Easy & Delicious Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies: Your New Favorite Holiday Treat

Prepare to fall in love with these incredibly easy and undeniably delicious Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies. Packed with vibrant mint flavor and rich chocolate, these cookies are a true delight that practically make themselves. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting, this recipe is designed for simplicity without compromising on taste. They are truly bursting with flavor and so simple to make!

Once you’ve savored every last minty bite, why not explore more cookie perfection? Dive into our famously chewy Snickerdoodle Cookies, classic Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies, or our irresistibly soft and perfectly tender Peanut Butter Cookies!

Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies: The Ultimate Shortcut to Sweet Success

Are you caught in the delightful chaos of holiday baking, churning out batches of cookies for every festive occasion? If so, you’re not alone! Between experimenting with new recipes to share and crafting sweet treats for friends and neighbors, my oven feels like it’s running a continuous cookie marathon. And when the demand for delightful confections is high, a reliable, quick, and utterly delicious recipe like these Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies becomes an absolute lifesaver.

These cookies stand out for their incredible convenience and mouth-watering results. Imagine a cookie recipe that requires absolutely no chilling time for the dough – a huge win when you’re short on time. From start to finish, these delectable treats take approximately 10 minutes of active prep, meaning you can have fresh, warm cookies in your hands in under an hour. Best of all, they call for only eight essential ingredients, many of which are pantry staples, making them an accessible baking project for anyone!

The Secret to Effortless Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies: Brownie & Pudding Mix Magic

What makes these cookies so incredibly simple yet so unbelievably flavorful? The secret lies in a couple of clever shortcuts: using a quality brownie mix and instant pudding mix. These ingredients not only streamline the baking process but also contribute to the cookies’ rich chocolate base and incredibly soft, fudgy texture. Forget complicated flour and sugar measurements; these mixes lay the perfect foundation for our minty masterpieces.

The combination of these pre-made mixes ensures a consistent, delicious result every time. The brownie mix provides that deep, satisfying chocolate flavor and a chewy, dense crumb, while the pudding mix adds an extra layer of moisture, making the cookies incredibly soft and tender. It’s truly a game-changer for homemade cookies!

How Do You Make Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies?

Making these sensational mint chocolate chip cookies is a breeze. Follow these simple steps for a perfect batch every time:

Start with the Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, begin by creaming together softened butter and cream cheese. It’s crucial that both ingredients are at room temperature – not cold and hard from the fridge, and definitely not melted. This ensures a smooth, uniform batter. Next, incorporate the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until just combined and light.
Introduce the Dry Mixes: Now for our ingenious shortcuts! Gently mix in the (dry) brownie mix and instant pudding mix. Continue mixing on low speed until the dry ingredients are just incorporated into the wet, being careful not to overmix. Overmixing can lead to tough cookies. (If you’re craving a fully from-scratch chocolate cookie, consider this rich chocolate recipe – simply omit the caramel and swap in chopped Andes® mints for the chocolate chips!)
Fold in the Flavorful Add-ins: This is where the magic truly happens! Carefully stir in your chosen add-ins. For these extraordinary cookies, we’re loading them with both finely chopped Andes mints AND crushed mint chocolate Oreos®. The combination delivers an irresistible double dose of mint and chocolate. If you prefer a simpler approach or only have one type of add-in, feel free to double the quantity of either the Andes mints or the Oreos and omit the other!
Chill (Optional, but Recommended): While the recipe can technically be made without chilling, a brief 30-minute chill will make the dough easier to handle and can result in slightly thicker cookies.
Bake to Perfection: Roll the dough into uniform balls, flatten them slightly, and bake until the edges are set and the centers are still soft and fudgy.

