Irresistible Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies: The Ultimate Pudding Cookie Recipe
Prepare to delight your taste buds with these incredible Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies – a sensational dessert that flawlessly blends the refreshing essence of mint with rich chocolate. Crafted with the secret ingredient of instant pudding mix, a splash of vibrant mint extract, and an abundance of decadent chocolate chips, this recipe yields cookies that are wonderfully soft, chewy, and bursting with flavor. If you’re a devoted fan of mint chip ice cream, then this amazing mint cookie recipe is tailor-made for you!
[adthrive-in-post-video-player video-id=”9hMXg6AU” upload-date=”2017-03-08T13:32:46.000Z” name=”Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies” description=”Perfect blend of chocolate mint flavors in a soft, sweet homemade cookie. Vanilla pudding adds a wonderful texture to these Mint Chocolate Pudding Cookies.” player-type=”default” override-embed=”default”]
Whipping up this mint chocolate chip cookie recipe is surprisingly easy, making it accessible for bakers of all skill levels. It’s the perfect project for anyone who craves the iconic mint-chocolate combination in a delightful baked treat. The clever inclusion of vanilla pudding mix in these mint choco cookies is what truly sets them apart, imparting an unbelievably delicate and moist texture that makes every bite an absolute pleasure. These cookies aren’t just a dessert; they’re an experience, promising a soft, melt-in-your-mouth quality that will have everyone reaching for more.
Why You’ll Fall in Love with These Chocolate Chip Mint Cookies
There’s something truly magical about the combination of chocolate and mint. It’s a pairing that evokes a sense of refreshing indulgence, and these cookies capture that perfectly. As a huge enthusiast of this classic flavor duo, I’ll seize any opportunity to create something delicious with it, and these vibrant green cookies are no exception! Their festive hue makes them an absolutely fantastic choice for a variety of celebrations. Imagine serving these delightful treats for St. Patrick’s Day – their cheerful green color is sure to be a hit with friends and family. They’re equally wonderful for Christmas cookie exchanges, adding a touch of seasonal charm to any holiday spread. These festive green cookies are always a crowd-pleaser!
The cookie dough comes together quickly and effortlessly, requiring just a few basic pantry ingredients and a minimal time commitment. The reward for your small effort? A batch of incredibly flavorful, fluffy, and utterly delicious cookies. The dough itself, with its specks of chocolate in a minty green base, bears a striking resemblance to mint chip ice cream, promising the deliciousness that awaits. Once baked, the flavors meld together into a truly delightful, harmonious cookie that embodies comfort and joy. This simple yet sophisticated recipe ensures that every batch of these mint chocolate pudding cookies will be met with smiles and requests for the recipe.
Essential Ingredients for Your Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies
Crafting these delectable mint chocolate chip pudding cookies requires a thoughtful selection of ingredients, each playing a crucial role in achieving that perfect texture and unforgettable flavor. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need:
- Granulated Sugar: You will need 1 cup of sugar. This not only provides essential sweetness but also contributes to the tender crumb of the cookie, ensuring a wonderfully balanced treat.
- Unsalted Butter: Using ½ cup (1 stick) of softened butter is key. Butter lends a rich, luxurious flavor and helps create the desired chewy yet tender texture. Softened butter creams easily with sugar, incorporating air for a lighter cookie.
- Large Egg: Just 1 egg is needed for this recipe. Eggs act as a binder, holding the ingredients together, and add moisture and richness, contributing to the overall structure and taste of these delectable treats.
- Sour Cream (or Plain Yogurt): Incorporating ½ cup of sour cream (or plain yogurt) is a secret weapon for moisture. The acidity in sour cream tenderizes the dough, resulting in an exceptionally moist and tender cookie that stays fresh longer.
- Instant Vanilla Pudding Mix: A small box (3.4 oz) of instant vanilla pudding mix is the star ingredient. It’s what gives these cookies their signature fluffy texture and an extra layer of flavor. The cornstarch in the pudding mix also helps to keep the cookies incredibly soft.
