Name: Peppermint Oreo Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 11 min
Total time: 31 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 box white cake mix (best if Pillsbury or Aldi); 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened; 1 large egg; ½ teaspoon peppermint extract; ½ teaspoon vanilla extract; 4 ounces cream cheese, softened; 1 cup Oreo cookie chunks; 1 cup Andes Peppermint Crunch pieces plus extra for topping; ½ cup dark chocolate chips plus extra for topping

Jump to Recipe·5 from 13 reviews

If you’re hunting for a holiday treat that’s festive, fun, and absolutely divine, you’ve got to try this Peppermint Oreo Cookies Recipe. Imagine soft, cakey cookies bursting with the cool crunch of peppermint and the classic bite of Oreos — it’s the kind of combo that instantly lifts your spirits and fills your kitchen with the most amazing aroma. Whether you’re baking for friends, family, or yourself (I won’t tell!), this recipe will quickly become your go-to for chilly evenings and holiday gatherings.

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Why This Recipe Works

Simplicity: Using a white cake mix as the base gives you a foolproof, soft cookie texture every time without fuss.
Flavor Harmony: The minty crunch from Andes Peppermint pieces blends perfectly with Oreo chunks, creating a festive flavor explosion.
Texture Perfection: Cream cheese and softened butter add richness and keep the cookies tender and moist.
Flexible Ingredients: Easily customizable with different chocolate or peppermint candies depending on what you find in stores.

Peppermint Oreo Cookies, Peppermint Oreo Cookies Recipe, holiday Christmas cookies, peppermint desserts, Oreo peppermint treats - Several round cookies with a light beige color are spread out on a brown textured mat. Each cookie has visible dark brown chocolate chips and small red candy pieces embedded across the surface. The cookies have a soft, slightly bumpy texture and are spaced evenly apart, showing their round edges clearly. The background underneath the mat is a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Peppermint Oreo Cookies Recipe was chosen thoughtfully so you get that soft yet tender chew, with exciting bits of mint and chocolate in every bite. Here’s a quick breakdown of why these ingredients work so well — plus some tips to get the best from them.

Peppermint Oreo Cookies, Peppermint Oreo Cookies Recipe, holiday Christmas cookies, peppermint desserts, Oreo peppermint treats - Flat lay of a small pile of white cake mix powder on a simple white ceramic plate, a few tablespoons of soft unsalted butter slightly melting on a white ceramic dish, one large whole egg with a clean shell, a small white ceramic bowl with clear peppermint extract, another small white ceramic bowl containing pale vanilla extract, a smooth block of softened cream cheese resting on a white ceramic plate, a small white ceramic bowl filled with dark Oreo cookie chunks, a small white ceramic bowl holding shiny Andes Peppermint Crunch pieces, a small white ceramic bowl with smooth, glossy dark chocolate chips, all arranged symmetrically with balanced spacing, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

White Cake Mix: The secret to quick and easy cookies that are soft and cakey without having to measure flour and leaveners.
Unsalted Butter: Adds creaminess and richness; make sure it’s softened but not melted so your dough mixes up just right.
Large Egg: Binds everything together and adds moisture.
Peppermint Extract: Concentrated peppermint flavor that gives your cookies a refreshing holiday kick.
Vanilla Extract: Balances the flavor and rounds out the sweetness.
Cream Cheese: Keeps cookies tender, rich, and amazingly moist—don’t use it room temperature to the point it’s runny.
Oreo Cookie Chunks: Adds that beloved crunchy, chocolaty texture—breaking them into chunks is better than crumbs for bite-sized surprises.
Andes Peppermint Crunch Pieces: Gives that cooling peppermint crunch; if you can’t find these, chopped peppermint chocolate bars work well.
Dark Chocolate Chips: Adds deep cocoa flavor and gooey pockets of chocolaty goodness.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Tweak to Your Taste

I love making this Peppermint Oreo Cookies Recipe my own depending on the occasion. Sometimes I add a sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top before baking for a little contrast, or swap in white chocolate chips instead of dark if I want it milder. You can absolutely tailor this cookie to what YOU love!

Gluten-Free Version: I’ve experimented with gluten-free white cake mix, with great results—just watch the baking time closely!
Extra Minty: If peppermint is your jam, try adding a few extra drops of peppermint extract—but a little goes a long way!
Less Sweet: Use semi-sweet or bittersweet chocolate chips to tone down sweetness.
Festive Toppings: Press crushed candy canes on top for added holiday sparkle.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Peppermint Oreo Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Mix the Dough to Soft Perfection

Start by adding the dry white cake mix, softened butter, egg, peppermint extract, vanilla extract, and softened cream cheese into a large mixing bowl. I like using a stand or hand mixer—trust me, it helps blend that cream cheese in smoothly, but if you only have a spoon, just be patient and mix well. Beat it until you get a soft, uniform dough with no streaks of butter or cream cheese showing. It should feel moist but not sticky — this dough is a bit softer than regular cookie dough, and that’s exactly what gives you the superb tenderness.

