Grand Prize Winners: Hot Chocolate Peppermint Cookies by Maddy Burger and Shannon Shaw

Burger and Shaw’s Hot Chocolate Peppermint Cookie came in first place in this year’s Christmas Cookie contest.

Their delicious cookie won the hearts taste buds of each of the judges and earned them the number one spot and a $25 gift card from our sponsor, Bake Shop Bakes in Tyrone.

“We put our blood sweat and tears into making these bad boys and stayed up all night long perfecting them,” said Shaw.

Their cookies received a total score of 113 out of 125 points.

“We chose this cookie because who doesn’t like hot chocolate on a cold snowy day with peppermint, so we decided to mix it up and make it a cookie. We have a lot of chemistry together and knew that if we came together to make some bomb Peppermint Hot Chocolate cookies we would obviously win,” said Burger.

These two friends are competitive and love to bake, so they were confident that they would win the contest.

“When we get together to make cookies it’s like watching an artist paint a masterpiece. Get your signatures now because we’re gonna be on Halloween Wars someday in the future,” said Burger.

Hot Chocolate Peppermint Cookies

Ingredients

1 cup softened butter

1 cup of sugar

1 large egg

1 tsp peppermint extract

2-1/3 cups all-purpose flour

1/3 cup baking cocoa

1 tsp salt

1 tsp of baking soda

1 package milk chocolate chips

1 cup marshmallow creme

1 cup crushed peppermint candies

Directions:

1. Mix butter & sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy. Mix in egg & extract. Combine the flour, cocoa powder, salt & baking soda into a different bowl & gradually add it to the creamed mixture
2. Drop by tablespoons 2 inches apart onto greased baking sheets. Bake at 375° for 10-12 minutes or until tops are cracked. put the cookies on wire racks to cool.
3. In a microwave, melt chocolate chips & the the marshmallow creme. Use a spoon & on the top of the cookie do half chocolate & half marshmallow & sprinkle the crushed peppermint candy on top. Place on waxed paper & let them set.