Sunday, May 8, 2016

Darcy Merriweather’s Peppermint Chocolate-Chocolate Chip Cookies -- Guest Heather Blake


LESLIE BUDEWITZ: Welcome to our guest, Heather Blake, joining us to celebrate the May 3 release of GONE WITH THE WITCH, the sixth book in her Wishcraft Mysteries!

One of my favorite flavor combinations is chocolate and peppermint. So much so, that I keep a year-round not-so-secret stash of Ghirardelli peppermint bark for those days when I need a little something to calm my nerves. Lovable witch Darcy Merriweather, the main character in my Wishcraft mysteries, shares a similar trait of turning to chocolate and peppermint when anxiety hits, though her stash consists of York Peppermint Patties, which she prefers frozen.

In honor of our love for chocolate-peppermint combinations, I came up with this cookie recipe to share with all of you. These cookies are cakelike, moist and dense. Leave as is when pulled from the oven or drizzle with a mint-chocolate ganache on top for an extra bit of gooey goodness. These are great with a cup of coffee, tea, or tall glass of milk.

What’s your favorite go-to stress food? Leave a comment by midnight, Monday, May 9, and you could win a signed copy of IT TAKES A WITCH, the first book in the Wishcraft series.

Darcy Merriweather’s Peppermint Chocolate-Chocolate Chip Cookies

1/2 stick of unsalted butter, softened
1/2  c. granulated sugar
1/4 c. brown sugar
2 eggs, room temperature
1/4 tsp. pure peppermint extract
1 1/2 c. all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. baking powder
1/3 c. unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 c. semisweet mini chocolate chips


Preheat oven to 325°F.

In a bowl, cream together butter and sugars until smooth. Add eggs, one at a time, then add the extract. 

In a separate bowl, sift (or whisk if you don’t have a sifter) together the flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder, and cocoa powder. 

Gradually add dry ingredients to wet mixture. Mix well. The dough will be thick. 

Fold in chocolate chips. 

Set mixture in freezer for ten minutes to firm up. 

Once firm, roll the dough into balls (I used two spoons to shape the dough), and place a couple of inches apart onto an ungreased or parchment-lined baking sheet. 

Bake for 11-13 minutes. 

Let set for a few minutes before moving to a cookie rack to finish cooling. 

Once cool, drizzle or glaze with chocolate-mint ganache (optional).

Makes 18 cookies

Chocolate-mint ganache

2 oz. semisweet chocolate
1 Tbsp. unsalted butter
2-3 drops of peppermint extract (a little goes a long way).

In a double boiler (I use a glass bowl nestled over a simmering pan of water), melt chocolate and butter. Remove from heat, add extract, stir. Let cool. Drizzle over cooled cookies.


Heather Blake (aka Heather Webber) is the author of more than twenty novels and has been twice nominated for an Agatha Award. She's a total homebody who loves to be close to her family, read, watch reality TV (especially cooking competition shows), drink too much coffee, crochet, and bake cookies. Heather grew up in a suburb of Boston, but currently she lives in the Cincinnati area with her family.

Visit her website, or connect with her on 
Facebook or Twitter, @booksbyheather

77 comments:

  1. Love this cookie recipe and the book definitely sounds amazing! When I'm stressed, the last thing I want to do is eat - but my favorite treat for when I'm not stressed is ice cream. EMS591@aol.com

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  2. The cookie's sound good. I don't tend to eat when I'm stressed. Most of the time when I want a snack I grab fruit. Especially cherries when they're in season.
    sgiden at verizon(.)net

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    Replies
    1. Fresh cherries are heaven. Here in Ohio there's about a one week window to buy them, though. Wish it were longer.

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  3. Happy Mother's Day Heather! What a treat to see you here--and the cookies look delightful xoxo

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  4. Those cookies look really tasty---I love the chocolate/mint combo, too. But my favorite stress food is pizza.
    suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com

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  5. Welcome, Heather!

    I've noticed over the years that some people respond to a mild-but-heightened level stress by eating, but others don't. I have so many comfort foods I couldn't name them all -- pasta, cheese, cookies, even bread -- which is why we don't keep it in the house! Ice cream only since I discovered Tillamook's Salted Caramel and Oregon Hazelnut, esp with my Chocolate-Cabernet sauce!

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    1. I have lots of comfort foods too. Some more comforting than others. :)

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  6. Thank you for the warm welcome! Hope everyone loves the cookies and the book. :)

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  7. That's too funny. I also keep a stash of Ghirardelli Peppermint Bark. I may not make it until November, but pretty close. Thanks for sharing and for the recipe!
    angelhwk68@yahoo.com

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    1. Lol! You're better than I am at hoarding. Mine usually lasts only till summer.

