Peppermint Buttercream Chocolate Crackle Cookie Sandwiches

Celebrate the holidays with these Peppermint Buttercream Chocolate Crackle Cookie Sandwiches. They’re full of rich chocolate flavor, just the right amount of chewy, with a crisp outside. Plus learn why crackle cookies crack.

Are you ready for a fun one? These crackle cookies are thick, chewy and almost melt in your mouth. On top of that (or in middle of for that matter) they’re spread with decadent homemade peppermint buttercream. Read on to learn all about crackle cookies and how to make these Chocolate Crackle Cookie Sandwiches.

What are crackle cookies and why do they crack?

Crackle cookies are bake into thick, chewy cookies with a cracked outside, just like my Homemade Brownie They’re rolled in granulated and powdered sugar which creates the crackle effect. While the cookie bakes the sugar stays on the outside but is separated by cracks as the cookie expands. Crackle cookies spread and flatten less than thin, crisp cookies which also enhances the cracked look.

How to make chewy chocolate crackle cookies

There are many factors that affect the chemistry of baked cookies. Whether you want it chewy like the Chewy Toffee Cookies or crispy. These Chocolate Crackle Cookie use the following elements to make soft, chewy cookies.

• Substituting some granulated sugar for brown sugar. The molasses in brown sugar adds moisture and unique flavor
• Bake for less time. These are ready is just about 10 minutes. Baking longer will dry out and crisp cookies. Pro tip: I like to bake layer cakes a bit under the recommended time for the same reason.
• Fewer eggs: As with brownies, the more eggs you add, the more cake-like it becomes
• Less sugar: Sugar dissolves while baking and causes cookies to spread out and crispen
• Shape of cookies: Rolling into balls creates less surface area and spreads less. The thinner the cookie, the crisper it will be.

How to make buttercream

Buttercream is most commonly a mixture of butter, cream cheese, and sugar. To make: beat together ¼ cup butter, 2-ounces cream cheese, 2 cups powdered sugar, and 1 tablespoon whole milk until smooth. Be sure to bring butter and cream cheese to room temp first for correct consistency. I also used it for my Butter Pecan Cake and Carrot Cake Cupcakes recipes

To make peppermint buttercream add in crushed peppermint candies and peppermint extract.

Melting chocolate in double boiler the easy way

If you don’t have an official double boiler, a simple alternative is to place a large metal bowl over a saucepan of simmering water.

How to use a double boiler

• Fill a small saucepan with about an inch of water and top with a large metal bowl
• Make sure the bowl is large enough that it doesn’t rest too deeply into the pot. Bottom of the pot should not touch water as steam is what melts the chocolate.
• Bring water to simmer over medium-low
• Add chocolate, butter and any other ingredients in your recipe
• Heat, stirring constantly just until completely melted and remove from heat

Tips for making these Peppermint Buttercream Chocolate Crackle Cookies

• Melt chocolate in a double boiler for easy, consistent melting
• If the dough is too sticky to roll into balls, chill for 10 to 15 minutes in the fridge
• A meat mallet works well to crush peppermint candies. Place in a few bags sealed plastic bags and smash until fine.
• Make sure butter and cream cheese is room temp for buttercream for correct consistency
• If you don’t have a mixer you can combine buttercream using a whisk, but will require lots of stirring
• Cool crackle cookies completely before assembling, otherwise buttercream will melt
• Buttercream will soften as it sits. If not serving cookie sandwiches right away, store in fridge 1-3 days in an airtight container. Let sit at room temp 15 minutes before serving.

This peppermint buttercream chocolate crackle cookies sandwich is even better when served with a Banana Mocha Smoothie, iced latte or with a cozy Hot Chocolate.

