Irresistibly Festive Oatmeal White Chocolate Peppermint Cookies: Your Ultimate Holiday Baking Guide
Dive into the heartwarming spirit of the holidays with these incredible Oatmeal White Chocolate Peppermint Cookies. Each bite delivers a delightful burst of festive sweetness, combining the comforting chewiness of oats with the luxurious creaminess of white chocolate chips, the playful crunch of peppermint M&Ms, and the refreshing zing of crushed candy cane. Infused with a hint of peppermint extract, these cookies are not just a treat; they’re an experience, guaranteed to be a cherished favorite on any holiday cookie platter. Even Santa himself will be asking for seconds!
The Ultimate Holiday Cookie: Oatmeal White Chocolate Peppermint
There’s nothing quite like the aroma of freshly baked cookies filling your home during the holiday season. And if you’re looking for a recipe that truly embodies the magic and flavors of Christmas, these Oatmeal White Chocolate Peppermint Cookies are an absolute must-try. This year, prepare to impress everyone, from your family and friends to the jolly man in red himself, with a batch of these irresistible treats.
What makes these cookies so special? It’s all about the delightful medley of candies baked right into their soft, chewy centers. You won’t just get one, but three distinct types of confectionery goodness harmonizing beautifully within these wholesome oatmeal cookies. Imagine a perfect balance of rich white chocolate chips melting in your mouth, the colorful, satisfying crunch of peppermint M&Ms, and the invigorating burst of crushed candy cane, all working together to create an unparalleled flavor and texture experience.
Beyond the candies, this recipe takes the festive flavor up a notch with a generous dash of pure peppermint extract. This ensures that cool, invigorating minty taste we all associate with this time of year shines through, making these cookies truly unforgettable. The oats add a comforting chewiness that beautifully complements the sweetness and crunch, creating a cookie that is hearty yet decadent. Each bite is a miniature celebration, a perfect blend of classic cookie comfort and vibrant holiday cheer.
The Essential Role of Eggs in Holiday Baking & Beyond
We’re thrilled to partner with The Ohio Poultry Association to celebrate the holidays and bring more delicious cookie and breakfast recipes to your home. You might recall some of our past collaborations, like the mouthwatering Peanut Butter Pretzel Chocolate Chip Cookies and the delightful White Chocolate Toasted Coconut Cookies. Both were huge hits in my kitchen and have earned their permanent spot in our holiday baking rotation.
Did you notice that both of those recipes, much like these Oatmeal White Chocolate Peppermint Cookies, call for three eggs? There’s a good reason for that! Eggs are one of the most vital and versatile ingredients in baking, playing a multifaceted role in achieving that perfect cookie texture we all adore. When added to cookies, eggs contribute significantly to their structure, helping to create that wonderfully chewy consistency that makes a cookie truly satisfying. They act as natural binders, holding ingredients together and preventing crumbling.
But their importance doesn’t stop there. Eggs add essential moisture to your baked goods, preventing them from drying out and ensuring a tender crumb. They also contribute a beautiful golden color and a subtle richness in flavor, enhancing the overall appeal of any recipe. Beyond baking, eggs are packed with nutritional value, making them an indispensable ingredient all year long, not just during the holidays.
Nutritional Powerhouse: Why Eggs Are Perfect for the Holidays
The holiday season sees a surge in egg consumption, even surpassing Easter! This is no surprise, as eggs are a fantastic way to fuel your festive mornings. They are an all-natural source of high-quality protein, which helps keep you feeling fuller for longer and provides sustained energy throughout the day – perfect for navigating busy holiday schedules. For a delicious and easy Christmas morning meal, I highly recommend my Overnight Coconut Cranberry French Toast Bake, which prominently features eggs for a hearty start to the day.
Beyond protein, a single egg offers a remarkable nutritional punch for just 70 calories. It contains 13 essential vitamins and minerals in varying amounts, along with beneficial unsaturated fats and antioxidants. Notably, eggs are one of the few foods that are a naturally good source of Vitamin D, which is particularly important during the shorter, darker days of winter.
Supporting Local: Ohio’s Egg Farming Legacy
Living in Ohio, I’m constantly impressed by the dedication of our local farmers. There’s a strong possibility that the very eggs you’re cracking into your holiday recipes come from an Ohio egg farm! Ohio proudly stands as one of the largest egg-farming states in the nation, producing an astounding nine billion eggs annually. The holiday season is, understandably, an exceptionally busy time for these hardworking Ohio egg farmers, who are committed to providing fresh, high-quality eggs for our tables.
For a fascinating glimpse into the world of egg farming, I highly recommend you meet the Lochtefeld family, dedicated egg farmers from Mercer County, Ohio. You can take a virtual tour of their farm and see firsthand the care and effort that goes into producing the eggs we rely on for so many delicious recipes.
Expert Holiday Breakfast Tips from Ohio Egg Farmers
Make your holiday mornings both special and stress-free with these clever tips from experienced egg farmers:
- Embrace Sleep on Christmas Morning: The key to a relaxed holiday morning? Preparation! Assemble a breakfast casserole the night before. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully and means all you have to do is pop it in the oven when you wake up. You’ll be rewarded with a warm, hearty, and effortlessly delicious breakfast without any morning rush. Try this fantastic Overnight Gingerbread French Toast Casserole for a truly festive start.
