THIN MINT COOKIES: A HISTORY OF AMERICA’S FAVORITE FUNDRAISER

Welcome, fellow cookie enthusiasts! Prepare to embark on a delightful culinary journey that culminates in arguably the most ingenious cookie creation you’ll ever bake: the Thin Mint Mint Cookie. Imagine the iconic crunch of a Girl Scout Thin Mint, not just as a sidekick, but ingeniously baked *inside* a soft, chewy, mint-infused cookie. It’s a flavor explosion, a texture sensation, and a true testament to the idea that sometimes, two cookies are infinitely better than one. If you’ve ever found yourself hoarding boxes of Thin Mints, dreading the end of Girl Scout cookie season, then this recipe is your year-round salvation.

This isn’t just a cookie; it’s an experience. Each bite delivers a double dose of refreshing mint and rich chocolate, perfectly balanced within a beautifully vibrant green cookie. It’s an ideal treat for St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, a unique addition to any dessert table, or simply a fantastic way to elevate your everyday cookie game. Get ready to discover your new favorite way to enjoy that irresistible mint-chocolate combination.

Overhead shot of vibrant green Thin Mint Mint Cookies with crushed Thin Mints and chocolate chips scattered around them.

The Irresistible Allure of Double Mint Goodness

Why settle for a single layer of flavor when you can have a magnificent duo? These Thin Mint Mint Cookies take everything you love about classic mint chocolate chip cookies and amplify it with the addition of real Thin Mint pieces. The base cookie dough is a soft, buttery, and subtly minty canvas, dyed a festive green that immediately signals the refreshing treat to come. But the real magic happens when chopped Thin Mints are folded into the dough. As the cookies bake, these beloved chocolate-covered mint wafers soften slightly, creating pockets of intense mint-chocolate flavor and a delightful textural contrast within each bite. It’s a culinary “inception,” where one delicious cookie perfectly complements another.

The balance of mint is crucial. We’ve carefully calibrated the peppermint extract in the dough to ensure a refreshing flavor without venturing into “toothpaste territory.” Combined with the distinct flavor of the Thin Mints themselves, the result is a harmonious blend that will satisfy even the most discerning mint-chocolate connoisseur. The texture is equally divine: a slightly crispy edge gives way to a wonderfully soft and chewy center, making these cookies truly addictive.

A vibrant green Thin Mint Mint Cookie broken in half, revealing the soft, chewy interior and embedded chunks of Girl Scout Thin Mints.

Beyond the Bake: The Joy of Food Blogging and Community

Before diving into the full recipe, I wanted to share a little about the journey that often leads to such creative kitchen endeavors. As a food blogger, much of my inspiration comes not just from ingredients, but from the vibrant community of fellow creators. I recently had the enriching experience of attending a blogging conference at the Googleplex, where I learned invaluable insights into the world of online content creation. While formal sessions provided a wealth of information, some of the most profound learning and inspiration came from the spontaneous hallway conversations and shared experiences with other passionate food bloggers. Connecting face-to-face with friends I’ve known for years purely through the digital space was truly special.

Several women gathered around a table, engaged in conversation, highlighting the community aspect of blogging conferences.

These connections often spark new ideas and rekindle enthusiasm for the craft. It’s in these moments of shared passion that recipes like these Thin Mint Mint Cookies are born—ideas that combine favorite flavors with a touch of playful innovation. Balancing a busy life with three kids and a demanding creative outlet means every moment of inspiration is cherished, and every interaction with the blogging community helps fuel the next delicious creation. It’s a reminder that food, much like life, is better when shared and celebrated.

A stack of perfectly baked green mint cookies, generously stuffed with Thin Mints, on a cooling rack.

