Chocolate Mints

These are the best Christmas cookies in the entire world. If you like mint and chocolate (and who doesn't?), I think you'll agree with me. My mom has been making these since I was a little girl, so I don't know where the recipe originally came from. I make them every year, and people are always surprised at how good they are. Of course, you don't have to make them just at Christmas - but that is usually when it's easiest to find a box of Andes mints.

Here is my mom's recipe, with a few of my own modifications. It makes 80-90 cookies, depending on how large you make them - so half it if you don't want that many! Also, note that the dough has to chill, so be sure to allow time for that.

Chocolate Mints

3/4 cup butter
1 1/2 cups firmly packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons water
2 cups (12 oz) semi-sweet chocolate chips or pieces
2 eggs
2 1/2 cups flour
1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
Andes mints, about 1 pound, unwrapped

In a large saucepan, over low heat, cook butter, sugar, and water until butter is melted. Add chocolate pieces and stir until partially melted, remove from heat, stir until melted, and pour into large mixing bowl. Let stand 10 minutes to cool slightly.

With mixer at high speed, beat in eggs, one at a time. reduce speed to low and add combined dry ingredients, beating just until blended.

Chill dough at least 1 hour for easier handling. Chilling overnight is even better.

Preheat oven to 350˚. Line cookie sheets with foil. Roll teaspoonfuls of dough into balls; place on cookie sheets about two inches apart. Bake at 350˚ for 11-13 minutes - not longer as cookies crisp as they cool.

Remove from oven and IMMEDIATELY place one mint on each hot cookie. Allow mint to soften, then swirl the mint over the cookie (I use the back of a spoon to do this). Remove from cookie sheets and cool completely.

You can decorate with chocolate sprinkles, but I like them without. I sometimes make the cookies a bit smaller, then use just half a mint on each. These cookies also freeze well, so you can enjoy for a few months like I do.