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If you have a soft spot for refreshing flavors combined with rich chocolatey goodness, then you are going to fall head over heels for this Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe. These cookies strike the perfect balance between cool, minty bursts and melty chocolate chips, wrapped up in a tender, buttery dough that’s incredibly satisfying. Whether you’re baking for a cozy night in or sharing with friends, these cookies deliver a fresh twist on a classic treat that will make your kitchen smell like a minty paradise and your taste buds dance with joy.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the right ingredients is the first step to baking magic. Each component in this recipe is simple yet essential, contributing to the cookie’s irresistibly chewy texture, minty flavor, and delightful chocolaty pockets.
- Butter (1 cup, softened): Provides richness and tenderness, making every bite melt in your mouth.
- Brown Sugar (1 1/2 cups): Adds moisture and a deep caramel undertone for a chewy cookie texture.
- Sugar (1/2 cup): Balances sweetness and helps cookies spread beautifully during baking.
- Eggs (2 large): Act as a binder and add to the structure of the cookie dough.
- Vanilla Extract (1 teaspoon): Enhances all the flavors, deepening the cookie’s complexity.
- Flour (2 3/4 cups): The base of your cookie dough, providing structure and density.
- Baking Soda (1 teaspoon): Helps cookies rise slightly and gives a light, tender crumb.
- Salt (3/4 teaspoon): Offsets sweetness and intensifies the other flavors.
- Semi-sweet Chocolate Chips (1 cup): Classic pockets of chocolate that keep the taste balanced and indulgent.
- Mint Chips (12 ounces, reserve 1/4 cup for topping): Bursting with refreshing mint, they give the cookie its signature zing.
- Andes Creme de Menthe Thins (4 ounces, about 3/4 cup, reserve 1/2 cup for topping): Melts elegantly on the surface, adding a creamy mint layer that makes each bite extra special.
How to Make Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugars
Start by heating your oven to 385 degrees. In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter with the brown sugar and granulated sugar for about 4 minutes. This creates a light and fluffy base that’s crucial for giving your cookies their tender texture and rich flavor.
Step 2: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Next, add the eggs and vanilla extract, mixing for another minute until everything is beautifully combined. This step helps tie all the ingredients together and infuses a lovely aroma that smells like cookie heaven already.
Step 3: Incorporate Dry Ingredients
Now, gently fold in the flour, baking soda, and salt. Be careful not to overmix here—too much stirring will create gluten, making those cookies tough instead of soft and chewy.
Step 4: Mix in the Mint and Chocolate Chips
Here’s where the magic really happens. Fold in your semi-sweet chocolate chips, the majority of the mint chips, and a small portion of the chopped Andes Creme de Menthe Thins, stirring just enough to spread them evenly throughout the dough.
Step 5: Scoop and Shape the Dough
Scoop the dough onto parchment-lined light-colored baking sheets, ensuring each is about two inches apart. Lightly roll each scoop into a smooth ball for a uniform shape that will bake evenly.
Step 6: Bake and Top
Bake your cookies for about 8 to 10 minutes, but remember, do not overbake! They will continue cooking slightly after removal from the oven. The moment they come out, gently press the reserved Andes Thins and mint chips on top to melt slightly, giving them that irresistible finishing touch.
Step 7: Cool and Enjoy
Let the cookies set on the baking sheet for 3 to 4 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack. This step helps them firm up just enough to handle without losing that soft, chewy magic.
How to Serve Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
Sprinkle a few fresh mint leaves around your cookie plate for a pop of color and a hint of fresh herbaceous aroma. A light dusting of powdered sugar can also add a festive, snowy look that pairs beautifully with the mint flavor.
Side Dishes
Pair these cookies with a cold glass of milk, a scoop of mint chocolate chip ice cream, or even a cup of hot mint tea. Each option complements the cookie’s cool mint and melty chocolate notes perfectly, turning a simple snack into a delightful treat.
Creative Ways to Present
Try sandwiching two cookies with a layer of mint buttercream or chocolate ganache for an elevated dessert. You could also serve them alongside a fresh fruit platter to balance the richness with a burst of natural sweetness.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any cookies left (which might be hard to believe!), store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. This keeps them soft and flavorful, ready for whenever a minty chocolate craving hits.
