There’s just something so magical about biting into a warm, freshly baked cookie that melts in your mouth, and this Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe delivers exactly that. I love this recipe because it combines the refreshing coolness of peppermint with rich, melty chocolate chips — a combo that feels both nostalgic and a little bit fancy at the same time. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or just want a sweet treat to enjoy with your afternoon tea, these cookies hit that perfect balance of chewy, soft, and lightly crisp.
When I first tried this Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe, I was surprised at how approachable it was — no crazy ingredients, just straightforward steps that anyone can follow. You’ll find that the mint flavor isn’t overpowering; instead, it gently dances on your palate alongside the chocolate, making these cookies irresistible for mint lovers and cookie fans alike. Plus, the little trick of pressing extra chips on top while the cookies are still warm creates the prettiest, freshest-looking results every time.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Perfect Mint-Chocolate Balance: The cool peppermint extract complements the sweet chocolate chips perfectly, creating a balanced flavor that everyone loves.
- Simple Ingredients: No fancy or hard-to-find items here—just pantry staples with a minty twist.
- Texture is Spot On: Chewy edges with soft centers—a texture combo that will keep you coming back for more.
- Great for Gifting & Sharing: These cookies look as good as they taste and make a beautiful homemade gift or party treat.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in this Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe plays a key role, from the tender flour base to that punch of peppermint extract. I always recommend using good quality butter and fresh mint chips or Andes candies to get the most flavor out of each bite.
- All purpose flour: Spoon and level your flour for accuracy—it keeps cookies tender, not cakey or dense.
- Baking soda: Provides a slight rise and keeps the cookies soft with a bit of chew.
- Salt: Just a pinch to balance the sweetness and enhance the mint and chocolate flavors.
- Unsalted butter: Slightly softened (but still cool) butter helps create that perfect chewy texture.
- Light brown sugar: Adds moisture and a subtle caramel flavor for richness.
- Granulated sugar: Gives a slight crispness around the edges.
- Large egg: Binds the dough together and adds moisture.
- Pure peppermint extract: Use a good quality extract—you’ll notice the difference in freshness and flavor depth.
- Mint chips, chocolate chips, or chopped Andes candies: Pick your favorite minty mix-ins or combine them for extra texture and flavor.
Variations
I love how this Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe is so easy to personalize! Play around with different mint mixes or even add a little extra vanilla for sweetness. More often than not, a little tweak here and there keeps this recipe exciting and fresh.
- Double Chocolate Mint: I once swapped half the flour for cocoa powder, resulting in a rich chocolate cookie that still highlights the mint—my family went crazy for it!
- Gluten-Free Version: Using a gluten-free flour blend works well here—I recommend one with xanthan gum for texture.
- Vegan Adaptation: Replace butter with dairy-free margarine and the egg with a flax egg; the cookies stay deliciously tender.
- Mint & Nuts: Toss in some chopped pecans or walnuts for a satisfying crunch that contrasts nicely with the soft cookie.
How to Make Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Get Your Dry Ingredients Ready
Start by whisking together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt in a small bowl. Setting this mixture aside is a simple step, but it ensures that your leavening agents and seasoning are evenly distributed later on. This little prep move is one I learned the hard way—mixing dry ingredients thoroughly upfront avoids uneven cookie texture.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars
In a large bowl, use a hand or stand mixer to beat together the softened butter, light brown sugar, and granulated sugar. I like to beat this for about 1-2 minutes, scraping the bowl a few times so everything blends smoothly and gets nice and fluffy. This step is where the magic starts—properly creamed butter and sugar make for those soft, tender cookies you want.
Step 3: Add Egg and Peppermint Extract
Next, add the egg and pure peppermint extract to the buttery mixture and beat again just until combined. Don’t overmix here or your cookies might turn out tough. I always use real peppermint extract for a fresh, clean mint flavor — artificial flavors just don’t have the same zing.
Step 4: Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients with Mint Chips
Gradually add the dry flour mixture to your wet ingredients while mixing on low speed. Stop mixing as soon as the flour is just incorporated — overworking dough is a rookie mistake I’ve made plenty of times, leading to tougher cookies! Fold in about 1 cup of your mint chips, chocolate chips, or chopped Andes candies now, saving the rest for topping the cookies before baking.
Step 5: Scoop, Bake, and Decorate
Scoop out generous 2-tablespoon portions of dough, spacing them at least 2 inches apart on parchment-lined baking sheets. Bake at 350°F for 9-11 minutes, until the edges start to turn golden but the centers are still a touch underdone—that’s exactly when they are perfectly chewy after cooling. This timing tip took me a while to perfect, so trust me, keep a close eye on that oven! Once out, quickly press the remaining chips onto the warm cookie tops for that irresistible fresh-out-of-the-oven look.
Step 6: Cool Completely and Enjoy
Give the cookies time to cool on wire racks before digging in. This lets them set up without losing that perfect chewy texture, and it also helps all the flavors fully develop. I used to be impatient with this step and always regretted it—trust me, the wait is worth it!
Pro Tips for Making Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
- Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Softened butter and eggs blend much more easily, creating a smoother dough and better texture.
