Easy & Chewy Andes Mint Cookies: Your Ultimate Holiday Baking Guide
Indulge in the irresistible flavor combination of rich chocolate and refreshing mint with these incredible Andes Mint Cookies. These chewy chocolate cookies, crowned with a luscious, melty Andes Mint glaze, are a timeless holiday classic. Not only are they incredibly simple to whip up, but they also vanish from cookie platters faster than you can say “Happy Holidays!” Get ready to add a burst of festive joy to your baking routine with this foolproof recipe.
When the holiday season rolls around, there are certain flavor pairings that truly capture the spirit of celebration. For many, the harmonious blend of cool, refreshing mint and deep, decadent chocolate sits high atop that list. It’s a combination that evokes cozy evenings, festive gatherings, and the joy of sharing homemade treats.
Minty delights, like these classic Andes Mint Cookies, just scream December! They’re the perfect addition to any holiday cookie exchange, family gathering, or simply as a special treat to enjoy with a warm cup of cocoa. The simplicity of this recipe makes it an absolute winner, allowing you to create impressive results with minimal effort. You can explore more delightful Peppermint Recipes to fill your home with holiday cheer, but these Andes Mint Cookies are a must-try for their iconic taste and ease.
The Enduring Charm of Andes Mint Cookies
Andes Mint Cookies have graced holiday tables for generations, a testament to their enduring appeal. While many variations exist, from intricate “totally from scratch” doughs to simpler cake mix creations, this recipe leans into the latter for a reason. Using a cake mix for the cookie base is a brilliant shortcut that doesn’t compromise on flavor or texture. In fact, it often results in a wonderfully soft, chewy cookie that’s incredibly consistent every time. It’s a secret weapon for busy bakers who want to impress without spending hours in the kitchen.
This method not only saves precious time during the busy holiday season but also guarantees a tender, moist chocolate cookie that perfectly complements the cool, creamy Andes mint topping. You’ll be amazed at how quickly you can create a batch of these bakery-quality cookies, making them a go-to for impromptu celebrations or satisfying sudden sweet cravings.
What’s In These Simple Andes Mint Cookies?
One of the best features of this recipe is its minimal ingredient list. You only need a few pantry staples to create these decadent treats. This simplicity ensures that anyone, regardless of their baking experience, can achieve fantastic results.
- Devil’s Food Cake Mix: The foundation for our rich chocolate cookie. Its pre-measured ingredients make preparation a breeze.
- Vegetable Oil: Adds moisture and contributes to the wonderfully chewy texture.
- Eggs: Binds the ingredients together and gives the cookies structure.
- Andes Mints: The star of the show! These iconic chocolate mint candies melt into a glossy, flavorful glaze.
It truly could not be any easier than these four simple ingredients, proving that extraordinary flavor doesn’t always require a long list of components!
How To Make Andes Mint Cookies: Step-by-Step
Making cake mix cookies is incredibly straightforward, and you’ll find yourself reaching for this recipe all holiday season long. The process is quick, clean, and yields consistent, delicious results every time. Follow these steps for perfect Andes Mint Cookies:
- Prepare the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the Devil’s Food cake mix, vegetable oil, and eggs. Mix them thoroughly with a sturdy spoon or electric mixer until all ingredients are well incorporated and a thick, uniform dough forms. The dough will be dense and sticky – that’s perfectly normal!
- Scoop and Bake: Using a cookie scoop or two spoons, drop rounded balls of dough, approximately 1 to 1.5 tablespoons each, onto a prepared baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Ensure you leave about 2 inches between each cookie to allow for spreading. Bake in a preheated oven (usually 350°F or 175°C, as specified in the full recipe card below) for about 8-10 minutes. The key is to bake until the edges are just set and the tops appear dry, but the centers are still soft. Do not overbake!
- Add the Andes Mints: Immediately upon removing the hot cookies from the oven, place 1 to 2 unwrapped Andes Mint candies on top of each cookie. The residual heat from the freshly baked cookies will begin to melt the mints. Let them sit for about 5 minutes, or until the mints are noticeably soft and melty.