Freezing
You can freeze the unbaked cookie dough balls on a baking sheet first, then transfer to a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, just pop them directly in the oven, adding a couple extra minutes to the baking time.
Reheating
Warm leftover cookies briefly in the microwave or oven to bring back their fresh-baked softness. A quick 10-15 seconds in the microwave works wonders for that just-out-of-the-oven feel.
FAQs
Can I use regular chocolate chips instead of mint chips?
Absolutely! While mint chips add a distinctive breeze of freshness, you can use just semi-sweet or even white chocolate chips for a different but still delicious twist on this Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe.
What if I don’t have Andes Creme de Menthe Thins?
If you can’t find Andes Thins, try substituting with chopped peppermint patties or chopped mint chocolate bars to maintain that creamy mint layer on top.
How do I prevent the cookies from spreading too much?
Make sure your butter is softened but not melted, and chill the dough for 15-30 minutes before baking to keep the cookies from spreading excessively in the oven.
Can I make these cookies vegan?
With some swaps like vegan butter, flax eggs instead of real eggs, and checking for vegan-friendly chocolate and mint chips, you can definitely make a delicious vegan version of this Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe.
How can I make these cookies more chewy?
Using more brown sugar than white sugar, as in this recipe, already helps with chewiness, but you can also add a teaspoon of corn syrup or honey to the dough to boost that soft, chewy texture.
Final Thoughts
There is something truly special about a cookie that combines the refreshing zing of mint with luscious chocolate chunks. This Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe is one of those recipes you’ll find yourself coming back to again and again, whether for a treat, a party, or just because. So gather your ingredients, preheat that oven, and get ready to fill your kitchen with the happiest, most delicious mint chocolate aroma you’ve experienced. Trust me, once you try these, they’ll be your new favorite cookie for every occasion!
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Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 9 minutes
- Total Time: 24 minutes
- Yield: 20 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies blend the classic rich chocolate chip cookie with refreshing mint flavors for a delightful treat. Featuring a balance of semi-sweet chocolate chips and mint chips, plus the unique addition of Andes Creme de Menthe Thins for a luscious minty touch, these cookies are soft, chewy, and perfect for any mint chocolate lover.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup Butter (softened)
- 2 large Eggs
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
Dry Ingredients
- 2 3/4 cups Flour
- 1 teaspoon Baking Soda
- 3/4 teaspoon Salt
- 1 1/2 cups Brown Sugar
- 1/2 cup Sugar
Add-ins
- 1 cup Semi-sweet Chocolate Chips
- 12 ounces Mint Chips (reserve 1/4 cup for topping)
- 4 ounces Andes Creme de Menthe Thins (about 3/4 cup, reserve 1/2 cup for topping)
Instructions
- Preheat and Cream Butter and Sugars: Heat oven to 385 degrees Fahrenheit. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar using a mixer for 4 minutes or until the mixture is light and fluffy, which helps incorporate air for a tender cookie.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Add the two eggs and one teaspoon of vanilla extract to the creamed mixture and continue mixing for an additional minute to combine well, ensuring a smooth batter.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Gradually fold in the flour, baking soda, and salt carefully without overmixing to prevent gluten from developing too much, which can make the cookies tough.
- Add Chocolate and Mint Chips: Gently fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips, mint chips (leaving 1/4 cup reserved for topping), and 1/4 cup of the Andes Creme de Menthe Thins into the dough, stirring just until combined.
- Scoop and Shape Dough: Scoop the dough onto parchment paper-lined, light-colored baking sheets, spacing each dough ball at least two inches apart. Lightly roll each scoop into a smooth ball to promote even baking and shape.
- Bake and Top Cookies: Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, being careful not to overbake since they will continue to cook slightly after removal. Immediately after taking the cookies out of the oven, gently press the reserved Andes Creme de Menthe Thins and reserved mint chips on top of each cookie to add a fresh mint garnish and extra flavor.
- Cool: Let the cookies set on the baking sheet for 3 to 4 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely, allowing them to firm up for the perfect chewy texture.
Notes
- Do not overmix the dough once flour is added to avoid tough cookies.
- Use light-colored baking sheets to ensure even baking and avoid over-browning.
- Press reserved toppings on immediately after baking for the best presentation and flavor.
- Chilling the dough for 30 minutes before baking can improve texture but is optional.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
