If you’re craving a cookie that brings together the refreshing zing of mint with the comforting richness of chocolate, this Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe is an absolute must-try. I stumbled upon this combination years ago, and since then, it’s become a favorite whenever I want something a little extra special but still easy to make at home. These cookies are soft, slightly fudgy thanks to the cocoa, and bursting with pockets of melty chocolate chips—plus that cool mint flavor that just brightens each bite.
What I love most is how versatile these cookies are. They work beautifully as an everyday treat but also dazzlingly at parties or holiday gatherings. When you bake this Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe, you’ll find it’s the perfect balance of minty freshness and chocolate goodness, drizzled with just the right amount of green-white chocolate flair that makes them look as good as they taste.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple Ingredients: Uses pantry staples with a few fun additions like peppermint extract and three types of chocolate for depth.
- Perfect Texture: Soft, fudgy centers with a crinkly exterior that bake up beautifully every time.
- Eye-Catching Finish: The drizzle of green-colored white chocolate not only tastes amazing but makes these cookies stand out.
- Crowd-Pleaser: My family goes crazy for these, and they’re always a hit at parties and gift exchanges.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe ingredients come together to create a rich, minty, and chocolatey cookie. I always suggest using good-quality chocolate chips because they really amp up the flavor and texture.
- Unsalted butter: Softened for easier mixing and better cookie texture.
- Light brown sugar: Adds a lovely caramel undertone and moisture.
- Egg: Helps bind everything while adding richness.
- Cocoa powder: Unsweetened, it brings that rich chocolate base without overpowering the mint.
- Plain flour: The structural base of the cookie.
- Bicarbonate of soda: Provides gentle lift for lightness.
- Baking powder: Works with the soda for a perfect rise.
- Sea salt: Balances sweetness and elevates chocolate flavor.
- Peppermint extract: The heart of the mint flavor—don’t substitute it with peppermint oil unless diluted.
- Milk chocolate chips: Adds smooth, creamy pockets of sweetness.
- Dark chocolate chips: Gives a slight bitter contrast that balances the sweetness perfectly.
- White chocolate: Melted for drizzling and a sweet minty finish when tinted green.
- Green food colouring: Optional, but fun for a fresh mint vibe.
Variations
I love to switch up this Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe depending on the season or who I’m baking for. Customizing allows you to enjoy these cookies your way or cater to different dietary needs without losing that minty magic.
- Vegan Version: I once swapped butter for coconut oil and used flax egg instead—delicious and dairy-free, perfect for plant-based friends.
- Extra Minty: Sometimes I add fresh chopped mint leaves alongside peppermint extract for an herbaceous kick. It’s refreshing but subtle enough not to overwhelm.
- Nutty Boost: Adding chopped pistachios or toasted almonds can bring a nice crunch and complement the mint-chocolate combo perfectly.
- Double Drizzle: For celebrations, I drizzle both white and dark chocolate for more visual interest and layers of flavor.
How to Make Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Get Your Oven Ready & Prep Your Baking Trays
Start by preheating your oven to 190ºC (170º fan). This gives the oven enough time to reach the ideal baking temp so your cookies bake evenly. Line two to three baking trays with parchment paper—this prevents sticking and helps the bottoms brown just right. I usually set these aside until the dough is ready to scoop.
Step 2: Cream Butter & Sugar Until Light and Fluffy
Use room temperature unsalted butter for this step. Beat it together with light brown sugar until the mixture is pale and fluffy—this usually takes about 3-4 minutes using a hand or stand mixer on medium speed. Creaming properly traps air that helps your cookies rise nicely and develop that perfect texture.
Step 3: Add Egg and Dry Ingredients Plus Peppermint Extract
Next, add in the egg and beat until fully incorporated. Then sift together your cocoa powder, plain flour, bicarbonate of soda, baking powder, and sea salt—this ensures there are no lumps and everything mixes evenly. Add these dry ingredients to the wet mixture along with a full teaspoon of peppermint extract. Beat until a thick, rich cookie dough forms—this dough should be firm enough to hold shape but easy to scoop.
Step 4: Fold in the Chocolate Chips and Portion Out
Carefully fold in both the milk and dark chocolate chips, making sure they’re evenly distributed so every cookie has melty chocolate in every bite. Use a 5cm cookie scoop or spoon to drop dollops of dough onto your prepared trays, spacing them well—about 6 per tray works for me—to avoid them merging as they spread while baking.
Step 5: Bake Until Crinkly, Then Cool
Bake your cookies for about 12 minutes at 190ºC, or until the edges are just set but the centers still look slightly soft and crinkly. This prevents drying out and keeps them perfect for that fudgy texture. Once out of the oven, transfer them to a wire rack and let them cool completely before moving on to decorating.
Step 6: Melt White Chocolate, Add Colour, and Drizzle
Melt your white chocolate gently over low heat or in short bursts in the microwave, stirring often to avoid scorching. Stir in green food colouring a drop at a time until you reach your desired minty hue. Drizzle this gorgeous green glaze over the cooled cookies with a spoon or piping bag and leave to set at room temperature.
Pro Tips for Making Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
- Use Room Temperature Ingredients: This helps the butter and sugar cream properly for an airy dough that bakes evenly.
- Don’t Overbake: The cookies should look just set and a little soft in the center—carryover heat finishes them perfectly.
