Decadent Chocolate Mint Surprise Cookies
Indulge in these delightful Decadent Chocolate Mint Surprise Cookies, featuring a creamy chocolate mint center that melts in your mouth with each bite. Perfectly balancing buttery goodness and a refreshing minty twist, these cookies are a treat not only for the taste buds but also for the eyes, as they hide their delicious secret within. Ideal for serving after dinner or during festive gatherings, these cookies are sure to impress family and friends alike. Enjoy the process of creating these delightful confections and watch them disappear in no time!
24
Servings
N/A
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
shortening
1/4 cup (softened)
butter or margarine
1/4 cup (softened)
granulated sugar
1/2 cup (measured)
brown sugar
1/4 cup (packed)
egg
1 (beaten)
water
1 tablespoon (room temperature)
vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon (pure)
all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups (sifted)
additional flour
2 tablespoons (for dusting)
baking soda
1/2 teaspoon (sifted)
salt
1/4 teaspoon (fine)
chocolate-covered mint candies
24 pieces (such as Andes creme de menthe thins)
Instructions
1
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened shortening, butter (or margarine), granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
2
Add the beaten egg, water, and vanilla extract, mixing well to combine all the wet ingredients.
3
In a separate bowl, whisk together the sifted flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually incorporate this dry mixture into the wet ingredients until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
4
Refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes to allow it to firm up, making it easier to handle.
5
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a greased baking sheet with parchment paper.
6
Once the dough is chilled, take about 1 tablespoon of dough and flatten it in your palm, placing a chocolate mint candy in the center. Carefully wrap the dough around the candy to fully encase it, rolling it into a ball.
7
Arrange the cookie balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
8
Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the tops feel set. Do not overbake.
9
Remove from the oven, let cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Decadent Chocolate Mint Surprise Cookies?
They are a delightful dessert cookie featuring a buttery dough and a hidden creamy chocolate mint center that melts in your mouth.
What is the 'surprise' inside these cookies?
The surprise is a whole chocolate-covered mint candy, such as an Andes creme de menthe thin, tucked inside the center of the dough.
How many cookies does this recipe make?
This recipe is designed to yield approximately 24 cookies.
Do I need to chill the cookie dough?
Yes, the dough should be refrigerated for at least 30 minutes to allow it to firm up, making it easier to wrap around the candies.
What is the required oven temperature?
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius) before baking.
What types of fat are used in the dough?
The recipe calls for a combination of 1/4 cup softened shortening and 1/4 cup softened butter or margarine.
What kind of mint candies work best?
Chocolate-covered mint candies like Andes creme de menthe thins are recommended for the center.
How long should the cookies bake?
Bake the cookies for 8 to 10 minutes until the edges are lightly golden and the tops feel set.
How do I assemble the surprise cookies?
Flatten about 1 tablespoon of dough in your palm, place a candy in the center, and wrap the dough completely around it to form a ball.
Should I grease the baking sheet?
Yes, you should use a greased baking sheet, and for best results, line it with parchment paper.
What sugars are used in this recipe?
The recipe uses 1/2 cup of granulated sugar and 1/4 cup of packed brown sugar.
Is the flour sifted?
Yes, the recipe requires 1 1/2 cups of sifted all-purpose flour.
How much water is added to the wet ingredients?
Add 1 tablespoon of room temperature water to the wet mixture.
What is the purpose of the extra 2 tablespoons of flour?
The additional 2 tablespoons of flour are intended for dusting to help with handling the dough.
How should I cool the cookies?
Let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
What is the serving size for this recipe?
The recipe makes 24 servings, with one cookie typically being a single serving.
Can I use margarine instead of butter?
Yes, the recipe allows for either softened butter or margarine.
How much vanilla extract is needed?
Use 1/2 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract.
What is the total number of ingredients?
There are 12 ingredients in total, including the chocolate mint candies.
Is there baking soda in the recipe?
Yes, the recipe calls for 1/2 teaspoon of sifted baking soda.
How much salt is required?
The recipe uses 1/4 teaspoon of fine salt.
How far apart should I space the dough balls?
Arrange the cookie balls about 2 inches apart on the baking sheet.
Should the egg be beaten?
Yes, the one egg used in this recipe should be beaten before being added to the mixture.
What happens if I overbake them?
The recipe advises not to overbake to ensure the centers remain creamy and the dough stays soft.
What are the main flavor profiles of this cookie?
The flavor profile is a balance of buttery cookie dough and refreshing minty chocolate.
Are these cookies good for holidays?
Yes, they are described as ideal for festive gatherings and holiday cookie trays.
Can I serve these after dinner?
Absolutely, they are specifically mentioned as a perfect treat to serve after dinner.
What is the texture of the center?
The center consists of a chocolate mint candy that becomes soft and creamy after baking.
How do I mix the dry ingredients?
Whisk together the sifted flour, baking soda, and salt in a separate bowl before adding them to the wet ingredients.
Is this recipe categorized as a dessert?
Yes, it is categorized under the Dessert category.