St. Patrick’s Day is all about celebrating Irish heritage, and what better way to add a festive touch than with these mint chocolate chip snowball cookies? These cookies are soft, buttery, and coated in powdered sugar for a melt-in-your-mouth texture. The combination of cool mint and rich chocolate makes them a delightful treat, and the optional green food coloring adds a fun, holiday-inspired look. Whether you’re making them for a party, sharing with family, or indulging in a homemade sweet, these cookies are a simple yet delicious way to bring some luck and flavor to your day.
Why You’ll Love These Cookies
✔ Melt-in-Your-Mouth Texture – Buttery and delicate, these cookies dissolve perfectly with every bite.
✔ Festive & Fun – A light green hue adds a pop of St. Patrick’s Day spirit.
✔ Mint Chocolate Bliss – A refreshing yet rich flavor combination.
✔ Easy to Make – With just a few ingredients, you’ll have a batch ready in no time.
✔ Perfect for Sharing – A great addition to holiday cookie trays or dessert tables.
Ingredients
For the Cookies
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened – Adds richness and creates a tender cookie texture.
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar – Sweetens the dough and helps create the signature melt-in-your-mouth feel.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract – Enhances overall flavor.
- 1/2 teaspoon mint extract – Provides a refreshing minty taste.
- 2 cups all-purpose flour – The base of the cookie dough.
- 1/2 teaspoon salt – Balances the sweetness and enhances flavors.
- 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips – Adds delicious bites of chocolate throughout.
- Green food coloring (optional) – Gives the cookies a festive St. Patrick’s Day look.
For the Sugar Coating
- 1 cup powdered sugar – Used for rolling the cookies to create a sweet, snowy exterior.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Gather all your ingredients to make the process smooth and efficient.
Step 2: Make the Dough
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and 1/2 cup powdered sugar until light, creamy, and fluffy. This should take about 2-3 minutes.
- Add the vanilla extract and mint extract, then mix until combined.
- Gradually stir in the flour and salt, mixing until a dough forms.
- If using, add a few drops of green food coloring and mix well to incorporate the color evenly.
- Stir in the mini chocolate chips until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
Step 3: Shape & Bake
- Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the bottoms are lightly golden. The tops should remain soft but set.
Step 4: Coat with Powdered Sugar
- Allow the cookies to cool for 5 minutes, then roll them in powdered sugar while they’re still warm.
- Once completely cooled, roll them again in powdered sugar for an extra sweet coating.
Serving & Storage
- Yield: About 24 cookies
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Baking Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Calories: 120 kcal per cookie
How to Store
- Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Freezing Option: Freeze unbaked dough balls for up to 3 months, then bake as needed.
Tips for the Best Cookies
✔ Use high-quality butter – Since butter is a key ingredient, using real unsalted butter will make the cookies richer and more flavorful.
✔ Chill the dough – If your dough is too soft, chill it for 15-20 minutes before baking to prevent spreading.
✔ Don’t overbake – These cookies should be lightly golden on the bottom but still soft on top. Overbaking can make them too dry.
✔ Double rolling in sugar – This creates a thick, sweet outer layer that contrasts beautifully with the buttery cookie inside.
✔ Customize flavors – For a stronger mint taste, increase the mint extract to 3/4 teaspoon.
Fun Variations
- Add Crushed Mint Candies: Sprinkle crushed mint candies or Andes mints on top before baking for an extra burst of minty goodness.
- White Chocolate Chips: Swap the mini chocolate chips for white chocolate for a fun twist.
- Pistachio Version: Replace the mint extract with pistachio extract and add chopped pistachios for a nutty version.
Final Thoughts
These St. Patrick’s Day Mint Chocolate Cookies are the perfect way to add a little festive magic to your holiday! With their buttery texture, cool mint flavor, and rich chocolate chips, they’re irresistible for both kids and adults. Whether you’re making them for a holiday party, school event, or just to treat yourself, they’re a delicious and easy way to celebrate.
So grab your mixing bowl and get baking – a little luck and a lot of sweetness are just a batch away!