Sunday, December 7, 2008

Andes Chocolate Chip Cookies

That's not mold...that's the green minty goodness of Andes Mints.

I don't know about you but I ADORE Andes Mints. I don't know if there is anything better that comes in that small of a package! I don't know why I love them so much (besides the fact that they are delicious!)...but I do know that if I get Andes Mints after a meal at a restaurant I am so happy! I love putting one in my mouth and just letting it melt...there really is no better experience than that....well maybe...but it's pretty close! :)

I had my servers give them to customers with their checks for awhile at my restaurant but that only lasted about six months. I think between me and my servers...my after dinner mints bill became quite pricey...so that was the end of the Andes Mints at Avesta Eclectic Cuisine! I try to not have them in the house either because again...I eat them all! But when it comes to holiday season...they're in a bowl everyday around our house! I feel like I can pop one of those babies in my mouth everyday...all day...all month long and not worry about it! Well...it's the holidays for goodness sake!

So a few weeks ago I found Andes Mints chips in my local grocery store. I almost died! I was so excited and when I looked at the back of the package they had a recipe for cookies on it. I also heard from a few friends that the recipe was really good....sooooo...I decided to make them! All I can say is now I have a new love....those cookies are not only damn good...they are addictive! And I figure they freshen your breath so after a nice garlicky meal...it's good to eat one...right?!?!
The recipe is so easy because it's basically one step...then add the mints and bake! So Easy!

It was hard not eating all those yummy Andes baking chips!
Looks like chocolate chip cookie dough...right?
But it's so much more than just a chocolate chip cookie! (not that I don't love chocolate chip cookies...but this cookie is special!)

So here's the recipe for those oh so yummy cookies from the Andes company themselves!
(if you can't find the Andes chips just buy the Andes Mints and either pulse them in a food processor or chop them up with a sharp knife. I did that long ago with a brownie recipe and it worked out great!

Andes Crème de Menthe Chunk Cookies
Servings: 4 Dozen
Preheat oven to 350

• 1/2 cup salted butter, softened
• 3/4 cup dark brown sugar
• 1/2 cup white granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 eggs
• 1 package (10 oz) Andes® Creme de Menthe Baking Chips or Andes® After Dinner Mints, coarsely chopped
• 2 2/3 cups all-purpose flour

Blend butter, sugars, baking soda, baking powder, vanilla and eggs until mixed.
Stir in baking chips or chopped candy and then flour.
Chill at least one hour in refrigerator.

Measure out approximately 1 ounce of dough.
Raise oven rack one level above middle and baking on non-stick cookie sheets.
Bake at 350-degrees for approximately 8-10 minutes.
Cool on pans for two minutes before removing.


They turned out just perfect....don't you think?

Make some for your holiday party....or office...make them for gifts....make them for the teachers at school....just make them....and you will be loved by all!

34 comments:

Ingrid_3Bs said...

Hey, I made the brownies on Baking Blondie that uses Andes chips tonight. I haven't tasted them yet as they are cooling on the counter but they smell wonderful! I bet those cookies are even more delish than they look! Great photos!

Question how do I melt white chocolate so that it becomes a pourable consistancy? I've wasted two bags of white chocolate. I'm using a double boiler but it still keeps clumping together in gummy mess! What do you think I'm doing wrong? Do you think maybe the water is getting too hot? Thanks for your help. I guess I should have just emailed ya!
~ingrid

La Cuisine d'Helene said...

I never heard of Andes Mints but let me tell you that I would try these cookies anytime.

avesta said...

Ingrid...I made brownies years ago with chopped up Andes mints and they were awesome...I crushed up some really fine, too and sprinkled them on top of the icing...let me know how your recipe turns out!

As far as white chocolate...well it's hard to melt bc really it's not true chocolate...make sure it is very cold and the smaller the pieces the better (I pulse mine in a food processor)...and if you use a microwave you have to do it for very little at a time (like 10-15 seconds at medium power) each time. Also look for white chocolate that is made of high amounts of cocoa butter that will make a smoother, creamier melted white chocolate. Hope this helps!

avesta said...

Helene...send me your address ASAP...I need to get you a bag/box of these mints...they're amazing!

Anonymous said...

Ok, do you want my address so you can send me a box of cookies?? ;)
They look .. amazing!!!

Love/Maria

Anonymous said...

Avesta - you rock! I'm so glad to see youa re still pursuing your passion, thank you for being so great that you are willing to share your recipies - that way I know I can enjoy your food even from Columbus, Ohio.

avesta said...

