Indulge in the delightful world of baking with these Chocolate Mint Pinwheel Cookies! These cookies are a beautiful blend of refreshing mint and rich chocolate, perfect for any occasion. Let's dive into the sweet details!
Tips for Success
Be sure to let your dough chill properly; it makes rolling a breeze! And when you slice them, a sharp knife does wonders for keeping those pretty layers intact.
Why You'll Love Them
These cookies not only look stunning but they also taste amazing! The combination of mint and chocolate is a classic that never fails to impress. Trust me, you’ll love it!
Ingredients
- Cookie Dough:
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Instructions
- Prepare the Dry Ingredients:
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Step 1- Whisk Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Make the Cookie Dough:
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Step 2- Mix Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the butter and sugar on medium-high speed until well-combined and smooth, about 2 minutes. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl. Add the egg, peppermint extract, and vanilla extract and beat until combined, then scrape down the bowl again.
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Step 3- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: On low speed, gradually add the flour mixture and mix until just incorporated.
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Step 4- Color the Dough: Divide the dough in half (it's ok if it's not exact) and place one half in a small bowl. Starting with ¼ teaspoon, add green food coloring and mix with a spatula until evenly colored. Add more coloring if desired.
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Step 5- Prepare Chocolate Dough: Into the remaining plain dough, add cocoa powder and milk and beat on low speed until just combined.
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Step 6- Chill the Dough: Place each half of dough on a sheet of plastic wrap. Wrap and shape into a small rectangle. Refrigerate until firm but still pliable, about 1 hour.
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Step 7- Roll the Dough: Place a sheet of parchment paper on top of a silicone-lined baking mat. Place one half of the dough on top. Cover with plastic wrap. Roll dough into an 8x14-inch large rectangle about 1/4-inch thick. Repeat with remaining dough. Place both doughs, still covered in plastic, in the fridge or freezer until firm but pliable, about 10 minutes.
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Step 8- Layer the Doughs: Once chilled, remove the plastic wrap from the green dough. Place dough down on a fresh sheet of parchment. Carefully peel away the parchment attached to the dough. Repeat the procedure to place the chocolate dough on top of the green dough, lining up as closely as possible. Press the dough together to ensure there are no gaps between layers. Trim the dough layers to create an even rectangle if needed.
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Step 9- Roll into Log: Using the parchment paper under the green dough as a guide, slowly roll the long side of the dough into a tight log, making sure there are no gaps. Wrap log in parchment or plastic wrap and freeze for 1 hour or until firm.
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Step 10- Prepare Baking Sheets: Line large baking sheets with parchment paper.
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Step 11- Slice the Cookies: Using a sharp knife, trim the edges of the dough, then slice the dough log into 1/2-inch slices. Place slices on prepared baking sheets, spacing 2 inches apart. If the dough is slightly flat on the bottom from resting, don't worry, they'll still bake up round. Place the baking sheets in the fridge or freezer while you preheat the oven to 350°F.
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Step 12- Bake the Cookies: Bake cookies for 10 to 12 minutes or until set. Place baking sheets on cooling racks and let cool for 2 minutes before removing the cookies to wire racks to cool completely.
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Step 13- Store the Cookies: Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 1 month. They will soften the longer they sit.
Nutrition
- Calories: 120, Fat: 6g, Carbs: 16g, Protein: 1g
Cooking techniques
Chilling the dough is essential for easy rolling and achieving perfect pinwheels. Make sure to keep the layers tightly pressed together while rolling to avoid gaps.
Variations or substitutions
Feel free to experiment with different extracts, like almond or orange, for a unique twist! You can also use white chocolate instead of cocoa for a lighter flavor.
Storage tips
Store in an airtight container at room temperature to keep them fresh. For longer storage, freeze them and simply thaw before serving!
Notes
These cookies are perfect for mint lovers! Adjust the food coloring to match your theme or occasion.