- Layering for Perfection in Baked Egg Dishes: When creating a baked egg dish like a strata or frittata, always pour the egg mixture *on top* of the other layers – meats, breads, cheeses, and vegetables. This technique ensures that the egg mixture thoroughly soaks into all the ingredients, leading to a perfectly moist, flavorful, and evenly cooked dish every time.
- Minimize Holiday Stress with Freezer-Friendly Meals: Get a head start on your holiday cooking by making breakfast casseroles days or even weeks in advance. These dishes freeze exceptionally well, either before or after baking. Just remember to enjoy your frozen casserole within three months for optimal taste and texture. This simple strategy can significantly cut down on your holiday kitchen stress.
Essential Holiday Baking Tips from Ohio Egg Farmers
Achieve baking perfection this holiday season with these invaluable tips specifically focused on using eggs:
- Always Use Large Eggs in Holiday Baking: Most standard baking recipes, unless otherwise specified, are developed using large eggs. Using a different size egg without adjusting other liquid or dry ingredients can significantly impact the final texture, flavor, and consistency of your baked goods. If you find yourself without large eggs, consult this handy conversion chart to correctly substitute different egg sizes.
- Add Eggs One at a Time for a Smooth Batter: When a recipe calls for multiple eggs, it’s best practice to add them one at a time, mixing well after each addition. This gradual incorporation helps to emulsify the mixture, preventing a lumpy batter and ensuring all ingredients are evenly blended, leading to a smoother, more consistent dough or batter.
- Prevent Contamination When Separating Eggs: If your recipe requires only egg whites or yolks, use an inexpensive egg separator or a funnel for a clean separation. Avoid passing the yolk back and forth between eggshell halves or using your hands, as this increases the risk of contamination from bacteria that might be present on the shell. A clean separation is crucial for food safety, especially when making dishes like meringues or custards.
Baking Perfect Oatmeal White Chocolate Peppermint Cookies
Achieving cookie perfection starts with attention to detail. For these oatmeal white chocolate peppermint cookies, ensure your butter and eggs are at room temperature. This allows them to cream together more smoothly with the sugars, creating a lighter, more uniform dough. Don’t overmix the dry ingredients once the flour is added; overmixing can develop the gluten too much, resulting in tough cookies instead of tender, chewy ones. When adding the oats and candies, fold them in gently until just combined to ensure an even distribution without crushing the delicate M&Ms or candy cane pieces too much.
The baking time of 10-12 minutes is a guideline. Ovens vary, so keep a close eye on your cookies. You’re looking for edges that are lightly golden brown, while the centers still look slightly soft. They will continue to set as they cool on the baking sheet. Removing them at this stage ensures a soft, chewy interior. Let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. This prevents them from breaking and allows the internal structure to stabilize.
Storage, Gifting, and Variations
Once cooled, these Oatmeal White Chocolate Peppermint Cookies should be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days to maintain their freshness and chewiness. If you want to prepare them further in advance, the cookie dough can be frozen in individual scoops. Simply place scoops on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. Bake from frozen, adding a couple of minutes to the baking time.
These cookies make fantastic homemade gifts! Stack them in decorative tins or bags, tied with festive ribbons, for a thoughtful present for neighbors, teachers, or colleagues. For variations, feel free to experiment with different types of M&Ms or chocolate chips. Dark chocolate chips could add a richer contrast to the peppermint, or you could add a sprinkle of festive sprinkles on top before baking for extra holiday sparkle. Whatever additions you choose, these cookies are sure to bring joy!
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Oatmeal White Chocolate Peppermint Cookies
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Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 3 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
- 2 1/2 cups oatmeal
- 1 cup chocolate White Chocolate Peppermint M&Ms, {or whatever M&Ms you would like}
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
- 1 candy cane, crushed {I put it in a plastic bag and used a kitchen mallet to break it up}
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
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In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the baking soda, salt, and all-purpose flour. Set this dry mixture aside.
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In a separate large mixing bowl, using an electric mixer, beat together the softened butter and both sugars (brown and granulated) until the mixture is light and creamy. This usually takes 2-3 minutes. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract and peppermint extract, continuing to beat until everything is thoroughly combined.
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Gradually add the reserved flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix. Then, add the oats and mix on low speed until they are evenly incorporated into the dough.
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Gently fold in the White Chocolate Peppermint M&Ms (or your preferred M&Ms), white chocolate chips, and crushed candy cane pieces using a spatula or wooden spoon until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
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Drop rounded tablespoons of cookie dough onto an ungreased or parchment-lined nonstick cookie sheet, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie.
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Bake for 10-12 minutes (11 minutes was perfect for me) or until the edges are golden brown and the centers still look slightly soft. The cookies will continue to set as they cool.
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Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Store the cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Today’s post is sponsored by the Ohio Poultry Association for sponsoring today’s recipe. As always, opinions are 100% my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that allow me to create quality content and recipes for you to enjoy.