Chocolate chip cookies are an iconic and beloved dessert, loved by people of all ages around the world. The combination of rich, buttery cookie dough with sweet chocolate chips has been a classic treat for decades. However, this recipe takes the traditional chocolate chip cookies to a new level by adding a refreshing twist of peppermint and a surprise Oreo center.

The original chocolate chip cookie recipe was created by Ruth Graves Wakefield in the 1930s. Ruth and her husband owned the Toll House Inn in Whitman, Massachusetts, and she was known for her delicious desserts. Legend has it that Ruth accidentally discovered the recipe when she ran out of baker’s chocolate and decided to use chopped-up semisweet chocolate in her butter cookie dough, expecting it to melt and create an all-chocolate cookie. Instead, the chocolate retained its shape, and the world’s first chocolate chip cookie was born.

Over the years, chocolate chip cookies have evolved and been adapted in countless ways. The addition of various flavors, such as peppermint, has become a popular way to enhance the classic recipe and add a festive touch, especially during the holiday season.

INGREDIENTS

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
• 2 large eggs
• 2 1/2 cups Ghirardelli semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 box of Oreo cookies

INSTRUCTIONS

1. PREHEAT OVEN & PREPARE COOKIE SHEETS
   • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).
   • Line cookie sheets with parchment paper or Silpat mats to prevent sticking.
2. COMBINE DRY INGREDIENTS
   • In a bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Lightly mix the dry ingredients and set them aside.
3. CREAM BUTTER AND SUGARS
   • In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and packed brown sugar until fully combined and creamy.
4. ADD VANILLA, PEPPERMINT, AND EGGS
   • While beating on low speed, add the vanilla extract, peppermint extract, and eggs one at a time until well incorporated.
5. GRADUALLY ADD FLOUR MIXTURE
   • Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients while continuing to mix until everything is well combined.
6. MIX IN CHOCOLATE CHIPS
   • Stir in the Ghirardelli semi-sweet chocolate chips, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the cookie dough.
7. CREATE COOKIE SANDWICHES
   • Take one Oreo cookie and use an ice cream scoop to scoop out two scoops of cookie dough.
   • Place the Oreo in the middle of the scoops and press lightly.
   • Work the cookie dough all around the Oreo, encasing it completely.
   • Smooth out the dough in your hands, shaping the entire cookie into the form of a hockey puck, slightly smaller in size.
   • Place the completed cookie on the prepared cookie sheet and repeat the process for the remaining dough and Oreos.
8. BAKE THE COOKIES
   • Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10-14 minutes or until they are slightly brown on the bottom and top.
9. COOL THE COOKIES
   • Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool for 15 minutes on a cooling rack.

These peppermint chocolate chip cookies with a surprise Oreo center are sure to be a hit at any gathering or celebration. Enjoy the delightful combination of flavors and textures as you bite into these delicious and festive treats!