I know that local exercise facilities will soon be packed with people sharing the same New Year’s resolution after January 1st, but right at the moment we are still enjoying all the delicious treats made over the past week. I had one more cookie recipe I wanted to try before austerity sets in and am happy to report that this is a recipe I’ll be making year around. I guess that Andes Peppermint Crunch has been around for a few years, but it’s new to me and I’m as enthusiastic about it as I was about the Hershey’s Cinnamon Chips I was addicted to last Christmas. Chocolate and peppermint are a flavor combination made in heaven.
I don’t have any particular New Year’s resolution on my list this year, just a recommitment to continue the hum-dinger resolution I made last year. Since last January 1st I have been doing water aerobics at the local pool for an hour a day, four days a week. I’m missed only the days I have been away on vacation. I know it’s something I should have started years ago, but I started it in 2014 and I feel like a new person. I swam at my usual time yesterday, Friday, December 26, and I was the only person in the pool. I had to laugh because I know that in a week there will be so many people in the pool it will be difficult to do my routine. That crush should last about a month and then life will settle back to normal. I’m sure every gym in the city will be the same way.
If you love chocolate as much as I do I know you will love these cookies. The dough has a rich chocolate flavor that is made even more intense by the addition of semi-sweet chocolate chips. The Andes Peppermint Crunch is mixed into the dough and I saved out just enough to sprinkle on top of the unbaked cookies. You could substitute white chocolate chips but I say “go for it” and get that luscious blast of chocolate. A little drizzle of powdered sugar glaze makes them party worthy. The recipe I used is the one on the Peppermint Crunch bag.
2014 has been a happy and productive year for me and I’m hoping for more of the same in 2015. No big trips planned…just small ones to enjoy the beautiful state I live in. There is so much to see right here. I hope all my blogger friends had a very Merry Christmas and will enjoy a happy and healthy 2015. Happy Blogging days ahead for us all.
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons instant coffee granules
- 2-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cups baking cocoa
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 package (10 oz) Andres Peppermint Crunch Baking Chips
- 1 4-oz bar semi-sweet chocolate, cut into chunks, or ½ cup chocolate chips
- 1 cup pecans or walnuts, chopped (optional)
- Preheat oven to 350º and line cookie sheets with parchment or silpat liners.
- In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking soda and salt. Sift cocoa and add to flour mixture. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla and mix until well combined.
- Stir in flour mixture until just combined. Mix in Peppermint Crunch chips and chocolate chips.(Save out a few peppermint chips if you want to sprinkle them on the tops of the cookies)
- Using a medium cookie scoop, drop cookies onto prepared baking sheets.
- Bake for 9-11 minutes. Cookies will still be soft in the middle. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.
Exceptionally wonderful that you have kept up the swiimming and feel so good is just the best thing ever.
Kudos for your perseverance..
I think of Carol G who loves her Paris pools too..
These look really good Cathy..
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Thank you, Monique. It took awhile but I’m finally at the point where I don’t try to dream up excuses so I don’t have to go to the pool. I have made good friends there and feel so much better after a session. It’s a seniors group and most of us are there for the same reason – trying to fight off old age.
Cathy recently posted..Double Chocolate Peppermint Crunch Cookies
Water aerobics is my favorite exercise, especially with my bum knee. I can’t wait to gain enough strength to join my former water aerobics group, after work. So proud of you! I’m pinning these cookies for later. For now, I desperately need veggies and healthier food… just for a while. I overindulged a bit with caramels, and spritz cookies. Still, I enjoy a good cookie or two. Peppermint isn’t just for Christmas, as far as I’m concerned. Happy New year, my friend!
Foodiewife recently posted..Creamy Dark Chocolate Caramels or Salted Vanilla Bean Caramels– Two recipes to pick from (or make both!)
Thanks, Debby. I’m proud of me too. I resolved so many times to get more exercise and I’m thrilled I finally took it seriously. My sessions are at 11:00 am, right in the middle of the day and it was hard to fit my life around them, but after a year I have it figured out. I hope you can return to your classes soon. Happy New Year to you and your family.
Cathy recently posted..Double Chocolate Peppermint Crunch Cookies
Good for you for sticking to your resolution!! I love the sound of these cookies!
pam (Sidewalk Shoes) recently posted..Coco and Smudge for Happy Caturday!
I have to agree with you on chocolate and peppermint being heaven sent! These cookies sound delicious, Cathy.
Happy New Year!
These cookies look great, and congrats on the fitness routine. For a couple of years now I have said I ought to go to my neighborhood Y for their water exercise classes. I think 2015 will be the year I actually go! All the best to you!
Adri recently posted..Coppette alla Crema di Ricotta
These cookies sound like a winner Cathy! Wishing you a happy and healthy 2015-enjoy:@)
Lynn recently posted..Cheddar Spritz Crackers
As a child I always associated peppermint with Christmas. If these taste as fantastic as they look, they are a winner and a welcome addition year-around, especially Valentines.
Happy New Year Cathy.
Sam
Sam @ My Carolina Kitchen recently posted..Sliced Oranges with Cranberry Coulis and Seasons Greetings
What a pretty plate of cookies, Cathy! Thanks for the recipe!
I, too, just discovered Andes Peppermint Crunch this year…used it on the chocolate coated marshmallow stirs for hot cocoa. Smells heavenly!
I am so proud of myself…I LOST 1# over the holiday!!! So busy running around, I think I burned off whatever calories I took in. Your water aerobics have inspired me to add something to my tennis exercise!
Rettabug recently posted..Christmas Preparations for 2014
Oh yum. Chocolate and peppermint are two of my favorite flavors. These look wonderful.
Eileen recently posted..Enjoying the last bits of Christmas…
Cathy, these sound wonderful – especially with that double blast of chocolate! I know my whole family would love these. Kudos to you with your swimming aerobics routine and Happy New Year!
Susan recently posted..Almond-Hazelnut Chocolate Crescents