- Salt: A mere ½ teaspoon of salt might seem small, but it’s vital for balancing out all the sweet flavors, enhancing the chocolate and mint, and preventing the cookies from tasting overly saccharine.
- Baking Soda: Adding in ½ teaspoon of baking soda is crucial for leavening. It reacts with the acidic sour cream to create carbon dioxide, helping these cookies rise perfectly and achieve a light, airy texture while baking.
- All-Purpose Flour: You will need 2 cups of all-purpose flour to form the structural base of this cookie dough. Ensure it’s measured correctly for the best results.
- Mint Extract: A generous 2 teaspoons of mint extract will infuse these cookies with a robust, refreshing minty flavor that perfectly complements the chocolate. Make sure to use extract, not peppermint oil, for a milder, more rounded mint taste.
- Food Coloring: To achieve that iconic, festive green hue, use 1 drop of blue coloring combined with 8-10 drops of green food coloring. Adjust to your desired shade, aiming for a vibrant, appealing color.
- Chocolate Chips: For a perfect balance of sweetness and chocolatey goodness, use 1½ cups of chocolate chips. You have options here! You can use semi-sweet, milk chocolate, or even dark chocolate chips. For an extra special touch, consider using Andes Mint chips or chopping up Andes Mint candies for a double minty burst. See the instructions below for what I personally used to get a delightful mix of textures and flavors.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies
Making these delightful mint chocolate chip pudding cookies is a straightforward process that yields impressive results. Follow these simple steps for a perfect batch:
Prep Your Baking Station
1. Preheat Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). This ensures the oven is at the correct temperature for even baking as soon as your cookies are ready.
2. Prepare Baking Sheet: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or generously spray it with a non-stick cooking spray. This prevents the cookies from sticking and makes for easy cleanup. Set the prepared sheet aside while you make the dough.
Crafting the Irresistible Cookie Dough
Cookie Dough Assembly
1. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened butter and granulated sugar. Cream them together using an electric mixer until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale in color. This step incorporates air, contributing to the cookies’ light texture.
2. Add Wet Ingredients: Next, add the egg, sour cream (or plain yogurt), and the dry instant vanilla pudding mix to the creamed mixture. Stir well with the mixer on low speed, or by hand, until all ingredients are thoroughly combined and smooth.
3. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate small bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, salt, and baking soda. This ensures the leavening agents and salt are evenly distributed throughout the dry ingredients.
4. Incorporate Dry into Wet: Gradually add the flour mixture into the butter and pudding mixture. Mix on low speed, or stir by hand, until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the dough, as this can lead to tough cookies. Stop mixing as soon as no dry streaks of flour remain.
5. Add Flavor and Color: Now, add the mint extract and the food coloring. Mix until your desired vibrant green color is achieved and the mint extract is evenly distributed throughout the dough. The dough should look strikingly similar to mint chocolate chip ice cream!
6. Fold in Chocolate Chips: Finally, gently fold in the chocolate chips. I love to use a combination for varying textures and flavors. For example, I used ¾ cup chocolate chunks, ¾ cup regular semi-sweet chocolate chips, and ½ cup Andes mint baking bits in my batch. Any combination you prefer will be wonderful! Just a note: while Andes mint baking pieces add incredible flavor, they tend to melt and disappear into the cookies, so consider adding them *in addition to* the 1½ cups of chocolate chips if you want distinct chocolate pieces visible.
Baking to Perfection
1. Scoop Dough: Using a rounded tablespoonful cookie scoop (I prefer the 1½ tablespoon size for consistent cookies), drop the cookie dough onto your prepared baking sheet. Leave about 2 inches between each cookie to allow for spreading.
2. Bake: Bake the cookies for exactly 10 minutes. The edges should be lightly golden, and the centers should still look slightly soft. Avoid overbaking, as this will result in dry cookies.
