Peppermint Mocha Cookie Bars

The Peppermint Mocha Cookie Bars are a perfect holiday dessert, combining rich flavors of espresso, chocolate, and peppermint. Here’s a comprehensive guide on the ingredients, preparation steps, and an overview of the recipe to help you create these delicious treats. The cookie bars feature a mocha-flavored base that is complemented by both chocolate and peppermint. A whipped white chocolate topping adds a creamy finish, and crushed candy canes provide a festive crunch. These bars are ideal for Christmas parties, cookie exchanges, or as a decadent treat with your morning coffee.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients:

For the Cookie Base:

• Flour (1 cup): Provides structure to the cookie bars, ensuring they hold together well.
• Unsweetened Cocoa Powder (1/3 cup): Adds a deep chocolate flavor to the base.
• Espresso Powder (1 tablespoon): Enhances the chocolate flavor and gives the bars their mocha twist.
• Salt (1/2 teaspoon): Balances the sweetness of the bars.
• Baking Powder (1/2 teaspoon): Helps the dough rise slightly for a soft texture.
• Butter (1/2 cup, softened): Adds richness and moisture to the dough.
• Brown Sugar (3/4 cup): Adds sweetness and moisture, keeping the bars chewy.
• Egg (1 large): Acts as a binder, helping to hold the dough together.
• Peppermint Extract (1/2 teaspoon): Adds the classic holiday peppermint flavor.
• Dark Chocolate Chips (1/2 cup): Adds texture and rich chocolate bursts throughout the bars.

For the Frosting:

• White Chocolate Chips (1/2 cup): Forms the base of the frosting, offering a sweet and creamy layer.
• Heavy Cream (1/4 cup): Provides the richness and texture for a smooth frosting.
• Powdered Sugar (1 cup): Adds sweetness and thickness to the frosting.
• Vanilla Extract (1/2 teaspoon): Enhances the overall flavor of the frosting.
• Crushed Candy Canes (1/4 cup): Provides a crunchy, peppermint topping that complements the bars.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare the Cookie Base

• Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it to prevent sticking.
• Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, espresso powder, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
• Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat softened butter with brown sugar until light and fluffy. This step is important for creating a soft, chewy base.
• Add Egg and Peppermint Extract: Beat in the egg and peppermint extract until well combined.
• Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, stirring until just combined. Avoid overmixing as it can make the dough tough.
• Fold in Dark Chocolate Chips: Stir in the dark chocolate chips for pockets of melty chocolate in every bite.
• Bake: Spread the dough evenly in the prepared pan and bake for 18-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan.

2. Make the White Chocolate Frosting

• Melt White Chocolate Chips: In a small saucepan, melt the white chocolate chips with heavy cream over low heat, stirring constantly until smooth.
• Beat Frosting: In a medium bowl, beat together the melted white chocolate mixture, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. If the frosting is too thick, you can add a bit more cream to reach your desired consistency.
• Chill Frosting: Place the frosting in the fridge for about 30 minutes to firm up slightly before spreading.

3. Assemble the Bars

• Frost the Bars: Once the cookie base has completely cooled, spread the frosting evenly over the top.
• Add Crushed Candy Canes: Sprinkle the crushed candy canes over the frosting for a festive finish. Lightly press them into the frosting so they adhere well.
• Chill the Bars: Refrigerate the bars for at least an hour to allow the frosting to set before slicing.

4. Cut and Serve

• Slice: Once chilled, cut the bars into squares or rectangles, depending on your preference.
• Serve: Serve chilled or at room temperature. These bars can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Recipe Tips and Variations

• Customization: If you want to tone down the peppermint flavor, you can reduce the peppermint extract to 1/4 teaspoon. For more intense chocolate flavor, try using semi-sweet chocolate chips in the cookie base.
• Frosting Alternative: If you’re short on time, you can skip the homemade frosting and simply drizzle melted white chocolate over the top or use store-bought white chocolate frosting.
• Storage: These bars can be frozen after cutting. Place them in a single layer in an airtight container, with parchment paper between layers. They can be frozen for up to 3 months—just thaw them in the fridge before serving.

What’s good in Peppermint Mocha Cookie Bars

The Peppermint Mocha Cookie Bars recipe is an indulgent holiday treat that blends the rich flavors of espresso, chocolate, and peppermint. The dessert begins with a fudgy, mocha-flavored cookie base, making it a festive spin on traditional chocolate treats. The dark chocolate chips within the base offer bursts of rich chocolate flavor, while the peppermint extract delivers that classic holiday freshness.

The magic, however, doesn’t stop there. These bars are topped with a luscious white chocolate frosting, which creates a smooth, sweet contrast to the deeply chocolatey base. Melted white chocolate chips and heavy cream are the foundation of the frosting, which is both decadent and creamy. This frosting layer elevates the cookie bars from an everyday dessert to a holiday masterpiece.

For a final festive touch, the frosting is sprinkled with crushed candy canes. The candy canes add texture and extra peppermint flavor, balancing the richness of the mocha and chocolate components. Plus, they create a beautiful visual appeal, perfect for serving at Christmas gatherings or gifting to friends and family. The red and white pieces of candy cane scattered across the frosting give the bars a striking holiday appearance that’s both cheerful and eye-catching.

What makes these cookie bars so special is their ability to encapsulate the essence of the holiday season in each bite. The combination of peppermint and mocha evokes the flavors of seasonal drinks, like peppermint mochas from coffee shops, bringing a sense of warmth and comfort to every bite. The bars are the perfect combination of chewy, creamy, and crunchy textures, making them an exciting dessert experience.

In terms of preparation, these cookie bars are fairly straightforward. The base is made from simple ingredients like flour, cocoa powder, espresso powder, butter, and brown sugar, which are combined to create a chewy, rich cookie layer. Once baked, the bars need to cool before the frosting is added, allowing the flavors to meld together beautifully.

These bars are incredibly versatile for holiday entertaining. They are easy to transport, making them perfect for potlucks or cookie swaps, and they can be made ahead of time. The bars store well in the fridge and can be served chilled or at room temperature. You can even freeze them for longer storage, so you’ll have a batch ready for unexpected guests or when you need a quick dessert to serve.

Additionally, these cookie bars can be customized to fit your preferences. If you’re a fan of a more intense chocolate flavor, you can use semi-sweet chocolate instead of dark chocolate, or even experiment with adding a dash of cinnamon or nutmeg to the dough for a spiced holiday twist. The frosting can be switched up as well—while the white chocolate version is delicious, you could try a dark chocolate ganache or even a cream cheese-based frosting for a tangier topping.

Whether you’re hosting a holiday gathering or simply looking for a new recipe to try, Peppermint Mocha Cookie Bars are an excellent choice. They capture the flavors of the season and offer a sophisticated yet playful treat that will impress guests and loved ones alike.

Conclusion

The Peppermint Mocha Cookie Bars offer a delightful combination of flavors perfect for holiday gatherings or as a homemade gift. The rich espresso base balances perfectly with the refreshing peppermint, while the white chocolate frosting adds a creamy touch. The crushed candy canes not only enhance the festive appearance but also provide a satisfying crunch. These cookie bars are easy to make and sure to impress your friends and family. Whether served as a dessert or alongside your favorite hot beverage, they capture the essence of the holiday season in every bite.