Copycat Girl Scout Thin Mints Recipe
These copycat Girl Scout Thin Mints are homemade chocolate-peppermint cookies topped with a smooth mint-chocolate coating, giving you that familiar minty chocolate flavor without waiting for cookie season.
They are simple to mix and bake, especially good chilled or frozen, and best for anyone who loves the flavor of Thin Mints more than they need an exact copy of the commercial cookie’s crisp snap.
Copycat Girl Scout Thin Mints Recipe
This homemade Thin Mints recipe starts with a chocolate cookie flavored with peppermint extract. Once the cookies are baked and completely cooled, the tops are dipped in a semisweet chocolate coating with another touch of peppermint.
The result is chocolatey, cool, minty, and dangerously easy to eat straight from the freezer.
I also want to be honest about the one difference between this recipe and the cookies that arrive in those familiar boxes: this homemade version has the same kind of mint-chocolate flavor, but it does not have quite the same crisp snap. The texture is a little softer.
That has never stopped me from going back for another one.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- No cookie season required: You can make homemade Thin Mints whenever the craving hits.
- Chocolate and peppermint in every bite: Both the cookie and the coating carry the mint-chocolate flavor.
- Freezer-friendly: These cookies are delicious frozen, which is exactly how I loved eating Thin Mints growing up.
- Simple ingredients: The recipe uses familiar baking staples, cocoa powder, chocolate chips, and peppermint extract.
- Honest copycat expectations: You get the nostalgic flavor profile without pretending this softer homemade cookie is a texture-perfect clone.
Ingredients
The complete measurements are in the recipe card below, but these ingredient notes will help you understand what makes this copycat Thin Mints recipe work.
For the Chocolate Peppermint Cookies
- Unsalted butter: Softened butter gives the cookie dough its rich base.
- Sugar: Sweetens the cocoa cookie and helps create its structure.
- Peppermint extract: This is the flavor that turns an ordinary chocolate cookie into a Thin Mint-inspired treat. Measure carefully because peppermint extract is powerful.
- Egg: Binds the dough together.
- All-purpose flour: Provides the structure for the cookies.
- Cocoa powder: Creates the deep chocolate flavor.
- Baking powder: Gives the homemade cookies a little lift.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and strengthens the chocolate flavor.
For the Mint-Chocolate Coating
- Semisweet chocolate morsels: These create the smooth chocolate coating.
- Unsalted butter: Helps keep the melted chocolate smooth and easy to work with.
- Peppermint extract: Adds another layer of cool mint flavor to the chocolate.
The coating on this recipe is smooth and rich rather than a hard candy shell. That softer coating is another reason I especially like these cookies chilled or frozen.
How to Make Copycat Girl Scout Thin Mints
You will find the complete measurements and detailed instructions in the recipe card, but the process is easy to understand before you begin.
1. Prepare the Baking Sheets
Preheat the oven and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Parchment keeps the cookies from sticking and makes cleanup easier.
2. Make the Chocolate Peppermint Cookie Dough
Beat the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Mix in the peppermint extract and egg.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture until the chocolate cookie dough is evenly combined.
3. Scoop and Bake the Cookies
Use a small scoop or spoon to portion the dough onto the prepared baking sheets. Keeping the cookies small and evenly sized helps them bake consistently.
Bake until the cookies look set and firm, then transfer them to a wire rack and let them cool completely.
4. Make the Mint-Chocolate Coating
Melt the semisweet chocolate and butter together, stirring frequently until smooth. Add the peppermint extract after the chocolate has melted.
5. Dip and Set
Dip the top of each completely cooled cookie into the mint-chocolate coating and let the excess drip away. Return the cookies to the baking sheets and leave them undisturbed until the chocolate is set.
Readers also make: For more nostalgic minty treats, try my copycat Williams Sonoma peppermint bark or these easy peppermint Oreo cookie balls.
My Girl Scout Thin Mints Story
Growing up, I was a Girl Scout.
And I didn’t just sell a few boxes of cookies. I sold 780 boxes.
I remember my mom buying cases and cases of Thin Mints. They were delicious straight from the box, but somehow they became even more appealing after a stay in the freezer.
There was something about that cold chocolate shell and the rush of peppermint that made it impossible to stop at one cookie.
