Seasoned With Sydney

I'm generally not one to seek out peppermint flavored things. I don't know what it is about that essential oil that just turns me off. And despite the fact that it's often associated with the color red (which is positively my favorite color), there are very few scenarios that involve me going anywhere near the stuff. Eating one of these soft, chewy, dark choclatey cookies is one of those scenarios.

Making these cookies for my Nashvilian bestie, Hailey, was a real treat. Number one, it gave me an excuse to eat dark chocolate cookie dough first thing in the morning (a baker must always stay tasting, right?) But it introduced me to the world of the sandwich cookie. Long an admirer of the homemade Oreo and the ice cream sandwiches made with both homemade ice cream and delicious chocolate chip cookies, I hadn't yet found myself with the opportunity to make any in my kitchen. But when Hails told me that her favorite combination was peppermint and chocolate, and having stumbled upon this recipe a few days earlier and immediately adding it to my overflowing "Recipes" folder, I decided these cookies were up next to bat.

Not only was the active preparation time pretty short (probably an hour tops; the delicate dough must rest for at least two hours, though I rested it overnight), but it was pretty simple as well. And while I maybe didn't listen to the directions all the way when it said to only put a little peppermint buttercream in the center to avoid overflow (my brain couldn't handle so much empty space, and the frosting overflowed anyway), things still turned out for the best. A little extra peppermint buttercream never hurt anyone anyway. And did I mention that after a little time in the fridge to let the buttercream set that these taste almost EXACTLY like chilled, Girl Scout caliber thin mints? It was actually the best discovery of the week.

I know what you're thinking: Peppermint is really more of a holiday flavor, and the holidays are long gone, my friend! Well, I'd like to respectfully disagree. Unless the Peppermint Police, who dispatch from Holiday Headquarters, come banging on my door ordering me to halt operations immediately, I say these dark chocolate and peppermint treasures are fair game ALL YEAR ROUND.

What You'll Need:

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened 3/4 cup sugar 1 large egg 1 large egg yolk 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 cup dark cocoa powder 1 tablespoon ground espresso beans (optional) 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt

For the buttercream: 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened 1/2 to 1 teaspoon peppermint extract 2 cups powdered sugar 2 to 4 tablespoons milk

Find this recipe on The Kitchn!