Chocolate Mint Cookies with Frosting and Ganache Recipe

Introduction

These Chocolate Mint Cookies combine rich, fudgy chocolate with a fresh mint frosting and a glossy chocolate ganache topping. Perfect for chocolate and mint lovers, they balance indulgence and refreshing flavor in every bite.

Ingredients

• ½ cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
• 1 cup granulated sugar (200 grams)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 large egg (room temperature)
• 1¼ cups all-purpose flour (163 grams, fluffed and leveled)
• ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder (30 grams)
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1½ cups powdered icing sugar
• ½ cup unsalted butter (room temperature, for frosting)
• 1 tablespoon milk
• ½–1 teaspoon mint extract (adjust to taste)
• Green food coloring (optional)
• ¾ cup semisweet chocolate chips or chopped chocolate (130 grams)
• 1 tablespoon oil

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Step 2: Using an electric mixer, cream together ½ cup butter and granulated sugar until smooth and fluffy, about 3–4 minutes. Add the vanilla and egg, mixing until fully combined.
3. Step 3: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until a dough forms that holds together and is slightly tacky but not overly sticky.
4. Step 4: Roll the dough into 16 balls about 1¾ inches in diameter. Place them evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheets.
5. Step 5: Bake for 8–10 minutes until the centers appear slightly glossy and the edges are set. Allow cookies to cool on the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
6. Step 6: For the mint frosting, beat together powdered icing sugar, ½ cup butter, milk, mint extract, and green food coloring if using. Adjust thickness by adding more powdered sugar or a splash of milk as needed.
7. Step 7: Spread the mint frosting evenly over the cooled cookies. Place the frosted cookies in the freezer for at least 15 minutes to firm up the frosting before adding chocolate.
8. Step 8: To make the chocolate ganache, combine chocolate chips and oil in a medium bowl. Microwave in 30–40 second intervals, stirring well after each, just until melted and smooth.
9. Step 9: Spoon the melted chocolate over the frozen cookies. Freezing helps control the spread of chocolate without it running off. Serve immediately or let the cookies come to room temperature to thaw; the chocolate will remain firm.

Tips & Variations

• For a stronger mint flavor, increase the mint extract gradually and taste as you go to avoid overpowering the chocolate.
• Use dark chocolate instead of semisweet for a richer topping, or add crushed peppermint candies on top before the ganache sets for extra crunch.
• If you prefer a softer cookie, bake towards the lower end of the time range to keep centers fudgy.

Storage

Store the cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator to keep the mint frosting and ganache firm. They will keep well for up to one week. Before serving, allow the cookies to sit at room temperature for 15–20 minutes for the best texture. You can also freeze the cookies for up to three months; thaw them in the refrigerator overnight before serving.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use fresh mint instead of mint extract?

Fresh mint won’t provide the same concentrated flavor and frosting consistency as mint extract. If using fresh, infuse milk with mint leaves before adding it to the frosting, but be aware the flavor will be milder.

What is the purpose of freezing the cookies before adding the chocolate ganache?

Freezing the frosted cookies helps the ganache set quickly and prevents it from running off the edges, giving a neater finish and easier handling.

Chocolate Mint Cookies with Frosting and Ganache Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 99 reviews

Delight in these rich and luscious Chocolate Mint Cookies featuring a tender cocoa cookie base, topped with a creamy mint frosting and finished with a glossy chocolate ganache. Perfectly balanced flavors of chocolate and refreshing mint make these cookies a crowd-pleaser for any occasion.

• Author: Daniel
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 16 cookies 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Chocolate Cookies

• ½ cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
• 1 cup granulated sugar (200 grams)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 large egg (room temperature)
• 1¼ cups all-purpose flour (163 grams), fluffed and levelled
• ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder (30 grams)
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Mint Frosting

• 1½ cups powdered icing sugar
• ½ cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
• 1 tablespoon milk
• ½–1 teaspoon mint extract (adjust according to taste)
• Green food coloring (optional)

Chocolate Ganache

• ¾ cup semisweet chocolate chips or chopped chocolate (130 grams)
• 1 tablespoon oil

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
2. Cream Butter and Sugar: Using an electric mixer, cream together the room temperature unsalted butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is smooth and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. This step is crucial for incorporating air into the dough.
3. Add Vanilla and Egg: Beat in the vanilla extract and the large egg until fully combined, resulting in a homogeneous and smooth batter.
4. Combine Dry Ingredients and Form Dough: Sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients and mix until a cohesive dough forms. The dough should hold together easily and might be slightly tacky but not overly sticky.
5. Shape and Bake Cookies: Roll the dough into 16 balls, each about 1¾ inches in diameter (slightly bigger or smaller is acceptable). Place them evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheets. Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, until the centers appear slightly glossy and the edges are set.
6. Cool Cookies: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
7. Prepare Mint Frosting: In a medium bowl, beat together the powdered icing sugar, room temperature butter, milk, and mint extract. Add green food coloring if desired. Adjust the consistency by adding more powdered sugar to thicken or a splash of milk to thin the frosting as needed.
8. Frost the Cookies: Spread the mint frosting evenly over the cooled cookies. Place the frosted cookies in the freezer for at least 15 minutes to firm up the frosting, which will make the next step easier.
9. Prepare Chocolate Ganache: In a medium bowl, combine the semisweet chocolate chips and oil. Heat the mixture in the microwave in 30-40 second intervals, stirring thoroughly between each interval, until the chocolate is melted and smooth.
10. Decorate with Ganache: Spoon the melted chocolate ganache over the frozen frosted cookies. Freezing the cookies first helps control the spread of ganache, preventing it from running off. Allow the chocolate to set either by serving immediately with a firm ganache or by leaving the cookies at room temperature to thaw while keeping the ganache firm.

Notes

• Room temperature ingredients ensure better mixing and texture.
• Adjust mint extract quantity according to your preference for mint flavor intensity.
• Chilling the frosted cookies helps the ganache set quickly and cleanly.
• Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator to maintain freshness.
• For a vegan version, substitute butter and egg with appropriate plant-based alternatives and ensure chocolate chips are dairy-free.

Keywords: Chocolate Mint Cookies, Mint Frosting Cookies, Chocolate Ganache Cookies, Holiday Cookies, Cocoa Cookies