Classic chocolate no-bake cookies topped with mint frosting and chocolate ganache — a twist on my favorite no-bake mint chocolate bars! Perfect for Christmas or a sweet summer treat! Includes step by step recipe video.
I’ve been known to get a little crazy when it comes to starting my Christmas baking and decorating.
Usually, the husband makes me hold off with the tree until after November 11, but in 2014 we were expecting our second daughter in mid-December, and this year we were expecting our third (yes, third. No, we weren’t “trying for a boy“) daughter in mid-November.
My Christmas spirit tends to get kicked into overdrive a little earlier when I know I’m going to be living in a sleep-deprived daze throughout the holiday season. But who can blame me??
I’m honestly not sure I know anyone who doesn’t love one of these classic No Bake Chocolate Cookies.
They’re ridiculously easy and insanely delicious. And they’re so good that no one is really going to judge you for only spending 5 minutes making them.
But let’s say you want to take an extra 5 (okay, maybe 15) and make them extra special?
I highly suggest a slather of mint buttercream and a crisp chocolate coating. Especially in December or November or October or any month of the year when you’re not interested in slaving over cookie sheets and cookie scoops and heating the whole house with the oven.
Going for an extra, extra special holiday touch? Smash up some of last year’s candy canes and sprinkle them over the chocolate before it sets.
With baby Stella arriving this November, I definitely had the tree up November 1st and, if I’m totally honest, started Christmas baking in the Spring.
Let’s just say I did it for you though, because I wanted to have some sweet treats ready to share with you this year and wasn’t exactly sure how that would work with a newborn baby in my arms 😉
There are so many ways you can mix these up if you’re in the mood. Try white chocolate on top or some coloured candy melts. Use some other flavourings for your buttercream — go chocolate or almond or coconut or orange or just change up the food colouring to get the littles excited.
I would love to hear how you make them your own!
Watch the recipe video and see how easy they are to make!
Fudgy Mint Chocolate No-Bake Cookies
Ingredients
Cookies
- 1/2 cup butter
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3 1/2 cups oats I use quick
- 2 1/2 cups shredded unsweetened coconut
Frosting
- 1/2 cup butter room temperature
- 1 1/2 cups icing sugar
- 1 tbsp milk
- 1/2 tsp mint extract
- green food coloring
Ganache
- 3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- 1 tbsp milk
- 1 tbsp butter
Instructions
- Line 2 cookie sheets with wax paper.
- In a large pot, combine butter, sugar, cocoa and milk. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, and boil 1-2 minutes.
- Stir in vanilla and salt. Add oats and coconut and stir to combine.
- Drop into 24 spoonfuls onto wax paper. Refrigerate until set.
- Meanwhile, make the frosting. To a stand mixer (or use a hand mixer), add butter, icing sugar and milk and beat until creamy and blended. Add in mint extract and food coloring. If necessary, add an extra tbsp sugar or milk to achieve the right consistency -- you do not want the icing runny.
- Remove cookies from the fridge and spread with frosting. Return to the fridge to let the frosting set.
- Make the ganache: In a small pot, combine chocolate, milk and butter over very low heat. Cook and stir constantly until chocolate is smooth. Set aside to cool 5-10 minutes. Spread on cooled cookies, and return to the refrigerator to allow chocolate to set.
- Because they are slightly gooey, I like to store them in the fridge or freezer with wax paper between layers so they don't stick together.
Suzanne says
Can I leave out the coconut?
Ashley Fehr says
The coconut is needed for the base to set up, but you may be able to replace it with more graham crumbs.
Michelle says
Have made these several times. They are always a big hit! Thank you, Ashley!
Ashley Fehr says
I’m so happy to hear that!
