Peppermint Chocolate Sugar Cookies

The holidays were so easy as a kid. You had a few weeks off from school. You didn’t have to worry about buying any presents. Any gifts you did give, were handmade or very inexpensive. The only people you had to give presents to were your parents and siblings (but even then, your parents helped out). You show up to all the holiday parties wearing the outfit your mother laid out for you. No worries, no stress, you just cruise and relax into the new year.

If only it stayed that simple forever. The older you get, the more responsibilities you earn. This year, I helped out my mom by taking care of her entire Christmas shopping list. I thought shopping for my nieces and nephews would be a breeze. I know what kids like. I was a kid not too long ago. NOPE.

I am confused by the sheer amount of toys available to kids nowadays. Alex and I spent hours reading reviews for different toys and games. There are way too many Lego sets to choose from, too many action figures to name, too many toys that require batteries. Is it age appropriate? Will their parents approve? Will it cause a mess? Will their brothers/sisters get jealous? I don’t know how parents do it. Buying presents for children is difficult.

I’m still (many) years away from even planning on having children. (Sorry, Mom.) Right now, I’m better suited for cookie making. That’s what I’m best at during the holidays: creating sweets and desserts for everyone within reach.

Sugar cookies are the most versatile cookie ever. They’re synonymous with pretty much every holiday. Heart sugar cookies for Valentine’s Day, bunnies and eggs for Easter, pine trees and ornaments for Christmas.

These are the sugar cookies for people who don’t want to deal with cookie cutters and punching out shapes. These are simple drop cookies. To make them festive and fancy, I dipped them in dark chocolate and sprinkled on crushed candy canes.

Now, that’s easy.

P.S. These peppermint chocolate sugar cookies make for delicious ice cream sandwiches!