I absolutely love this Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe because it perfectly combines the refreshing coolness of mint with the rich, comforting goodness of chocolate. When you bite into these cookies, you’ll get a delightful burst of minty flavor married with gooey chocolate, which makes them a standout treat any time of year, but especially around the holidays or whenever you need a little pick-me-up.
What makes this Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe worth trying is not just the taste but how easy and forgiving the method is. I remember the first time I baked these—I was amazed at how the dough was soft and manageable, and how the final cookies came out beautifully crunchy on the edges and tender in the center. You’ll find that this recipe quickly becomes a favorite in your kitchen, whether you’re baking for family, friends, or just indulging yourself with a warm cup of tea.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Perfect Flavor Balance: The combo of peppermint extract, mint chips, and chocolate chips delivers refreshing yet indulgent cookies every time.
- Simple and Straightforward: No fancy techniques—just easy mixing and baking that anyone can master.
- Customizable Mix-ins: Use mint chips, chocolate chips, or Andes candies (or all!) for your ideal texture and flavor.
- Crowd-Pleaser: These cookies win hearts at parties, with family, or as a sweet afternoon snack.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe uses classic baking staples that blend harmoniously with minty and chocolatey mix-ins. A good-quality peppermint extract is key here, as is soft but cool butter for the perfect dough texture.
- All-purpose flour: Spoon and level your flour for accuracy, so your cookies hold just the right shape.
- Baking soda: Helps cookies rise and get those lovely edges we all love.
- Salt: Enhances all the sweet and minty flavors without being overpowering.
- Unsalted butter: Slightly softened butter gives the dough structure yet keeps the cookies tender.
- Light brown sugar: Adds moisture and subtle caramel notes that pair beautifully with mint.
- Granulated sugar: Contributes to the crispiness of the edges.
- Large egg: Binds everything together, adding richness.
- Pure peppermint extract: The star that gives this recipe its unmistakable minty pop—don’t skip or substitute with mint flavoring.
- Mint chips, chocolate chips, and/or chopped Andes candies: These add texture and loads of melty chocolate and mint goodness. I love mixing them for a fun twist!
Variations
I like to tweak this Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe every now and then to match the mood or season. Feel free to swap out or combine different mix-ins, and even try almond extract if you want a subtle twist.
- All Andes Candies Mix: My favorite for that rich, creamy melt—just keep in mind they get a bit gooey in the oven.
- Only Mint Chips: For a bright, refreshing bite that’s very mint-forward without too much chocolate.
- Vegan Adaptation: Swap butter for coconut oil and use a flax egg to make it plant-based; texture changes slightly but still tasty.
- Extra Crunch: Add chopped toasted nuts like almonds or pecans for a nutty contrast.
How to Make Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Dry Ingredients
Start by combining the flour, baking soda, and salt in a small bowl. Give them a gentle whisk to distribute everything evenly. This step keeps your cookies uniform and ensures they rise just right.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars
Using a hand or stand mixer, beat your slightly softened butter with the brown and granulated sugars for 1-2 minutes. Scrape down the sides to make sure everything is mixed well. This is one of my favorite moments—watching the sugar and butter turn into a fluffy base that promises tender cookies.
Step 3: Mix in the Egg and Peppermint Extract
Add the egg and pure peppermint extract to the creamed mixture and beat until fully combined. This step infuses the dough with wonderful mint flavor, so don’t substitute or skimp here.
Step 4: Combine with Dry Ingredients and Add Mint Mix-Ins
Slowly beat in your dry flour mixture until just combined—avoid overmixing to keep the cookies tender. Gently fold in about 1 cup of your mint chips, chocolate chips, or Andes candies. Save the rest for decorating the tops after baking. This layering of mix-ins adds visual appeal and extra melty goodness.
Step 5: Scoop and Bake
Use a 2-tablespoon scoop or spoonful to place the dough onto parchment-lined baking sheets, spacing the cookies at least a couple of inches apart—they will spread. Bake at 350°F for 9-11 minutes, or until the edges start to turn golden but the centers remain slightly underbaked. This balance gives you soft, chewy cookies that aren’t dry.
Step 6: Add More Mix-Ins and Shape While Warm
Right out of the oven, gently press the remaining mint chips or chopped Andes candies onto the warm cookies. This is my secret for those beautiful, glossy cookie tops that make everyone swoon. If you want perfectly round cookies, try using a warm glass or the back of a spoon to shape the edges carefully while still warm.
Step 7: Cool and Enjoy
Transfer your baking sheets to wire racks and allow the cookies to cool completely. This final rest helps set their texture and flavor. Then, all that’s left is to enjoy!
Pro Tips for Making Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
- Perfect Dough Temperature: Always beat the butter until just softened but still cool; too warm and your cookies spread too much.
- Don’t Overbake: Pull your cookies out when the edges are golden but centers look slightly underdone—they’ll firm up as they cool.
- Mint Mix-In Placement: Adding extra chips on top immediately after baking makes for prettier cookies with intense flavor pops.
- Shaping Sweet Edges: Use a warm glass or spoon right off the oven to gently reshape edges into perfect rounds before cooling.
How to Serve Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
I like to keep garnishes simple—a few extra mint chips or crushed Andes candies sprinkled on top right after baking really elevate the look. Sometimes, a light dusting of powdered sugar gives these cookies a festive touch, especially around winter holidays.
