Home Kitchen Dark Chocolate Mint Crackle Cookies

Today I turn 31. yay. Can you hear the excitement? No? Well that’s because I’m fresh out. I actually had such a fun weekend that I don’t think I have anything left in me. I’m pooped.

I ate sushi, real sushi, for the first time! I’m officially addicted! Then we sisters (we missed you Christine 🙁) drank wine and ate cranberry-orange and honey sorbet along with a few too many chocolate covered almonds until way past midnight! I don’t think I’ve laughed that hard in a while.

Then the next day; someone at the table and our good friends Craig and Kelly, went to a Japanese steakhouse. It’s where they cook right in front of you! We watched the chef attempt to toss rice in a kids mouth only to hit his forehead, bounce an egg yolk on his spatula and light food on fire, so cool. I had the fillet and scallops and then we all went back to their house to sit outside by a fire, where we talked for hours and hours and hours. I loved it! Entirely my kind of weekend; relaxing and food played a major part in it! So I think today I’m simply going to be boring. Real boring. It is my birthday after all.

But, here in this household I make the birthday cakes.

I know that my youngest prefers cheese cake, my oldest daughter and husband prefer chocolate. When it comes to my birthday I chose no cake at all! I’m not a huge lover of cake and frosting, so I made cookies. And plus, a cake would be way to much work… and I was so not up for that.

Is it even possible to have too much fun? Maybe. I am 31 now. 😉

To Make These Dark Chocolate Mint Crackle Cookies Gather:

• unbleached all-purpose flour
• unsweetened dark chocolate cocoa powder
• kosher salt
• baking powder
• semi-sweet chocolate bars
• unsalted butter
• fresh mint leaves (about 10 grams)
• granulated sugar
• eggs
• real vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup sugar, for rolling the cookie dough
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar, for rolling the cookie dough

Here is what you’ll need.

Measure and sift 1-1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour, 1/4 cup unsweetened dark chocolate cocoa powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon baking powder. Then only set that aside.

I enlisted the help of two quite cute little girls to help me break up the 7 ounces of semi-sweet chocolate.

Chocolate and 6 tablespoon unsalted butter go into the pot. Heat on low and stir often to avoid scorching the chocolate. Pull the pan off of the heat once a few lumps remain, and continue to stir until completely melted.

While that was melting I made the mint sugar. You need about 10 grams (or about 1 cup) of mint leaves for a subtle hint of mint. If you want more of a mint ka-pow flavor, then use extract instead.

Next, add in the mint leaves along with a 1/2 cup of sugar into a food processor and blend.

Blend it until it looks like wet green sand. I’d entirely dip the rim of a mojito glass into this!

Once the chocolate is melted pour it into a large clean bowl. Add in the mint sugar, stir. Sniff. Faint.

Then gently whisk 3 eggs and 1 teaspoon of vanilla.

By now the chocolate should have had the chance to cool, but still… carefully add in the egg/vanilla mixture.

Next, working in batches, add the dry, sifted ingredient and mix well after each addition.

Now it should resemble thick fudgy brownie batter. Resist the urge to dig right in, and cover with plastic wrap and chill for one hour.

Next, line a large, rimmed baking sheet.

Once the dough is chilled grab a tablespoon or a small ice cream scoop. Measure and roll by hand into uniformed balls. The colder the dough is, the easier it will be to roll.

You can entirely roll them yourself, your hands will get all chocolaty and you’ll have to wash them a ton between batches…

Or you could find a willing sous chef to help! At first she doesn’t notice me, then suspicion… gotcha!!!

What I think she’s saying through her teeth is… “Mom, get that thing out of my face!”

Please don’t miss this step; rolling the balls in sugar is what helps the cookie from absorbing the powdered sugar.

Lastly, place on the baking sheet and slide them into a preheated 350 degree oven for 10-12 minutes.

They will come out crackled and smelling reliable.

My girls and I loved these Dark Chocolate Mint Crackle Cookies! They aren’t overly sweet and while the dark chocolate genuinely stands out… you also get a nice and earthy mint background flavor as well! They’re like little rich morsels of heaven. Now I’m going to go take a nap, because I can 🙂

Enjoy! And if you give this dish a try, let me know! Snap a photo and tag me on twitter or instagram!