Step 2: Fold in Your Peppermint, Oreo, and Chocolate Goodies

Now gently stir in the Oreo chunks, Andes Peppermint Crunch pieces, and dark chocolate chips. Don’t overmix here — you want those delicious bits to stay chunky, giving every cookie a little surprise. Once everything is evenly combined, pop your dough into the fridge for at least an hour. I’ve found the longer you chill, the easier these cookies are to handle since the dough firms up and won’t stick to your hands when rolling.

Step 3: Scoop, Chill, and Bake

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Then scoop or roll the dough into 24 even balls — I like using a cookie scoop for the perfect size — and place 12 on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, while chilling the other 12 in the fridge. Bake the first batch for about 10-11 minutes. The key here is NOT to overbake; the cookies will look underdone and super soft when you pull them out, but trust me, they set as they cool. Let them rest on the hot sheet for 2-3 minutes before transferring them carefully with a thin spatula to cool completely.

Step 4: Add Extra Peppermint and Chocolate Love

If your cookies puffed up more than you expected, gently tap the tops with the bottom of your spatula to flatten slightly. While the cookies are still warm, press a few extra chocolate chips or peppermint crunch pieces on top for that extra festive flair. Let them cool completely before storing — this cooling period is when the soft, chewy magic really happens.

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Pro Tips for Making Peppermint Oreo Cookies Recipe

Use the Right Cake Mix: Pillsbury or Aldi brands give the best texture—other mixes can be too dense or dry.
Don’t Rush the Chill: Refrigerate the dough long enough so it firms up, which makes rolling easier and keeps the cookies from spreading too thin.
Watch the Oven Closely: Cookies look soft and underdone straight out of the oven, but that’s perfect—overbaking will dry them out.
Handle with Care: Use a thin spatula to remove cookies from the pan so they don’t tear, especially while warm.

How to Serve Peppermint Oreo Cookies Recipe

Peppermint Oreo Cookies, Peppermint Oreo Cookies Recipe, holiday Christmas cookies, peppermint desserts, Oreo peppermint treats - The image shows a small stack of three chunky cookies on a white lace paper doily placed on brown parchment paper. The cookies are light beige and embedded with visible dark chocolate chips and small red and white candy bits spread evenly throughout. The top cookie of the stack has a bite taken out, revealing a soft, dense inside with the same chocolate and candy pieces. In the background, more cookies are cooling on a wire rack, slightly blurred, and to the left is a white ceramic ramekin filled with rough pink and white candy pieces. The whole scene sits on a white marbled surface photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

I like to garnish these cookies with a few extra peppermint pieces or chocolate chips right after baking because they look so pretty and add that extra burst of flavor. Sometimes I sprinkle a little crushed candy cane for a sparkly finish — it’s a simple touch that really elevates the look when serving guests.

Side Dishes

These minty Oreo cookies go amazingly well with a tall glass of cold milk — it’s a classic for a reason. For holiday parties, I’ve served them alongside peppermint hot chocolate or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an indulgent treat that brings all the cozy seasonal feels.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like arranging these cookies on a festive platter sprinkled lightly with powdered sugar, mimicking a snowy scene. You can also tie small stacks together with red ribbon to gift friends and neighbors — they light up people’s faces when they see this thoughtful homemade present!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

These cookies stay fresh for about 3-4 days when stored in an airtight container at room temperature. I usually keep mine in a single layer or separated by parchment paper so they don’t get crushed or stick together.

Freezing

If you want to make ahead, you can freeze the cookie dough balls—wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and put them in a freezer bag. When you’re ready, just bake them straight from frozen, adding a minute or two extra to the baking time.

Reheating

To enjoy leftovers warm, pop a cookie in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds, or briefly heat in a low oven until soft and melty again. Just don’t overdo it or they’ll dry out, and you want that delightful soft chew!

FAQs

Can I use other cake mix flavors for this Peppermint Oreo Cookies Recipe?

Yes, you can experiment with other cake mix flavors like yellow or chocolate, but the white cake mix gives the lightest, softest texture that pairs best with peppermint and Oreos. If you switch flavors, just keep an eye on baking time since moisture levels can vary.
What if I don’t have Andes Peppermint Crunch pieces?

No worries! You can chop up any peppermint chocolate candy bars or use crushed candy canes for a similar peppermint crunch effect. Just fold them in gently to avoid melting.
Why do the cookies look underbaked coming out of the oven?

That’s totally normal! Because of the cake mix and cream cheese, the cookies stay soft and need a few minutes on the hot baking sheet to set without overbaking and drying out. Resist the urge to bake longer — they’ll firm up as they cool.
Can I make these cookies vegan?

This recipe wasn’t developed as vegan, but you could try using vegan cake mix, plant-based butter, and a cream cheese alternative. The texture and taste might differ a bit, so I recommend experimenting with small batches first.

Final Thoughts

This Peppermint Oreo Cookies Recipe has quickly become one of my favorites for the holidays and beyond. It’s one of those cozy, feel-good bakes that’s as fun to make as it is to eat. I love how it brings a little extra magic with every bite, and I know you’ll enjoy sharing these with the people you care about just as much as I do. So go ahead, whip up a batch, and let those festive flavors brighten your day!