Cookie Calendar: Minty Christmas Cookies

I suppose it's all the red-and-white candy canes and starlight mints we see this time of year that make us associate mint with the holidays. Mint is a refreshing flavor any time of the year, of course -- just ask the Girl Scouts -- but at Christmas, it's bound to sneak its way into a higher number of confections.

Such as . . . M&M's! Plain M&M's are already pretty tasty and a good way to satisfy a chocolate craving without going overboard (a whole bar is usually way more chocolate than my tastebuds require), but around the holidays, the company adds a sweet mint-chocolate variety to the lineup.

By the way, have you tried those (relatively) new dark chocolate M&M's? I love dark chocolate. Even when I was a kid I stole all the Special Darks from the Hershey Miniatures bag.

Anyway, this recipe came to our family via M&M's, from the web site or promotional material or something. It's great as a replacement for those everyday sort of chocolate chip cookies, giving you the same sort of satisfaction in a more festive package.

Cookie Tip #8: Don't limit yourself to the baking aisle when looking for cookie mix-ins or garnishes! M&M's, Hershey's Kissables, chopped-up candy bars -- all good stuff to take the place of chocolate chips.

Minty Christmas Cookies
Source: M&M's
Yield: 36 cookies

• 2 bags M&M'S® Brand Mint Chocolate Candies for the Holidays


• 2 ½ cups flour


• ⅓ cup cocoa powder


• 1 teaspoon baking soda


• ½ teaspoon salt


• 1 cup butter, softened


• ¾ cup sugar


• ¾ cup brown sugar


• 2 eggs


• 1 cup chopped pecan pieces


• 2 non-stick cookie sheets or parchment-lined cookie sheets

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Combine the flour, baking soda, cocoa and salt in a bowl; set aside.

3. With the mixer, beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, until blended. Gradually stir in the flour mixture.

4. Fold in the pecans and all but 1 cup of the M&M'S Brand Mint Chocolate Candies for the Holidays.

5. Make the cookies with a tablespoon of dough in the cookie sheet. Add extra reserved M&M'S Brand Mint Chocolate Candies for the Holidays on top of each cookie before baking.

6. Bake for 12-15 minutes.

Notes:
Tip: If your family likes their cookies extra minty, try adding a few more M&M'S Brand Mint Chocolate Candies to the mix!

Download Minty Christmas Cookies into MacGourmet.