Chocolate Mint Cookies
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Chocolate Mint Cookies
These decadent chocolate mint cookies deliver the perfect harmony of rich cocoa and cool peppermint in every soft, chewy bite. Made from scratch with simple pantry staples, these homemade treats are surprisingly quick to whip up. They’re the ideal festive dessert for holiday gatherings or a satisfying afternoon pick-me-up.
I first fell in love with the combination of chocolate and mint during a winter trip through Europe, where cozy cafes served rich hot chocolate with a peppermint stirrer. I wanted to capture that same comforting experience in a cookie I could enjoy any time of year. Now, this recipe has become my go-to for holiday cookie exchanges, and they pair wonderfully with a cup of tea or a rich chocolate cobbler for a truly indulgent dessert spread. I also love serving them alongside my classic fudgy brownies when I need a double dose of chocolate delight.
Why You’ll Love These Minty Delights
- Perfect Flavor Harmony: The balance of deep chocolate and refreshing mint creates an unforgettable taste.
- Soft and Chewy Texture: These cookies bake up with slightly crisp edges and wonderfully soft centers.
- Simple to Make: You can have a batch ready from mixing bowl to oven in under 20 minutes.
- Crowd-Pleasing Treat: Both kids and adults adore these festive peppermint chocolate cookies.
Ingredients for Perfect Chocolate Mint Cookies
Be sure to see the recipe card below for the full listing of ingredients, instructions, notes, and estimated nutritional information.
Cookie Dough
- Unsalted butter, softened: Helps create a light, fluffy texture when creamed with the sugars.
- Granulated sugar and light brown sugar: White sugar adds crispness while brown sugar provides moisture and chew.
- Large eggs, at room temperature: Bind the ingredients together for the perfect cookie structure.
- Vanilla extract and peppermint extract: Use pure extracts for the best flavor in these mint chocolate cookies.
- All-purpose flour: The foundation that gives these easy chocolate mint cookies their structure.
- Unsweetened cocoa powder: Choose a high-quality cocoa for the richest chocolate flavor.
- Baking soda and salt: Baking soda helps the cookies rise, while salt balances the sweetness.
- Semisweet chocolate chips and mint baking chips: The star ingredients that make every bite exciting.
Chocolate Mint Cookies
Easy chocolate mint cookies with peppermint extract and chocolate chips. Soft, chewy cookies ready in under an hour – perfect holiday baking!
Equipment
- oven
- baking sheet
- electric mixer
- mixing bowl
- whisk
- spatula
- measuring cups
- measuring spoons
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup light brown sugar packed
- 2 large eggs at room temperature
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp peppermint extract
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
Mix-ins
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup mint baking chips
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and for easier cleanup.
- In a large mixing bowl, using an electric mixer, cream together the softened unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and packed light brown sugar on medium speed until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale in color, about 2 to 3 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
- Beat in the large eggs, one at a time, ensuring each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next. Stir in the vanilla extract and peppermint extract until well combined. The mixture should be smooth and emulsified.
- In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Whisk for about 30 seconds to ensure the dry ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Stop mixing as soon as no streaks of flour are visible to avoid overdeveloping the gluten, which can lead to tough cookies.
- Using a sturdy spatula or spoon, fold in the semisweet chocolate chips and mint baking chips until they are evenly distributed throughout the cookie dough.
- Drop rounded tablespoons of dough, about 1.5 to 2 inches in diameter, onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them approximately 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 9 to 11 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies are set and the centers still appear slightly soft. The cookies will continue to set as they cool. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
Let cookies cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Creative Chocolate Mint Variations
- Double Chocolate Mint: Replace 1/4 cup of flour with additional cocoa powder for an extra rich version.
- Peppermint Bark Cookies: Use crushed peppermint candies instead of mint chips for a festive crunch.
- Gluten-Free Option: Substitute the all-purpose flour with your favorite 1:1 gluten-free baking blend.
My Pro Tips for Perfect Cookies
- Proper Creaming: Take the full 2-3 minutes to cream butter and sugars until pale and fluffy for the ideal texture.
- Don’t Overmix: Mix the dry ingredients just until combined to avoid tough chocolate mint cookies.
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Using room temperature eggs and butter helps ingredients emulsify properly.
- Cookie Scoop: For evenly baked cookies, use a tablespoon cookie scoop to portion the dough.
Keeping Your Cookies Fresh
- Store: Keep baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Freeze: Freeze baked cookies in a single layer then transfer to freezer bags for up to 3 months.
- Freeze Dough: Portion unbaked dough balls and freeze on a sheet pan before bagging for fresh-baked cookies anytime.
- Make-Ahead Tip: The cookie dough can be refrigerated for up to 3 days before baking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use mint extract instead of peppermint extract?
Yes, you can use mint extract, but peppermint extract provides a cleaner, more refreshing flavor. If using mint extract, start with half the amount called for and adjust to taste, as some mint extracts can have a stronger, more herbal flavor profile.
Why are my chocolate mint cookies flat?
Flat cookies usually result from butter that’s too warm or over-creaming. Make sure your butter is softened but still cool to the touch. Also, check that your baking soda is fresh, as expired leavening agents won’t provide proper lift.
Can I make these cookies without mint chips?
Absolutely. If you can’t find mint chips, you can use additional chocolate chips and increase the peppermint extract to 3/4 teaspoon. Alternatively, chopped peppermint patties or Andes mints make excellent substitutes for mint baking chips.
How do I get soft chocolate mint cookies?
For soft cookies, avoid overbaking. Remove them from the oven when the edges are set but centers still look slightly underdone. They’ll continue to set as they cool on the baking sheet, resulting in perfectly soft homemade mint cookies.
More Irresistible Chocolate Treats
- Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Brown Butter Chocolate Cookies
- Flourless Chocolate Cookies
- Oreo Brownie Recipe
- Deep Dish Brownie
Why These Cookies Become a Favorite
With their perfect balance of rich chocolate and refreshing mint, these homemade cookies are destined to become a family favorite. They’re surprisingly simple to make yet deliver bakery-quality results that impress every time. I hope this recipe brings as much joy to your kitchen as it has to mine.