Maria...I would LOVE to send you some...please send me your address!

Nikki...you are too sweet! Keep reading for more yummy recipes!

Maria said...

These cookies look divine! I can't wait to indulge!! YUM!

Anonymous said...

Those look so great! I love Andes mints as well!!

Anonymous said...

I have just found your site, and will be returning for sure. Can you tell me how your cookies come out so puffy? How long do you mix the butter and sugar mixture? I have been trying to perfect my chocolate chip cookie for years now to no avail.

Anonymous said...

the combination of mint and chocolate happens to be a favorite of mine so seeing these really made me smile. they look great-i love the small traces of green you can see!

avesta said...

Thanks Maria, Baking Blonde, Anne & Megan for the comments and for visiting my site...I do hope you all return for more! :)

Anne...I do have some "top secret" cookie tips...but I'll share them with you! Email me at avestas@hotmail.com and I will give you my tips! I've worked on perfecting my chocolate chip cookies for years and think I've finally come up with the best!

Brilynn said...

I've never had these mints but I know I would looove these cookies!

Anonymous said...

Mint and chocolate is a heavenly combination. Your cookies looks so yummy!

avesta said...

Brilynn...please find them and try them...they are amazing! If you can't find them then I must do my civic duty and get some to you asap! :)

Farida....thanks for the compliment...I need to come take some photography classes from you though...your pictures are awesome!

Myra in CO Springs said...

Ohhhh....I LOVE Andes candies!!!
I am just like Anne...trying to find the perfect puffy, chewey chocolate chip cookie.
Would you please, PLEASE include me on your email to Anne re: your cookie tips that you have perfected? You would make my day!!
Thank you for what you do!
~Myra :-)

amy turn sharp said...

sounds so freaking good vest!!! I will make these for the boys.

Amanda said...

I made these before Christmas after finding them here, thank you! I blogged about them and linked to you :)

avesta said...

Thanks Amanda and Myra...I hope my cookie recipes help you create some delicious cookies! Amanda...loved your site!!!

Anonymous said...

I just took these little yummies out of the oven and could not resist eating one right away....Better than expected because I thought the dough felt a little dry but I was luckily wrong. Thank you so much for sharing, my boyfriend is going to love them!!!

sparkling.silver said...

I wanted to print out the recipe for the Andes chocolate chip cookies but I can't seem to do it for some reason. I wonder if you could email me the recipe. If you could also send me your cookie secrets, I also would love to have them. I come from a restaurant family myself so I know the work involved in owning and running a restaurant. My hat is off to you! sparkling.silver

avesta said...

sparkling silver...please email me at avestas@hotmail.com

lynncastillo said...

i love anything mint so when I came across this receipt I had to try it. How do I get my cookies as fluffy as yours? My cookies turned out flat.

Jennifer said...

These have become some of my favorite cookies to make! Everyone that tries them love them. Fantastic!

Anonymous said...

made these last night and they were great! very fluffy and even better the next day. my family even said they kind of tasted like thin mints which we all love lol so very pleased with this cookie! (:

Anonymous said...

I saw your recipe on Pintrest and I made them for Christmas presents. They came out perfectly and it was SO easy to make a large batch. Thanks, I know my family will love them!

avesta said...

White chocolate is hard bc it is not chocolate. I do it in the microwave in intervals of 20-30seconds and always drizzle a teaspoon of vegetable oil in the chips before starting...then mix as you heat them. Good luck!

avesta said...

Yay!!! And for Valentines Day you can substitute any of the new pink, red and white chips on the market now and have cookies of love! :)

Anonymous said...

Made the Andes Mint Cookies and substituted the candy with chopped up Reese's eggs left over from Easter. YUM. Great cookie base.

Donna in Idaho said...

Yum! Made these yesterday and they are delicious!

Genivive said...

You seem so sweet! These look divine! I am most definitely trying these THIS WEEKEND!!! My husband and I always fight over these mints when we eat at Olive Garden lol

Also, I am loving your website, I can use all the recipes I can get! I especially love the way you detail everything... like "Let refrigerate for at least one hour," and "Let sit on baking sheet for 2 minutes before removing," I am a stickler for those exact details not everyone puts.

avesta said...

Thank you so much! This blog was designed to help my readers by specific details and making some complicated recipes easier!

Cheryl said...

Hi, I was wondering if I can freeze these?
Thanks

avesta said...

Hi Cheryl,

Yes, just seal tight so they are protected or better yet freeze the dough and bake fresh when you need them. Hope you have a wonderful holiday season!!