- Create the Glaze: Once the mints are softened, use the back of a small spoon or a butter knife to gently spread the melted mint over the top of each cookie. This creates a beautiful, glossy, and smooth mint “frosting” layer. Work quickly but carefully to cover the surface of the warm cookie.
- Cool and Set: Allow the cookies to cool completely on the baking sheet before transferring them. This is crucial for the mint topping to fully set and firm up, ensuring a clean bite and easy handling. Once cooled, the mint glaze will be smooth and slightly firm to the touch.
Essential Tips for Perfect Andes Mint Cookies
Achieving bakery-quality Andes Mint Cookies at home is simpler than you might think, especially with a few key tips in mind:
- Do Not Overbake: This is arguably the most critical tip for any chewy cookie. Cookies continue to “bake” for a few minutes after being removed from the oven due to residual heat. Pull them out when the edges are just set, and the centers still look slightly soft or underbaked. This ensures a wonderfully chewy interior rather than a dry, crumbly one.
- Room Temperature Ingredients: While this recipe uses a cake mix, ensuring your eggs are at room temperature helps them incorporate more evenly into the dough, leading to a smoother batter and a better cookie texture.
- Quality Cake Mix: While any devil’s food cake mix will work, a higher quality mix can subtly enhance the flavor and texture of your chocolate base.
- Parchment Paper is Your Friend: Lining your baking sheets with parchment paper prevents sticking and makes cleanup a breeze. It also helps the cookies bake more evenly.
- Evenly Sized Cookies: Using a cookie scoop helps ensure all your cookies are the same size, which means they will bake uniformly.
- Work Quickly with the Mints: Place the Andes Mints on the cookies as soon as they come out of the oven. The hotter the cookie, the better the mints will melt for easy spreading. If your kitchen is cool, you might need to leave them for a minute or two longer to soften sufficiently before spreading.
- Let Them Set: Patience is key here. Allow the cookies to cool completely before stacking or storing. This prevents the mint topping from smudging or sticking to other cookies.
How To Store and Make-Ahead These Delightful Cookies
Once your Andes Mint Cookies have cooled completely and the mint icing has fully set, proper storage is essential to maintain their freshness and chewiness. Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Layering them with parchment paper can help prevent the mint glaze from sticking together, especially if your kitchen is warm.
These cookies are also excellent for making ahead, which is a huge advantage during busy holiday preparations. You can easily store them in the freezer! Once completely cooled and set, place the cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until firm. Then, transfer them to a freezer-safe airtight container or bag, separating layers with parchment paper. They will keep well in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to serve, simply take them out and let them thaw at room temperature for an hour or two. They’ll taste just as fresh as the day you baked them!
More Christmas Cookies To Try
The holiday season is synonymous with baking, and there’s no limit to the festive treats you can create. If you loved these Andes Mint Cookies, you might also enjoy these other delightful Christmas cookie recipes:
- Frosted Sugar Cookies
- Christmas Magic Cookie Bars
- Oatmeal Cranberry Cookies
- Avalanche Cookies
- Chewy Molasses Cookies
- Coconut Macarons
- Grinch Sugar Cookies Bites
Andes Mint Cookies
Erin Sellin
5 minutes
10 minutes
15 minutes
36
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Ingredients
- 1 15.25 oz Devil’s Food Cake Mix
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- 2 whole large eggs
- 48 Andes Mint candies, unwrapped
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350º F.
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Combine cake mix, oil and eggs until everything is well blended. The dough will be thick.
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Scoop balls of dough onto a baking sheet, 2 inches apart. Bake for 8-9 minutes, being careful not to overbake them to ensure a chewy texture.
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Immediately after removing from the oven, place Andes Mints on top of the hot cookies. Use 1-2 mints per cookie depending on your preference.
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After about 5 minutes, once the mints are perfectly melty, use the back of a spoon or a small knife to gently spread the melted mint across the top of each cookie to create an even glaze.
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Let the chocolate topping completely set and harden before removing the cookies from the baking sheet and storing them in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and provided as an approximation; it should not be considered a substitute for professional nutritionist advice.
Additional Info
Erin Sellin
5 minutes
10 minutes
15 minutes
Dessert Recipes
American
36
110
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