Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Flavor Combination: The harmonious blend of deep chocolate and cool mint offers a classic taste that appeals to many.
- Texture Delight: Enjoy the contrast between the chewy cookie, smooth frosting, and rich ganache.
- Visually Appealing: The vibrant green frosting adds a festive touch, making these cookies perfect for holidays like Christmas or St. Patrick’s Day.
- Customizable: Easily adapt the recipe with different extracts or toppings to suit your preferences.
Ingredients
For the Chocolate Cookies:
- ½ cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
- 1¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
For the Mint Frosting:
- ½ cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1½ cups powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon milk
- ½ to 1 teaspoon mint extract (to taste)
- Green food coloring (optional)
For the Chocolate Ganache:
- ¾ cup semisweet chocolate chips or chopped chocolate
- 1 tablespoon oil
Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.
Directions
1. Prepare the Chocolate Cookies:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, cream together the butter and granulated sugar until smooth, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add the vanilla extract and egg to the butter-sugar mixture and beat until combined.
- Incorporate the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt into the mixture, mixing until a dough forms. The dough should be tacky but not overly sticky.
- Roll the dough into 16 balls, approximately 1¾ inches in diameter, and place them on the prepared baking sheets.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes, until the edges are set and the centers appear slightly glossy.
- Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
2. Prepare the Mint Frosting:
- In a medium bowl, beat together the powdered sugar, butter, milk, mint extract, and green food coloring (if using) until creamy and well combined. Adjust the consistency with additional powdered sugar or milk as needed.
- Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled cookies.
- Place the frosted cookies in the freezer for at least 15 minutes to set the frosting.
3. Prepare the Chocolate Ganache:
- In a medium microwave-safe bowl, combine the chocolate and oil.
- Heat in the microwave in 30-40 second intervals, stirring well after each, until the chocolate is melted and smooth.
- Spoon the melted chocolate over the chilled cookies. Freezing the cookies beforehand helps control the spread of the ganache.
- Allow the ganache to set before serving.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: This recipe yields approximately 16 cookies.
- Preparation Time: 30 minutes
- Cooking Time: 8-10 minutes per batch
- Total Time: Approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes, including cooling and setting times
Variations
- Alternative Extracts: Replace mint extract with almond, orange, or coconut extract for a different flavor profile.
- Different Chocolates: Use dark, milk, or white chocolate for the ganache to suit your taste preferences.
- Festive Toppings: Sprinkle crushed candy canes or colored sprinkles over the ganache before it sets for a festive touch.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
- Freezing: These cookies can be frozen for up to 3 months. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze initially, then transfer to a freezer-safe container with parchment paper between layers.
- Thawing: To enjoy, thaw the cookies at room temperature for about 30 minutes.
FAQs
How can I ensure my cookies remain chewy?
Avoid overbaking. The centers should appear slightly glossy when you remove them from the oven, as they will continue to set while cooling.
Can I use peppermint extract instead of mint extract?
Yes, peppermint extract can be used, but it has a stronger flavor. Start with a smaller amount and adjust to taste.
Is the green food coloring necessary?
No, it’s optional and only adds a visual cue for the mint flavor. The taste remains the same without it.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, you can refrigerate the dough for up to 3 days. Let it come to room temperature before baking.
How do I prevent the ganache from running off the cookies?
Freezing the frosted cookies before adding the ganache helps keep it from spreading too much.
Can I make these cookies without frosting?
Yes, the chocolate cookies taste great on their own, or you can skip the frosting and just drizzle chocolate over them.
What type of chocolate works best for the ganache?
Semisweet or dark chocolate works best for a balanced flavor, but you can use milk chocolate for a sweeter result.
How long does the ganache take to set?
It usually takes about 30 minutes at room temperature or 15 minutes in the fridge.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Yes, you can substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
Can I double the recipe?
Absolutely! Just be sure to bake in batches so the cookies have enough space on the baking sheet.
Conclusion
Chocolate Mint Cookies are a delightful blend of rich cocoa and refreshing mint, making them a standout treat for any occasion. Whether you’re making them for a holiday, a special event, or simply to satisfy your sweet cravings, these cookies are sure to impress. The combination of chewy chocolate cookies, smooth mint frosting, and silky ganache creates a perfect balance of flavors and textures. Try them today and enjoy a bakery-quality treat right from your kitchen!
Chocolate Mint Cookies
Indulge in the perfect fusion of rich chocolate and refreshing mint with these Chocolate Mint Cookies. Featuring a chewy chocolate base, topped with creamy mint frosting and a silky chocolate ganache, these cookies are a show-stopping treat for any occasion.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 8-10 minutes per batch
- Total Time: ~1 hour 40 minutes (including cooling & setting)
- Yield: 16 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
For the Chocolate Cookies
- ½ cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
- 1¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
For the Mint Frosting
- ½ cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1½ cups powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon milk
- ½ to 1 teaspoon mint extract (to taste)
- Green food coloring (optional)
For the Chocolate Ganache
- ¾ cup semisweet chocolate chips or chopped chocolate
- 1 tablespoon oil
Instructions
1️⃣ Make the Chocolate Cookies
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until smooth (3-4 minutes).
- Mix in vanilla extract and egg until well combined.
- In another bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, mixing until a tacky dough forms.
- Roll dough into 16 balls (about 1¾ inches in diameter) and place on baking sheets.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes, until edges are set and centers look slightly glossy.
- Let cookies cool on baking sheets for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
2️⃣ Prepare the Mint Frosting
- Beat together butter, powdered sugar, milk, mint extract, and green food coloring until creamy.
- Adjust consistency with more milk (for thinner) or powdered sugar (for thicker).
- Spread frosting evenly over cooled cookies.
- Freeze frosted cookies for at least 15 minutes to set.
3️⃣ Make the Chocolate Ganache
- In a microwave-safe bowl, combine chocolate chips and oil.
- Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring after each, until smooth.
- Spoon melted chocolate over chilled cookies (freezing helps control spread).
- Let ganache set before serving (about 30 minutes at room temp or 15 minutes in the fridge).