As an adult, I still have the same infatuation with Thin Mints. I can easily eliminate an entire sleeve all by myself.
That is why I love being able to make a homemade version when there isn’t a Girl Scout cookie box anywhere in sight.
This recipe will not fool you into thinking you secretly opened a commercial package. The cookies are softer and are missing that signature snap. But the chocolate and peppermint combination takes me right back to those boxes stacked in our house and the cookies waiting in the freezer.
For me, that is the part worth copying.
Expert Tips for Better Homemade Thin Mints
Measure the Peppermint Extract Carefully
Peppermint extract goes from refreshing to overwhelming quickly. Measure it instead of pouring directly over the mixing bowl.
Keep the Cookies Small and Even
A small cookie scoop makes it easier to portion the dough consistently. Cookies that are similar in size will bake more evenly.
Let the Cookies Cool Completely
Do not rush into the chocolate coating. Warm cookies can make the coating messy and prevent it from setting as neatly.
Do Not Overbake Them Trying to Create the Commercial Snap
This recipe is naturally softer than packaged Thin Mints. Baking the cookies far beyond the point where they are set is more likely to make them dry than turn them into an exact copy.
Keep the Chocolate Smooth
If the coating starts to thicken before you finish dipping the cookies, use the extra butter included in the recipe and briefly warm the chocolate again. Stir until smooth before continuing.
Try Them Frozen
This is my favorite tip of all. Let the coating set completely, tuck a few cookies into the freezer, and see whether you agree that frozen Thin Mints are the best Thin Mints.
Copycat Thin Mints Troubleshooting
Why Aren’t My Homemade Thin Mints Crisp?
This recipe was never meant to hide that difference. It recreates the chocolate-peppermint flavor more closely than the exact crisp texture. These homemade cookies are softer than commercial Thin Mints.
Why Is My Chocolate Coating Too Thick?
The chocolate may begin setting while you work. Stir in the reserved tablespoon of butter and warm the mixture briefly, following the recipe card directions, until it is smooth again.
Why Is the Coating Sliding Off the Cookies?
Make sure the cookies are completely cool before dipping them. Even a slightly warm cookie can make the chocolate coating harder to control.
Why Is the Mint Flavor Too Strong?
Peppermint extract is concentrated. Use the exact amount called for and measure carefully. Adding extra extract can overwhelm the chocolate quickly.
Why Hasn’t the Chocolate Set Yet?
Give the cookies the full setting time before stacking or storing them. A warm kitchen may slow the process, so once the coating has begun to set, a short chill can help firm the cookies before storage.
Perfect with: A cold glass of milk will always be my first choice, but these cookies are also wonderful with coffee or a mug of Nutella hot chocolate. Add them to a holiday cookie tray, serve them for a St. Patrick’s Day treat, or keep a freezer stash for emergency chocolate-mint cravings.
Copycat Thin Mints Variations and Creative Ideas
Use Dark Chocolate
If you prefer a deeper chocolate flavor, use dark chocolate in the coating. The slight bitterness pairs especially well with peppermint.
Make a Freezer-Stash Batch
Let the finished cookies set completely, then freeze them in an airtight container. This is less of a variation and more of a lifestyle choice in my house.
Add a Little Holiday Crunch
For a Christmas cookie tray rather than a strict copycat look, sprinkle a small amount of finely crushed peppermint candy over the chocolate before it sets.
I recommend making the original version first, especially when the craving you are trying to satisfy is specifically for Thin Mints.
How to Serve Homemade Thin Mints
These chocolate mint cookies need very little help. Set out a stack with a cold glass of milk and watch them disappear.
You can also:
- Serve them chilled with coffee.
- Add them to a holiday cookie platter.
- Freeze them for a cold after-dinner treat.
- Crumble one over vanilla or chocolate ice cream.
- Pack them into a homemade dessert box for a chocolate-and-mint fan.
The dark chocolate color also makes them beautiful on a dessert tray with creamy, peppermint, or white chocolate treats.
How to Store Copycat Girl Scout Thin Mints
Room Temperature
Store the finished cookies in an airtight container for up to three days.
