Chocolate Dipped Mint Sandwich Cookies

If you were at the Trader Joe’s on Pico Boulevard, in Santa Monica California, just before Thanksgiving, and heard a woman squealing, I apologize. That was me discovering that the Trader Joe’s Dark Chocolate Covered Peppermint Joe Joe Cookies had finally arrived. They only make a short appearance at holiday time, and then they’re gone. I buy several boxes and hoard them in the freezer. No need to hide them from my husband, as he hates mint, but if my daughter finds them, I’m in trouble.

This year I decided to see if I could recreate them myself. I started with Martha’s chocolate cookie wafer recipe. I rolled the dough quite thin using cocoa powder, so it wouldn’t stick, instead of flour so that the dough maintained it’s gorgeous deep chocolate hue., I chilled it, cut out circles and baked it for only about 7 minutes, so that they would be done but still have a bit of chew in the centre when cooled.

Next, onto the filling. I made a simple American buttercream, flavoured it with mint extract and added just a whisper of pink food colouring.

Next, time for the chocolate bath. I decided to take the extra step and temper the dipping chocolate. 

Tempered chocolate has a nice shiny finish and won’t melt in your hand at room temperature. But, it’s totally optional. They will still taste very delicious if you decide to skip this step. I got to pull out my special chocolate dipping fork, from when my girlfriend Marla and I used to make hundreds of truffles every December. I always feel like such a professional when I pull out these seldom used tools.

While the chocolate is still wet, let it rain crushed peppermint candies.

In a statistically significant tasting of two subjects, the verdict on these cookies, was a split decision. I loved them even more than the Trader Joe’s version because the chocolate wafers were a bit chewy in the centre. My daughter preferred the crisper TJ’s cookies. 

I’m bringing these cookies to a Virtual Cookie Party, hosted by the charming Cosette.

Virtual parties are perfect for introverts like me! Check out what all the other virtual guests are bringing.

Cosette’s Kitchen Tahini Pinwheel Cookies

Kathryn Pauline’s Sesame Blossom Cookies

Candice Walker’s Dark Chocolate Gelt with Matcha Mousse

Tawnie Graham’s (Krolls_Korner) White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies 

¡Hola! Jalapeño Peppermint Mocha Milk Fudge 

Rylee Foer (About to Sprout) Spiced Honey Cardamom Cookies with Orange Glaze 

Gina Fontana (Healthy Little Vittles) Cookie Dough Stuffed Dates

Christine Ma (Cherry on My Sundae) Southern Butter Pecan Skillet Cookie

Alexa Blay’s (Key To My Lime) Gluten Free Vegan Sugar Cookies for Cutouts

Tamara Giebel (The Herbalist & The Carnivore) Chocolate Espresso Dipped Hazelnut Lace Cookies

Ashley Cuoco’s (ashcuoco) Stamped Citrus Shortbread

Mike Johnson’s (MikeBakesNYC) Chocolate Peppermint Macarons

Elizabeth Waterson (ConfessionsOfABakingQueen) Viennese Whirls

Erin Kowal’s (Down to a Simmer) Date Drop Cookies

Lily Morello (lilybubbletea) Holiday Fuel Cookies

Kathleen Culver, The Floured Table Triple Ginger Molasses Cookies

Taylor Carson (Crust and Confections PNW) Chewy Ginger Molasses Cookies

Kimberlee Ho (kickassbaker) White Chocolate Peppermint Ice Cream SandwichesCindy Feingold (saltandserenity) Chocolate Dipped Mint sandwich Cookies

Tamara, Tina, Tara (ThreeTeasKitchen)  https://threeteaskitchen.com/lawzena/ 

Jean Choi’s (whatgreatgrandmaate) Cranberry Pistachio Paleo Chocolate Cookies

Tristin Rieken’s (onearmedmama) Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies

Kathryn (wornslapout) Rocky Road Chocolate Bark 

Taylor (allpurposeflourchild) Mulling Spice and Orange Marmalade Thumbprint Cookies

Dana (olivemeetscoconut) Cranberry Orange Halaweh CookiesKendellKreations Pecan Butter Balls

9 thoughts on “Chocolate Dipped Mint Sandwich Cookies

  1. Corrie Gancman

    Great photo layout.
    I’m siding with Roger about the mint but they sure look beautiful. If your a mint lover I bet they taste delicious also.

    Reply
  2. Pingback: Smoked Sea Salt and Bourbon Cowboy Cookies - The Earnest Baker

  3. Pingback: Cranberry and Rosemary Tassies (Tarts) | cook on a whim

  4. Bethany

    What kind of chocolate did you use? Do you just melt it or do you add anything? I just discovered these at Aldi this year and in a flash, they’re gone! I think the cookies are no different from Oreos so that’s what I’ll be using, but I want to get the chocolate just right. Gosh these are GOOD! They’re selling for $20 for 2 boxes on amazon 😳! Also, how the heck does a virtual cookie party work? You have to make them all yourself if you want to taste test?

    Reply
    1. saltandserenity Post author

      Hi Bethany. Yes, they are very expensive. Much cheaper to make your own. I use Valrhona Manjari Bittersweet (64%) chocolate. Any dark bittersweet chocolate will work. If you click the link to the recipe on the blog post, I give instructions on how to temper the chocolate. That way, they won’t melt at room temperature, they will stay shiny and they won’t get that white “bloom” once the chocolate has dried.

      Reply
  5. Pingback: Chocolate Espresso Dipped Hazelnut Lace Cookies - OUT WEST: Food & Lifestyle

Leave a comment