Stuffed crinkle cookies are an absolute dream! Imagine biting into a soft, chewy chocolate cookie, only to discover a minty, chocolatey surprise hiding in the middle. It’s the perfect blend of rich cocoa, gooey chocolate chunks, and refreshing Thin Mints. These cookies are ideal for Christmas, but honestly, I’d make them year-round! They’re easy to prepare, look festive with their crinkly powdered sugar coating, and taste incredible. Let’s dive right into this mouthwatering recipe!
Method
Mix the Wet Ingredients
Start by melting the butter and allowing it to cool slightly. In a large mixing bowl, add the melted butter and brown sugar. Using an electric hand mixer or a sturdy whisk, cream them together until the mixture becomes smooth and slightly fluffy. This step helps dissolve the sugar and gives the cookies a great texture. Once combined, crack in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. The eggs add structure and help bind the dough. Stir in the vanilla extract to infuse the dough with extra flavor.
Add the Cocoa Goodness
Now, it’s time to introduce the rich cocoa flavor. Gradually sift in the cocoa powder, ensuring you mix as you go to prevent clumps. Stir in the salt to balance the sweetness. Be gentle when incorporating the cocoa powder to avoid a powdery mess in your kitchen. The dough should now be smooth, thick, and deeply chocolatey.
Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and baking soda. This ensures that the baking soda is evenly distributed throughout the dough, preventing any uneven rising while baking. Slowly add the dry mixture into the wet ingredients in batches, stirring well after each addition. The dough will start to thicken and become more structured. Once the flour is fully incorporated, fold in the chocolate chunks, distributing them evenly throughout the dough. These chunks will melt while baking, adding gooey pockets of chocolate in every bite.
Stuff the Cookies
Now comes the fun part stuffing the cookies! Scoop out about two tablespoons of dough and roll it into a ball using your hands. Flatten the ball in your palm, making a circular disc. Take a Thin Mint and place it right in the center. Carefully fold the edges of the dough over the Thin Mint, fully encasing it. Gently roll it back into a smooth ball. Be cautious not to press too hard, or the Thin Mint may break, causing uneven spreading while baking.
Roll and Shape
Prepare a small plate with icing sugar. Roll each stuffed dough ball thoroughly in the icing sugar, making sure it is well coated. This step is crucial for achieving the classic crinkle effect. Once coated, place each dough ball onto a parchment-lined baking tray, spacing them about two inches apart to allow for spreading. To flatten them slightly, press down gently with your palm or use the bottom of a glass cup. This helps the cookies bake evenly and achieve that beautiful crinkly top.
Bake to Perfection
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Once heated, place the tray in the oven and bake for exactly 10 minutes. Keep a close eye on them the cookies will appear slightly underdone when you first take them out, but they will continue to set as they cool. Overbaking can make them dry and lose their chewy texture. Once baked, remove the tray from the oven and allow the cookies to cool completely on the tray before transferring them to a cooling rack. This resting period is essential as it helps the cookies firm up while keeping the center soft and gooey.
Necessary Tools
- Mixing bowls (one large, one medium)
- Electric hand mixer or whisk
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Baking tray
- Parchment paper
- Small plate (for rolling cookies in icing sugar)
- Spatula
- Glass cup or your palm (for flattening cookies)
Stuffed Crinkle Cookies: A Sweet Surprise in Every Bite!
Cuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy15
servings15
minutes10
minutes25
minutesIngredients
3/4 cup butter, melted
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla extract
2/3 cup cocoa powder
1 3/4 cup flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup chocolate chunks
12-15 Thin Mints
1/2 cup icing sugar (for rolling)
Directions
- Mix the Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the melted butter and brown sugar until smooth. Then, add the eggs and mix until well incorporated.
- Add the Cocoa Goodness: Stir in the salt, vanilla extract, and cocoa powder gradually. Mixing in cocoa slowly prevents a chocolate cloud from covering your kitchen!
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and baking soda. Slowly add this to the wet mixture, stirring until combined. Fold in the chocolate chunks for extra richness.
- Stuff the Cookies: Scoop about 2 tablespoons of cookie dough into your palm and flatten it. Place a Thin Mint in the center, then carefully wrap the dough around it, forming a ball.
- Roll and Shape: Roll each dough ball in icing sugar until completely coated. Place them on a parchment-lined baking tray and gently flatten each one using your palm or the bottom of a glass cup.
- Bake to Perfection: Bake at 350°F for 10 minutes. Once done, let them cool completely on the tray before transferring them. This helps them set properly and keeps the gooey center intact!
Notes
- Do not overmix the dough – overworking it can make the cookies dense instead of soft and chewy.
- Be gentle when wrapping the Thin Mint – if you press too hard, the cookie won’t spread evenly.
- Make sure to roll in enough icing sugar – this helps achieve that perfect crinkle effect when baked.
- Let them cool completely – removing them too soon from the tray can cause them to break apart.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve warm with a glass of milk or hot cocoa for the ultimate cozy treat.
- Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream between two cookies for a crinkle cookie ice cream sandwich.
- Sprinkle crushed peppermint on top before baking for an extra holiday touch.
- Drizzle with melted white chocolate for an elegant finish.
Fun Fact
Did you know that crinkle cookies get their signature crackled look because the outer layer bakes faster than the inside? As the cookie spreads, the top dries out and cracks, creating that beautiful crinkly effect!
Conclusion
These Thin Mint-stuffed crinkle cookies are the best kind of surprise! A little crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and bursting with chocolate and minty goodness. They’re festive, easy to make, and sure to impress anyone who takes a bite. Try them out, and let me know how they turn out! Happy baking!
