Preheat the Oven

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.

Prepare the Dough

• Cream the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until light and fluffy.
• Beat in the egg followed by the vanilla extract and optionally you can add 1/2 teaspoon of peppermint extract if you want extra peppermint flavor. (I only put it in the icing)

Mix the Dry Ingredients

• In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.

Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

• Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
• Fold in the dark or semi-sweet chocolate chips.

Chill the Dough

• Cover the dough and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

Form and Bake

• Scoop tablespoon-sized balls of dough and place them on the baking sheets, leaving space for spreading.
• Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are set but the centers are still soft.

Cool the Cookies

• Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack.

Make the Peppermint Buttercream Frosting

• 1 ½ cups salted butter, softened
• ½ tablespoon clear vanilla
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 1/3 cup vanilla Greek yogurt
• 3 Tablespoons heavy whipping cream
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 1 large piping bag, 1 large round frosting tip

How to Make Vanilla Buttercream Frosting

Step 1.

• In a large mixing bowl or stand mixer, cream the butter, and beat until light and fluffy.

Step 2.

• Mix in the vanilla and almond extract and yogurt.

Step 3.

• Slowly mix in the powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, with a tablespoon of heavy whipping cream in between each cup. Continue to mix for 1 minute or until creamy. Stir peppermint extract in to the frosting making sure to not get it too runny.

Step 4.

• Prepare a piping bag and fill the bag with frosting.
• Frost & Garnish the Cookies
• Once the cookies are completely cool, pipe or spread or pipe the creamy buttercream icing on top of each cookie. Finish with a sprinkle of crushed peppermint for a festive touch.