The icy breeze blowing through Candy Cane Forest means only one thing: peppermint season has arrived! And leading the charge is this year’s holiday showstopper — North Pole Peppermint Barkies.

These cookies are a merry hybrid between fudge brownies and peppermint bark — chewy, chocolatey rounds topped with a swirl of white chocolate and crushed candy canes. With every bite, you get deep cocoa richness and a festive crunch that screams “snow day snack time!”

Cookie Spotlight: North Pole Peppermint Barkies

Backstory:
Originally created by Mintie McFrost, a pastry elf who wanted to merge her two favorite sweets, this cookie debuted at the Reindeer Games Banquet five years ago. Now it’s a seasonal staple.

 Elf Commentary (Buttons Mistletwig): “Barkies are the only cookies that make my ears twitch with joy. And trust me, that’s a good thing.”

Recipe: North Pole Peppermint Barkies

Yields: ~24 cookies
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Bake Time: 10–12 minutes
Cool Time: 15 minutes (plus 10 minutes to set topping)

Ingredients:

For the Cookie Base:
  • ¾ cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • ¼ tsp salt
For the Topping:
  • 1 cup white chocolate chips
  • ½ tsp peppermint extract
  • ½ cup crushed candy canes

Instructions:

  1. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine melted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Add eggs and vanilla, whisking until smooth.
  2. Add Dry Ingredients: Stir in flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt until combined. The dough will be thick and rich.
  3. Scoop & Bake: Drop tablespoon-sized scoops onto parchment-lined baking sheets. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10–12 minutes. Let cool completely.
  4. Melt & Drizzle Topping: Melt white chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl (30-second bursts), stir in peppermint extract, and drizzle over cooled cookies.
  5. Sprinkle & Set: Top immediately with crushed candy canes and let the chocolate set for about 10 minutes.

Elf Tip:

Add mini chocolate chips to the dough for a brownie-cookie hybrid. For a spicy twist, use crushed cinnamon candies instead of candy canes.

Coming Soon:

Cookie #12 is a grand finale that celebrates the spirit of giving — St. Nickerdoodles, a classic with a magical twist!