Andes Mint Chocolate Cookies: Your New Favorite Holiday Treat!

Published:

November 12, 2025

By:

Introduction

Have you ever wondered what transforms a good cookie into a truly unforgettable one? Is it the perfect texture, a surprising flavor combination, or the memories baked right into it? I believe it’s all three, and I found the perfect example in these incredible Andes Mint Chocolate Cookies. The first time I baked these, it was on a whim during a snowy December afternoon. The kids were home, the fireplace was crackling, and I wanted to create a treat that felt like a warm hug in cookie form. The moment we pulled them from the oven, the whole house filled with the rich aroma of deep chocolate and a wave of cool, refreshing mint. It was intoxicating. That first bite was a revelation a soft, chewy chocolate cookie that melts in your mouth, followed by the delightful surprise of a creamy, gooey Andes mint center. It wasn’t just a cookie; it was an experience. It instantly became a family tradition, the official taste of our holiday season.

These aren’t just another chocolate cookie recipe. They are a celebration of contrasting flavors and textures that work in perfect harmony. The deep, dark chocolate dough provides the perfect base, rich and satisfying without being overly sweet. Then, the Andes mint candy, nestled inside, melts into a luscious, minty pool that provides a burst of cool freshness with every bite. It’s that classic, beloved combination of mint and chocolate, elevated. This recipe is for anyone who believes that baking is about creating joy. It’s for the busy parent looking for a special but simple treat for the family, or the home baker wanting to impress at a holiday gathering. Much like my chocolate crinkle cookies, these are designed to be a crowd pleaser, bringing smiles to everyone’s faces. They are surprisingly easy to make, yet they look and taste like they came from a gourmet bakery. So, if you’re ready to fill your kitchen with the most amazing aroma and create a new favorite cookie, you’ve come to the right place.

Why You’ll Love This Andes Mint Chocolate Cookies

These cookies are more than just a dessert; they are a ticket to creating wonderful memories. Here’s why you’ll find yourself coming back to this recipe again and again:

An Irresistible Flavor Combination: The magic of these cookies lies in the timeless pairing of rich chocolate and cool mint. The deep cocoa flavor of the cookie dough is the perfect vehicle for the melted, creamy Andes mint candy inside. Each bite offers a delightful contrast between the warm, soft cookie and the cool, refreshing minty center. It’s an elegant and sophisticated flavor that appeals to both kids and adults, making it a guaranteed hit for any occasion.
Incredibly Easy to Make: Don’t let their gourmet appearance fool you; these cookies are wonderfully straightforward to prepare. The dough comes together quickly with standard pantry ingredients, and the process of wrapping the dough around the mint is a fun activity, even for kids. It’s a perfect recipe for beginner bakers or for a spontaneous baking session when a craving strikes. These are a fantastic example of a drop style Christmas cookie, meaning no complicated shaping is needed.
Perfectly Soft and Chewy Texture: If you are a fan of cookies with a soft, melt in your mouth texture, this recipe is for you. The dough is specifically formulated to bake up soft and chewy rather than thin and crispy. They have slightly crisp edges with a tender, brownie like center that stays soft for days. This pillowy texture makes the melted mint center even more luxurious.
A Festive Holiday Favorite: While delicious year round, these Andes Mint Chocolate Cookies truly shine during the holidays. Their flavor profile is synonymous with winter festivities, making them a perfect addition to your Christmas cookie platter. They look beautiful alongside other classics like Christmas spritz butter cookies or peanut butter blossoms. They also package beautifully for gifting to friends, neighbors, and teachers.
Crowd Pleasing and Versatile: Whether you’re making them for a family movie night, a school bake sale, or a holiday party, these cookies are guaranteed to disappear fast. They are a certified crowd pleaser. Plus, the recipe is a great base for variations. You can swap the Andes mints for other chocolate candies or add mix ins to the dough to create your own signature version.