More Christmas cookie recipes you may like:

• Ultimate Guide to Decorated Christmas Cookies
• Decorated Christmas Tree Cookies
• Fail-proof Sugar Cookie Recipe
• Chewy Cashew Toffee Cookies
• Chocolate Pecan Cookies with Caramel Drops
• Strawberries and Chocolate Chip Cookie
• Chewy Cranberry Maple Blondies
• Edible Gingerbread Cookie Dough

Peppermint Buttercream Chocolate Crackle Cookie Sandwiches

Written by Matt | Plating Pixels

Rich chocolate cocoa flavor with just the right amount of chewy. Sandwiched with homemade cream cheese buttercream that includes peppermint candy and peppermint extract.

5 from 5 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 25 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 12 cookie sandwiches

Calories 537 kcal

Equipment

• Saucepan
• 2 Medium Bowl
• Parchment Paper
• Stand Mixer or hand mixer

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

Chocolate Crackle Cookies

• 8 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips
• ⅓ cup butter cut into slices
• 1 tablespoon whole milk
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 cup granulated sugar divided
• 2 large eggs room temp
• 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 ⅔ cups bread flour
• ½ cups dark baking cocoa powder
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ¾ cup powdered sugar

Peppermint Buttercream

• ¼ cup butter room temp
• 2 ounces cream cheese room temp
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• ¼ cup finely crushed peppermint candies
• 1 tablespoon whole milk
• ½ teaspoon peppermint extract

Instructions

 

Chocolate Crackle Cookies

• In a saucepan over low heat combine chocolate chips, butter, and milk. Stir frequently until melted.
• Remove from heat and whisk in brown sugar and ¼ cup granulated sugar. Whisk in eggs completely one a time. Stir in vanilla and set aside.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and baking soda. Add flour to chocolate mixture and stir just until combined. Let sit 15 minutes at room temp to thicken.
• While dough is sitting, preheat oven to 350° F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
• Stir together powdered sugar and remaining granulated sugar in separate bowls. Roll roughly 2-tablespoon balls of dough first in granulated sugar to coat well, then in powdered sugar.
• Place on prepared baking sheet 2-inches apart and bake 9-12 minutes, or until tops have cracked. Cool slightly to firm on a wire rack, then place cookies directly on wire racks to cool completely.

Peppermint Buttercream and Assembly

• Use a stand or electric hand mixer on low to beat butter, cream cheese and powdered sugar until creamy, about 2 minutes.
• Add remaining ingredients and beat until combined.
• Scoop a heaping tablespoon onto flat side of half of cookies and spread evenly. Top with remaining cookie halves and serve.

Notes

• Melt chocolate in double boiler for easy, consistent melting
• If you don't have bread flour, substitute with all-purpose flour. However, cookies will be slightly less chewy.
• If the dough is too sticky to roll into balls, chill for 10 to 15 minutes in fridge
• A meat mallet works well to crush peppermint candies. Place in a few sealed plastic bags and smash until fine.
• Make sure butter and cream cheese is room temp for buttercream for correct consistency
• If you don’t have a mixer you can combine buttercream using a whisk, but will require lots of stirring
• Cool crackle cookies completely before assembling, otherwise buttercream will melt
• If buttercream becomes too soft during assembly, chill in fridge to firm
• If not serving cookie sandwiches right away, store in fridge up 3 days in an airtight container. Let sit at room temp 15 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Peppermint Buttercream Chocolate Crackle Cookie Sandwiches

Amount per Serving

Calories

537

% Daily Value*

Fat

 

18

g

28

%

Saturated Fat

 

11

g

69

%

Cholesterol

 

57

mg

19

%

Sodium

 

302

mg

13

%

Potassium

 

232

mg

7

%

Carbohydrates

 

88

g

29

%

Fiber

 

1

g

4

%

Sugar

 

71

g

79

%

Protein

 

4

g

8

%

Vitamin A

 

390

IU

8

%

Calcium

 

73

mg

7

%

Iron

 

1.7

mg

9

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Keyword chocolate Cookie Sandwich, chocolate crackle cookies, crackle cookies

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Recipe adapted from Bake from Scratch: Holiday Cookies. Print, 2018.