- Don’t Overmix: Mixing the dough just until combined keeps your cookies tender and prevents toughness.
- Press Extra Chips on Top: Adding leftover mint chips or chopped candies while cookies are warm makes them look beautifully melty and inviting.
- Watch Your Bake Time: Removing cookies when centers are slightly underdone guarantees chewy, soft results instead of dry or crumbly ones.
How to Serve Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
I like to serve these cookies with a sprinkle of finely chopped fresh mint leaves or a dusting of powdered sugar for a little extra charm. Sometimes, just a few whole mint leaves on the side of the plate add an unexpected touch of freshness that pairs incredibly well with the cookies’ flavor.
Side Dishes
This Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe pairs beautifully with a cold glass of milk or a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream. For a grown-up touch, serve alongside a minty hot chocolate or a mocha latte to intensify the chocolate-mint experience.
Creative Ways to Present
I’ve had fun layering these cookies in a glass jar with some crushed mint candies for a gift, or arranging them on a platter around a small bowl of whipped cream garnished with mint sprigs. For holiday parties, stacking them like a pyramid or sandwiching them with mint-flavored buttercream makes them festive and extra special.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once completely cooled, I store leftover Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, layering them between sheets of parchment paper to prevent sticking. They usually stay fresh and chewy for up to 5 days when stored this way, though they rarely last that long in my house!
Freezing
If I want to save some for later, I freeze scooped cookie dough balls individually on a tray, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag. This way, you can bake fresh cookies anytime without extra prep, just add 1-2 extra minutes to the bake time when frozen!
Reheating
To revive cookie softness, I warm cookies in a 300°F oven for about 5 minutes or pop one in the microwave for 10-15 seconds. This simple step makes them taste almost as good as fresh from the oven!
FAQs
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Can I use regular chocolate chips instead of mint chips?
Absolutely! While mint chips elevate the peppermint flavor, using regular chocolate chips still yields delicious results. For extra minty flair, add a drop more peppermint extract or some chopped Andes candies to maintain that classic mint chocolate taste.
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How do I prevent my cookies from spreading too much?
Make sure your butter is softened but still cool, not melted or too soft. Chilling the dough for 30 minutes before baking can also help the cookies hold their shape better during baking.
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Can I substitute peppermint extract with fresh mint?
Fresh mint won’t work as a direct substitute because it lacks the concentrated flavor of peppermint extract. However, you can add finely chopped fresh mint to your dough for a subtle herbal note, but expect a milder mint flavor overall.
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What’s the secret to chewy Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies?
Using a combination of light brown sugar and granulated sugar along with beating the butter and sugar properly creates moisture and texture that keeps the cookies chewy. Also, slightly underbaking the cookies, as the recipe suggests, seals in that chewiness perfectly.
Final Thoughts
This Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe really holds a special place in my heart—it’s brought smiles at holiday gatherings, cozy nights, and unexpected cookie cravings alike. I encourage you to try it exactly as written the first time, then feel free to put your own spin on it. Whether you’re baking for your family, friends, or just yourself, these cookies are sure to become a go-to favorite. Trust me, once you get a taste of that perfect minty, chocolatey bite, you’ll be making them again and again!
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 the refreshing taste of Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies, combining soft, buttery dough with bursts of minty chocolate chips and Andes candies. These cookies offer a perfect balance of sweet and cool mint flavor, ideal for satisfying your dessert cravings with an exciting twist.
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 note)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper to ensure easy cookie removal and even baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a small bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set this mixture aside for later incorporation into the dough.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, use a hand mixer or stand mixer to beat the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar together for 1-2 minutes until the mixture is creamy and well combined, stopping to scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
- Add Egg and Peppermint Extract: Beat in the egg and peppermint extract until fully incorporated, adding a fresh mint flavor to the dough.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, beating until just combined to avoid overmixing which can toughen the cookies.
- Add Mix-Ins: Fold in 1 cup of the mint chips, chocolate chips, or chopped Andes candies, reserving the remaining ½ cup for topping the cookies later.
- Scoop Dough: Using a cookie scoop or spoon, portion out 2-tablespoon-sized dough balls and space them a couple of inches apart on the prepared baking sheets to allow room for spreading.
- Bake: Bake the cookies for 9-11 minutes, or until the edges start to turn golden brown while the centers remain slightly undercooked. Rotate the baking sheets halfway through for even baking.
- Add Toppings: While the cookies are still warm, gently press the reserved ½ cup of mint/chocolate/Andes pieces onto the tops of the cookies to create an appealing finish.
- Cool: Transfer the baking sheets to wire racks and let the cookies cool completely to set their texture before serving.
Notes
- For a prettier presentation, press reserved mix-ins onto the tops of warm cookies immediately after baking.
- You can customize the mint flavor intensity by adjusting the amount of peppermint extract slightly according to taste.
- Using a combination of mint chips, chocolate chips, and Andes candies gives more texture and depth of flavor.
- Spooning the flour into measuring cups (rather than scooping) prevents compacting and ensures proper flour quantity for perfect cookie texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 11 g
- Sodium: 80 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg