Festive Peppermint Sugar Cookie Sandwiches with Rich Chocolate Ganache

The scent of cinnamon, pine, and, most importantly, freshly baked cookies signals the true beginning of the holiday season. With Thanksgiving feasts now a cherished memory, our focus eagerly shifts to the festive joy of Christmas baking. And what better way to kick off the season than with a batch of exquisite cookies designed to delight both the eyes and the palate? These Peppermint Sugar Cookie Sandwiches with Chocolate Ganache are not just a dessert; they are a celebration in every bite, promising to become a star on your holiday cookie platter.
Embracing the Holiday Spirit: From Feast to Festive Baking
This past Thanksgiving marked a special milestone for me: my first time hosting the family dinner! While the thought might sound daunting, it was a truly heartwarming experience, shared with my wonderful parents and Ben’s parents. Cooking alongside my mom, we experimented with new recipes and perfected old favorites, making the preparation itself a cherished part of the holiday. I tackled much of the prep work in advance, allowing us to focus on fresh dishes and quality time on the big day.
Of course, a grand meal is a collaborative effort. My mother-in-law graced our table with her legendary cheesy potatoes and a decadent pumpkin roll – a dessert so impressive it has now firmly secured a spot on my baking bucket list. She also brought the ultimate holiday indulgence: a Honeybaked Ham. My mom contributed two delicious pies and handled the star of the show, the turkey. As for my contributions, I whipped up my vibrant Brussels sprouts salad, elevated by the best Pecorino Romano I’ve ever tasted. The menu also included slow cooker stuffing, which turned out incredibly moist, a fragrant cinnamon apple cranberry sauce, tender green beans, braised parsnips, and baked sweet potatoes with a luscious cinnamon-honey butter.

Speaking of the turkey, it was absolutely divine! My mom and I embarked on a culinary adventure carving it into pieces, a task that, despite a few comical moments involving multiple knives, resulted in perfectly served portions. We adapted a recipe from Cooking Light magazine, a brown sugar and spice-rubbed turkey complemented by an exquisite apple bourbon gravy. It was so remarkably good that I’m already planning to recreate it with chicken soon.

The Magic of Holiday Baking: Crafting Memorable Treats
With the Thanksgiving feast behind us, our kitchen transitioned into a festive cookie wonderland. On Saturday, we joyfully made classic cutout sugar cookies, allowing the kids to unleash their creativity with various decorations. Their laughter and enthusiasm reminded me of the simple, pure magic that holiday baking brings to a home.
These Peppermint Sugar Cookie Sandwiches are a sophisticated take on that beloved classic. Imagine delicate, buttery sugar cookies, infused with a refreshing hint of peppermint, perfectly sandwiching a luscious, rich, and intensely chocolatey ganache. The final touch—a roll in vibrant, crushed candy canes—transforms these treats into an elegant masterpiece, making them absolutely perfect for any holiday party, cookie exchange, or simply as a gorgeous addition to your Christmas cookie tray. They offer a harmonious blend of crisp texture, creamy filling, and a delightful burst of minty chocolate flavor that truly embodies the spirit of the season.
Beyond their delightful taste, these cookies offer a visual appeal that is second to none. The stark white of the cookie, the deep sheen of the chocolate ganache, and the sparkling red and white of the candy canes create a stunning contrast, making them a focal point on any dessert spread. They are a testament to how simple ingredients, combined with a touch of holiday cheer, can produce truly extraordinary results.

What delightful treats will grace your cookie tray this year? Whether you stick to timeless family recipes or venture into new culinary creations like these peppermint ganache delights, the act of baking and sharing is what truly counts during this special time of year.

