The Ultimate Combination: Chocolate and Mint

There’s something truly magical about the combination of chocolate and mint. It’s a flavor pairing that evokes comfort, sophistication, and a delightful burst of freshness. For many, it’s an all-time favorite, a taste that transcends seasons, making these Chocolate Mint Cookies a perfect treat any time of year.

In our home, this classic duo sparks a delightful divide. My sons and I are absolute enthusiasts, always reaching for anything that combines the rich bitterness of chocolate with the cool, invigorating zest of mint. My husband and daughter, however, tend to prefer their sweets on the more traditional side. But honestly, I’m perfectly fine with this culinary split! It simply means more of these intensely flavorful Chocolate Mint Cookies for the rest of us to enjoy without having to share.

Why You’ll Fall in Love with This Chocolate Mint Cookie Recipe

• Perfect Flavor Balance: These cookies strike an exquisite balance between deep, dark chocolate and vibrant, cool peppermint. It’s not an overwhelming mint flavor, but rather a refreshing note that perfectly complements the rich cocoa.
• Incredibly Easy to Make: Don’t let their gourmet taste fool you; these cookies are surprisingly simple to whip up. If you’ve made a batch of classic chocolate chip cookies before, you’ll find this recipe just as straightforward.
• Chewy and Decadent Texture: Each bite offers a satisfyingly chewy texture, studded with melty chocolate chips and tender pieces of Andes mints that deliver little pockets of minty goodness.
• Versatile for Any Occasion: Whether you’re baking for a holiday party, a casual get-together, or simply satisfying a sweet craving, these chocolate mint cookies fit the bill perfectly. They’re also fantastic for cookie exchanges!
• A Delightful Twist on a Classic: If you love traditional chocolate cookies, this recipe offers an exciting and refreshing twist that will quickly become a new favorite.

Crafting Your Perfect Chocolate Mint Cookies: A Detailed Guide

Making these decadent chocolate mint cookies is a joyful experience, resulting in a batch of soft, chewy, and intensely flavorful treats. The process is straightforward, ensuring delicious results even for novice bakers. Below, you’ll find a more in-depth look at each step, complete with essential tips for success. Remember to check the full printable recipe card at the bottom of the post for exact measurements.

1. Creaming Butter and Sugars for the Perfect Base

   Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Then, in the large bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or using a hand mixer), combine your room temperature butter with both granulated sugar and packed light brown sugar. Beat these ingredients together on medium-high speed for several minutes, usually 3-5 minutes, until the mixture becomes wonderfully light, fluffy, and noticeably paler in color. This creaming process incorporates air into the butter, which is crucial for achieving a tender, soft cookie texture.

2. Incorporating Eggs for Structure and Moisture

   Next, add the large eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. It’s important to fully incorporate each egg before adding the next. During this stage, make sure to pause the mixer and scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl with a rubber spatula. This ensures that all ingredients are thoroughly combined and no pockets of unmixed butter or sugar remain, leading to a homogenous dough.

3. The Essence of Mint: Peppermint Extract

   Stir in the vanilla extract and, most importantly, the peppermint extract. A key detail here: ensure you are using peppermint extract, not simply “mint extract.” Peppermint offers a cleaner, more vibrant, and authentic mint flavor, whereas generic mint extract can sometimes have a toothpaste-like taste. The vanilla extract helps to round out the flavors, adding warmth and depth.

4. Whisking the Dry Ingredients

   In a separate medium-sized bowl, whisk together all of your dry ingredients: the all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Whisking ensures these ingredients are evenly distributed, which is vital for uniform leavening and flavor throughout your cookies. The cocoa powder provides that rich, deep chocolate base for our minty additions.

5. Combining Wet and Dry

   Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet butter and sugar mixture in the stand mixer. Mix on low speed just until the ingredients are almost fully combined. It’s okay if a few streaks of flour remain at this point; you don’t want to overmix the dough, as this can lead to tough cookies.

6. The Minty Heart: Andes Mints and Chocolate Chips

   This is where the magic happens! Gently fold in the chopped Andes mints and semi-sweet chocolate chips. If you don’t have Andes mints, other chopped mint candies or even mint chocolate chips can be used. Mix on low speed just until the mints and chocolate chips are evenly distributed throughout the dough and no dry streaks of flour are visible. Overmixing at this stage can also develop gluten too much, so stop as soon as everything is just combined.

7. Portioning and Baking

   Using a tablespoon-sized cookie scoop (which helps ensure uniform cookie size and even baking), drop balls of dough onto baking sheets lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat (such as a Silpat). Make sure to leave about 2-3 inches between each cookie to allow for spreading. This recipe yields a generous amount, so you might need multiple baking sheets or to bake in batches.

8. Baking to Perfection

   Bake the cookies in your preheated oven for approximately 9-11 minutes, or until the edges are just set and lightly golden, but the centers still look slightly soft. They will continue to set as they cool. Do not overbake if you want soft, chewy cookies!

9. Cooling for Optimal Texture

   Once baked, remove the baking sheets from the oven and let the cookies cool on the sheets for about 5 minutes. This crucial step allows the cookies to firm up without breaking. After 5 minutes, carefully transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy them warm with a glass of milk, or let them cool fully for later enjoyment.