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  8. I love chocolate and peppermint together, and these cookies sound so delicious. I could make them really decadent by pairing them with a Starbucks Peppermint Mocha! Thanks for sharing the recipe~ bobandcelia@sbcglobal.net

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  9. Every time I read on your blog that you are baking cookies, Heather, I get hungry! Lots of sweet stuff works, but when I am really wishing I had McDonald's I realize I am stressed. Not sure where that came from but fortunately I have to leave the house to get it so off pass it up.

    Such cute stories. Thanks for the giveaway.

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    Replies
    1. Lol. I'm a cookie lover that's for sure. Whatever brings you comfort is good with me.

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  10. Chocolate, chocolate, and more chocolate. Dark, of course.
    Not eat when stressed?! How can that possibly be???
    These cookies sound just about perfect.

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    Replies
    1. Lol, Libby. I agree unless it's something truly tragic, then I just feel queasy. :p

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  11. My go-to stress reliever was retirement, but even in retirement a little lemon meringue dessert goes a long way to relieve anything...
    kat8762@aol.com

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    Replies
    1. Retirement probably trumps everything!

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    2. Yes it does...now all the things I used when I was teaching as stress relievers are just fun! Spa visits, chocolate cookies, a glass of chilled Pinot Grigio!

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  12. Great recipe, thanks for sharing. A plain milk chocolate Hershey bar is my #1 stress relief. I love this series and can't wait to read the latest. Thanks, for all the wonderful adventures you have taken us on. doward1952@yahoo.com

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  13. My favorite stress food, is chocolate, it can be choc chip cookies, choc ice cream, choc candy bar.... ;-) and Ale 8 (a soft drink here in KY....it's basically a ginger ale drink with a kick...) ;-) Happy Mother's Day Everyone!

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    1. Donna, I'll have to look for that next time I'm in KY.

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  14. I could have used these stress reducers last week! Thanks for the wonderful recipe, Heather. These are on my list for the next book deadline!

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    1. Thanks, Krista! I hope life is being good to you now.

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  15. Betty Crocker devil's food cupcakes and a big glass of milk. I forget how easy cookies are to make, I'm going to have to give these a try.

    llcejka at gmail dot com

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  16. Betty Crocker devil's food cupcakes and a big glass of milk. I forget how easy cookies are to make, I'm going to have to give these a try.

    llcejka at gmail dot com

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  17. Sounds Awesome! Gonna make these Vegan :)
    Cheers-
    Kelly Braun
    Gaelicark@yahoo.com

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  18. Sounds Awesome! Gonna make these Vegan :)
    Cheers-
    Kelly Braun
    Gaelicark@yahoo.com

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  19. This sounds yummy! My go to stress reducer food are sweets. Either peanut butter chocolate chip cookies or coconut cream pie!
    Thanks for the chance to win!
    karen(dot)kenyon(at)rogers(dot)com

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  20. Hallmark's peppermint bark is one of our best sellers at Xmas. The cookie recipe sounds divine. Thank you so much for the chance.
    marlene.ezell@gmail.com

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  21. My favorite go to food is chocolate ---- chocolate anything! Love this recipe, sounds delicious.

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  22. It's hard to beat the combination of chocolate and peppermint, but to relieve stress I love foods that are both sweet and salty like roasted spicy pecans. And like Kathleen Costa (above), you can't beat lemon pie! Would love to win a copy of It Takes a Witch. Nancy Reid ..... my e-mail is: jw.nl.reid@sympatico.ca

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    1. I love most anything lemon but I have to ration it as it's a migraine trigger. Worth it most times.

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  23. My to go to stress food is chocolate, and these cookies look amazing. Chocolate and peppermint go together so well I'm sure the cookies are great. Looking forward to reading "It Takes a Witch".
    diannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com

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  24. My to go to stress food is chocolate, and these cookies look amazing. Chocolate and peppermint go together so well I'm sure the cookies are great. Looking forward to reading "It Takes a Witch".
    diannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com

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  25. Pat (patdupuy@yahoo.com)May 8, 2016 at 3:30 PM

    I'm looking forward to reading your books Heather. I lean towards salty for stress food. Chips or crackers.

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    1. Chips are my biggest weakness. Love them anytime. :)

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  26. Oh heavenly looking cookies.
    My "To-Go-To" food usually popcorn or if on hand Samoa girl scout cookies.

