The other day I was trying to do my makeup after two nights in a row with very little sleep (meaning I looked a bit zombie-ish). I told Eric, “I need a better skin and beauty regime so I don’t look so old! But what is it??” I feel like there are so many products out there, and I never know where to start.
But Eric told me, “Instagram. Just being on Instagram will solve all your problems.” Ha! If only that’s all it took. The more hours you spend watching other people tell you what beauty products to buy, the more youthful and smooth your skin will be! It’s magic!
Later that week, Eric told me in an endearing voice that he likes my mouth crinkles. Ummm, do you mean WRINKLES?? I am in trouble guys. (Or maybe Eric is in trouble. ;) Welcome to the mid 30s I guess! Bring on the CRINKLES!! I know a way to make your smile lines even wider. It’s these Andes Mint Cookies. (you like my segue? People should pay me for this stuff. I’M KIDDING.)
But really, these Andes mint cookies are legit!! Have you ever made them? They are the easiest way to kick up your chocolate chip cookies a notch and turn them into CHRISTMAS cookies! You can buy Andes mints at the store and chop them yourself, or they sell handy 10 ounce bags of pre-chopped Andes mints in the baking aisle.
The cookies are so soft and buttery. The mint flavor goes perfectly with all the warm gooey DARK chocolate we’re adding. The dark chocolate is optional, but I love how they up the ante on these cookies and make them a little more sophisticated. Let’s make them!
How to make Andes Mint Cookies
First grab some butta. Beat it to within an inch of it’s life. Just kidding, just make sure it’s nice and smooth and creamy. Be sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl.
Add in the white and brown sugar and THEN beat it to within an inch of it’s life. Not kidding this time. This process is called “creaming” and it is a chemical reaction that is essential if you want chewy cookies! You need lots of air beaten into the butter and sugar so that your cookies rise properly in the oven. Lots of people do not know this verb and end up adding cream to their butter-sugar mixture. Yes, really. Don’t do that. ;) Next up, add in some vanilla and eggs. If you love a REALLY minty cookie you could add a few drops of peppermint extract. But I like the more subtle peppermint flavor that comes from just the Andes mints. It balances perfectly with the dark chocolate.
Next add in some flour, but don’t stir it in. This is my hack for not having to pull out an extra bowl. Spoon and level your flour, then add all the other dry ingredients on top: baking soda, cornstarch, and salt. Stir it into the flour a bit, and voila! Your dry ingredients are mixed. The cornstarch makes these cookies super soft and chewy! Have you ever heard of pudding cookies? People love to add pudding mixes to cookies, because it makes them so soft and chewy. It’s the cornstarch in the pudding mix that does this! So we’re adding in just a tablespoon to this recipe to makes these Andes mint cookies the softest and chewiest. Yes please.
Mix in your flour, but don’t go too crazy. Mix until it is barely combined and you can still see flour streaks. Then stop and add in your Andes mints and your dark chocolate. Save a little bit of the chocolate so that you can press it into the top of the baked cookies, it makes them so pretty!
Bake at 350 and that’s IT! So easy. Make sure you don’t over bake. A little shine in the center of the cookie (no more than the size of a quarter) when you take it out is okay, it will continue cooking on the pan for a couple minutes.
These cookies can be made any size you like. You just have to adjust the baking time. If I’m making them to enjoy at home, I like them to be a little bigger (the better to dip in hot chocolate). If I’m adding them to a busy cookie plate, I make them smaller so that they don’t overwhelm the other cookies with their hugeness.
Any way you make these cookies, people are going to LOVE YOU for sharing them, that is for sure! What is Christmas even for if we’re not stuffing cookies in each other’s faces all month?? It’s the best time of the year!
(If you really love these cookies, I bet you will also love these classic Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies. They are gooey and perfect, and you can make them even if you can’t find Andes Mints at the store!)
More Christmas cookies you are going to love!
Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies « these are a top recipe on my site! They are some of my favorites! Dipped Chocolate Peppermint Cookies « I love adding these to cookie plates. So festive! Ginger Molasses Sandwich Cookies with Buttercream Frosting « these really might be my favorite. Ever. Mexican Wedding Cookies (Russian Tea Cookies) « now these are a classic if there ever was one. No Bake Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies « These are so easy and add great texture to a cookie plate! Candy Lasses (Molasses Cookies with Peppermint) « don’t knock this combo til you try it! I love it so much! Ultra Fudgy Chocolate Crinkle Cookies « can’t beat a classic! The Best Bakery Style Double Chocolate Chip Cookies « death by chocolate. seriously, it doesn’t get better than this! Chocolate Frosted Christmas Cookies from Real Housemoms Chocolate Drizzled Cookie Sticks from Creations by Kara Mickey and Minnie Mouse Christmas Cookies from Living Locurto
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