When I was young, there were many things that I wasn’t able to do because I was “too young” – and I swore, when I got older, G’damnit I was gonna DO IT! Stupid things like staying up late – eating McDonalds as many times a week as I wanted – and eating as much raw cookie dough as I could stand whenever making cookies.
For some reason, I have vivid memories of making cookies with my mom when I was a wee young thing, and always wanting to stick my face in that buttery, sugary chocolate chipy goodness that was the cookie dough, right before it went into the oven. Or when we did slice and bake, I always thought “One slice for me, one slice for the oven” – but nooooooo – “you’ll get a tummy ache” – “that’s not good for you” – “get your fingers out of there!” – augh, the trials and tribulations of my adolescence.
I found one of the most sinful and genius looking concoctions on Picky Palate’s blog for a Peppermint Crunch Cookie Dough Ball – um, WHAT? I suspect maybe she was denied many a raw cookie dough sample as a child too to come up with this amazingly genius idea for indulging in cookie dough without worrying about the raw eggs. I modified hers a smidgen, to still be minty, but CHOCOLATEY instead and all I can say is, take that mom!
Mint Chocolate Cookie Dough Ball
*Adapted from Picky Palate
INGREDIENTS
1 stick of unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon mint extract
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup your favorite brownie mix
(I used Ghiradelli)
1 cup mini-chocolate chips
8-10 Andes Mints, chopped into small pieces
*Confectioners Sugar
1) In the bowl of a standing mixer, cream together the butter and sugar until well combined and fluffy. Then add the mint extract.
2) In a separate mixing bowl, sift together the salt, flour and brownie mix. Then add gradually to the butter and sugar mixture and mix on low speed until all the ingredients start to combine together.
3) When the dough starts to form, you can add the mini chips and Andes Mints and mix by hand with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula.
4) Transfer the dough onto a piece of wax paper and form into a ball with your hands. The dough will be quite sticky, so I layed some confectioners sugar out (not a lot, just enough to lessen the stickiness – probably about 1 or 2 tablespoons) and rolled the dough in that, just to take the sticky edge off.
5) Roll the dough ball in fun Christmas sprinkles or leave as is! Serve with Oreos, animal crackers, graham crackers…the options are endless.
I felt like a kid again last night, licking my fingers eating as much of this delicious dough as I wanted without anyone telling me I couldn’t! Oh what fun!
But, after one too many dips and a lingering sugar hangover today, it didn’t take long for me to realize that most times in life, you should listen to your mom 🙂
*Many apologies for the meh photos – don’t let this stop you from trying this recipe! It’s delicious! Hairy and I were partying late last night while Dave was at his Hockey Game and my pictures suffered as a result…
