If you’re craving something that perfectly combines a burst of cool mint with rich, melty chocolate, you have to try this Refreshing Mint Chocolate Chunk Cookies Recipe. These cookies offer a delightful texture with soft, tender centers and slightly crisp edges, making each bite an absolute treat. Whether you’re baking for a holiday gathering or just a sweet afternoon indulgence, these cookies are sure to become a go-to favorite. The subtle peppermint extract paired with generous chocolate chunks delivers a refreshing twist on the classic cookie that will keep you reaching for more.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The simplicity of this ingredient list is what makes the Refreshing Mint Chocolate Chunk Cookies Recipe so approachable and delicious. Each element plays an essential role, from the butter adding richness to the peppermint extract bringing that unmistakable minty zing.
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened: Provides the creamy, rich base ensuring a tender cookie texture.
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create that perfect crisp edge.
- 3/4 cup packed brown sugar: Brings moisture and a slight caramel undertone for depth of flavor.
- 2 large eggs: Bind all ingredients together and add richness.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Balances the mint with warm, fragrant undertones.
- 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract: The star of the show, giving these cookies their refreshingly cool taste.
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour: The structural base for the cookies, ensuring they hold their shape.
- 1 teaspoon baking soda: Helps give the cookies a light, airy texture.
- 1/2 teaspoon salt: Enhances all the other flavors and keeps the sweetness from becoming cloying.
- 1 1/2 cups chopped semi-sweet or dark chocolate chunks: Adds gooey pockets of rich chocolate in every bite.
- 1/2 cup mint chips or crushed peppermint candy (optional): These add extra bursts of mint and a delightful crunch.
- Optional: 1-2 drops green food coloring: Perfect for a festive touch if desired.
How to Make Refreshing Mint Chocolate Chunk Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Baking Sheets
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C), and line your baking sheets with parchment paper. This simple step ensures your cookies bake evenly and won’t stick, setting you up for baking success.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars
In a large bowl, beat together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This process aerates the dough, helping create cookies that are both tender and perfectly textured.
Step 3: Add the Eggs and Extracts
Next, beat in the eggs, vanilla extract, and peppermint extract until they’re fully incorporated. If you want your cookies to have a festive green hue, this is the time to mix in 1 or 2 drops of green food coloring. The mint extract infuses the dough with that cool, refreshing flavor that makes these cookies truly stand out.
Step 4: Combine Your Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Adding these dry ingredients gradually to the wet ingredients ensures even mixing without overworking the dough, which keeps your cookies tender.
Step 5: Stir in Chocolate and Mint
Fold in the chocolate chunks and mint chips or crushed peppermint candy if using. These little flavor bombs scattered throughout the dough make every bite exciting and full of surprises.
Step 6: Scoop and Bake
Use rounded tablespoons of dough and place them about 2 inches apart on the lined baking sheets. Bake for 9 to 11 minutes, watching for the edges to turn lightly golden while the centers remain soft. Allow the cookies to cool on the pan for 5 minutes before moving them to a wire rack, so they finish firming up without losing their tender chew.
How to Serve Refreshing Mint Chocolate Chunk Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of crushed peppermint candies on top right as the cookies come out of the oven adds a festive kick and a slight crunch that enhances the minty flavor beautifully. Alternatively, a gentle drizzle of melted chocolate infused with peppermint extract can elevate your cookies into an elegant treat that looks as good as it tastes.
Side Dishes
These mint chocolate chunk cookies pair exceptionally well with a cold glass of milk or a steaming cup of hot cocoa, especially during chilly evenings. For an adult twist, serve alongside a minty espresso or a peppermint-infused hot toddy for a delightful palate experience.
Creative Ways to Present
Wrap a batch of these cookies in clear cellophane tied with a bright ribbon for charming gifts that anyone would cherish. You can also sandwich two cookies with a scoop of mint chocolate chip ice cream between for a refreshing dessert that doubles as a fun treat at parties or casual get-togethers.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store your leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. Keeping them sealed helps maintain their soft texture and the brightness of the mint flavor.
Freezing
You can freeze these cookies either baked or as dough. To freeze dough, scoop onto a baking tray and freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag and bake straight from frozen with an extra minute or two added to the baking time. Baked cookies can be frozen in an airtight container with parchment layers for up to three months.
Reheating
For freshly baked warmth after storing, pop the cookies in a preheated oven at 300°F for 5 minutes or microwave individually for about 10 seconds. This brings back their soft texture and melts the chocolate just enough to feel indulgent.
FAQs
Can I use regular chocolate chips instead of chunks?
Absolutely! Regular chocolate chips work just fine if you prefer smaller pockets of chocolate throughout the cookie. Chocolate chunks just offer a more dramatic melt and texture contrast.
Is it necessary to add peppermint extract?
The peppermint extract is what gives these cookies their signature refreshing flavor. You can omit it if you’re sensitive to mint, but the recipe wouldn’t be the same vibrant treat without it.
Can I make these cookies vegan?
Substituting butter with a plant-based alternative and using flax eggs or commercial egg replacers could work, but the texture and flavor will differ. This recipe is optimized for traditional baking ingredients.
How do I avoid the cookies spreading too much?
Make sure your butter is softened but not melted, and chill the dough for at least 30 minutes if your kitchen is very warm. Also, don’t over-cream the butter and sugars.
What’s the best way to get the green color without artificial dyes?
Natural options like powdered matcha or spirulina can give a gentle green tint, but keep the quantities small as they might add a subtle flavor. For the purest mint flavor and bright color, a drop or two of food coloring is easiest.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly special about the Refreshing Mint Chocolate Chunk Cookies Recipe that makes it hard to resist. Whether you’re baking for the holidays, a special occasion, or just to brighten up your day, these cookies deliver a wonderful balance of cooling mint and rich chocolate in every bite. I can’t wait for you to try them and share the joy that these sweet little delights bring!
Print
Refreshing Mint Chocolate Chunk Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Refreshing Mint Chocolate Chunk Cookies combine the classic richness of chocolate chunks with a cool hint of peppermint, making them perfect for holiday treats or anytime you want a delightful minty twist. Soft and chewy with a subtle green tint, these cookies are a festive and flavorful delight.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
- Optional: green food coloring (1–2 drops)
Dry Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Add-ins
- 1 1/2 cups chopped semi-sweet or dark chocolate chunks
- 1/2 cup mint chips or crushed peppermint candy (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, use a mixer to cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which helps create a tender cookie texture.
- Add Eggs and Flavors: Beat in the eggs one at a time, then add the vanilla extract and peppermint extract for that refreshing flavor. If desired, stir in 1–2 drops of green food coloring to give the cookies a festive look.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agent and seasoning.
- Mix Dry Ingredients into Wet: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined to avoid overworking the dough and keeping the cookies tender.
- Add Chocolate and Mint: Fold in the chopped chocolate chunks and mint chips or crushed peppermint candy for bursts of chocolate and mint in every bite.
- Scoop and Bake: Using a rounded tablespoon, scoop dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing each scoop about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
- Bake and Cool: Bake in the preheated oven for 9–11 minutes until the edges are lightly golden but the centers remain soft. Let the cookies cool on the pan for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- For an extra minty flavor boost, add a few chopped Andes mints into the dough or drizzle melted chocolate mixed with peppermint extract over the cooled cookies.
- Green food coloring is optional and mainly for festive presentation; skip it if you prefer natural colors.
- Ensure not to overbake to maintain a soft and chewy center.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
