The holidays are a time to come together with friends and family, and what better way than with cookies!?! Hosting a cookie exchange can be fun AND delicious.  At the cookie exchange party, everyone gets to sample an assortment of cookies baked by other guests and then leaves with a bunch of their favorite cookies—and a variety of delicious cookie recipes. Whether you’re hosting or attending one of these festive functions, may we make a sweet suggestion?

The Goodwill NCW Empower-Mint Chocolate Chip Cookie

Goodwill North Central Wisconsin’s mission is “Elevating People by Eliminating Barriers to Employment”, and Edgar J. Helms, founder of the Goodwill movement, was a big believer in the philosophy of “a hand up, not a handout”. That’s empowerment! And by bringing these cookies, you can share empowerment AND empower-mint with your community.

INGREDIENTS:

1/2 cup salted butter, softened

3/4 cup brown sugar

1 large egg, room temperature

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled

1/4 cup cocoa powder

3/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/3 cup chocolate chips

1/2 cup Andes creme de menthe mints, chopped (plus more for the topping)

 INSTRUCTIONS:

1) Preheat oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2) In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and brown sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.

3) Add in the egg, vanilla extract and peppermint extract and mix until fully incorporated.

4) In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.

5) Fold chocolate chips and chopped Andes mint candies into the cookie dough.

6) Use a cookie scoop or spoon to portion out the dough. Use your palms to roll into a uniform 2″ ball.

7) Top cookie dough balls with extra pieces of chopped Andes mints.

8) Place cookie dough balls onto the prepared baking sheet.

9) Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden.

10) Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack or tray to cool completely.