Pro Tips for Perfect Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies

Achieving bakery-quality cookies at home is easier than you think with a few simple tricks up your sleeve:

Always Use Room-Temperature Ingredients: This is a golden rule for many baking recipes, and it’s especially true here. Melted butter or cream cheese will result in a greasy, overly thin cookie dough that spreads too much. Conversely, cold ingredients won’t emulsify properly, leading to a lumpy batter and an inconsistent texture. To quickly bring butter and eggs to room temperature, you can find excellent tips in this helpful article.
Verify Mix Ounces: Pay close attention to the weight of your brownie mix and pudding mix. Different brands or varieties can come in various sizes. Using a brownie mix that’s too large (more than 18 ounces) can lead to dry, crumbly cookies that lack the desired fudgy texture. Similarly, ensure your instant pudding mix is the correct 3.9-ounce (small) size for optimal results. Consistency in measurements is key for this shortcut recipe!
Don’t Overmix: Once you add the dry ingredients, mix only until just combined. Overmixing develops gluten, which can make your cookies tough.
Slightly Underbake: For the chewiest, most fudgy cookies, pull them out of the oven when the edges are set but the centers still look a little soft. They will continue to bake on the hot sheet pan from residual heat.
Cool on the Pan: Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack. This allows them to firm up without breaking.

More Mint Chocolate Delights for Every Occasion

If you’re a true enthusiast of the classic mint and chocolate combination, you’re in for a treat! This irresistible flavor duo extends far beyond just cookies. Explore these other fantastic recipes to satisfy your cravings:

Indulge in our smooth and decadent Mint Chocolate Fudge, perfect for gifting or a rich dessert.
For brownie lovers, these fudgy Mint Brownies are topped with a refreshing mint frosting.
And a reader favorite, these adorable Thin Mint Oreo Cups offer a bite-sized burst of minty goodness.

Essential Mint Chocolate Chip Cookie Ingredients

Every ingredient plays a vital role in creating these incredibly flavorful and perfectly textured cookies. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need and why:

Unsalted Butter: We recommend unsalted butter to give you full control over the salt content, as both brownie and pudding mixes typically contain salt. Ensure it’s at room temperature (softened, but not melted) for optimal creaming.
Full-Fat Cream Cheese: For the best flavor and a wonderfully thick, chewy texture, always opt for full-fat, brick-style cream cheese. Avoid Neufchâtel or reduced-fat varieties, as they can alter the consistency of the dough. Like butter, make sure it’s at room temperature.
Large Egg: A single large egg binds the ingredients, adds moisture, and contributes to the cookies’ structure. Ensure it’s at room temperature for better incorporation.
Vanilla Extract: This classic extract enhances the overall sweetness and vibrancy of the chocolate flavor, adding depth to every bite.
Brownie Mix: The secret to our rich, fudgy base! After extensive testing, the Betty Crocker® Delights Brownie Mix (Supreme Chocolate Chunk) emerged as the top choice for its superior flavor and texture. (This isn’t sponsored, just a genuine taste test recommendation!) This specific mix is 18 ounces; if choosing another brand, make sure it’s also an 18-ounce package to maintain the correct dry-to-wet ingredient ratio.
Instant Chocolate Pudding Mix: This ingredient is crucial for moistness and chewiness. Be sure to select a regular instant chocolate pudding mix and filling, not sugar-free and definitely not cook-and-serve pudding. The small, 3.9-ounce box is exactly what you need.
Chocolate Chips: While milk chocolate chips are our favorite for a sweeter, creamier profile, semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips will also work beautifully depending on your preference. For an interesting contrast, if you’re using a dark chocolate peppermint bark bar in another aspect of your recipe (though not directly here), consider adding milk chocolate chips to balance the intensity.
Andes Mints: These iconic mint-chocolate candies are finely chopped and folded into the dough, providing bursts of cool mint and creamy chocolate. If Andes mints are hard to find, Junior Mints® make an excellent alternative.
Mint Oreos®: Coarsely chopped Mint Oreos add another layer of minty crunch and chocolatey goodness. There’s no need to remove the filling; simply chop them into small, manageable pieces.

Exciting Variations to Customize Your Mint Cookies

While the classic Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies are undeniably perfect, don’t hesitate to experiment with these delicious variations to suit your taste or occasion:

White Chocolate & Peppermint: For a festive twist, swap the chocolate fudge pudding mix for a white chocolate or vanilla pudding mix. Replace the Andes mints and mint Oreos with white chocolate chips and crushed peppermint candy canes. This creates a beautiful, vibrant, and equally delicious cookie, perfect for winter holidays.
Add a Decadent Chocolate Mint Ganache: Elevate your cookies to a gourmet level by drizzling or spreading them with a rich chocolate mint ganache. You can find a fantastic recipe for this from our Mint Brownie Cookies. It adds an extra layer of indulgence and visual appeal.
Boost the Minty Factor: For an extra kick of mint, gently press an additional Andes mint onto the top of each warm cookie immediately after they come out of the oven. The residual heat will slightly melt the mint, creating a glossy, irresistible finish and intensifying the mint flavor, similar to our popular Andes Mint Cookies.