Freezer
Freeze the cookies for up to one month. Make sure the chocolate coating is completely set before packing them into a freezer-safe airtight container.
And yes, you can eat them straight from the freezer. In my opinion, that is not merely an acceptable storage method. It is the entire point.
Can You Make Homemade Thin Mints Ahead?
These are an easy dessert to prepare before you need them because the finished cookies can be frozen for up to a month.
For parties or cookie trays, make them early, let the chocolate set completely, and store them in an airtight container. That keeps the last-minute work to a minimum and protects you from having to explain why half the batch disappeared before your guests arrived.
More Chocolate and Candy-Inspired Desserts
When you are in the mood for another familiar candy-shop flavor, make a batch of Butterfinger cookie bars. You can also browse my dessert recipes for more cookies, chocolate treats, and homemade sweets.
Related posts: Mint lovers should save the peppermint Oreo cookie balls, while copycat candy fans will want the copycat Williams Sonoma peppermint bark.
Copycat Girl Scout Thin Mints
These Copycat Girl Scout Thin Mints are homemade chocolate peppermint cookies topped with a smooth mint-chocolate coating. They deliver the nostalgic chocolate-and-mint flavor you love without waiting for cookie season and are especially delicious chilled or frozen.
Ingredients
For the Chocolate Peppermint Cookies
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons peppermint extract
- 1 large egg
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
For the Mint-Chocolate Coating
- 2 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate morsels
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon additional unsalted butter, if needed to keep the coating smooth
- 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat 1/2 cup softened butter and the sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
Add 1 1/2 teaspoons peppermint extract and the egg. Mix until fully incorporated, scraping down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed.
In a separate large bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.
With the mixer on low speed, gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture in three batches. Stop to scrape the bowl as needed and mix just until the dough is evenly combined.
Scoop the dough into 1/2-tablespoon portions and place them about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
Bake for 14 to 16 minutes, or until the cookies look set and firm.
Transfer the cookies to a wire rack and cool completely before adding the chocolate coating.
Place the semisweet chocolate morsels and 3/4 cup butter in a large microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on medium power in 30-second intervals, stirring after each interval, until melted and smooth.
Stir 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract into the melted chocolate until fully combined.
Dip the top of each cooled cookie into the mint-chocolate coating, allowing the excess chocolate to drip back into the bowl.
Place the coated cookies back on the parchment-lined baking sheets.
If the chocolate coating begins to thicken before all the cookies are dipped, stir in the additional tablespoon of butter and microwave briefly until smooth again.
Let the cookies rest for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until the chocolate coating is completely set.
Store the finished cookies in an airtight container for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 1 month.
Notes
Expert Tips
Measure the peppermint extract carefully. Peppermint extract is concentrated, and a little too much can quickly overpower the chocolate.
Keep the cookies small and evenly sized so they bake at the same rate. A small cookie scoop works well for portioning the dough.
Let the cookies cool completely before dipping them. Warm cookies can make the chocolate coating slide, thin out, or take longer to set.
Do not overbake the cookies trying to create the exact crisp snap of packaged Thin Mints. This homemade version has a softer texture, and extra baking is more likely to make the cookies dry.
If the chocolate coating starts to thicken while you work, add the reserved tablespoon of butter and briefly warm the mixture until smooth again.
For the best cold, minty chocolate bite, let the coating set completely and try the cookies straight from the freezer.
Variations and Creative Ideas
Use dark chocolate instead of semisweet chocolate for a deeper, slightly less sweet coating that pairs especially well with peppermint.
For a holiday cookie tray, sprinkle a small amount of finely crushed peppermint candy over the chocolate before it sets.
Make a dedicated freezer-stash batch and store the fully set cookies in an airtight freezer-safe container for an easy chocolate-mint treat whenever a craving hits.
Serving Suggestions
Serve these homemade Thin Mints with a cold glass of milk, coffee, or a mug of Nutella hot chocolate.
For a minty dessert spread, pair them with peppermint Oreo cookie balls or copycat Williams Sonoma peppermint bark.
For another candy-inspired dessert, follow these cookies with Butterfinger cookie bars.
Storage
Store the finished cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Make sure the chocolate coating is completely set before stacking or storing the cookies.
