Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies: The Ultimate Chewy & Easy Recipe

Published:

January 25, 2026

By:

Benjamin

recipe image of flour butter granulated sugar brown sugar eggs peppermint extract baking soda baking powder salt chocolate chips andes mints green food coloring vanilla extract cream of tartar arranged on a white marble kitchen counter with clear glass bowls and rustic brown wooden kitchen sets under soft diffuse daylight

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Introduction

Hi there! I’m Benjamin, the home cook behind Mister Recipes. Have you ever wondered what makes a cookie truly unforgettable? I believe it’s the story behind it. For me, the journey to the perfect Mint Chocolate Chip Cookie started on a snowy afternoon, bundled up inside with my kids, Adams and Jana. We wanted to create a treat that tasted like the holidays but felt special enough for any day of the year. The kitchen filled with the scent of cool mint and melting chocolate, and in that moment, I knew this wasn’t just another recipe. It was a memory in the making. This recipe isn’t just about combining ingredients; it’s about creating that warm, joyful feeling of togetherness. It’s about that perfect bite where a chewy center meets a crisp edge, with refreshing mint and rich chocolate chips in every mouthful. This recipe is designed for busy parents and home cooks who want to create something spectacular without the stress. It’s more than just a cookie; it’s a little piece of comfort you can share with the people you love most.

Why You’ll Love This Mint Chocolate Chip Cookie

This recipe has quickly become a household favorite, and I’m certain it will in yours too. It strikes the perfect balance between simple, approachable baking and a truly impressive result. These cookies have a delightful texture and a flavor profile that is both refreshing and indulgent. They are perfect for holiday gatherings, a St. Patrick’s Day treat, or just a simple Tuesday afternoon pick me up. Here’s why you are going to fall in love with these cookies:

Perfectly Chewy Texture: Unlike many cookie recipes that turn out either too cakey or too crispy, this one is engineered for a perfectly soft and chewy mint chocolate chip cookies recipe. The secret is in the cornstarch and the precise baking time, guaranteeing a satisfyingly dense and moist center every single time.
Rich and Balanced Flavor: We use both brown and granulated sugar to create a deep, caramel like sweetness that complements the cool, refreshing peppermint extract. Paired with high quality semisweet chocolate chips, the flavor is indulgent without being overwhelming. It tastes just like your favorite mint chocolate chip ice cream, but in a warm, gooey cookie form.
Incredibly Easy to Make: I designed this recipe for home cooks of all levels. The steps are straightforward, the ingredients are simple, and there’s no complicated equipment needed. It’s a fantastic recipe to make with kids and is almost foolproof, making it a go to for any occasion.
Visually Stunning: The optional touch of green food coloring gives these cookies their signature minty look, making them a beautiful addition to any cookie platter. They look as good as they taste, which makes them perfect for parties, bake sales, or gifting. You can find similar festive ideas in our vanilla bean shamrock cookies.
Crowd Pleaser for All Ages: From kids to grandparents, everyone loves the classic combination of mint and chocolate. These cookies are a guaranteed hit. Whether you’re making them for a family movie night or a festive celebration like St. Patrick’s Day, they are sure to disappear fast.

Ingredients for Mint Chocolate Chip Cookie

1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar
1/2 cup (110g) packed light brown sugar
2 large eggs, room temperature
1 teaspoon peppermint extract (not mint extract)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Few drops of green food coloring (optional)
2 1/2 cups (300g) all purpose flour
1 teaspoon cornstarch
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups (255g) semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup (170g) Andes mint baking chips or chopped Andes mints

Substitutions: For a different flavor profile, you can use dark chocolate chunks instead of semisweet chips. If you don’t have Andes mint chips, mint chocolate chunks or even our easy homemade peppermint patties chopped up will work wonderfully.

How to Make Mint Chocolate Chip Cookie

Step-by-Step Instructions

Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, using a stand mixer or a hand mixer, beat the softened unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and light brown sugar together on medium high speed until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale in color. This usually takes about 2 to 3 minutes. This step is crucial as it incorporates air into the dough, which is the foundation for a tender cookie.
Add Eggs and Extracts: Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition until fully incorporated. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to ensure everything is evenly mixed. Add the peppermint extract, vanilla extract, and a few drops of green food coloring if you’re using it. Mix on low speed until just combined. The color will deepen as it mixes, so start with just a little!
Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all purpose flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt. The cornstarch is a key ingredient that helps create an incredibly soft and chewy texture, preventing the cookies from becoming cakey.
Mix Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix at this stage; mix only until you no longer see streaks of flour. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, which can lead to tough cookies.
Fold in the Goodies: Gently fold in the semisweet chocolate chips and the Andes mint baking chips using a rubber spatula. The combination of classic chocolate and creamy mint chips gives these cookies their signature flavor.
Chill the Dough: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the cookie dough for at least 2 hours, or preferably overnight. Chilling the dough is the most important step for thick, chewy cookies. It solidifies the fat in the butter, which prevents the cookies from spreading too much in the oven. It also allows the flavors to meld together for a more delicious cookie. This technique is also discussed in other recipes, like this one from Celebrating Sweets.
Preheat and Prepare: When you’re ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
Scoop and Bake: Scoop the chilled dough into 1.5 tablespoon sized balls and place them about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. A cookie scoop works perfectly for uniform cookies.
Bake to Perfection: Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown but the centers still look slightly soft and underbaked. Do not overbake! The cookies will continue to cook on the hot baking sheet after you remove them from the oven.
Cool and Enjoy: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 to 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This allows them to set properly. Once cooled, they are ready to be devoured!

