Decadent Mint Chocolate Cookie Cups: The Ultimate St. Patrick’s Day Treat!
If you’re a devoted fan of the classic flavor combination of mint and chocolate, then you’re in for an extraordinary treat! These delightful Mint Chocolate Cookie Cups perfectly blend rich, fudgy chocolate cookies with a vibrant, creamy mint frosting, all crowned with a piece of iconic Andes mint. They are an absolute showstopper, especially as a festive dessert for St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, but truly, they’re irresistible any time the mint-chocolate craving strikes.
My love affair with mint and chocolate runs deep, perhaps even rivalling the timeless pairing of peanut butter and chocolate. Seriously, ask anyone who knows me: if there’s mint chocolate chip ice cream on the menu, my order is sealed! This recipe for Mint Chocolate Cookie Cups has been a long-standing favorite, consistently earning rave reviews from everyone who tries them. With St. Patrick’s Day just around the corner, it felt like the perfect moment to refresh the photos and re-share this beloved recipe, ensuring more of you can experience this enchanting flavor combination.
*Photos and recipe updated March 2017*
Crafting the Perfect Chocolate Cookie Base
The foundation of these spectacular cookie cups begins with my go-to chocolate cookie recipe. This isn’t just any chocolate cookie; it’s designed to be soft, chewy, and rich, providing the ideal contrast to the cool, refreshing mint frosting. Preparing the dough is straightforward: you’ll mix your favorite chocolate cookie ingredients, then divide the dough evenly into the cavities of a mini muffin pan. Precision here ensures uniform cookie cups, making them not only beautiful but also consistently delicious. Bake these little gems for approximately 11-13 minutes, keeping a close eye on them to achieve that perfect texture.
Baking cookie cups can sometimes be a bit more nuanced than baking traditional flat cookies. The goal is a tender, slightly soft cookie cup, not an overly crispy one. I highly recommend checking your batch around the 10-minute mark. Remember that cookies continue to firm up slightly as they cool outside the oven, a common characteristic that applies to these cookie cups as well. While I personally find 11 minutes to be the sweet spot in my oven, every oven behaves differently, so trust your instincts and adjust baking time as needed for that perfect, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Achieving the Signature Indentation
Once your chocolate cookie cups emerge from the oven, they’ll be slightly puffed. To create that perfect, inviting indentation in the center, which is crucial for holding our luscious mint frosting, you’ll need a simple tool. Immediately after removing the muffin pan from the oven, gently press the back of a measuring teaspoon (or a similar small, rounded utensil) into the center of each warm cookie cup. This technique forms a neat well, ready to be filled with creamy goodness. The warmth of the cookies at this stage makes them pliable enough to reshape without crumbling. After shaping, allow them to cool slightly in the pan before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This cooling process helps them set and retain their shape.
Whipping Up the Refreshing Mint Buttercream Frosting
The star filling of these cookie cups is an incredibly easy yet wonderfully flavorful mint buttercream frosting. This frosting comes together quickly and provides a beautiful, refreshing contrast to the rich chocolate cookie. You’ll beat softened butter until smooth, then gradually incorporate confectioners’ sugar and a touch of heavy cream or milk to achieve a light, fluffy consistency. The magic happens when you introduce the mint extract and a few drops of green food coloring for that signature festive look.
When it comes to the “mint” extract, you have a choice: peppermint or spearmint (often simply labeled as “mint extract”). I personally lean towards peppermint extract. Why? Because pure mint extract can sometimes contain spearmint, which, if not carefully balanced, can impart a flavor reminiscent of toothpaste. Peppermint, on the other hand, offers a clean, bright, and universally loved minty taste that pairs flawlessly with chocolate without any unwanted undertones. Start with a quarter teaspoon and adjust to your preference, as the intensity of mint extracts can vary.
If you don’t have a professional piping bag on hand, don’t worry! A regular ziplock bag makes an excellent substitute. Simply spoon your freshly made frosting into one corner of the bag, snip a small piece off the tip of that corner, and voilà—you have a makeshift piping bag ready to beautifully fill your cookie cups. This method ensures neat and attractive frosting swirls, giving your cookie cups that professional bakery finish.
While mint frosting is the traditional choice for this recipe and perfect for St. Patrick’s Day, these cookie cups are incredibly versatile. If you’re not a huge fan of mint, or simply want to experiment with other flavors, feel free to substitute the mint buttercream with a different kind of frosting. For inspiration and guidance, check out my comprehensive post on how to make buttercream frosting, which includes several delicious flavor variations to spark your creativity. Vanilla, chocolate, or even a cream cheese frosting would be delightful alternatives!
