Mint Chip Green Dough

The first time I made these, my sister walked into the kitchen and asked if I was baking grass. We both laughed, but that electric green dough against the dark chocolate chips was impossible to look away from. Now they are the most requested treat at every holiday gathering, mostly because people cannot stop staring at them.

I brought a batch to a cookie exchange last December, and within ten minutes, three different people had texted me for the recipe. One friend admitted she ate three standing by the counter because she could not believe how soft they stayed the next day.

Ingredients

• All-purpose flour: The foundation that gives these cookies their perfect chewy crumb
• Baking soda: Helps the cookies spread just right while keeping their centers tender
• Salt: Balances the sugar and makes the chocolate flavor sing
• Unsalted butter: Softened to room temperature so it creams beautifully with the sugars
• Granulated sugar: Creates crisp edges while the middle stays soft
• Light brown sugar: Adds moisture and that subtle caramel undertone we all love
• Eggs: Bind everything together and give the cookies structure
• Peppermint extract: The star of the show, use pure extract for the cleanest flavor
• Vanilla extract: Rounds out the mint and keeps it from feeling too icy
• Green gel food coloring: Gel gives you that vibrant color without watering down the dough
• Semisweet chocolate chips: Classic chocolate that plays so nicely with the mint
• Chopped dark chocolate: Optional but worth it for those pockets of intense richness

Instructions

Get your oven ready:

Preheat to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper so nothing sticks

Whisk the dry team:

Combine flour, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl and set it aside

Cream the butter and sugars:

Beat softened butter with both sugars until fluffy, about 2 to 3 minutes

Add the eggs and extracts:

Mix in eggs one at a time, then peppermint, vanilla, and enough green gel to make you grin

Combine it all:

Gradually stir in the dry ingredients on low speed just until the flour disappears

Fold in the chocolate:

Gently mix in both chocolates until they are evenly distributed throughout the bright green dough

Scoop and space:

Drop tablespoon-sized mounds onto the baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each

Bake to perfection:

Bake for 9 to 11 minutes until the edges are set but centers still look slightly underdone

Let them rest:

Cool on the sheets for 5 minutes before moving them to a wire rack to finish setting up

Save

My niece now associates Christmas with these cookies and asks for them in July. They have become one of those recipes that feels like giving someone a little edible happiness.

Getting That Perfect Green

Start with a tiny amount of gel coloring, then add more drop by drop. It is easier to deepen the color than to fix a dough that turned into something radioactive.

The Secret to Soft Cookies

Underbaking is your friend here. Pull them out when the edges look firm but the centers still seem slightly unset. They will finish cooking on the hot baking sheet.

Make Them Your Own

Once you master the classic version, these cookies welcome all sorts of twists. Some variations have become favorites in my kitchen.

• Swap white chocolate chips for a creamsicle vibe
• Toast the chocolate chips first for a nuttier depth
• Roll the dough balls in crushed candy canes before baking

Save

These cookies have a way of disappearing faster than any other treat I bake. Maybe it is the color, maybe it is the mint, but mostly I think it is how happy they make everyone feel.

Common Questions

→ What gives the dough its vibrant green color?

Gel food coloring is used to achieve the bright green hue, allowing control over the shade without affecting texture.

→ Can I enhance the mint flavor in these treats?

Adding chopped chocolate mint candies boosts mint intensity while adding texture and contrast.

→ How do I keep the centers soft while baking?

Bake at 350°F for 9–11 minutes until edges set but centers remain slightly soft; they firm up as they cool.

→ Is there a gluten-free option for this dish?

Substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend to make it gluten-free without sacrificing texture.

→ What tools are needed for preparation?

Basic tools include mixing bowls, an electric mixer, a whisk, measuring cups/spoons, baking sheets, parchment paper, and a cookie scoop or tablespoon.