Festive & Chewy: Your Guide to Hershey’s Peppermint Macadamia Nut Oatmeal Cookies

The air is crisp, carols are playing, and our home is officially “Christmafied”! If you’re wondering, yes, that’s a word in our household, signaling the start of our favorite season. This year, getting into the holiday spirit involved a truly memorable adventure: finding our Christmas tree. For my husband and me, growing up meant annual trips to a bustling Christmas Tree Farm, eagerly choosing and cutting down our own tree. Since getting married, however, our various moves never quite placed us near an accessible or economical option for this cherished tradition. That all changed this year, much to our delight.

Nestled near the majestic mountains, we discovered that the mountains indeed have trees – and a plentiful supply for the holidays! On a chilly Saturday morning, we embarked on some research to find the perfect spot. My husband stumbled upon information about a National Forest that permitted tree cutting. The idea was simple: acquire a permit, then trek deep into the forest to find your ideal tree. The catch? A 4WD vehicle was highly recommended, especially with the snow. After a few calls, we located a place with a 4WD rental available for the afternoon. With our gear packed, we set off on what felt like our very own National Lampoon-esque Christmas adventure.

The drive itself was about an hour, but the destination was nothing short of amazing. We were genuinely surprised by the sheer number of people there, easily a couple hundred families, all eager to find their perfect tree. Even Smokey the Bear was there, greeting everyone and posing for cheerful holiday pictures. Donning our snowshoes, we ventured through the snowy expanse of the National Forest, eyes peeled for that special tree. In the end, we managed to cut down a charmingly small tree, perfect for our six-year-old to decorate independently. For our main family tree, we opted for a larger, more cultivated one from a local farm. While the forest trees were undeniably more “Charlie Brown” in style – reflecting their natural, untouched beauty – the experience itself was priceless. This unique outing, something we could have never done living in the Midwest, is definitely becoming a cherished new holiday tradition.

From Forest to Festive Kitchen: Transitioning to Holiday Baking

After a day filled with fresh mountain air and the thrill of the hunt, there’s nothing quite like returning to a warm, cozy home and diving into some festive holiday baking. This year, my holiday baking endeavors received a delightful boost when Oh! Nuts reached out, offering to send some of their premium nuts for my seasonal recipes. Of course, I enthusiastically accepted! My mind immediately jumped to creating a holiday-themed version of my favorite white chocolate macadamia nut cookies. I knew that the vibrant, minty flavor of Hershey’s Candy Cane Kisses would be a major player, lending both festive cheer and a delicious peppermint crunch to the recipe.

Crafting the Perfect Holiday Cookie: Peppermint Inspiration

My vision began to solidify when I came across a wonderful recipe for white chocolate peppermint crunch oatmeal cookies over at Love from the Oven. This recipe aligned perfectly with the festive, chewy, and peppermint-infused cookie I had in mind. Combining the hearty texture of oatmeal with the creamy sweetness of white chocolate and the invigorating burst of peppermint from the chopped Candy Cane Kisses, alongside the rich, buttery crunch of macadamia nuts, promised a truly irresistible treat.

Mastering Altitude Baking: Tips for High-Elevation Success

Living at a higher altitude always brings a unique set of challenges to baking, and I was quite nervous about how these cookies would turn out. High altitudes typically mean lower atmospheric pressure and drier air, which can cause cookies to spread too much, dry out quickly, or rise excessively and then fall. Common adjustments often include reducing leavening agents, increasing liquid, adding a bit more flour, and sometimes reducing sugar. However, to my immense relief and delight, the adjustments I made worked perfectly! The cookies came out wonderfully thick and chewy, just as I’d hoped, with no signs of excess spreading or dryness.

For those of you baking at higher elevations, specifically anything over 3500 feet, I’ve noted my successful alterations in the recipe below. These adjustments are crucial for achieving that ideal thick, chewy texture. Reducing the sugar by a tablespoon helps prevent excessive spreading, which can be common at altitude. Adding an extra egg provides more moisture and structure, counteracting the drier air. A slight increase in flour also contributes to better structure. Finally, a tiny reduction in both baking soda and baking powder is key to preventing the cookies from rising too quickly and then collapsing, ensuring a perfectly stable and delicious cookie every time. Don’t be intimidated by altitude baking; with these simple tweaks, you can achieve fantastic results!

The Irresistible Appeal of These Festive Cookies

These Hershey’s Peppermint Macadamia Nut Oatmeal Cookies are truly a holiday baking masterpiece. They are soft, with a delightful chewiness that melts in your mouth, while being packed with the invigorating flavor of peppermint. Each bite offers a satisfying crunch from the perfectly roasted macadamia nuts, creating a complex and incredibly addictive texture profile. The vibrant red and white specks from the chopped Candy Cane Kisses make them visually stunning, instantly adding a festive touch to any holiday spread. They’re not just cookies; they’re a sensory experience that embodies the joy and warmth of the season.

Whether you’re looking for the perfect addition to your holiday cookie tray, a thoughtful homemade gift for friends and family, or simply a delicious treat to enjoy with a cup of hot cocoa by the fire, these cookies fit the bill perfectly. Their unique combination of flavors – the refreshing mint, the creamy white chocolate, the nutty macadamia, and the comforting oatmeal – makes them stand out from typical holiday fare. Prepare to be asked for the recipe every time you share them!

Your Go-To Recipe: Hershey’s Peppermint Macadamia Nut Oatmeal Cookies

Inspired by the delightful creations at Love from the Oven and infused with our own high-altitude baking expertise, this recipe delivers cookies that are guaranteed to become a new holiday tradition in your kitchen. Get ready to bake a batch of pure festive joy!

Hershey’s Peppermint Macadamian Nut Oatmeal Cookies

Adapted from Love from the Oven

Ingredients:

1 cup unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar (minus 1 Tbls for altitude baking)
3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1 large egg (plus 1 more large egg for altitude baking)
1 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (plus 1 Tbls for altitude baking)
1/2 tsp baking soda (minus a tiny bit for altitude baking)
1/2 tsp baking powder (minus a tiny bit for altitude baking)
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup rolled oats (quick-cooking, old-fashioned, or regular – your preference)
1 1/2 cups Hershey’s Candy Cane Kisses, roughly chopped
2/3 cup macadamia nuts, roughly chopped

Instructions:

Prepare Your Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. This usually takes 2-3 minutes with an electric mixer.
Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Stir in the vanilla extract until just combined.
Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
Gradually Add Dry to Wet: Slowly add the dry ingredient mixture to the butter mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough cookies.
Fold in Add-ins: By hand, using a spatula or wooden spoon, stir in the rolled oats, chopped Hershey’s Candy Cane Kisses, and chopped macadamia nuts until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
Scoop and Bake: Drop rounded spoonfuls of dough (about 1.5-2 tablespoons each) onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving enough space between cookies for spreading.
Bake to Perfection: Bake for approximately 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown and the centers are still soft. Remember, cookies continue to bake slightly as they cool.
Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Baking Tips for Optimal Results:

To ensure your cookies turn out perfectly every time, use good quality ingredients. Fresh macadamia nuts make a huge difference in flavor and crunch. When chopping the Hershey’s Kisses, a sharp knife works best, and don’t worry if some pieces are smaller than others – they’ll melt beautifully into the cookie. Avoid overbaking; pulling them out when the centers still look a little soft will ensure a wonderfully chewy texture once cooled. Store these delightful cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days to maintain their freshness and chewiness. They also freeze well, so you can bake a big batch and enjoy them throughout the holiday season!

Embrace the Holiday Spirit, One Cookie at a Time

From the snowy mountain tops to the warmth of our kitchen, this holiday season has already been full of memorable firsts and beloved traditions. Our adventurous Christmas tree hunt, though it yielded some “Charlie Brown” trees, was a beautiful reminder of the joy of family and creating new experiences. And now, these Hershey’s Peppermint Macadamia Nut Oatmeal Cookies stand as a delicious testament to the cozy, comforting side of the holidays. They’re more than just a sweet treat; they’re a symbol of togetherness, celebration, and the simple pleasures that make this time of year so special. So, gather your ingredients, put on some festive music, and create some delicious memories in your own Christmafied home. Happy baking and happy holidays!