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These chocolate mint cookies bring together a soft, rich cocoa base with a refreshing hit of mint frosting and a glossy chocolate topping. Perfect for anyone who loves the mix of chocolate and mint, they look impressive but are easy enough for any baker to master. The frosting gives them a hint of color, the topping adds a touch of indulgence, and they come together quickly with pantry staples you probably already have on hand.
These chocolate mint cookies have a tender cocoa base with cool mint frosting and a chocolate topping. They’re simple to make yet look like bakery-style treats.
You might also like mint chocolate puppy chow, mint milano Christmas brownies, a mint julep slushie, or these chocolate fudge cookies.
Why You’ll Love It
Rich flavor: The cocoa base gives these cookies a deep chocolate taste balanced by cool peppermint.
Easy prep: The dough mixes quickly without complicated steps.
Great texture: Soft cookies, creamy frosting and a smooth chocolate topping make every bite interesting.
Versatile finish: Switch the frosting color or chocolate type for a unique twist.
Mint Chocolate Cookies Ingredients
A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Salted butter: Adds richness and moisture to the cookies and frosting.
White granulated sugar: Sweetens the cookies and helps with structure.
Brown sugar: Adds sweetness and a slight caramel depth.
Egg: Binds the ingredients and adds structure.
Mint extract: Gives the cookies and frosting a refreshing mint flavor.
Cocoa powder: Provides the chocolate base for the cookies. Use natural cocoa powder, not hot chocolate mix which is sweetened, for the best chocolate flavor.
All-purpose flour: Creates the structure for the cookie dough.
Baking soda and baking powder: Help the cookies rise and stay soft.
Powdered sugar: Sweetens and thickens the frosting.
Green food coloring: Adds a fun pop of color to the frosting. You can use liquid or gel food coloring and add as little or as much as you want.
Whole milk: Loosens the frosting to a spreadable consistency.
Semi-sweet chocolate chips: Melt for the smooth topping.
How to Make Frosted Mint Chocolate Cookies
For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.
Make the dough: Cream white sugar, butter and brown sugar until smooth. Add the egg and peppermint extract and mix again.
Add dry ingredients: Stir in cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder and flour until combined.
Bake the cookies: Drop sticky dough balls onto a greased or parchment paper lined baking sheet, press cookie dough balls down and bake. Cool on the pan before transferring to a rack.
Make frosting: Beat butter, powdered sugar, food coloring, mint extract and milk until smooth.
Frost the cookies: Spread frosting over baked cookies and chill.
Top with chocolate: Add chocolate chips to a bowl and microwave to melt the choc chips. Spoon over cookies and chill again before serving.
Substitutions and Variations
Gluten-free: Make the recipe gluten-free by swapping all-purpose flour for a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend.
Butter: If you only have unsalted butter, add a little pinch of salt.
Chocolate chips: Use dark or white chocolate chips instead of semi-sweet, or swap some of the chocolate chips for Andes mint chips. Dark chocolate chips with a pinch of sea salt is really good.
Extract: Try peppermint extract for a stronger Andes mints type flavor.
Color: Use natural food dyes like spinach powder for coloring.
Less minty: Use mint extract only in the cookies or only in the frosting, not both.
Extra-minty Add chopped Andes mints to the batter or sprinkle on top.
Serving Suggestions
With hot chocolate: Enjoy a Grinch green hot chocolate or boozy salted peanut butter hot chocolate with your double chocolate mint cookies.
With another hot drink: A latte breve or pistachio latte would be good.
With other sweet treats: Serve up a trio of yumminess, perhaps adding Santa cupcakes and Biscoff reindeer Linzer cookies to the platter.
How to Store Chocolate Mint Cookies
Store: Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for 3 days or in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Freeze: Freeze in an airtight container for up to 2 months.
Thaw: Defrost in the fridge overnight.
Reheat: Don’t reheat them because of the buttercream frosting.
Top Tips
Space them out: I recommend spacing your cookies about 2 inches apart. They’re going to spread a little bit as they bake and you don’t want them to merge.
Cool completely: Make sure cookies are fully cooled before frosting or the frosting will melt.
Watch the bake time: Slight underbaking keeps the cookies soft.
Failproof frosting: I recommend starting with 3 drops of food coloring and ½ tablespoon of milk. If your frosting is too thick, you can add extra milk. If you want a deeper green color, you can add extra food coloring.
Thin the frosting carefully: If thinning it, add milk in tiny amounts, so it doesn’t get too runny.
Spread evenly: Use a small offset spatula for a smooth frosting layer.
Frosted Mint Chocolate Cookies FAQs
Yes, you can chill the dough for up to 24 hours before baking.
Yes, it scales well for larger batches.
No, it’s just for appearance and doesn’t affect the flavor.
Mint Chocolate Cookies Recipe
Chocolate Mint Cookies
Equipment
- Baking Sheet Large
Ingredients
For the Cookies
- ½ Cup salted butter, at room temperature
- ½ Cup white granulated sugar
- ½ Cup brown sugar
- 1 egg, large
- 1 Teaspoon peppermint extract
- ⅓ Cup cocoa powder
- 1 ½ Cups all-purpose flour
- ½ Teaspoon baking soda
- ½ Teaspoon baking powder
For Frosting and Topping
- ½ Cup salted butter, at room temperature
- 3 Cups powdered sugar
- 3 to 4 Drops green food coloring
- ½ to 1 Tablespoon whole milk
- 1 Teaspoon peppermint extract
- 2 Cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Make the Cookie Dough
- Combine the salted butter, granulated sugar and brown sugar in a large mixing bowl.
- Use an electric mixer to cream the ingredients together until smooth.
- Add the egg and mint extract and mix again until fully combined.
- Add the cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and flour.
- Gently whisk the wet and dry ingredients together until no dry pockets remain.
Bake the Cookies
- Drop your cookie dough onto a greased baking sheet and bake for 12 minutes.
- Let the cookies cool on the pan for a few minutes and then move them to a wire cooling rack.
Prepare the Frosting
- Make your frosting by whisking together the softened butter, powdered sugar, food coloring, mint extract, and milk until smooth and creamy.
Frost the Cookies
- Frost your cookies and then place them in the fridge to chill for 30 minutes.
Add the Chocolate Topping
- Melt your chocolate chips in the microwave and then add a spoonful of chocolate to the top of each cookie.
- Chill in the fridge for another 15 minutes before serving.
Notes
Cool completely: Make sure cookies are fully cooled before frosting or the frosting will melt.
Watch the bake time: Slight underbaking keeps the cookies soft.
Failproof frosting: I recommend starting with 3 drops of food coloring and ½ tablespoon of milk. If your frosting is too thick, you can add extra milk. If you want a deeper green color, you can add extra food coloring.
Thin the frosting carefully: If thinning it, add milk in tiny amounts, so it doesn’t get too runny.
Spread evenly: Use a small offset spatula for a smooth frosting layer.
Nutrition
Making these chocolate mint cookies gives you a treat that looks like it came from a bakery but is easy enough to make at home. The cocoa, mint, and chocolate layers work together to create the perfect bite for any occasion. The sweet and chewy chocolate cookies are sweet enough to satisfy your cravings yet simple enough to whip up anytime you’re in the mood for some Christmas baking.
Other Recipes to Try
Bella Bucchiotti
Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.
