If you’re curious, the loudest sound in the universe is peppermint candies in the food processor. The loudest. But you’ll be back in your housemates and neighbors good graces once they get a whiff of this peppermint mocha cookie cake baking away.
And then, you know, if they’re still a little curmudgeonly, you can even offer them a slice.
Then it’s all “Huh? There was a loud noise that made me jump three feet in the air and spill my water? I don’t recall.” Biiiiing-o!
Sooo, this cookie/cake/pizookie situation. Y to the U-M. A cookie cake comprised of rich and fudgy chocolate cookie dough, chock full of dark chocolate chips, and topped with a dusting of crushed peppermint candies. It’s quick and easy to whip up, super festive, and will have your chocolate sweet tooth begging for mercy (in a good way).
Once a year I get the craving of all cravings for a peppermint mocha latte from Starbucks (is “PML” a thing?). On my annual PML (doing it) trip this year, Starbucks was running a promotion where if you ordered a holiday drink…you got another free! I *love* me some BOGO, so Alyssa/Melissa wound up with TWO PMLs. Because two lattes is just insanity I sipped one while walking a few blocks to hand-deliver the other to B. Then I remembered why I only drink peppermint mocha lattes once a holiday season. They’re just so sweet and the peppermint flavor is amped up something fierce. A little too fierce. Rooooarrr.
In this iteration of peppermint mocha festiveness, I promise you the peppermint is mild mannered and well behaved. The dusting of peppermint candies adds the perfect amount of peppermint flavor to pair well with the deep, dark chocolate and adds a modest sweetness and crunch to the top (without breaking any teeth). 🙂
And as for the chocolate? It’s amped up something fab by the addition of instant espresso powder. While you don’t really taste coffee in this cake, I’ve found that adding some instant espresso powder boosts the chocolate flavor and richness. If you’re anything like me you believe more is more when it comes to chocolate, so anything helping that cause is BFF-worthy.
And plus I have a natural affinity for anything containing caffeine, so there’s that. While a slice of this cookie cake won’t deliver the same je ne sais quoi as a cup of coffee, the taste alone just may rocket boost you through an afternoon of holiday shopping, snow shoveling, an afternoon buried in papers at work…
This peppermint mocha cookie cake is rich, gooey, and easy! A festive, chocolate-rich way to feed a crowd. It's great for holiday parties!
- 1/2 cup plus 2 tbsp unsalted butter, at room temperature (10 tbsp total)
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 cup plus 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder (6 tbsp total)
- 1 1/2 tsp instant espresso powder
- 3/4 cup dark chocolate chips or chunks
- A few peppermint candies or candy canes, crushed
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Preheat oven to 325°F (hold off on preheating oven if chilling dough, see note). Grease a 9" round cake pan with cooking spray and set aside. Beat butter, sugars, egg, and vanilla extract on medium-high speed until light and fluffy.
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Add flour, baking powder, cocoa powder, and espresso powder and mix in until just combined. Stir in chocolate chips. Dough may be chilled for a few hours before proceeding, if you prefer.
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Press dough into prepared pan, ensuring top of batter is even. Sprinkle a dusting of peppermint candies/candy canes over top of cookie, pressing slightly so pieces adhere.
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Bake cookie cake for 22-26 minutes, or until edges are slightly crisp and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. This may take more or less time, depending on your oven. Allow cookie cake to cool completely in pan on a wire rack before slicing.
I refrigerated the dough for 5-6 hours before pressing into cake pan and baking, simply because I prepared the dough in advance. This dough is my favorite chocolate cookie base that I regularly use with standard-sized cookies, and have no issues with baking those without any chill time. You may chill or not chill in line with your preferences.
Karen says
Where do you find instant espresso powder at? This recipe is definitely going to be made as soon as I pick up the espresso:)
Alyssa says
Hi Karen, I’ve found it in my regular grocery store in the coffee/tea aisle. I’ve always bought the Medaglia D’Oro brand that comes in a little glass jar with a green/white/red label. Technically the label says “instant espresso coffee”, though I know other brands like King Arthur Flour make the same type of product and call it “espresso powder”. While the cake can certainly be made without it if you can’t find it, I love the boost it gives to chocolate desserts. Hope you enjoy. 🙂
Karen says
Thank you so much!
Kelly - Life Made Sweeter says
Love this cookie cake! I am obsessed with all things peppermint and chocolate especially during this time of year! This looks amazing!!!
Alyssa says
Thanks Kelly! It’s funny how mint + chocolate just totally blows up around the holidays. It’s one of my favorite combos too – why don’t I think to eat it year round? haha
Nora @ Savory Nothings says
This recipe sounds AMAZING Alyssa! Love it!
Alyssa says
Thanks Nora! 🙂
Renee@Two in the Kitchen says
This cookie cake looks delicious!! Pinned!! 🙂
Alyssa says
Thank you, Renee!!
Thalia @ butter and brioche says
I have (shamefully) never eaten or made a cookie cake before! This recipe is definitely one that I need to try… not only does it look delicious, but it is so festive and perfect for Christmas!
Alyssa says
Thanks Thalia! I like cookie cakes for a lot of reasons (duh) but I love how easy they are! Easier than cookies really…no need to scoop out individual ones! 🙂
marcie says
YUM, Alyssa! I’ve had a huge peppermint-chocolate craving going on and the past two treats I’ve made haven’t satisfied it yet. Maybe this would do the trick? It’s worth a try! Pinned. 🙂
Alyssa says
I’ve been loving your peppermint/chocolate recipes Marcie! This is definitely the season for them. 🙂 Thanks for the pin!
Ashley says
haha oh gosh, sometimes I forget how loud certain things are in the food processor and it totally startles me!
This cake … man it looks good! I’ll take a slice please and thank you! 🙂
Alyssa says
Hahaha that’s me, too! SOOO loud. And thanks! Wish I could send a slice through the screen! 🙂
Natalie @ Tastes Lovely says
This sounds DELICIOUS! I could eat this whole thing myself. Seriously.
Alyssa says
Thanks girl! I’m there with you. This pan is juuuust about empty and it’s just been two of us munching on it!
Annie @ ciaochowbambina says
I love the idea of a cookie cake! I can’t handle how moist and chocolatey this is! Nice recipe!
Alyssa says
Thanks Annie! I love cookie cakes, too. Combines two of my favorites! 🙂