Stephanie says
If you need dairy free could one sub coconut oil for butter in the oatmeal cookie portion? Also 1:1 or different ratio? Thx!!!! These look amazing
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Stephanie! I haven’t tried, so I can’t really advise on how they would hold up. If you do try it I would make sure the coconut oil is solid at room temperature
Barbara says
You can substitute butter with peanut butter. I’ve done that and they are very good
Christine says
So one comment mentions pudding but I don’t see it anywhere. Is there really pudding in here and is it necessary?
Ashley Fehr says
No, the recipe is correct as is. Thanks for checking!
Sunshine Brandt says
Hi!
These look incredibly delicious! I can’t wait to make them. However, I can’t find the recipe! I watched the video, but can you give me a recipe that tells step-by-step directions and exact amounts of each ingredient? I am new to baking and I need help! I am hosting a cookie exchange this weekend and I need 54 cookies, stat!
Ashley Fehr says
Oh my goodness — I’m so sorry! My recipe card disappeared. It is back up! Let me know if you have any other questions!
Sunshine Brandt says
Hi Ashley!!
Thank you so much! I know that they will be a big hit. And now off I go on my baking mission!
Merry Christmas! ?
Sunshine
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Sunshine! I hope you enjoy!
Linda says
Can I use peppermint extract
Ashley Fehr says
Definitely!
Carol says
What size box of chocolate pudding?
Ashley Fehr says
A 4 serving size, not sugar free
Amanda Turner says
What is the salt and vanilla for ? I don’t see it in the instructions ?
Amanda Turner says
Also you mention pudding mix in the instructions but it’s not on the recipe list of ingredients ???
Ashley Fehr says
So sorry! I’m in the process of updating some recipes for the holidays and I must have missed some in the directions. I’ve updated the recipe now so it makes sense 🙂
[email protected] says
Wow, these cookies look AMAZING!!! I love mint chocolate and I also love no bake so this is going to sit at the top of my list for holiday desserts! Thank you for sharing 🙂
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Caroline! Mine too!
Penny Hesse says
I absolutely love your recipes!
Especially the, No Bake Mint ones! I have a question. What is, “icing sugar”? Oh yes, would I substitute more oats to replace the coconut?
I’m signing up for your newsletter too!
Penny from Northern Michigan ….
Ashley Fehr says
Thank you Penny! Icing sugar is a powdered sugar or confectioners sugar. Does that help? And I think you could probably substitute more oats for the coconut!
LIZ says
Hello – great website here that I stumbled upon. I think the recipe is manageable for my kitchen skills. I love the photography that bakers, cooks, and amateur everything that people are doing on the internet. Its great to play around with it, I only wish I could be so talented. I wanted to just make a constructive comment here, as I love the short story that goes along with the recipe, as it makes it meaningful, yet just a couple of photos of the finished product would have done the trick and you really did have me with the first photo. Yet this page with the recipe on it, has seven photos of the same product. Sometimes when I see the amount of photos on a page when I have cruised through other recipes links on the internet, it seems to be a growing (literally) trend and I feel it takes away from what needs to be said. I do like that you have kept the instructions in one place at the bottom, as on some recipe pages the method of making is typed out between photos and trying to scroll and create at the same time isn’t an easy task. I can print yours and be on my way. I look forward to making these!
Kelly says
do these need to be stored in the fridge or can they be left out
Ashley Fehr says
They can be left out but I would probably store them in the fridge or freezer just so the chocolate stays firm.
Dawn Stock says
This recipe looks awesome. I going to try to make these this weekend, but we are not big coconut fans. If I took out the coconut, would I just substitute an extra cup of oatmeal?
Ashley Fehr says
You could try Dawn — it’s not something I’ve ever done before. I think it should work fine. Let me know how it works out for you!
Amber @ rick•a•bam•boo says
These look amazing. I’m sure my husband will love these. Congrats on the baby. We are expecting December 15. Maybe our babies will have the same birthday.
Ashley says
That’s crazy! We’re in the 14-16 range. Could happen!
Deb @ Cooking on the Front Burner says
Thanks for linking with us at Best of the Weekend! I’ll be featuring these cookies on my blog tomorrow night!
