling pin to crush the candy canes inside a ziplock bag, and you’ll get the perfect peppermint pieces for your cookies. You can also pulse them quickly in a food processor.

CAN I USE THIS GLUTEN-FREE RECIPE IN A HOLIDAY COOKIE SWAP?

Absolutely! These holiday cookies are a hit at any cookie swap or holiday party. Their fun, festive flavors make them a perfect addition to your holiday cookie tray.

Other Holiday Cookies You May Like To Try! 

• The Best Salted Chocolate Brownie Cookies
• Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Cookies
• Superfood Protein Breakfast Cookies
• Healthy Banana Bread Cookies
• Christmas Tree Gluten-Free Brownies
• Gluten-Free Santa Hat Brownies
• Chocolate Covered Pretzel Wreaths
• ​Oreo Cookie Christmas Ornaments
• Chocolate Caramel Shortbread Bars
• 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Chocolate Fudge
• Easy Snowman Cake Pops
• Christmas Sugar Cookie Fudge
• Easy Gluten-Free Oreo Cake Balls
• Sugar Free Sugar Cookies
• Candy Cane Cake Pops

IF YOU TRIED THESE DOUBLE CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT IN THE COMMENT SECTION AND STAR RATING. I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOUR CREATIONS! YOU CAN PIN THIS FESTIVE TREAT ON PINTEREST OR SHARE ON INSTAGRAM BY TAGGING @basicswithbails and #basicswithbails