3. Cool: Once baking is complete, carefully transfer the warm cookies to a wire cooling rack. Allow them to cool completely on the rack, which helps them set and prevents them from becoming soggy.
4. Serve and Enjoy: Serve your delicious Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies fresh and warm, or once cooled. Prepare for them to disappear quickly!
Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies
Print
Pin
Rate
Ingredients
- 1 cup sugar
- ½ cup butter softened (1 stick)
- 1 egg
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 box 3.4 oz instant vanilla pudding mix
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp baking soda
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp mint extract
- 3 drops blue coloring + 10-15 drops green coloring
- 1½ cups chocolate chips*
Instructions
Prep
-
Start by preheating the oven to 375 degrees F.
-
Then, line a baking sheet with parchment paper or spray with non-stick cooking spray, set aside.
Cookie dough
-
Begin by creaming together the sugar and butter, in a large bowl, until nice and fluffy.
-
Then, add in the egg, sour cream and dry pudding mix, stir well to combine.
-
Next, in a separate small bowl, combine the flour, salt and baking soda.
-
After that, incorporate the flour mixture into the butter and pudding mixture and stir until well combined.
-
Now, add the mint extract and food coloring until desired color is achieved.
-
Lastly, add in the chocolate chips. I used 3/4 cup chocolate chunks, 3/4 cup regular chocolate chips and 1/2 cup Andes baking bits. Any combination is wonderful, but note that while the Andes mint baking pieces add an incredible flavor, they kind of disappear in the cookies. So add them in addition to the 11/2 cups chocolate chips, if you opt to put them in!
Bake
-
Start dropping the cookie dough by the rounded tablespoonfuls onto the prepared baking sheet.
-
Then, bake for 10 minutes.
-
When done baking, transfer to a cooling rack.
-
Serve fresh and warm, enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies are a sensational dessert made with pudding mix, mint extract and chocolate chips. This amazing mint cookie recipe is perfect for those who love mint chip ice cream!
Expert Baking Tips for Flawless Mint Chocolate Chip Pudding Cookies
Achieving perfectly soft, chewy, and flavorful cookies consistently is easier than you might think with a few simple techniques and kitchen tools. These tips are especially helpful for our mint chocolate chip pudding cookies, ensuring every batch is a success:
Mastering the Art of Softening Butter
Softened butter is crucial for the texture of these cookies. It creams beautifully with sugar, creating a light, airy base. My preferred method for softening butter quickly is using the defrost function on my microwave. If you need a full ½ cup cube of butter, you can leave it in its paper wrapper. For smaller amounts, place the butter in a glass or porcelain bowl. Set your microwave to its lowest defrost setting and run it for about 20 seconds. After 20 seconds, check the butter’s softness by gently pressing it with a rubber scraper or your finger. It should yield to pressure and leave a slight indent, but it should not be melted. If it’s still too firm, continue warming it in 5-10 second intervals, checking frequently. Butter softens very rapidly, so watch it closely to avoid a melted mess!
Freezing Your Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies for Later Enjoyment
Yes, these delicious chocolate chip mint cookies are excellent candidates for freezing, offering both convenience and the joy of warm, fresh-baked cookies anytime. You have a couple of options:
- Freezing Baked Cookies: Once your cookies are completely cooled, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze for about an hour until firm. Then, transfer the frozen cookies to an airtight container or a heavy-duty freezer bag. They will keep well for up to 1 month. Thaw them at room temperature or warm slightly in the microwave for a fresh-baked feel.
- Freezing Cookie Dough Balls: This is a fantastic option for having fresh cookies on demand! Shape the raw dough into rounded balls, just as you would for baking. Place these dough balls on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze until solid, typically 1-2 hours. Once frozen, transfer the dough balls to a freezer-safe ziplock bag. They can be stored for up to 1 month. When a craving strikes, simply place the frozen dough balls on a prepared baking sheet and bake as directed, adding an extra 1-2 minutes to the baking time since they are frozen. This method ensures you can enjoy warm, gooey cookies whenever you wish!