Expert Tips for the Best Chocolate Mint Cookies

• Room Temperature Ingredients are Key: Ensure your butter and eggs are at room temperature. This allows them to cream together properly, creating an emulsified mixture that traps air, leading to a lighter, more uniform cookie texture. Cold ingredients won’t mix as effectively.
• Measure Flour Correctly: For accurate baking, spoon your flour into a measuring cup and then level it off with a straight edge (like the back of a knife). Scooping flour directly from the bag can compact it, leading to too much flour and dry, dense cookies.
• Don’t Overmix the Dough: Once you add the dry ingredients, mix just until combined. Overmixing develops gluten, which can result in tough, less tender cookies.
• The Right Mint Extract: As mentioned, use peppermint extract for the best flavor. Spearmint extract or generic “mint” extracts can sometimes taste artificial or medicinal.
• Chop Your Mints Evenly: For consistent flavor and texture in every bite, try to chop your Andes mints (or other mint candies) into relatively uniform pieces.
• Parchment Paper or Silicone Mats: Lining your baking sheets prevents sticking and ensures even baking, making cleanup a breeze.
• Don’t Overbake: These cookies are best when they’re slightly soft in the middle, just set around the edges. They will continue to cook slightly on the hot baking sheet. Overbaking leads to dry, crumbly cookies.
• Chill the Dough (Optional but Recommended): If you have time, chilling the dough for 30 minutes to an hour can help prevent spreading, intensify flavors, and result in a chewier cookie.

Customizing Your Chocolate Mint Cookies

While this recipe is perfect as is, there are several ways to customize your chocolate mint cookies to suit your taste preferences or what you have on hand:

• Different Chocolates: Instead of semi-sweet chocolate chips, try dark chocolate for a more intense cocoa flavor, milk chocolate for a sweeter profile, or even white chocolate chips for a striking visual contrast and creamy texture.
• Alternative Mint Candies: If Andes mints aren’t available, consider using chopped peppermint patties, Junior Mints, or even crushed candy canes (especially festive during the holidays!).
• Double the Mint: For an extra burst of mint, you could add a drizzle of a simple peppermint glaze (powdered sugar, a touch of peppermint extract, and milk) once the cookies have cooled.
• Chocolate Drizzle: Melt some extra chocolate chips and drizzle them over the cooled cookies for an elegant finish.
• A Pinch of Sea Salt: A sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top of the warm cookies after baking can enhance both the chocolate and mint flavors beautifully.

Storage and Freezing Instructions

These chocolate mint cookies are best enjoyed fresh, but they also store wonderfully, allowing you to savor them over several days or even freeze a batch for later cravings.

• At Room Temperature: Store baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. For optimal freshness, place a slice of bread in the container with the cookies; the bread will absorb moisture, keeping the cookies soft.
• Freezing Baked Cookies: Allow the cookies to cool completely. Arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet and flash freeze for about 30 minutes until solid. Then, transfer the frozen cookies to a freezer-safe airtight container or heavy-duty freezer bag. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature or gently warm in the microwave for a few seconds.
• Freezing Cookie Dough: Form the dough into balls as if you were going to bake them. Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze until solid. Once frozen, transfer the dough balls to a freezer-safe bag. They can be stored for up to 2-3 months. When ready to bake, place the frozen dough balls on a baking sheet and bake as directed, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time if needed.

More Delicious Peppermint Recipes to Try

If you’re a fan of peppermint, you’re in for a treat! Explore these other fantastic recipes that celebrate the refreshing flavor of mint:

• Peppermint Holiday Soft Sugar Cookie Recipe
• Chocolate Peppermint Pinwheel Cookies
• Decadent Chocolate Mint Cupcakes
• Baked Peppermint Donuts
• Double Chocolate Peppermint Surprise Cookies

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Chocolate Mint Cookies

Author:
Deborah Harroun

Prep Time:
15 minutes

Cook Time:
10 minutes

Total Time:
25 minutes

Yield:
38 cookies

Course:
Dessert

Cuisine:
American

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Pin

Filled with chocolate chips and chunks of mint candies, these Chocolate Mint Cookies are the perfect mix of chocolate and mint. They are rich and minty and you will love them!

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter at room temperature
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup packed light brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
• 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 6 oz Andes mints chopped
• 6 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350ºF (175°C).
2. Combine the butter, granulated sugar, and light brown sugar in a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer. Beat together on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes.
3. Add in the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to ensure everything is thoroughly combined.
4. Add the vanilla extract and peppermint extract and beat until just combined.
5. In another separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
6. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter/sugar mixture, mixing on low speed until almost combined.
7. Add in the chopped Andes mints and the semi-sweet chocolate chips. Continue to mix on low speed just until the dough is fully combined and the mix-ins are evenly distributed. Be careful not to overmix.
8. Drop tablespoon-sized balls of the dough onto cookie sheets lined with parchment paper or silicone baking mats, keeping them 2-3 inches apart.
9. Bake for about 9-11 minutes, or until the edges are set and lightly golden, but the centers still appear slightly soft.
10. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Recipe Notes:

Nutrition information provided is an estimate only. Various brands and products can change the counts. Any nutritional information should only be used as a general guideline.

Nutrition Information

Serving:
1 cookie
,

Calories:
165kcal (8%)
,

Carbohydrates:
23g (8%)
,

Protein:
2g (4%)
,

Fat:
8g (12%)
,

Saturated Fat:
5g (31%)
,

Polyunsaturated Fat:
2g
,

Trans Fat:
0g
,

Cholesterol:
23mg (8%)
,

Sodium:
70mg (3%)
,

Fiber:
1g (4%)
,

Sugar:
15g (17%)

Keywords:
chocolate mint cookies, mint chocolate chip cookies, easy cookie recipe, homemade cookies, decadent dessert, chewy cookies, peppermint extract, Andes mints, baking, recipe, sweet treat, holiday cookies