Description
These Chocolate Mint Cookies combine rich cocoa-flavored soft cookies with a creamy mint frosting and a glossy chocolate ganache topping. Perfect for mint and chocolate lovers, this treat offers a delightful balance of fudgy, minty, and chocolaty layers ideal for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Chocolate Cookies
- ½ cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
- 1 cup granulated sugar (200 grams)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 large egg (room temperature)
- 1¼ cups all-purpose flour (163 grams, fluffed and leveled)
- ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder (30 grams)
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Mint Frosting
- 1½ cups powdered icing sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
- 1 tablespoon milk
- ½–1 teaspoon mint extract (adjust to taste)
- Green food coloring (optional)
Chocolate Ganache
- ¾ cup semisweet chocolate chips or chopped chocolate (130 grams)
- 1 tablespoon oil (vegetable or light olive oil recommended)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Baking Sheets: Set your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: Using an electric mixer, beat the room temperature butter and granulated sugar together for 3-4 minutes until the mixture is smooth and fluffy. This process incorporates air for a tender texture.
- Add Vanilla and Egg: Mix in the vanilla extract and egg until the batter is well combined and creamy, ensuring uniform flavor and moisture.
- Combine Dry Ingredients and Form Dough: Sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt, then gradually add to the wet mixture. Stir until the dough forms and holds together, with a slightly tacky but not sticky consistency.
- Shape and Bake Cookies: Roll the dough into sixteen balls approximately 1¾ inches in diameter. Place them evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheets. Bake for 8-10 minutes until edges are set but centers appear slightly glossy, indicating a soft center.
- Cool the Cookies: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
- Prepare the Mint Frosting: In a bowl, beat together powdered sugar, softened butter, milk, mint extract, and optional green food coloring until smooth. Adjust thickness by adding more powdered sugar if too thin, or a little milk if too thick.
- Frost the Cookies: Evenly spread the mint frosting over the cooled cookies. Place the frosted cookies in the freezer for at least 15 minutes to firm up the frosting in preparation for ganache topping.
- Make the Chocolate Ganache: Combine chocolate chips and oil in a heat-safe bowl. Microwave in 30-40 second increments, stirring well after each, until the mixture is smooth and fully melted.
- Top with Ganache: Spoon the warm ganache over the frozen frosted cookies. Freezing the frosting first helps control the spread of the ganache for a neat finish. Serve immediately or allow to come to room temperature for ganache to firm while remaining soft on the inside.
Notes
- Room temperature butter and egg are crucial for smooth mixing and perfect texture.
- Adjust mint extract according to your taste preference; more for a stronger mint flavor.
- Freezing the frosted cookies before adding ganache helps the chocolate set neatly without running off.
- You can substitute milk with cream or a dairy-free alternative for different frosting textures.
- Store cookies in an airtight container; keep refrigerated if frosting is soft or in warm climates.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: chocolate mint cookies, mint chocolate cookies, homemade chocolate cookies, mint frosting, chocolate ganache, holiday cookies, soft chocolate cookies
