Mint Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

The Magic of the Master Mix

I keep a big jar of my master mix in the pantry. It is my secret helper. It makes baking feel quick and easy. I feel so clever when I use it.

This mix has all the dry things ready to go. You just add water. It is like a little kitchen miracle. Do you have a favorite shortcut that makes you happy?

A Touch of Minty Freshness

These cookies taste like a cool breeze. The mint and chocolate are best friends. They dance together in your mouth. Doesn’t that sound lovely?

I first made these for my grandson. He said they tasted like Christmas. I still laugh at that. Now I think of him every time I bake them. This matters because food can hold our sweetest memories.

Let’s Make the Cookie Dough

First, get your big bowl. Put in the master mix, cocoa, and sugar. Give it a good whisk. The kitchen will start to smell like chocolate.

Then you add the water. Stir until it becomes a dough. Roll little balls with your hands. I like to make them all the same size. It just feels nice and tidy.

The Special Ganache

The ganache is the fancy hat for our cookies. You warm up the cream until it’s steamy. Then you pour it over the chocolate chips. Let it sit for five minutes.

After that, you stir and stir. It turns into a smooth, shiny magic. Fun fact: Ganache is a French word for a mixture of chocolate and cream. Isn’t that a fun thing to know?

Why We Bake Together

Baking is more than making food. It is a way to show love. Sharing these cookies says, “I care about you.” That is why this matters so much.

My kitchen is my happy place. I hope yours is too. What is the last thing you baked for someone you love? Tell me about it if you like.

Your Cookies Are Ready!

Take the cookies out of the oven. Let them cool completely. This is the hard part! Waiting is tough.

Then, spread that beautiful ganache on top. Let it set. Now you have a wonderful treat. Would you eat one warm or wait until they are cool? I can never decide!

Ingredients:

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Master Mix	2 cups	Recipe provided below
Unsweetened natural cocoa powder	1/4 cup
Mint chocolate cocoa mix	3 tablespoons
Granulated sugar	1/2 cup
Heavy cream	2 cups	For ganache
Semi-sweet chocolate chips	1 cup	For ganache

My Magical Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies

Oh, these cookies bring back such memories. My grandson calls them my magic mint cookies. I think it’s the cool mint and rich chocolate. Doesn’t that combination sound amazing? It always makes me think of a garden after a summer rain. The secret is our special master mix waiting in the pantry. It makes everything so simple. Let’s get our hands dusty with cocoa powder.

Step 1: First, let’s wake up that oven. Turn it to 350°F. Now, find your biggest bowl. Put your master mix, cocoa powder, mint chocolate mix, and sugar right in. Give it a good whisk with your favorite spoon. I still laugh at how my apron ends up with white streaks. Now, stir in a quarter cup of water. Watch the magic happen as it turns into a beautiful dark dough.

Step 2: Time to make little dough balls. Scoop about two tablespoons for each one. Roll them gently between your palms. (A hard-learned tip: if the dough sticks, just dust your hands with a little cocoa powder). Place them on your baking sheet. Give them plenty of room to grow. They are shy and need their space. See how they look like little truffles?

Step 3: Slide the pan into the warm oven. Now, the best smell will fill your kitchen. Bake them for 15 to 17 minutes. They will look soft when they come out. That is perfectly fine. Let them cool right on the pan. This is the hardest part, waiting. What’s your favorite part of baking? The mixing or the waiting? Share below!

Step 4: While they cool, let’s make the ganache. Heat the cream in a small pot until it’s steamy. Pour it over the chocolate chips in a bowl. Let it sit for five whole minutes. This is the secret to a smooth, glossy topping. Then, stir it slowly until it’s like a silky chocolate river. Spread this lovely ganache over your completely cool cookies. I promise it’s worth the wait.

Cook Time: 17 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: About 2 dozen cookies
Category: Dessert, Cookies

Three Fun Twists to Try

Once you master the classic, you can play. I love adding little surprises to my recipes. It keeps things exciting in the kitchen. Here are a few ideas I’ve tried with my grandkids. They each add a special little touch.

Peppermint Crunch: Crush some candy canes and mix them right into the dough. It adds a fun, festive crunch.

Orange Zest Zing: Add the zest of one orange to the dough. The chocolate, mint, and orange sing together.

Cookie Sandwich Surprise: Spread ganache between two cookies. You get a double-decker minty treat.

Which one would you try first? Comment below!

Serving Your Cookie Creations

These cookies are wonderful all on their own. But you can make them extra special. For a pretty plate, sprinkle a little powdered sugar on top. You could also add a tiny, fresh mint leaf beside each one. It looks so elegant. I sometimes serve them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The warm cookie and cold cream is heavenly.

For a drink, a tall, cold glass of milk is the classic choice. It just feels right. For the grown-ups, a cup of strong black coffee is wonderful. The bitter coffee and sweet cookie are a perfect match. Which would you choose tonight?

Keeping Your Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies Fresh

These cookies stay wonderful for days. Just let them cool completely after baking. Then store them in a tight container at room temperature.

You can freeze the baked cookies, too. I wrap them in a little parchment paper. Then I tuck them into a freezer bag.

I once sent a frozen batch to my grandson at college. He said they tasted just-baked. This makes batch cooking so helpful for busy weeks.

Having cookies ready saves you time. It also means you always have a sweet treat to share. A ready cookie can brighten someone’s day.

Have you ever tried storing cookies this way? Share your own tips below!

Simple Fixes for Cookie Troubles

Is your dough too crumbly? It just needs a bit more liquid. Add water, one teaspoon at a time, until it comes together.

I remember when my cookies spread too much. My oven was not hot enough. An oven thermometer helps you know the true temperature.

If your ganache is grainy, the cream was too hot. It should be steamy, not boiling. This keeps the chocolate smooth and shiny.

Fixing small problems builds your cooking confidence. You learn that mistakes are okay. You also get a much tastier cookie in the end.

Which of these problems have you run into before?

Your Cookie Questions, Answered

Q: Can I make these gluten-free?

A: Yes! Use your favorite gluten-free flour blend in the master mix. The results are just as good.

Q: Can I make the dough ahead?

A: You sure can. Roll the dough into balls and freeze them. Bake frozen balls for a minute or two longer.

Q: What can I use instead of buttermilk powder?

A: You can use regular milk powder. It will work just fine in this recipe.

Q: Can I make a smaller batch?

A: Of course. Just cut all the master mix ingredients in half. It is simple math.

Q: Any fun additions?

A: A little peppermint extract makes them extra minty. It is a lovely little boost.

*Fun fact: The chocolate chip cookie was invented by accident when a baker ran out of nuts!*

Which of these tips will you try first in your kitchen?

Bake a Little Joy

I hope you love baking these minty treats. They always make my kitchen smell wonderful. Sharing them is the very best part.

I would be so happy to see your creations. It feels like we are baking together, even miles apart.

Have you tried this recipe? Please tag us on Pinterest @ElowensKitchen so I can see! Your photos make my day.

Happy cooking!

—Elowen Thorn.