Freezing
Freeze the finished cookies in an airtight freezer-safe container for up to 1 month. These Copycat Girl Scout Thin Mints are especially delicious eaten cold or straight from the freezer.
Make-Ahead Tips
These cookies are a good make-ahead dessert because the finished batch can be frozen for up to 1 month. Prepare the cookies, let the chocolate coating set completely, and store them in an airtight container until needed.
Troubleshooting
Why aren't my homemade Thin Mints crisp? This recipe recreates the chocolate-and-peppermint flavor more closely than the exact commercial texture. These homemade cookies are naturally softer than packaged Thin Mints.
Why is my chocolate coating too thick? The chocolate may be starting to set. Stir in the reserved tablespoon of butter and warm the mixture briefly until it becomes smooth and easy to dip again.
Why is the chocolate sliding off the cookies? Make sure the cookies are completely cool before dipping them. Even slightly warm cookies can make the coating harder to control.
Why is the mint flavor too strong? Peppermint extract is highly concentrated. Measure carefully and avoid adding extra extract.
Why hasn't the chocolate coating set? Give the cookies the full 45 to 60 minutes to set. A warm kitchen may slow the process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you make Thin Mints at home? Yes. This homemade Thin Mints recipe combines chocolate peppermint cookies with a smooth mint-chocolate coating to recreate the familiar flavor at home.
Do homemade Thin Mints taste exactly like Girl Scout Thin Mints? The chocolate and peppermint flavor is similar, but the texture is different. This homemade version is softer and does not have the same crisp snap as the commercial cookie.
Can you freeze homemade Thin Mints? Yes. Freeze the finished cookies in an airtight container for up to 1 month. They are especially good eaten cold or straight from the freezer.
How long do homemade Thin Mints last? Store them in an airtight container for up to 3 days at room temperature or freeze them for up to 1 month.
What kind of mint extract should I use for Thin Mints? This recipe uses peppermint extract in both the chocolate cookie and the coating.
How do I keep the chocolate coating smooth? If the coating thickens while you are dipping the cookies, add the reserved tablespoon of butter and briefly rewarm the chocolate until smooth.
Are these official Girl Scout Thin Mints? No. This is a homemade copycat recipe inspired by the chocolate-and-peppermint flavor of Thin Mints.
Copycat Girl Scout Thin Mints FAQs
Can You Make Thin Mints at Home?
Yes. This homemade Thin Mints recipe uses chocolate peppermint cookies and a mint-chocolate coating to recreate the familiar flavor at home.
Do Homemade Thin Mints Taste Exactly Like Girl Scout Thin Mints?
The chocolate and peppermint flavor is similar, but the texture is different. This homemade version is softer and does not have the same crisp snap as the commercial cookie.
Why Are My Homemade Thin Mints Not Crispy?
This particular recipe is designed to recreate the flavor more than the exact commercial texture. The cookies are naturally softer, so do not overbake them trying to force a crisp snap.
Can You Freeze Homemade Thin Mints?
Yes. Freeze the finished cookies in an airtight container for up to one month. They are especially good eaten cold or straight from the freezer.
How Long Do Homemade Thin Mints Last?
Store them in an airtight container for up to three days at room temperature or freeze them for up to one month.
What Kind of Mint Extract Should I Use for Thin Mints?
This recipe uses peppermint extract in both the chocolate cookie and the coating. Measure it carefully because the flavor is concentrated.
How Do I Keep the Chocolate Coating Smooth?
If the coating thickens while you are dipping the cookies, add the extra butter called for in the recipe and briefly rewarm the chocolate until it is smooth again.
Are These Official Girl Scout Thin Mints?
No. This is a homemade copycat recipe inspired by the chocolate-and-peppermint flavor of Thin Mints.
Final Thoughts
I still remember selling 780 boxes of Girl Scout cookies and watching my mom buy cases of Thin Mints.
All these years later, I still understand exactly why.
This homemade version gives me the chocolate, the peppermint, and the excuse to keep cookies in the freezer. It may be missing the exact commercial-cookie snap, but it has the flavor combination that made me love Thin Mints in the first place.
And the best part?
No cookie season required.
Next recipe to try: Keep the copycat candy streak going with this copycat Williams Sonoma peppermint bark.