Ingredients for Andes Mint Chocolate Cookies

1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar
2/3 cup (142g) packed light brown sugar
2 large eggs, at room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups (240g) all purpose flour
2/3 cup (65g) unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 package (4.67 oz) Andes Crème de Menthe Thins, about 28 pieces

Substitutions:

If you can’t find Andes mints, you can use mint chocolate chips or chop up any other mint chocolate candy bar. For a richer flavor, you can use dark cocoa powder.

How to Make Andes Mint Chocolate Cookies

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare Your Oven and Baking Sheets: First things first, let’s get your kitchen ready for baking. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures your oven is at the perfect, consistent temperature when the cookies go in, which is crucial for an even bake. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper. This is my secret weapon for preventing cookies from sticking and for super easy cleanup.
Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, either with a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment or a hand mixer, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together on medium high speed. Continue for about 2 to 3 minutes until the mixture is light, creamy, and pale in color. This step is vital as it whips air into the dough, which is the key to a softer, chewier cookie.
Add Eggs and Vanilla: Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition until it’s fully incorporated. Beating after each egg helps create a stable emulsion. Once the eggs are mixed in, beat in the vanilla extract.
Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Whisking them together first ensures that the baking soda and salt are evenly distributed throughout the dough, meaning every cookie will bake perfectly.
Mix Wet and Dry Ingredients: With the mixer on low speed, gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients. Mix until they are just combined. Be careful not to overmix! Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, which can lead to tough, dense cookies instead of soft, tender ones. Stop mixing as soon as you no longer see streaks of flour.
Chill the Dough (Optional but Recommended): For best results, I highly recommend chilling the dough for at least 30 minutes. Chilling prevents the cookies from spreading too much in the oven, resulting in a thicker, chewier cookie. It also allows the flavors to meld together for a more delicious cookie.
Assemble the Cookies: Once the dough is chilled, it’s time for the fun part. Take about 1.5 tablespoons of cookie dough and flatten it into a small disc in the palm of your hand. Place one Andes mint thin in the center. Carefully wrap the dough around the mint, rolling it into a ball and ensuring the mint is completely sealed inside. This prevents the melted mint from leaking out during baking.
Bake to Perfection: Place the dough balls about 2 inches apart on your prepared baking sheets. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes. The edges should be set, and the centers will still look soft and slightly underdone. This is the secret to a gooey, soft center. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes, as they will continue to bake from the residual heat. This also allows them to set up before you move them.
Cool and Enjoy: After 5 minutes, carefully transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely. As they cool, the melted Andes mint in the center will set slightly, creating an irresistible gooey pocket of mint chocolate. Then, all that’s left to do is pour a glass of milk and enjoy!

Pro Tips & Variations

Here are some of my favorite tips to ensure your Andes Mint Chocolate Cookies turn out perfectly every time, along with some fun variations to try.

Do Not Overbake: This is the most important tip for achieving that coveted soft and chewy texture. The cookies should be removed from the oven when the centers still look a little soft and underdone. They will continue to firm up on the hot baking sheet. Overbaking will lead to dry, crumbly cookies, and we want that melt in your mouth goodness.
Use Room Temperature Ingredients: For a smooth, homogenous dough, make sure your butter and eggs are at room temperature. Room temperature butter creams more easily with the sugar, incorporating more air for a lighter cookie. Room temperature eggs mix in more evenly and help create a stable emulsion.
Press Extra Chocolate Chips on Top: For that bakery style look, you can press a few extra chocolate chips or even a piece of an Andes mint onto the tops of the cookie dough balls right before they go into the oven. As the cookies bake, the toppings will melt slightly and look absolutely irresistible.

Variations:

Double Mint Chocolate: For the ultimate mint lover, add 1/2 teaspoon of peppermint extract to the cookie dough along with the vanilla. You can also mix in some mint chocolate chips for an extra burst of minty flavor in every bite.
Gluten Free Version: To make these cookies gluten free, simply substitute the all purpose flour with a high quality 1 to 1 gluten free baking flour blend. Make sure your blend contains xanthan gum. The texture will be just as amazing.
Add a Festive Touch: For the holidays, consider rolling the cookie dough balls in festive sprinkles before baking. Red and green sprinkles make them perfect for a Christmas cookie exchange. This is a great way to make them stand out on a platter with other treats like Jam Thumbprints.

