While finals officially arrive this week, why not make the most of your overwhelming procrastination with a cookie break? These chocolatey morsels of holiday goodness combine a little spice with a whole lot of nice to power you through end-of-semester crunch time.

Ingredients: 

• 1 & 1/2 cups flour
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 egg
• 1 & 1/2 sticks of butter
• 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips
• 2 crushed candy canes

Directions: 

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Set aside a nongreased cookie sheet.
2. Sift the dry ingredients together in a medium bowl.
3. In a large bowl, beat the butter, peppermint and sugar. Beat in the egg.
4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients.
5. Fold in the chocolate chips and candy canes.
6. Drop rounded teaspoonfuls onto the cookie sheet and bake for 10 to 15 minutes.

Image Sources: Eric, Cameron Incoll under Creative Commons