Here are my Oreo peppermint bark cookies, with crushed peppermint bark Oreos, smooth white chocolate, a hint of peppermint extract, and a sprinkle of crushed candy canes on top.

These cookies are my go-to treat when I want something festive without spending hours in the kitchen. They disappear so fast at holiday parties that I’ve learned to make a double batch and hide some for myself!

Why You’ll Love These Oreo Peppermint Bark Cookies

Ready in under 30 minutes – These cookies come together so quickly, making them perfect for last-minute holiday parties or when you need a festive treat in a pinch.
Only 4 ingredients – You don’t need a long shopping list or fancy baking skills to make these. Just grab Oreos, white chocolate, peppermint extract, and candy canes.
No baking required – Since there’s no oven involved, you can make these even on the hottest days or when your oven is already busy with other holiday dishes.
Perfect for holiday gifting – These festive cookies look impressive and taste amazing, making them ideal for cookie exchanges, neighbor gifts, or holiday dessert platters.
Kid-friendly recipe – Little ones can help dip the Oreos and sprinkle the crushed candy canes, making this a fun family activity during the holiday season.

What Kind of Oreos Should I Use?

For this recipe, Peppermint Bark Oreos are your best bet if you can find them, as they’re specifically designed with that minty, festive flavor in mind. However, these are usually a seasonal item that shows up around the holidays, so if you’re making these cookies outside of that window, regular Mint Oreos work just as well. You could even use classic chocolate Oreos if you want a more traditional chocolate-mint combination instead of the white chocolate version. Just make sure your Oreos are fresh and haven’t gone stale – nobody wants a soggy cookie base for their bark!

Options for Substitutions

This recipe is pretty straightforward, but here are a few swaps you can make if needed:

Peppermint Bark Oreos: If you can’t find Peppermint Bark Oreos, regular Mint Oreos work great. You can even use regular Oreos and add an extra 1/4 teaspoon of peppermint extract to the melted chocolate to get that minty flavor.
White chocolate: Almond bark is actually easier to work with since it melts smoothly and sets up nicely. If you’re using white chocolate chips instead, add 1 teaspoon of coconut oil or shortening to help it melt better and coat the cookies more easily.
Peppermint extract: You can leave this out if your Oreos are already minty enough for your taste. Or swap it with vanilla extract if you want a milder flavor.
Candy canes: Any hard peppermint candies will work here. Starlight mints are a good option, or you can skip the topping altogether for a simpler look.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Baking

The biggest mistake when making these cookies is overheating your white chocolate, which causes it to seize up and become grainy – melt it in 30-second intervals in the microwave, stirring between each round, and stop when there are still a few small chunks left to stir in with the residual heat.

Another common error is dipping the Oreos while the chocolate is too hot, which makes the coating too thin and causes it to drip everywhere, so let the melted chocolate cool for about 5 minutes until it’s just warm to the touch.

To keep your peppermint topping from sliding off, sprinkle the crushed candy canes on immediately after dipping while the chocolate is still wet, and don’t pile them on too thick or they’ll fall off once the bark hardens.

Finally, make sure to let the cookies set completely on parchment paper at room temperature or in the fridge before stacking them, otherwise they’ll stick together and ruin all your hard work.

What to Serve With Oreo Peppermint Bark Cookies?

These cookies are perfect for holiday cookie platters alongside other festive treats like sugar cookies, chocolate chip cookies, or fudge brownies. They pair really well with a mug of hot chocolate or peppermint hot cocoa, which doubles down on that minty flavor everyone loves during the holidays. If you’re putting together a dessert spread, consider adding some chocolate truffles or peanut butter cups to give your guests variety. These cookies also make great gifts when packaged in clear cellophane bags tied with ribbon, and they look beautiful stacked on a tiered dessert stand at parties.

Storage Instructions

Store: Keep these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. Layer them between sheets of parchment paper so they don’t stick together. They’re actually great to make ahead for holiday parties since they hold up so well!

Freeze: You can freeze these for up to 3 months in a freezer-safe container with parchment paper between the layers. They thaw quickly at room temperature in about 15 minutes, which makes them perfect for pulling out when unexpected guests drop by.

Gift: These cookies are perfect for gift giving! Pack them in decorative tins or cellophane bags tied with ribbon. They travel well and don’t need refrigeration, so you can mail them to friends and family without worry.

Preparation Time	10-15 minutes
Cooking Time	10-20 minutes
Total Time	20-35 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

Calories: 2500-2700
Protein: 18-24 g
Fat: 110-130 g
Carbohydrates: 360-390 g

Ingredients

1/4 tsp peppermint extract (for concentrated minty flavor)
1 package peppermint bark Oreos (about 14-15 cookies, crushed into chunks)
crushed peppermint candies (for garnish, about 1/4 cup)
2 cups white chocolate (chopped or chips, melted until smooth)

Step 1: Prepare Your Workspace and Ingredients

1 package peppermint bark Oreos
crushed peppermint candies
parchment or wax paper

Line a baking sheet with parchment or wax paper to create a clean surface for cooling your bark cookies.

Crush the peppermint bark Oreos into bite-sized chunks (you want pieces substantial enough to dip, not powder), and measure out your crushed peppermint candies for garnish.

Having everything prepped and ready before you start melting chocolate ensures a smooth, efficient process.

Step 2: Melt White Chocolate and Infuse with Peppermint

2 cups white chocolate
1/4 tsp peppermint extract

Melt the white chocolate using a double boiler or microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval to ensure smooth, even melting without scorching.

Once fully melted and silky, immediately stir in the peppermint extract until completely incorporated.

I find that adding the extract right after melting helps the flavor distribute evenly throughout the chocolate without any concentration in certain spots.

Step 3: Dip Oreo Chunks and Set on Paper

crushed Oreo chunks from Step 1
peppermint white chocolate mixture from Step 2

Working quickly while the chocolate is still warm, dip each crushed Oreo chunk into the peppermint white chocolate mixture, coating it thoroughly on all sides.

Use a fork or dipping tool to help submerge and remove each piece, allowing excess chocolate to drip back into the bowl.

Immediately place each dipped cookie onto your prepared parchment paper, spacing them slightly apart so they don’t touch while cooling.

Step 4: Garnish and Cool Until Set

crushed peppermint candies from Step 1

While the chocolate coating is still wet and tacky, sprinkle crushed peppermint candies generously over each cookie piece—this is your window to garnish, as once the chocolate sets, the candy won’t stick.

Let the cookies cool at room temperature for 20-30 minutes until the chocolate is completely hardened, or speed up the process by refrigerating for 10-15 minutes.

I like to let them set at room temperature first since it gives a nicer texture than rushed chilling.