Green Mint Chip Cookies

The first time I brought these vibrant green cookies to a potluck, my friend Sarah thought I'd made a mistake with the food coloring. But then she took a bite and her eyes lit up. Now every time I mention mint chip cookies, she asks if I'm bringing the green ones. They've become our December tradition.

Last Christmas I made three batches for cookie exchanges and learned the hard way to double the recipe. My brother ate half of what I'd set aside for gifting before I even realized what happened. Now I always stash a few in the back of the freezer just in case.

Ingredients

• All purpose flour (2 1/4 cups): Provides the structure that keeps these cookies tender while holding their shape beautifully
• Baking soda (1 tsp): Helps the cookies rise just enough to create that perfect soft center with slightly crisp edges
• Salt (1/2 tsp): Balances the sweetness and actually intensifies the mint flavor
• Unsalted butter (1 cup): Softened to room temperature so it creams properly with the sugars for that melt in your mouth texture
• Granulated sugar (3/4 cup): Creates that lovely crisp exterior while keeping the inside chewy
• Packed light brown sugar (3/4 cup): Adds moisture and a subtle caramel note that grounds the bright mint
• Large eggs (2): Bind everything together and contribute to the cookies richness
• Pure mint extract (1 1/2 tsp): The star of the show dont skimp here because this is what makes them taste like mint chip ice cream
• Pure vanilla extract (1/2 tsp): Rounds out the mint and adds depth
• Green gel food coloring: Gel gives you that vibrant minty green without adding extra liquid that could throw off the texture
• Semi sweet chocolate chips (1 1/2 cups): Classic chocolate that balances the refreshing mint
• Mint chocolate chips (1/2 cup optional): Extra minty kick if you really love that mint chocolate combination

Instructions

Get your oven ready:

Preheat to 350°F and line your baking sheets with parchment paper so nothing sticks and cleanup is effortless

Whisk the dry ingredients:

In a medium bowl combine the flour baking soda and salt until they're evenly distributed

Cream the butter and sugars:

Beat the softened butter with both sugars for about 2 minutes until it looks pale and fluffy

Add the eggs and extracts:

Crack in the eggs one at a time mixing well after each then pour in the mint extract vanilla and that green food coloring

Combine everything:

Gradually mix in the dry ingredients just until you dont see flour anymore

Fold in the chocolate:

Gently stir in both types of chocolate chips by hand

Scoop the dough:

Drop heaping tablespoons onto your prepared sheets leaving about 2 inches between each cookie

Bake to perfection:

Pop them in for 9 to 11 minutes until the edges look set but the centers still feel soft

Cool them down:

Let the cookies rest on the hot baking sheet for 5 minutes then move them to a wire rack

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My niece now calls these the Grinch cookies and requests them every time she visits. She even helped me make a batch last weekend though most of the green food coloring ended up on her hands instead of in the dough. That's half the fun anyway.

Getting That Perfect Green

Start with a tiny amount of gel coloring and add more gradually because you can always add more but you cant take it back. The dough will look slightly darker before baking so dont panic if it seems too intense in the mixing bowl.

Storage Secrets

These stay incredibly soft in an airtight container for up to five days though they rarely last that long in my house. You can also freeze the baked cookies or even scoop and freeze raw dough to bake fresh whenever the craving hits.

Serving Suggestions

These shine brightest during the holidays but they're also perfect for St Patricks Day or anytime you need something colorful and cheerful. They pair wonderfully with a glass of cold milk or even sandwiched around vanilla ice cream.

• Try crushing some and sprinkling over vanilla ice cream for a quick mint chip sundae
• Package them in clear bags tied with green ribbon for effortless gifting
• Dip half of each cooled cookie in melted white chocolate for an extra festive touch

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There's something magical about cutting into a cookie that looks like it came straight from a bakery but tastes like home. Hope these bring as much joy to your kitchen as they have to mine.

Recipe FAQs

→ What gives these cookies their green color?

Green gel food coloring is added to the dough to achieve a vibrant, festive green hue without affecting the flavor.

→ Can I use liquid food coloring instead?

Gel food coloring is recommended for its brighter color and smaller quantity needed, but liquid can be used; just expect a lighter shade.

→ How do I enhance the mint flavor?

Increasing the amount of pure mint extract or using all mint chocolate chips boosts the refreshing mint profile.

→ What is the ideal baking time for soft centers?

Bake the cookies for 9 to 11 minutes until edges set while centers remain soft for perfect texture.

→ How should I store the baked cookies?

Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature to keep them fresh up to five days.