8 oz. bittersweet (not unsweetened) or semisweet chocolate, chopped
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
1 1/2 oz. unsweetened chocolate, chopped
1/2 cup finely crushed red-and-white-striped hard peppermint candies
6 1/2 Tbls. sugar

3 large eggs
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. peppermint extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 cup (about 3 oz.) semisweet chocolate chips

Coarsely crushed peppermints
Powdered sugar or red edible candy glitter

Combine first 3 ingredients in heavy large saucepan. Stir over low heat until chocolates melt and mixture is smooth. Remove pan from heat. Mix in finely crushed mints and 6 1/2 Tbls. sugar. Cool mixture to lukewarm, stirring occasionally, about 30 minutes.

Whisk eggs into chocolate mixture, 1 at a time, then whisk in vanilla extract and peppermint extract. Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt in small bowl to blend. Whisk flour mixture, then chocolate chips into chocolate mixture. Cover batter and chill until firm enough to shape, at least 3 hours or up to 1 day.

Position rack in center of oven and preheat to 325 Degrees. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Using 1 generous tablespoonful for each cookie, roll dough between moistened palms into 1 1/4-inch-diameter balls, then arrange on prepared baking sheets, spacing 1 inch apart. Bake cookies, 1 sheet at a time, until puffed and cracked on top but still soft to touch in center, about 11 minutes. Press coarsely crushed mints onto tops of cookies or sprinkle with powdered sugar or edible glitter. Let stand on sheets for 3 minutes then transfer to rack to cool completely.