Ashley says
Thanks Deb! Can’t go wrong with chocolate cookies 🙂
Karly says
These cookies look totally addicting! Thanks for linking up with What’s Cookin’ Wednesday!
Ashley says
Thanks Karly! And thanks for hosting 🙂
Jennie says
For real my two favorite things, mint and no bake cookies! Bringing them together is an awesome idea!
– Jennie
Come join my linkup and share!
https://thediaryofarealhousewife.blogspot.com
Ashley says
Thanks Jennie! I’ll have to remember to do that 🙂
Anna @ Sunny Side Ups says
Umm…yum. I am so in love with no-bake cookies, and these look absolutely delicious!! I can’t wait to make these-definitely not waiting until Christmas! 🙂
Ashley says
Haha, there’s no need to wait Anna! Thanks!
Emily @ It Bakes Me Happy says
Ashley I am obsessed with no-bake cookies these sound amazing!
Ashley says
We share that obsession Emily! Thanks 🙂
Danielle @ TheBestDessertRecipes.com says
I just stumbled across these! They look SO good! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Ashley says
Thanks Danielle!
Melanie @ Carmel Moments says
These are gorgeous! Love minty things. These are awesome that we don’t have to heat up the kitchen in the summer. I think I need to get my ‘mint’ on soon!
Pinning.
Ashley says
Thanks Melanie! Just getting a little head start on the Christmas season, lol. Though they are perfect all year round I think 🙂
[email protected] says
Um . . . what????? Frosting on a No-Bake cookie, this is my kind of recipe!!
Ashley says
Lol. Why not, right?!?
Ciara (@My Fussy Eater) says
These look so good. And really easy too – I love “no bake” recipes!
Ashley says
I think it’s hard not to love a no-bake recipe! lol. So easy! Thanks!
Beth @ bethcakes says
These cookies look amazing!! I love that frosting and ganache on top. Glad you finally got to do some Christmas baking! 🙂
Ashley says
Thanks so much Beth! I hope I get to do a little bit more yet in the next few months 🙂
Jess @ On Sugar Mountain says
Well I’m glad you got to enjoy a little Christmas in December! I would have been so stressed doing a move around the holidays. >_< These no bake cookies look to die for though! And yes, they can definitely be enjoyed all year round. 😀
Ashley says
Thanks! Moving around the holidays was stressful! But having to stay where we were any longer would have been even more stressful, so we made it work 🙂
Shashi @ runninsrilankan says
Wow – what a fantastic job! These cookies look decadent and delicious! Good luck – I sure hope you win!!
Shashi @ RunninSrilankan(dot)com says
Wow – what a fantastic job! These cookies look decadent and delicious! Good luck – I sure hope you win!
Ashley says
Thanks so much Shashi!
Mallory @ Chocolate with Grace says
Oh, be still my heart! Mint no-bake cookies. Two of my favorites in one. Pinning!
Ashley says
Thanks Mallory! Seemed like a good idea at the time 🙂
Librarian Lavender says
Those cookies look so good! I love Christmas in July and the contest sounds great 🙂
Ashley says
Thanks! They even taste good 🙂
Francesca @ Love.Bake.Read says
These cookies look amazing! LOVE the chocolate and mint combo!!!!
Congratulations on the new baby!! How exciting!
Ashley says
Thanks Francesca! I love chocolate and mint in all seasons 🙂
Sara says
Wow, this looks wonderful! I am going to try this out, and also, when I feel like cooking, you are the site I am going to now. This is awesome! ^^
Ashley says
Thanks so much Sara! And you can’t go wrong with anything no-bake, in my opinion 🙂
Medha @ Whisk & Shout says
These look beyond amazing and I love no bake recipes! I can’t get enough of mint + chocolate 🙂
Ashley says
Me neither! And they’re just so gooey, too 🙂 Thanks!