Serving Suggestions

These Andes Mint Chocolate Cookies are a star on their own, but they also pair beautifully with other treats and drinks. Here are a few of my favorite ways to serve them.

With a Glass of Milk or Hot Cocoa: The classic pairing for a reason! The creaminess of cold milk or a rich hot chocolate perfectly complements the deep chocolate and mint flavors of the cookies. It’s a nostalgic and comforting combination that never fails.
On a Holiday Cookie Platter: These cookies are a must have for any holiday dessert spread. Their rich, dark color provides a beautiful contrast to lighter colored cookies. Arrange them on a platter with a variety of cookies, like chewy molasses cookies or festive Christmas Cookie Sparkles, to create a stunning and delicious assortment for your guests.
As a Base for an Ice Cream Sundae: Crumble a warm cookie into a bowl and top it with a scoop of vanilla bean or mint chocolate chip ice cream. Drizzle with hot fudge for the ultimate decadent dessert. The contrast of the warm, gooey cookie with the cold ice cream is absolute perfection.
Paired with Coffee or Tea: For a more grown up treat, enjoy these cookies with a freshly brewed cup of coffee or a hot cup of peppermint tea. The bitterness of the coffee enhances the richness of the chocolate, while the peppermint tea amplifies the minty notes in the cookie. For another great coffee pairing, try these with an external recipe for biscotti.

Storage & Reheating for Andes Mint Chocolate Cookies

To keep your Andes Mint Chocolate Cookies fresh and delicious, follow these simple storage tips.

Room Temperature: Store the cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Placing a slice of bread in the container can help keep them soft.

Freezer: These cookies freeze exceptionally well. You can freeze the baked cookies or the cookie dough balls. To freeze baked cookies, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet to flash freeze for an hour, then transfer them to a freezer safe bag or container. They will last for up to 3 months. To freeze the dough, place the assembled cookie dough balls on a baking sheet, flash freeze, and then store in a freezer bag. You can bake them straight from the freezer; just add a couple of minutes to the baking time.

Reheating: To enjoy a warm, gooey cookie, you can reheat it in the microwave for about 10 to 15 seconds. This will re melt the minty center and give you that fresh from the oven taste.

FAQ about Andes Mint Chocolate Cookies

Can I use a different type of mint chocolate?
Absolutely! While Andes Crème de Menthe Thins give that classic flavor and perfect melt, you can use other mint chocolates. Mint chocolate chips, Dove mint chocolate squares, or even chopped up York Peppermint Patties can work. The texture of the filling might be slightly different, but it will still be delicious.

Why did my cookies spread too much?
This is a common cookie conundrum! Spreading is usually caused by the dough being too warm or the butter being too soft. Chilling the dough for at least 30 minutes before baking is the best way to prevent this. Also, be sure to measure your flour correctly; too little flour can cause spreading.

Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, this dough is perfect for making ahead. You can prepare the dough and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When you’re ready to bake, just let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes to soften slightly before scooping and assembling the cookies.

Final Thoughts on Andes Mint Chocolate Cookies

I truly hope this recipe brings as much joy to your kitchen as it does to mine. There’s something special about baking a batch of these Andes Mint Chocolate Cookies, watching them puff up in the oven, and then sharing them with people you love. Every bite is a reminder that the best things in life are often simple, sweet, and made with a little bit of love.

If you make these cookies, I would absolutely love to hear about it! Please leave a comment below and let me know how they turned out. And if you’re on social media, snap a photo and tag me! Seeing your creations truly makes my day. Don’t forget to save this recipe to your favorite Pinterest board so you can easily find it for your next holiday baking session or late night cookie craving. For more family friendly recipes and baking inspiration, be sure to subscribe to my newsletter!