More Irresistible Holiday Cookie Recipes
If you’re anything like me, one cookie recipe is never enough during the holiday season! Expand your baking repertoire with these other fantastic cookie ideas, perfect for gifting, sharing, or simply enjoying with a warm cup of cocoa:
- Gingersnaps (Ginger Sparkles): These classic gingersnaps are crisp on the outside and wonderfully chewy on the inside, with a warm, spicy flavor that defines the holidays.
- Gingerbread Shortbread Cookies with Cranberries: A delightful twist on traditional shortbread, infused with gingerbread spices and studded with tart cranberries for a burst of color and flavor.
- Peppermint Chocolate Sugar Cookies: For the ultimate chocolate and mint lover, these cookies combine rich cocoa with refreshing peppermint, offering a decadent holiday treat.
- Dark Chocolate and Pecan Cookies: Indulgent dark chocolate cookies loaded with crunchy pecans and a secret ingredient that takes them to the next level of deliciousness.
- Peppermint Lofthouse Sugar Cookies: Soft, cake-like sugar cookies with a delicate peppermint frosting, reminiscent of your favorite bakery treats but made at home.
- Peppermint Shortbread Cookies: Buttery shortbread gets a festive makeover with a hint of peppermint, perfect for a simple yet elegant holiday cookie.
- Chocolate Cherry Thumbprint Cookies: A beautiful combination of rich chocolate cookies with a sweet cherry center, these thumbprints are as delightful to look at as they are to eat.
- Easy Red Velvet Cookies: Capture the classic elegance of red velvet cake in a simple, chewy cookie form, ideal for adding a touch of romance to your holiday spread.
Peppermint Sugar Cookie Sandwiches with Chocolate Ganache Filling
Rachel Gurk
30 mins
8 mins
38 mins
30 (2 1/4-inch) sandwich cookies
Ingredients
For the Peppermint Sugar Cookies:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract
- 1 large egg
- 3 cups all purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- pinch of salt
For the Chocolate Ganache Filling:
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 10 ounces bittersweet chocolate chips
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
For Decoration:
- 10 regular sized candy canes, finely crushed
Instructions
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Preheat your oven to 350° F (175°C).
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In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream together the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light in color and fluffy, indicating it’s well incorporated.
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Beat in the pure vanilla extract, peppermint extract, and the large egg until everything is just combined. Remember to scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to ensure all ingredients are evenly mixed.
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In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and a pinch of salt. Once the wet ingredients are thoroughly mixed, gradually add the dry flour mixture to the butter mixture. If your mixer struggles due to the thickening dough, you can switch to kneading by hand until the dough comes together. For easier handling, you may chill the dough for 30 minutes before rolling, though it’s not strictly necessary.
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Lightly flour your work surface and, working in small batches, roll out the cookie dough to an even thickness of about 1/4-inch. Use a 2 1/4-inch round biscuit cutter or cookie cutter to cut out circles. Carefully place the cut-out cookies onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
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Bake for 6-8 minutes, or until the edges are just barely golden. The cookies should remain pale in the center. Allow them to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes until they are firm enough to be transferred to a wire cooling rack. Cool completely before filling.
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To prepare the chocolate ganache, gently heat the heavy cream in a small saucepan over medium heat until it just begins to simmer and small bubbles appear around the edges, but do not let it boil vigorously. Meanwhile, place the bittersweet chocolate chips and unsalted butter in a heatproof bowl. Pour the hot cream over the chocolate and butter. Let it sit undisturbed for 5 minutes to allow the heat to melt the chocolate, then stir gently with a spatula or whisk until the mixture is completely smooth and glossy. Allow the ganache to cool at room temperature until it thickens to a spreadable consistency. This may take 30-60 minutes, depending on your room temperature. You can stir occasionally to check consistency.
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Once the ganache has reached a spreadable consistency, spread a generous layer onto the flat side of one peppermint sugar cookie, extending it all the way to the edge. Place another cookie on top, gently pressing down to form a sandwich. Immediately roll the edges of the sandwich cookie in the finely crushed candy canes to decorate. Continue this process with the remaining cookies until all have been filled and transformed into delightful sandwiches.
Nutrition
Calories: 240kcal,
Carbohydrates: 24g,
Protein: 3g,
Fat: 15g,
Saturated Fat: 9g,
Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g,
Cholesterol: 31mg,
Sodium: 51mg,
Fiber: 2g,
Sugar: 10g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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