If you’re searching for a cookie that manages to be both refreshing and utterly decadent, Chocolate Mint Cookies are an absolute must-bake. These delectable treats combine the richness of chocolate with the invigorating zing of cool peppermint, making every bite impossibly delightful. Whether you’re an old-school Andes mint fan or just love a classic chocolate-mint pairing, this recipe transforms simple pantry staples into a batch of soft, fudgy cookies that always disappear fast. Perfect for holidays, gifting, or just sharing with the people you love, these Chocolate Mint Cookies deliver a flavor experience you’ll find yourself craving again and again!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the ingredients for Chocolate Mint Cookies couldn’t be easier—each one plays a unique part in achieving the cookies’ divine texture, rich color, and signature flavor. Fresh butter, the right extracts, and that chocolate-mint combo guarantee a batch that will wow every single time.
- Unsalted butter (1 cup, softened): The backbone of our cookie dough, providing silkiness and depth.
- Granulated sugar (1 cup): Creates the crisper edges and helps balance the minty freshness.
- Brown sugar (1/2 cup, packed): For a hint of caramel warmth and chewy centers.
- Eggs (2 large): Help bind the dough and provide moisture for perfect cookies every time.
- Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Smooths out the flavors and complements the chocolate deliciously.
- Peppermint extract (1 teaspoon): The star of the show for that unmistakable cool mint sensation!
- All-purpose flour (2 1/4 cups): Gives structure without overwhelming the chocolatey goodness.
- Unsweetened cocoa powder (1/2 cup): Delivers the deep, irresistible chocolate flavor and rich color.
- Baking soda (1 teaspoon): Ensures a light, slightly domed cookie by helping the dough rise.
- Salt (1/2 teaspoon): Just the right amount to enhance all the other flavors.
- Semisweet chocolate chips (1 cup): Adds melt-in-your-mouth pockets of chocolate throughout.
- Mint chocolate chips or chopped Andes mints (1 cup): Provides bursts of minty chocolate in every bite—absolutely essential!
How to Make Chocolate Mint Cookies
Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Sheets
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) so it’s at the perfect temperature when you’re ready to bake. Line your baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and to make cleanup easier later. This little step is your first secret to perfectly even, beautifully baked Chocolate Mint Cookies!
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars
In a large mixing bowl, blend the softened butter with both the granulated and brown sugars. Beat until the mixture turns light and fluffy—this introduces air, ensuring your cookies bake up soft inside with crisp edges. Trust me, this is the magic moment that gives the cookies their signature texture!
Step 3: Add Eggs and Extracts
Crack in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Once they’re fully incorporated, stir in the vanilla and peppermint extracts. The vanilla rounds out the flavors, while the peppermint extract gives those Chocolate Mint Cookies their unforgettable kick.
Step 4: Combine the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Mixing these dry ingredients separately before adding them to your wet mixture helps ensure even distribution and yields cookies that bake up consistently in every batch.
Step 5: Mix Dry and Wet Ingredients
Gradually add the dry mix into the wet mixture, stirring gently and stopping once just combined. Overmixing is the enemy of soft cookies! Keep it simple for a tender crumb and ultra-satisfying bite.
Step 6: Stir in Chocolate and Mint Chips
Fold in the semisweet chocolate chips and mint chocolate chips or chopped Andes mints. This is where the classic flavor of Chocolate Mint Cookies really comes together—every spoonful of dough should be studded with deliciousness.
Step 7: Portion and Bake
Drop rounded tablespoons of dough on your prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake each batch for 9 to 11 minutes, until the edges are set but the centers remain soft. Don’t overbake! The magic is in those just-barely-baked centers.
Step 8: Cool Completely
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for five minutes—this helps set their shape—then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. The final result? A batch of Chocolate Mint Cookies that are soft, chewy, and packed with chocolate-mint goodness!
How to Serve Chocolate Mint Cookies
Garnishes
Want to elevate your Chocolate Mint Cookies even more? Try a light dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of melted dark chocolate on top once they’ve cooled. Crushed peppermint candies also make for a gorgeous and festive touch, especially for the holidays.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair beautifully with a tall glass of cold milk, hot cocoa, or a creamy latte. For a fun dessert platter, serve alongside fresh berries or a dollop of whipped cream. The cool mint flavor also plays well with vanilla ice cream—trust me, you’ll want to try this!
Creative Ways to Present
For gifting, stack several Chocolate Mint Cookies and tie them with a colorful ribbon, or package them in a festive tin. Serving a crowd? Arrange on a platter with chocolate shavings and sprigs of fresh mint for a showstopping look! You can even sandwich a scoop of mint chip ice cream between two cookies for the ultimate treat.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Chocolate Mint Cookies will stay deliciously soft and chewy for up to one week if stored in an airtight container at room temperature. For even better freshness, add a slice of bread to the container—the bread will help keep the moisture just right.
Freezing
These cookies are freezer-friendly! You can freeze the baked cookies in a zipper bag or airtight container for up to three months. Alternatively, freeze the portioned dough on a tray, then transfer to a bag—bake straight from the freezer for fresh cookies whenever you crave them.
Reheating
To restore that just-baked magic, pop a cookie (or two) in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds. They’ll turn warm and gooey, with the chocolate chips melting as though you pulled them straight from the oven. Perfection!
FAQs
Can I use mint extract instead of peppermint?
Yes, but mint extract differs in flavor—it blends spearmint along with peppermint, creating a milder, slightly sweeter minty taste. If you love the classic sharpness of chocolate and peppermint, definitely stick to peppermint extract for these Chocolate Mint Cookies.
How do I get perfectly soft centers?
The secret is to remove the cookies from the oven when the centers still look slightly underdone. They’ll finish setting as they cool on the baking sheet, resulting in that perfectly chewy, soft interior that makes these cookies so irresistible.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Absolutely! Replace the all-purpose flour with your favorite 1-to-1 gluten-free flour blend. Just double-check that your chocolate chips and other mix-ins are also gluten-free and you’re set for a batch of gluten-free Chocolate Mint Cookies.
Can I double the recipe?
Of course! This recipe scales beautifully. You can easily double (or even triple) the ingredients to serve a crowd—just be sure to use a big mixing bowl and maybe enlist a little help folding in all those delicious chips!
Can I substitute the mint chips with something else?
If you can’t find mint chips or Andes mints, try dark chocolate chunks and add a pinch more peppermint extract. Or, get creative with white chocolate chips and a few drops of green food coloring for a playful twist on traditional Chocolate Mint Cookies.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend these Chocolate Mint Cookies enough—honestly, they’re the kind of cookie that disappears as fast as you can bake them. From the gooey chocolate bits to the cool burst of mint, they offer everything you want in a homemade treat. Give them a try and see for yourself how quickly they become a new favorite in your home!
Print
Chocolate Mint Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 36 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the delightful combination of chocolate and mint with these irresistible Chocolate Mint Cookies. Perfectly soft with a hint of peppermint, these cookies are a must-have for any dessert lover.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough:
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar (packed)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup mint chocolate chips or chopped Andes mints
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Cream butter and sugars: In a large bowl, cream together the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs and extracts: Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then stir in the vanilla and peppermint extracts.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Mix the dough: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. Fold in the chocolate and mint chips.
- Bake: Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the baking sheets and bake for 9–11 minutes until the edges are set but centers are still soft.
- Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- For a more intense mint flavor, increase the peppermint extract to 1 1/2 teaspoons.
- These cookies freeze well and taste even better the next day.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 140
- Sugar: 11g
- Sodium: 95mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
