Ingredients for the Grasshopper Chocolate Mint Cookies
- Chocolate cake mix – Provides the cookies’ base, adding a rich chocolate flavor. I used Duncan Hines Devil’s Food Cake mix.
- Canola or vegetable oil – Adds moisture to achieve a soft and chewy cookie.
- Eggs – Act as a binding agent, enhancing the structure and richness of the cookie dough.
- Unsalted butter – Contributes a buttery richness to the homemade mint buttercream.
- Powdered sugar – Sweetens and thickens the mint buttercream, creating a smooth texture.
- Mint extract – Infuses the cookies with a mint flavor to complement the chocolate.
- Salt – Balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor.
- Green food coloring – Incorporates the signature green associated with mint.
- Heavy whipping cream – Serves two purposes. First, it helps thin the buttercream to a spreadable consistency. Secondly, paired with chocolate, creates a velvety ganache topping for the cookies.
- Semi-sweet chocolate – Combines with heavy cream to form a chocolate ganache topping.
Making the Ultimate Grasshopper Cookies
- Preparation – Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper and set them aside for later use.
- Mix the cookie dough – In a large bowl, thoroughly mix the chocolate cake mix, oil, and eggs until well combined. Using a medium cookie scoop (approximately 2 tablespoons), drop portions of the cookie dough onto the prepared sheets, maintaining a minimum 2-inch space between each dough ball.
- Bake the cookies – Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are set. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack to complete the cooling process.
- Prepare the mint frosting – Beat the unsalted butter in a large mixing bowl with a stand or hand mixer until smooth. Add the powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons of heavy cream, mint extract, salt, and 4-5 drops of green food coloring. Continue beating until achieving a smooth consistency. Adjust the texture and color by adding cream (1 teaspoon at a time) and additional food coloring as needed.
- Frost the cookies – Apply a layer of the green mint frosting onto each cookie using an offset spatula or butter knife.
- Make the chocolate ganache – Place chocolate chips in a microwave proof bowl. Pour 1/3 cup of heavy cream over the chocolate chips and microwave for 45 seconds. Allow the bowl to rest for 1 minute before whisking the chocolate and cream together to form the ganache.
- Apply the ganache – Set the ganache aside to cool for 10-15 minutes before spreading a heaped spoonful on each cookie.
- Allow to set – Allow the ganache to set before serving or storing the cookies.
Variations and substitutions
Frosting alternative – For convenient, time-saving options, you can use a tub of white frosting and add mint extract and green food coloring.
Additional toppings – Sprinkle chopped Andes mint pieces on top of the ganache for an extra burst of minty flavor and added texture.
Extract alternative – While mint extract is the classic choice to complement chocolate in a grasshopper, peppermint extract can be substituted if mint extract is unavailable.
Gluten-free option – Choose a gluten-free chocolate cake mix for a gluten-free version of the cookies. Ensure other ingredients are gluten-free, and adjust the ganache accordingly.
Tips for success
- Adjust oil amount – If using a 13.25-ounce box of Betty Crocker cake mix, reduce the oil to ⅓ cup for optimal consistency.
- Uniform cookie size – For best results, utilize a cookie scoop to ensure consistent cookie sizes, promoting even baking.
- Cool completely – Ensure the cookies have cooled entirely before applying the frosting. Frosting warm cookies may result in melting and sliding off.
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to two days or in the refrigerator for up to four days.
Freeze the cookies in an airtight container for up to three months. Place a sheet of parchment paper between layers to prevent the cookies from sticking together. Thaw the cookies at room temperature before enjoying them.