Don’t Miss the Thin Mint Train: Your Cookie Solution

So, did you manage to get your hands on enough Girl Scout Thin Mints this season? Or perhaps you’re one of the savvy ones who stashed a secret box in the freezer for just such an occasion? Because whether you have a fresh box or a frozen reserve, now is the time to put those delightful cookies to work in a way you might not have imagined. This recipe is your golden ticket to transforming a beloved classic into something truly extraordinary. Don’t let this opportunity to create cookie “inception” pass you by!

A hand gently holds a freshly baked, large green Thin Mint Mint Cookie, showcasing its soft texture and the slight sheen of the chocolate.

Crafting the Perfect Mint Cookie Base

The foundation of these incredible Thin Mint Mint Cookies is a recipe that draws inspiration from my popular Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies. However, a crucial adjustment was made: a slight reduction in peppermint extract. When it comes to mint flavor, there’s a delicate balance. Too much, and you risk a flavor that’s reminiscent of toothpaste rather than a delightful dessert. We want a subtle, refreshing undertone that complements the intensity of the Thin Mints, not overpowers it. A half teaspoon of quality peppermint extract, combined with the generous chunks of Thin Mints, achieves this perfect harmony, creating a flavor profile that is both vibrant and comforting.

Achieving that iconic green hue is simple with a few drops of green food coloring, making these cookies an instant hit for St. Patrick’s Day or any occasion where a pop of color is desired. The dough itself is designed for optimal chewiness and spread, ensuring each large cookie bakes up beautifully with that desirable soft center and slightly crisp edge.

Close-up of vibrant green cookie dough in a mixing bowl, generously studded with chopped Thin Mint pieces, ready for baking.

Rows of perfectly formed, large green cookie dough balls, lightly flattened, arranged on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Tips for Baking Large, Perfect Cookies

I confess, I have a soft spot for enormous cookies, and this recipe delivers on that front. These cookies are generously sized, using a 1/4 cup scoop for each. If you prefer smaller cookies, simply adjust the size and reduce the baking time by a couple of minutes. Remember, spacing is key when baking larger cookies. While one of the photos might show them close together (due to a flash-freezing technique), for actual baking, give them plenty of room to spread. This ensures even baking and prevents them from merging into one giant cookie blob.

The ideal bake yields cookies that are soft and tender in the middle with a delightful, subtle crunch around the edges. For an extra touch of chocolatey indulgence, I highly recommend pressing a few extra chocolate chips onto the top of each cookie immediately after they come out of the oven. The residual heat will melt them slightly, creating irresistible gooey pockets of chocolate. While I might have forgotten this step for the photoshoot (we all have our dorky moments!), I’m confident you won’t make the same mistake! Happy baking, everyone! May your week be filled with delicious treats.

A single, perfectly baked green Thin Mint Mint Cookie, studded with visible Thin Mint chunks, rests on a white background.

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Looking for more culinary inspiration?

One year ago, we shared a recipe for 30 Minute Pea Soup, a quick and delicious option, especially fitting for St. Patrick’s Day!
Two years ago, it was all about comfort with Mac and Cheese with Caramelized Onions and Broccoli, a hearty and flavorful dish.
Six years ago, we brought you a classic with a twist: Irish Soda Bread with Browned Butter, perfect for a traditional St. Patrick’s Day breakfast or brunch.

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Thin Mint Mint Cookies

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars (10 votes)

Prep Time: 20 mins | Cook Time: 10 mins | Total Time: 30 mins

Servings: 16 cookies

Close-up of a hand picking up a mint cookie with chocolate chunks and cookie pieces, with more cookies blurred in the background.
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It’s like cookie inception: a cookie…in a cookie! Two cookies in one has never been a bad idea, but this one is particularly fabulous because there are THIN MINTS involved. Come on, I know you’re obsessed. They are perfectly green for St. Patrick’s Day!