Essential Kitchen Tools for Perfect Pudding Cookies
Three specific kitchen items consistently help me achieve perfectly uniform and delicious cookies with minimal fuss. I actually use these versatile tools in nearly every cookie recipe I prepare:
- Parchment Paper: First, I always line my cookie sheets with a sheet of parchment paper. These are often sold in pre-cut sizes that fit a standard 12×16 inch cookie sheet perfectly. Using parchment paper offers several benefits: it ensures your cookies bake evenly without sticking to the pan, promotes consistent browning, and makes cleanup incredibly simple – no messy oil sprays or scrubbing sticky residue!
- Stand Mixer: The second item that makes cookie baking a breeze is a KitchenAid mixer. While I also own a Bosch, I find myself reaching for my KitchenAid specifically for cookie dough. Every KitchenAid mixer comes with a cookie paddle attachment that excels at creaming butter and sugar and thoroughly combining ingredients. Its power and steady mixing capability help incorporate air into the dough, resulting in lighter, fluffier cookies with a consistent texture.
- Cookie Scoop: The third and perhaps most impactful item for perfect cookies is a cookie scoop! For years, I struggled with using two spoons to measure and scrape cookie dough onto the pans. The process was often imperfect, leading to oddly shaped cookies of varying sizes. Then, a friend brought cookies to a party, and I couldn’t help but notice that every single one of her cookies looked absolutely perfect – uniformly round and beautifully baked. Her secret? A simple cookie scoop! They typically come in three sizes: ½ tablespoon, 1½ tablespoon, and 3 tablespoon scoops. For these Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies, and most other standard cookies, I use the middle size – the 1½ tablespoon scoop. It guarantees that each cookie is the same size, which means they bake at the same rate and look professionally made.
Other Favorite Cookie Recipes to Explore
If you’ve enjoyed these delicious Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies, you’ll love exploring some of our other cherished cookie recipes. Each one offers a unique flavor profile and delightful texture:
- Mint Oreo Pudding Cookies: Double the mint, double the fun with crushed Oreos!
- Best Chocolate Chip Cookies: A classic for a reason – perfectly chewy and chocolatey.
- Mini Chocolate Chip Cookies: All the goodness of chocolate chips in a delightful bite-sized form.
- Peanut Butter Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies: A hearty and satisfying blend of textures and flavors.
- Frosted Peppermint Cookies: Another festive minty treat, perfect for winter holidays.
- Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies: The ultimate pairing of sweet and savory.
- Lemon Cake Mix Cookies: Super easy and bursting with bright citrus flavor.
- Mrs. Fields White Chocolate Chip Cookies: A copycat recipe for a beloved classic.
- Snickerdoodle Apple Pie Cookie Cups: Innovative and delicious, combining two favorite desserts.
- The Best Snickerdoodle Cookies: Perfectly spiced with a signature crackled top.
- Reese’s Peanut Butter Cookies: For all the peanut butter and chocolate enthusiasts out there.
There you have it – the ultimate guide to creating delightful Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies, a scrumptious dessert that’s sure to be a hit with everyone. Packed with sensational flavors and an irresistible texture, these pudding cookies are incredibly easy to make. Whip up a batch today and witness firsthand how quickly these vibrant, minty treats disappear!
Isn’t this family picture fun? We captured this moment on a recent family vacation. With kids for almost 15 years now, the usual “stand here and smile” photos were getting a bit monotonous. My husband is a master at thinking up imaginative ways to pose the kids, and they found this particular idea absolutely hilarious.
No, they’re not actually hanging off a dangerous ledge! My mama heart was still in a bit of a panic, and I was literally standing right outside the camera’s shot, ready to grab their hands and pull them back to safety immediately after the picture was taken. It’s all about creating those memorable, fun moments!