Mint Chocolate Cookie Cups
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Ingredients
For the chocolate cookie cups:
- 1 and 1/3 cups (165 grams) all purpose flour (spooned & leveled)
- 1/3 cup (25 grams) unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup (115 grams) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 1/2 cup (100 grams) light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup (100 grams) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the mint frosting:
- 1/2 cup (115 grams) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 1 and 1/2 cups (180 grams) confectioners sugar
- 1-2 tablespoons (15-30 ml) heavy cream or milk
- 1/4 – 1/2 teaspoon peppermint or mint extract adjust to taste
- 2-3 drops green food dye
Optional: 12 andes mints, cut in half
Instructions
To make the cookie cups:
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Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 24-count mini muffin pan well with non stick cooking spray and set aside.
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In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
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In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or in a large mixing bowl using a handheld mixer, cream together the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar for 1-2 minutes. Then, mix in the egg and vanilla extract one at a time until well combined.
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Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
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Evenly distribute the cookie dough between all 24 cavities of the mini muffin pan (a little over 1 tablespoon for each one). Bake at 350°F for 11-13 minutes or until the tops of the cookie cups are set.
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Remove from the oven and use the back of a measuring teaspoon to gently press in the center of each cookie cup. Allow to cool in the pan for five minutes, then remove from the pan and transfer to a wire rack to finish cooling.
To make the mint frosting:
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In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or in a large mixing bowl using a handheld mixer, beat the butter until smooth. Add in the powdered sugar and heavy cream and mix until well combined. Add in peppermint extract and food coloring and mix until fully combined. Taste and add more extract if desired.
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Pipe the frosting into the cooled cookie cups and top each one with half of an andes mint. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days.
Tips for Success and Storage
To ensure your Mint Chocolate Cookie Cups turn out perfectly every time, here are a few extra tips:
- **Room Temperature Ingredients:** For both the cookie dough and the frosting, ensure your butter and egg are at room temperature. This allows for easier mixing and a smoother, more uniform consistency in your final product.
- **Measuring Flour Accurately:** “Spooned and leveled” flour is crucial for cookie recipes. Too much flour can make your cookies dry and crumbly. Gently spoon flour into your measuring cup, then level it off with a straight edge.
- **Don’t Overbake:** Overbaking is the enemy of a soft cookie. Even if the centers seem slightly underdone when you pull them from the oven, they will set as they cool.
- **Cool Completely:** Before frosting, ensure your cookie cups are completely cool. Frosting warm cookies will cause the buttercream to melt and slide off, creating a messy (though still tasty!) situation.
- **Storage:** Store your finished Mint Chocolate Cookie Cups in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. For longer storage, you can refrigerate them, but allow them to come to room temperature before serving for the best texture and flavor. These cookies are perfect for making ahead of time, especially for parties or gatherings.
- **Freezing:** For extended freshness, you can freeze unfrosted cookie cups for up to 3 months. Thaw them at room temperature, then frost and garnish as desired.
Why These Are Perfect for St. Patrick’s Day
Beyond their delectable taste, these Mint Chocolate Cookie Cups are inherently festive, making them a fantastic choice for St. Patrick’s Day. The vibrant green mint frosting instantly evokes the spirit of the holiday, while the rich chocolate base provides a grounding, indulgent flavor. They’re small, individual portions, perfect for sharing at parties, potlucks, or simply enjoying as a delightful holiday treat at home. Imagine a platter of these beautiful green-topped desserts amidst your other St. Patrick’s Day decorations – they’re sure to bring a smile to everyone’s face and a burst of refreshing flavor!
Love mint chocolate? Explore more recipes!
If you’re utterly captivated by the magic of mint and chocolate, your culinary adventure doesn’t have to end here! I have a couple more fantastic mint chocolate creations that are guaranteed to satisfy your sweet tooth and further celebrate this beloved pairing. Why not try my Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Brownie Pie next? It’s a sensational layered dessert that combines a rich brownie base with creamy mint chocolate chip ice cream – pure bliss!
Or, for something equally indulgent but perhaps a little quicker to prepare, these easy Mint Chocolate Truffles are an excellent choice. Requiring just a few simple ingredients and minimal effort, these bite-sized delights are incredibly rich and melt-in-your-mouth delicious, making them another perfect treat for any mint chocolate enthusiast.
