Fudgy Chocolate Cookies with a Peppermint Sprinkle

I love chocolate and peppermint together, but if the peppermint is too intense, it can sometimes taste a little bit like toothpaste to me.  These cookies are perfect when it comes to the chocolate/peppermint combo.  (Of course, you can always amp up the peppermint flavor, if it is to your liking, by adding some peppermint extract into the cookie dough.) The cookies are a delicious fudgy chocolate. The peppermint sprinkle on the top adds a bit of crunch and just the right amount of peppermint flavor, plus it makes them so pretty and festive.  They are perfect for any holiday gathering.

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Fudgy Chocolate Cookies with a Peppermint Sprinkle

1 1/4 cups softened butter

1 3/4 cups sugar

2 eggs

3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 tsp. soda

1/2 tsp. salt

1 tsp vanilla

2 1/4 cups flour

3 candy canes, crushed

Cream together all ingredients except the flour and candy canes until light and fluffy.  Then add flour and mix well.  Scoop the dough into tablespoon sized balls onto a parchment lined baking sheet and refrigerate for at least one hour.  Remove the cookie dough balls from the refrigerator and roll into perfect balls.  Dip the top half into the crushed candy canes, leaving the larger pieces for garnish after they are removed from the oven.  Bake at 350 for 9-12 minutes until the tops are crackled.  Remove from oven and immediately sprinkle with candy cane garnish.  Very lightly press the pieces into the cookies.  Let set on cookie sheet before removing to cooling rack to cool completely.

**I live at a high altitude (5,000 feet) so if you find the cookies are a little too hard or puffy, you may want to reduce the flour by a few tablespoons.

Enjoy these delicious, fudgy chocolate cookies all dressed up with peppermint for Christmas!