More Irresistible Cookie Recipes:

Our cookie collection is ever-growing! If you loved these mint chocolate chip cookies, you’ll surely enjoy these other delightful recipes:

Chewy Oatmeal Cookies – a comforting classic.
Almond Joy Thumbprint Cookies – filled with a tropical surprise.
Flavorful Raspberry-Almond Thumbprint Cookies – fruity and elegant.
Soft and Chewy Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting – perfect for decorating.
Edible Cookie Dough – a reader-favorite recipe that lets you enjoy cookie dough without the wait!

Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe Image

Pin Recipe
Print Recipe

5 from 3 votes

Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies

By
Chelsea Lords

Delicious Chocolate Mint Cookies are bursting with flavor, simple to make, and perfect for holiday baking!

Prep Time:
10 minutes

Cook Time:
10 minutes

Chilling Time:
30 minutes

Total Time:
50 minutes

Servings:
18 cookies

Equipment

Sheet pan (15″ x 10″)
Parchment paper or silicone baking mat
Stand mixer or hand mixer
Cooling rack

Ingredients

4 ounces cream cheese full-fat, at room temperature
8 tablespoons unsalted butter 1/2 cup, at room temperature
1 large egg at room temperature
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 (18-ounce) package Betty Crocker Supreme Chocolate Chunk Brownie Mix
1 (3.9-ounce) package chocolate instant pudding and pie filling unprepared
8 to 10 mint-chocolate sandwich cookies such as Oreos or Andes, coarsely chopped, measure to 1 scant cup, see note 1
1 cup Andes Crème de Menthe Thin Mints coarsely chopped

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a sheet pan by lining it with parchment paper or a silicone liner to prevent sticking.
In a large mixing bowl, using a stand mixer or a hand mixer, cream together the room-temperature cream cheese and butter until smooth and well combined. Add the room-temperature egg and vanilla extract; continue mixing until just incorporated.
Gradually beat in the dry brownie mix and instant pudding mix until the dough comes together and is just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
Gently fold in the coarsely chopped mint Oreos and coarsely chopped Andes mints until evenly distributed. The dough will be thick and sticky. If it’s too difficult to handle, cover the bowl and place it in the fridge for 10-15 minutes, then continue. Cover the dough and chill for 30 minutes.
Form large balls of dough, approximately 2 tablespoons in size for each cookie. Slightly flatten each ball to create a wide, disc-like shape, as this helps with even baking.
Bake for 8–12 minutes. Baking time may vary depending on the size of your cookies and your oven’s actual temperature. It’s best to slightly underbake these cookies to ensure they remain wonderfully soft, fudgy, and chewy. The edges should be set, but the centers still look slightly soft. If desired, immediately after removing from the oven, gently press a few more chopped Andes mints on top of each cookie for an extra pretty presentation.
Allow the cookies to cool on the hot baking sheet for an additional 3–4 minutes. The residual heat will continue to “bake” them to perfection without over-drying. After this time, carefully transfer them to a wire cooling rack to cool completely.

Recipe Notes

Note 1: Cookie Add-in Options: If you’re not a fan of Mint Oreos or simply wish to omit them, you can certainly leave them out entirely. In their place, you can add an extra 1/2 cup of coarsely chopped Andes mints or another favorite chocolate chip variety to maintain the cookie’s texture and flavor profile.

Storage & Freezing: Store any leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days to maintain their freshness and chewiness. For longer storage, you can freeze the raw cookie dough balls. Place them on a lined baking tray until solid, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. When ready to bake, simply place the frozen dough balls on a prepared baking sheet and bake straight from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the bake time (typically 2-4 minutes more, depending on thickness).

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Loved this recipe? Leave a comment below!