These Peppermint Joe Joe’s are even better than Trader Joe’s! They are thin, mint chocolate cookies with a peppermint cream filling, covered in a rich, dark chocolate. It is the kind of cookie dreams are made of!
Has anyone else ever bought such a massive quantity of peppermint Joe Joe’s from Trader Joe’s that you’d elicit stares from fellow shoppers? They are only sold for a short time during the holiday season, and they always go quick! Even with our massive stockpile, they would not last very long at all in our home, leaving us without these delicious cookies for the vast majority of the year! We knew that we needed to perfect a copycat recipe, and this is that labor of love.
Chocolate in Peppermint Joe Joe’s Copycat:
We highly recommend you use high quality chocolate chips to ensure the best flavor and texture when it is melted. A couple of our favorites are Guittard and Ghirardelli, and they should be available at your local grocery store.
Peppermint Extract:
Using peppermint extract in the cookies, filling, and chocolate coating is what really gives these cookies the kick of peppermint needed to truly be a Peppermint Joe Joe’s copycat. You should be able to find peppermint extract in the baking aisle of your local grocery store, or you can purchase from Amazon or other online retailers.
Crushing Candy Canes:
To crush my candy canes, I simply put them in a resealable plastic bag and hammer them with my rolling pin until they are completely crushed. This is a great task for any helpers that might be joining you in the kitchen.
Assembling Cookies Tip:
Be sure to press very gently when you are squishing your cookies together with the cream. If you press to hard or are too rough with them, they will break into pieces.
Storage Instructions:
Store your cookies in an airtight container at room temp for up to 5 days.
If you like this recipe, you may be interested in these other delicious cookie recipes:
Watch the video below where Rachel will walk you through every step of this recipe. Sometimes it helps to have a visual, and we’ve always got you covered with our cooking show. You can find the complete collection of recipes on YouTube, Facebook Watch, or our Facebook Page, or right here on our website with their corresponding recipes.
Dark Chocolate Covered Peppermint Sandwich Cookies
Peppermint Chocolate Cookies
- 1/2 cup salted butter softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
- 1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cocoa powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Peppermint Filling
- 1/2 cup salted butter softened
- 1/4 cup vegetable shortening
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
- 3-4 cups powdered sugar
- 2 peppermint candy canes crushed
Chocolate Coating
- 4 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
- 4 peppermint candy canes crushed
Peppermint Chocolate Cookies
- In a large mixing bowl, use a hand mixer to cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Mix in egg and peppermint extract until smooth. Stir in flour, cocoa powder, and salt until completely incorporated.
- Roll dough into a long log with a 2-inch diameter. Wrap in plastic wrap and place in freezer for 30 minutes to 1 hour, until hard.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Use a sharp knife to slice the cookies very thin, about 80 slices.
- Place cut cookies onto a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Bake in batches for 10 minutes.
- Slide the parchment paper holding the cookies onto a wire cooling rack to cool completely. Cookies will harden as they cool.
Peppermint Filling
- In a medium-size mixing bowl, use a hand mixer to cream together butter, shortening, vanilla extract, and peppermint extract.
- Slowly mix in powdered sugar, 1/2 cup at a time. Filling should be quite thick.
- Stir in crushed candy canes. Form teaspoon sized balls and press gently between your fingers to flatten.
- Place flattened filling between two of the cooled chocolate cookies and gently press together to form a sandwich cookie.
Chocolate Coating
- Pour chocolate chips into a microwave-safe bowl. Melt on high 15 seconds at a time, stirring in between, until chocolate is completely melted and smooth. Stir in peppermint extract.
- Use a fork to dip the sandwiched cookies into the chocolate to coat and place on a wax or parchment paper-lined tray. Sprinkle the top with crushed candy cane.
- Repeat with remaining sandwich cookies. Put cookies into the fridge to harden completely.