- Even Spacing on Trays: Giving these about 2 inches apart prevents them from merging into one giant cookie.
- Gentle Melting for Chocolate: Melt the white chocolate slowly to keep it smooth and avoid graininess, especially when mixing in food colouring.
How to Serve Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
I usually keep garnishes simple—just the green white chocolate drizzle is enough for me because it adds color and sweetness without overpowering the cookie. But for a festive touch, you could sprinkle crushed peppermint candies or finely chopped fresh mint leaves on top before the chocolate sets. It’s such a nice surprise for guests!
Side Dishes
These cookies pair incredibly well with a cold glass of milk or a cup of hot chocolate for extra indulgence. I also love serving them alongside vanilla ice cream for an easy dessert that feels luxurious—perfect for summer nights or cozy winter treats.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, I’ve arranged these cookies on mint-green plates accented with fresh mint sprigs and a scattering of chocolate shards for a look that wows without much effort. You can also stack them with wax paper in between and tie with a ribbon for cute gifts. Trust me—everyone loves receiving minty treats that look this good!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, and they stay soft and delicious for about 3-4 days. If they start to get a little firm, just pop one in the microwave for 10 seconds to bring back that fresh-baked warmth.
Freezing
These cookies freeze beautifully! After cooling completely, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze for an hour, then transfer to a freezer-safe container or bag. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw at room temperature or warm in a low oven for a few minutes. They keep well in the freezer for up to 2 months without losing flavor.
Reheating
To reheat, I prefer a quick zap in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds or 3-5 minutes in a 150ºC oven wrapped loosely in foil. This warms the chocolate chips just right and softens the cookie without drying it out.
FAQs
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Can I substitute peppermint extract with another flavor?
Peppermint extract is key for that classic mint chocolate chip flavor, but if you don’t have it, you could try spearmint extract or even a tiny bit of mint syrup. Just be cautious as flavor strengths vary—start with less and adjust. Avoid peppermint oil unless diluted, as it can be overwhelming.
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Why do my Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies spread out too much?
Too much spreading usually happens if your dough is too warm or the butter is too soft. Make sure the dough is chilled briefly before baking if your kitchen is hot. Also be sure to space your cookies well on the tray to prevent merging during baking.
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Can I use chocolate chunks instead of chips?
Absolutely! Chunks melt differently but add a wonderful rustic texture and flavor. Just chop your preferred chocolate bar into rough pieces and fold them in—just remember the cookies might have gooier spots compared to uniform chips.
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How do I make the green drizzle without it hardening too quickly?
Melting the white chocolate slowly and keeping it at a slightly warm temperature while drizzling helps. Also, avoid refrigerating the cookies immediately after drizzling as rapid cooling can cause cracking. Let them set at room temperature for smooth finish.
Final Thoughts
This Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe is one of my absolute favorites to bake when I want something a little indulgent but still approachable. I can’t recommend it enough if you love that perfect mint and chocolate combo, especially with the cozy fudginess the cocoa brings. Give it a go—you’ll enjoy how fun and satisfying it is to make (and even better to eat). Plus, it’s a total hit whether you’re baking for yourself, family, or friends. Trust me, once you try these, they’ll become a go-to in your cookie rotation for sure!
PrintMint Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 27 minutes
- Yield: 15 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delight in these homemade Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies, combining the rich flavor of cocoa with refreshing peppermint and a mix of milk, dark, and white chocolate chips. Crispy on the edges and soft inside, these cookies are beautifully drizzled with green-tinted white chocolate for a festive touch.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 125 g unsalted butter
- 200 g light brown sugar
- 1 medium egg
- 25 g cocoa powder
- 175 g plain flour
- 1/2 tsp bicarbonate of soda
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1 tsp peppermint extract
- 125 g milk chocolate chips
- 125 g dark chocolate chips
Decoration
- 50 g white chocolate (melted)
- Green food colouring
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 190ºC (170ºC fan) and line two to three baking trays with parchment paper; set aside.
- Mix Butter and Sugar: Cream together the unsalted butter and light brown sugar until the mixture is light, fluffy, and thoroughly combined.
- Add Dry and Wet Ingredients: Add the egg, cocoa powder, plain flour, bicarbonate of soda, baking powder, sea salt, and peppermint extract to the butter mixture. Beat until a thick cookie dough forms.
- Fold in Chocolate Chips: Gently fold in the milk and dark chocolate chips ensuring an even distribution throughout the dough.
- Shape Cookies: Using a 5cm scoop, drop spoonfuls of dough onto the prepared baking trays, spacing them out so they do not merge while baking (about 6 per tray).
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 12 minutes, until cookies spread out evenly and have a nice crinkly surface.
- Cool: Remove the cookies from the oven and transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare Decoration: Melt the white chocolate over low heat and stir in green food colouring until evenly coloured.
- Decorate Cookies: Drizzle the green white chocolate over the cooled cookies and let it set before serving.
Notes
- Make sure to space cookies adequately on the baking trays to prevent merging during baking.
- Using a medium-sized scoop ensures uniform cookie size and consistent baking.
- The peppermint extract provides a refreshing flavor, but adjust to taste if preferred milder or stronger.
- Allow the cookies to cool fully before decorating to prevent melting the white chocolate drizzle.
- Store cookies in an airtight container to maintain freshness for up to 5 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie (approx. 40 g)
- Calories: 210 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 120 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg