Baking Instructions:

• Step 1: Preheat Your Oven - Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures your cookies bake evenly and achieve that perfect texture.
• Step 2: Prepare Your Baking Sheet - Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This will help prevent the cookies from sticking and make cleanup a breeze.
• Step 3: Mix Dry Ingredients - In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Set this mixture aside for now.
• Step 4: Cream the Butter and Sugar - In a large mixing bowl, cream together the room-temperature unsalted butter and granulated white sugar using a whisk or electric mixer. Beat until the mixture is light and fluffy.
• Step 5: Add Egg and Vanilla - Add the large egg and the pure vanilla extract to the butter mixture. Mix until well combined, ensuring everything is evenly incorporated.
• Step 6: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients - Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Stir until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
• Step 7: Melt the Chocolate - Using a double boiler or microwave, melt the chopped bittersweet chocolate until smooth. Allow it to cool slightly before adding it to the cookie dough.
• Step 8: Incorporate Peppermint Extract - Stir in the peppermint extract and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon of salt into the melted chocolate. Then, fold this chocolate mixture into the cookie dough until evenly distributed.
• Step 9: Scoop the Dough - Using a spatula or cookie scoop, drop tablespoon-sized portions of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving enough space between each cookie to allow for spreading.
• Step 10: Decorate (Optional) - If you’d like, sprinkle some nonpareils or sprinkles on top of the cookie dough before baking for a festive touch.
• Step 11: Bake - Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for about 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are set but the centers are still soft. They will continue to firm up as they cool.
• Step 12: Cool and Enjoy! - Once baked, remove the wafers from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.