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  27. Thank you for the interview, wonderful recipe, and chance to win! I love fudgy, chewy, chocolate brownies with thick icing on top. :) areewekidding@yahoo.com

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  28. Oh, yum. Chocolate & mint is great together. My stress foods are cheese and popcorn.

    brookeb811 at gmail dot com

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  29. No doubt about it! Chocolate with nuts for me!!
    lindaherold999@gmail.com

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  30. Sounds wonderful! When I'm stressed, I crave anything salty. cheers@marjimmanor.com

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  31. Chocolate is definitely my go to stress snack! The covers are so enchanting. Thanks for having the giveaway.

    harnessrose(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  32. This looks fabulous, Heather!! My new fave snack!

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  33. My stress food is a few slices of cheese with a glass of home made white wine - an Australian Gewürtraminer.

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    1. oops...forgot my email....mommy_to_zoe @ hotmail.com

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  34. Happy mother's day to you! Your cookies look amazing! I am going to have to make these. My go to stress buster are chocolate kisses. Thanks for the opportunity to win! crossxjo@hotmail.com

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  35. For me it would be the potato chip. little lamb lst at yahoo dot com
    Lil

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  36. These look yummy, but I keep a bag of Reese's Peanut Butter eggs in the freezer, and grab one when I am stressed. Regular Reese's don't work, and all in the family know not to touch Mom's eggs, haha. zukeeper.geo(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  37. What wonderful suggestions! Looking forward to trying these! Remember, the giveaway is open through Mon, May 9!

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  38. I love reece's pieces when I need to eat. centraleast2 at gmail dot com

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  39. My fave are brownies. Zeta@iwon.com

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  40. Oh, that sounds delightful! I make mint chocolate brownies at Christmastime. As for stress eating? I eat EVERYTHING in sight...and multiples of it. And I'm often stressed. SIGH.

    cozyupwithkathy @ gmail dot com

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  41. I've never been a big fan of mint, but your cookies look so delicious it makes me want to try them! My go-to stress/comfort food is mashed potatoes with lots of butter and salt. I always have a box of potato flakes on hand for emergencies, 'cause when you need mashed potatoes you need them now. :-)

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  42. My favorite comfort food is definitely spaghetti and garlic bread. It's the Italian in me. LOL

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  43. My favorite comfort food is definitely spaghetti and garlic bread. It's the Italian in me. LOL comet9443 at yahoo dot com

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  44. I am a serious stress eater and these cookies look like even one would do the trick, sadly I never stop at one. Chocolate is my first go to but anything sweet and most things salty call me when I am anxious. Those cookies would call anyone anytime.

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  45. I am disabled so it has to be in the house so it is dark choc ice cream on a stick by Dove when i am depressed and have alot of pain i open the box which has 3 and by midnight they are presto gone. Just love dk choc so good ....ptclayton2@aol.com

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  46. Thank you for the recipe. I love peppermint.

    I am looking forword to reading this.

    gibsonbk at hiwaay dot net

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  47. Welcome Heather! Congratulations on your success! I'm not a stress eater, but, any reason is a good reason to eat chocolate. Thank you for a chance to win!
    sxygrndma48{at}yahoo{dot}com

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  48. Sounds great..and although I love anything chocolate... cheese and crackers are my go to with stress! Especially port-wine cheese balls or sharp cheddar...thank you for the contest!
    Marilyn ewatvess@yahoo.com

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  49. I adore chocolate (cakes, cookies, ice cream, milk shakes, etc), and this recipe sounds great! Thank you for the chance to win. myrifraf (at) gmail (dot) com

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  50. Oh, Yum! Congrats on the new release! My go to is always chocolate chip! dm_ richards (at) yahoo (dot) com

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  51. Anything chocolate or cheesecake or pumpkin pie or..... Thankyou for the opportunity! Jill Broussard; minishoes@msn.com

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  52. Chocolate is my stress relief and a really good book. I've read some of your books I'm so hooked. I would love to win. Thank you for the opportunity to win.

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  53. These cookies sound wonderful! While I usually can't eat in high-stress situations, I do love most anything chocolate. And also salty. (chocolate covered potato chips, anyone?) Thanks for the chance to win! jan_healthandhealing@yahoo.com

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  54. Chocolate is like manna to we who covet the wonderful feeling when you eat it. These cookies look mouth-watering delicious and I am definitely going to have to try them. robeader53@yahoo.com

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  55. I have to make these cookies for my mom. She loves York's Peppermint Patties (I will have to freeze some for her. Thanks for the chance to win. vlhcats@gmail.com

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  56. yum them cookies sound delicious. my go to for stress is peanut M and Ms or bugles with french onion dip. Thanks for the recipe. pugpower63@gmail.com

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