Ingredients

  • 1 cup butter, softened (2 sticks)
  • 1 & 1/2 cups sugar
  • 2 large eggs plus 1 egg yolk
  • 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract, or more to taste
  • 10-15 drops green food coloring
  • 3 & 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 box Thin Mints, or grasshopper cookies
  • chocolate chips, to top with (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line one or more baking sheets with parchment paper or a silpat.
  2. In a large bowl or stand mixer, beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes, scraping the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed.
  3. Add the eggs + yolk, peppermint extract, and food coloring. Beat until well combined.
  4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until the flour is almost fully incorporated.
  5. Use a sharp knife to chop about 30 Thin Mints into quarters. Chop a few extra to set aside for pressing into the tops of cookies.
  6. Gently stir the chopped cookies into the dough. Be careful not to overmix; you want the cookie chunks to remain distinct.
  7. Cover the dough and refrigerate for about an hour. This helps prevent spreading.
  8. Use a 1/4 cup measuring cup to form balls of dough. For an aesthetic touch, you can shape them into a slightly oval (egg) shape rather than perfect spheres. Press a couple more cookie chunks into each cookie if they appear sparse.
  9. Place the shaped dough balls on the prepared cookie sheet, ensuring ample space between them. For these large cookies, aim for only about 8 cookies per pan.
  10. Bake at 350 degrees F for about 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are just barely starting to brown. The centers should appear mostly set and not overly shiny when you remove them from the oven.
  11. Immediately after removing from the oven, press several chocolate chips into the top of each hot cookie (this is optional but highly recommended for extra chocolatey goodness!).
  12. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

This recipe was adapted from my popular Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies recipe, ensuring a familiar and beloved base with an exciting Thin Mint twist.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 418kcal | Carbohydrates: 57g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 59mg | Potassium: 99mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 23g | Vitamin A: 412IU | Calcium: 50mg | Iron: 2mg

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Calories: 418

Keyword: Cookies, Mint, Thin Mint

Did you make this? I’d love to see it!

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You might also like these refreshing mint-chocolate recipes!

If you’re a true devotee of mint and chocolate, then these recipes are sure to tantalize your taste buds. Each offers a unique way to enjoy this classic flavor combination, from classic cookies to indulgent shakes and decadent brownies.

The Original Mint Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

Discover the recipe that inspired these Thin Mint Mint Cookies! My original Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies are a huge reader favorite for a reason. They’re perfectly balanced with a refreshing mint flavor and generous chocolate chips, delivering a consistently soft and chewy texture that’s simply irresistible. If you love mint and chocolate, this is a staple you’ll want in your recipe collection.

Shamrock Shake: A Minty Milkshake Dream

Indulge in the ultimate minty milkshake with my homemade Shamrock Shake. This recipe delivers a perfectly smooth, creamy, and wonderfully minty concoction that rivals any fast-food version. It’s the ideal treat for a hot day, a festive St. Patrick’s Day celebration, or whenever you crave a thick, refreshing dessert drink. Easy to make and incredibly satisfying!

A tall glass mug filled with a creamy green Shamrock Shake, complete with whipped cream, a cherry, a spoon, and a straw.

Thin Mint Marshmallow Brownies: Decadent Indulgence

Prepare for an over-the-top dessert experience with these Thin Mint Marshmallow Brownies. This recipe combines fudgy brownies with a layer of gooey marshmallow, all topped with the glorious crunch and minty chocolate of Thin Mints. It’s a rich, multi-layered treat that’s guaranteed to impress and satisfy serious dessert cravings. If you’re looking for an indulgent, show-stopping dessert, this is it!

More Mint Chocolate Goodness from Our Friends!

The mint and chocolate obsession is real, and I’m not the only one creating amazing recipes with this dynamic duo. Check out these fantastic creations from other talented bloggers:

  • Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies from Crunchy Creamy Sweet: Another take on the classic, sure to be a hit.
  • Grasshopper Mint Cookies from Your Home Based Mom: A delightful variation on minty chocolate cookies.
  • Thin Mint Brookies from Beyond Frosting: The ultimate hybrid dessert combining brownies and cookies with a Thin Mint twist.