Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 (10 ounce) bag dark chocolate chips*
- 2/3 cup crushed peppermint candy**
- optional: a few extra chocolate chips and candy to place on top of bars before baking
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350° F. Line a 9×13 cake pan with parchment paper leaving an overhang on all sides to easily lift the bars from the pan when cool. Set aside.
- Whisk together flour, salt and baking soda in a large bowl and set aside.
- Using a large bowl and an electric mixer on medium-high, cream butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until fully, about 1 minute. Beat in extracts and eggs until blended.
- Slowly add dry ingredients and mix together until well combined. Fold in the chocolate chips and crushed peppermint candy until evenly distributed in the dough, using clean hands to work the dough may be easiest.
- Transfer the dough to the prepared pan and pat it into an even layer. Press a few chocolate chips and crushed peppermint candy onto the top of the dough (this is optional, but makes the bars look extra yummy).
- Bake for 20-22 minutes or until very lightly browned on the edges.
- Allow the pan to cool on a wire rack for about an hour. Once cool, lift the parchment out of the pan using the overhang, place on a cutting board, and slice into squares or bars.
Notes
* you can substitute dark chocolate chips for semi-sweet if you prefer. 1 (10 ounce bag) or 1 ¾ cups.
**I buy the bags of crushed peppermint candy, usually found near the chocolate chips or holiday baking section. If you can’t find them, you can use candy canes by putting them in a zip-top bag and crushing them with a rolling pin or heavy can-goods.
TIP: be sure to use parchment paper to line your pan, NOT wax paper. Since we are leaving an overhang, the wax paper can catch fire when exposed to heat.