Side Dishes
These cookies shine alongside a cold glass of milk, hot chocolate, or even a refreshing mint iced tea. I’ve discovered that pairing them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream turns a simple cookie into a memorable dessert.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I like to arrange these cookies on a festive platter with sprigs of fresh mint or crushed candy canes sprinkled around for color and crunch. Another fun idea is sandwiching two cookies with mint chocolate chip ice cream for a cool twist.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature—they stay fresh and chewy for up to a week. Placing a slice of bread inside the container helps keep them soft by maintaining moisture.
Freezing
Freezing the cookie dough balls before baking works great if you want to prep ahead. Just scoop and freeze them on a tray, then transfer to a bag once firm. When ready, bake from frozen, adding a couple extra minutes to the bake time. You can also freeze baked cookies layered with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
Reheating
To enjoy warm cookies anytime, reheat them in a 300°F oven for about 5 minutes. This refreshes their soft centers and melty chips without drying them out. Avoid microwaving as it tends to make cookies too soft or chewy.
FAQs
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Can I substitute peppermint extract with mint extract in this recipe?
Yes, you can substitute mint extract if that’s what you have on hand, but peppermint extract typically offers a sharper, more pronounced mint flavor that complements the chocolate better. Mint extract is usually milder and can make the cookies taste different, so adjust the amount to taste.
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What’s the best way to prevent the cookies from spreading too much?
Make sure your butter is only slightly softened, not melted, before mixing. Also, chilling the dough for 30 minutes can help control spreading. Baking on parchment paper and spacing the dough scoops well apart further prevents cookies from merging.
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Why do some cookies come out flat while others hold their shape?
Butter temperature and overmixing are the usual culprits. Too warm butter causes excessive spreading, and overworking the dough activates gluten, making cookies tougher and flatter. Following the recipe’s mixing steps and shaping tips helps maintain that perfect round shape.
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Can I use just one type of mix-in?
Absolutely! Whether you choose only mint chips or only Andes candies, this Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe still works beautifully. Mixing them adds texture and flavor complexity, but single mix-ins simplify the recipe and make for a classic taste.
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How can I make the cookies more festive for holidays?
Try adding crushed candy canes to the cookie tops right after baking, or dust with powdered sugar for a snowy look. Using red and green mint chips or wrapping cookies individually with a minty ribbon also makes them perfect gifts or party favors.
Final Thoughts
This Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe holds a special place in my heart because it’s so simple yet so indulgent. Baking these cookies has been a go-to comfort ritual for me, whether I’m sharing with loved ones or sneaking a couple with a mug of coffee. Give this recipe a try—you’ll love how the fresh mint and luscious chocolate come together, and I bet it’ll quickly become a beloved classic in your cookie repertoire too.
PrintMint Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 18 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delight in these Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies, a perfect blend of refreshing peppermint flavor and rich chocolate. Soft and chewy, studded with mint chips, chocolate chips, and chopped Andes candies, these cookies are a festive treat that combine classic cookie dough with a cool mint twist. Ideal for holiday gatherings or any time you want a cool, minty indulgence.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1 2/3 cups all purpose flour, spooned into the measuring cups and leveled
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened slightly but still cool
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 teaspoon pure peppermint extract
Mix-ins
- 1 1/2 cups mint chips, chocolate chips and/or chopped Andes candies (see notes)
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare baking sheets: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a small bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Set this mixture aside for later use.
- Cream butter and sugars: In a large bowl, use a hand mixer or stand mixer to beat the softened butter with the light brown sugar and granulated sugar for 1 to 2 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Add egg and peppermint extract: Mix in the large egg and pure peppermint extract to the creamed butter and sugars until fully combined, creating a smooth, fragrant base for the cookie dough.
- Mix in dry ingredients: Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, beating just until the dough comes together without overmixing. Then fold in 1 cup of the mint chips, chocolate chips, or chopped Andes candies evenly through the dough.
- Portion dough onto baking sheets: Using a spoon or cookie scoop, drop 2-tablespoon portions of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them a couple of inches apart to allow for spreading.
- Bake the cookies: Place the baking sheets in the preheated oven and bake for 9 to 11 minutes. The edges should begin to turn golden brown while the centers remain slightly underbaked for a chewy texture. Rotate the pans halfway through baking if your oven has uneven heat.
- Add topping mix-ins: Immediately after removing the cookies from the oven and while they are still warm, gently press the remaining ½ cup of mint chips, chocolate chips, or chopped Andes candies onto the tops of the cookies for an attractive finish.
- Cool the cookies: Transfer the baking sheets to wire racks and allow the cookies to cool completely. This cooling step helps the cookies firm up and the mix-ins to set.
- Create perfect round shapes (optional): For perfectly round cookies, when still warm on the baking sheet, either press a round glass or bowl larger than the cookie upside down and swirl gently or use the back of a spoon to shape the edges inward for clean, round edges.
Notes
- The cookies pictured feature a combination of mint chips, chocolate chips, and chopped Andes candies, but you can choose to use any one or a mix of these according to preference.
- Andes candies melt during baking and don’t have stabilizers like chips, resulting in a slightly different texture and flavor burst.
- For perfectly round cookies, use the glass bowl or spoon shaping method immediately after baking while cookies are still warm on the tray.
- This recipe was updated slightly in November 2022 to optimize texture and flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 176 kcal
- Sugar: 16 g
- Sodium: 98 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 22 mg