Pro Tips & Variations

To really take your Mint Chocolate Chip Cookie game to the next level, here are a few tips I’ve learned from my own kitchen experiments. First, always use room temperature eggs and butter. This allows them to emulsify properly with the sugars, creating a smoother, more uniform dough. If you forget to take your eggs out, just place them in a bowl of warm water for 5 minutes. Second, don’t skimp on the chilling time! I know it’s hard to wait, but this step is a game changer. It makes the dough easier to handle and concentrates the flavor, resulting in a richer, chewier cookie. For perfectly round cookies, you can roll the dough balls between your hands before placing them on the baking sheet. And for that professional bakery look, gently press a few extra chocolate chips on top of the dough balls right before they go into the oven. For a twist on minty desserts, try these chocolate mint cream cheese buttons!

Now for the fun part: variations! The possibilities are endless.

Gluten Free Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies: You can easily make this recipe gluten free by substituting the all purpose flour with a quality 1 to 1 gluten free baking flour blend.
Double Chocolate Mint Cookies: For the ultimate chocolate lover, replace 1/2 cup of the flour with 1/2 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder. This creates a rich, fudgy cookie that pairs beautifully with the mint.
White Chocolate Mint Cookies: Swap the semisweet chocolate chips for white chocolate chips for a sweeter, creamier flavor that looks beautiful against the green dough.
Mint Oreo Cookies: Crush up about 1 cup of Mint Oreos and fold them into the dough along with the chocolate chips for extra crunch and flavor. This is similar to the idea behind my triple layer fudgy mint oreo brownies.

Serving Suggestions

These Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies are absolutely divine on their own, but pairing them with the right beverage or dessert can elevate the experience. My kids love them with a tall, cold glass of milk, a classic pairing that never fails. For the adults, a cup of hot coffee or a simple espresso is fantastic, as the bitterness of the coffee cuts through the sweetness and enhances the chocolate notes. During the holidays, I love serving them with a mug of rich hot chocolate for an ultra decadent treat. You can also get creative and crumble these cookies over a bowl of vanilla or chocolate ice cream. Or, better yet, make your own ice cream sandwiches! Just place a scoop of your favorite ice cream between two cookies for a dessert that is truly out of this world. For another festive dessert idea, these cookies would be a great accompaniment to our St. Patrick’s Day Green Shake Pudding Cups.

Storage & Reheating for Mint Chocolate Chip Cookie

Proper storage is key to keeping your cookies fresh and delicious. Once the cookies have cooled completely, you can store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer storage, you can freeze the baked cookies. Place them in a freezer safe bag or container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent them from sticking together. They will stay fresh in the freezer for up to 3 months. To enjoy, simply thaw them at room temperature. You can also freeze the cookie dough. Roll the dough into balls, place them on a baking sheet, and freeze until solid. Then, transfer the frozen dough balls to a freezer bag. You can bake them straight from the freezer; just add 2 to 3 minutes to the baking time. There’s no need to reheat the cookies, as they are delicious at room temperature, but if you want to restore that fresh out of the oven gooeyness, you can microwave one for about 10 seconds.

FAQ about Mint Chocolate Chip Cookie

Why are my cookies spreading too much?
This is a common issue, and it’s almost always because the dough wasn’t chilled long enough. Chilling the dough solidifies the butter, which melts more slowly in the oven, leading to less spread. Also, make sure your butter was softened, not melted, and measure your flour correctly. Using too little flour can also cause spread.

What is the difference between peppermint extract and mint extract?
Peppermint extract has a clean, sharp, and purely peppermint flavor, which is what gives these cookies their classic taste, similar to a candy cane. Mint extract is a blend of spearmint and peppermint, and it can sometimes have a taste that people associate with toothpaste. For this recipe, I strongly recommend using pure peppermint extract for the best flavor.

Can I make these cookies without the green food coloring?
Absolutely! The food coloring is purely for aesthetics and adds no flavor at all. The cookies will taste just as delicious without it; they will just have a natural golden brown color. For a great recipe with a similar style, see this one from Delish.

Can I use chocolate chunks instead of chocolate chips?
Yes, you can! Chocolate chunks will create larger pockets of melted chocolate in your cookies, which can be absolutely delicious. Feel free to use your favorite type of chocolate, whether it’s chunks, mini chips, or even a chopped up chocolate bar.

Final Thoughts on Mint Chocolate Chip Cookie

Thank you for joining me in the kitchen today! I hope you and your family love this Mint Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe as much as mine does. There’s something truly special about baking from scratch and sharing the results with those you love. If you try this recipe, I would love to see it! Please leave a comment and a rating below to let me know how it turned out. And don’t forget to save this recipe to your favorite Pinterest board so you can easily find it later. For more family friendly recipes and kitchen inspiration, be sure to subscribe to the Mister Recipes newsletter. Happy baking!

C. Motter Cindy