Soft Batch Andes Mint Cookie Bars are a soft and chewy cookie bar loaded with crushed Andes Creme de Menthe candies. A great treat for all of the mint chocolate lovers.

Irresistibly Soft Batch Andes Mint Cookie Bars: A Mint Chocolate Dream

Prepare to delight your taste buds with these incredibly soft and chewy Andes Mint Cookie Bars! Bursting with the refreshing flavor of crushed Andes Creme de Menthe candies, these bars are a perfect harmony of rich chocolate and cool peppermint. Whether you’re a lifelong fan of mint chocolate or simply looking for an easy yet impressive dessert, these cookie bars are guaranteed to become a new favorite in your baking repertoire. They’re especially perfect for festive occasions like St. Patrick’s Day, Christmas, or simply when you crave a delightful treat.

The Effortless Joy of Baking Cookie Bars

Let’s be honest, sometimes the thought of baking dozens of individual cookies can feel like a daunting task. The endless scooping, the constant rotation of baking sheets, and the waiting game can test even the most patient baker. If you’ve ever felt this way, then cookie bars are about to become your new best friend! This recipe simplifies the entire process. You simply prepare a single batch of dough, spread it evenly into a brownie pan, bake it all at once, and voilà! You have a generous pan of deliciousness ready to be sliced and devoured. It’s the ultimate lazy-baker’s dream, delivering all the satisfaction of homemade cookies with a fraction of the effort.

My love for cookie bars stems from childhood memories. Growing up, my Nana and mom were famous for their incredible chocolate chip cookie bars, affectionately known as “Congo Bars.” They were always a hit at family gatherings, cherished for their perfect soft and chewy texture. When my husband, a true connoisseur of anything mint chocolate chip flavored, expressed his unwavering devotion to the combination, I knew I had to put a minty twist on those beloved family favorites. Swapping out the traditional chocolate chips for chopped Andes Mint candies was a stroke of genius, and the result was nothing short of spectacular! He absolutely adored them – so much so that when I asked him to share them with his office, he “accidentally” forgot, a clear sign he wanted to keep every last crumb for himself. And honestly, who could blame him?

Why These Andes Mint Cookie Bars Stand Out

What makes these Soft Batch Andes Mint Cookie Bars truly special? It’s the delightful combination of textures and flavors that create an unforgettable dessert experience. Imagine a buttery, rich cookie base that’s incredibly soft and chewy, almost like a brownie but with the distinct character of a cookie. Then, scattered throughout this tender crumb are generous chunks of Andes Creme de Menthe candies. As the bars bake, these minty morsels melt slightly, infusing the entire bar with their iconic cool peppermint flavor and creating irresistible pockets of creamy chocolate. Each bite offers a harmonious blend of sweet, minty, and chocolatey goodness that’s simply addicting.

The addition of cream cheese in the dough is a secret weapon, contributing to the bars’ extraordinary softness and keeping them moist for days. This subtle tang also balances the sweetness, making them perfectly balanced and not overly rich. Whether served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or at room temperature with a cup of coffee, these bars are a versatile treat that satisfies any craving. They are robust enough to travel well for potlucks and parties, yet elegant enough to grace any holiday dessert table.

Crafting Your Own Andes Mint Cookie Bars: A Step-by-Step Guide

Creating these delightful Andes Mint Cookie Bars is a straightforward process, perfect for bakers of all skill levels. Follow these simple steps for a truly exceptional homemade treat:

Preparation is Key: Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175°C). Lightly grease and flour a 9×13 inch brownie pan or line it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy lifting once baked. This prevents sticking and makes serving a breeze.
Creaming the Foundation: In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened butter, cream cheese, brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Using an electric mixer, beat these ingredients together until the mixture is light, fluffy, and well combined, which typically takes about 2 minutes. This creaming process incorporates air, contributing to the soft texture of the bars.
Adding Wet Ingredients: Next, crack in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract, beating for another 2-3 minutes until everything is thoroughly incorporated and smooth. Scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure all ingredients are mixed evenly.
Combining Dry Ingredients: In a separate medium-sized bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt. The cornstarch is another secret ingredient that helps create that desirable soft, “melt-in-your-mouth” texture.
Folding It All Together: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients in the mixer bowl. Mix on low speed just until the dry ingredients are fully incorporated and a cohesive cookie dough forms. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough bars.
The Star of the Show: Gently fold in the chopped Andes Creme de Menthe Thins candies. You want these delightful minty chunks evenly distributed throughout the dough.
Baking to Perfection: Press the prepared cookie dough evenly into your greased 9×13 inch pan. Use the back of a spoon or your fingertips to ensure a smooth, uniform layer.
Golden Finish: Bake for 20-25 minutes. The exact baking time may vary depending on your oven, so keep an eye on them. The bars are done when the edges are lightly golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs, but not wet batter. Avoid overbaking to maintain their soft batch texture.
Cooling & Serving: Allow the cookie bars to cool completely in the pan before slicing into squares. This patience is key, as the bars will continue to set as they cool, making for cleaner cuts and a firmer texture. Once cooled, slice and serve!

Tips for the Best Andes Mint Cookie Bars

Softened Ingredients: Ensure your butter and cream cheese are truly softened to room temperature. This helps them cream together smoothly, creating a light and airy base for your cookie dough.
Don’t Overmix: After adding the dry ingredients, mix just until combined. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, which can lead to tough, dense cookie bars instead of soft and chewy ones.
Chop Andes Mints Evenly: For consistent flavor and texture in every bite, try to chop your Andes mints into similar-sized pieces. You can also buy them pre-chopped if available.
Cool Completely: Resist the urge to cut into the bars while they’re still warm. Cooling allows them to set properly, making them easier to slice and preventing them from crumbling.
Storage: Store leftover Andes Mint Cookie Bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days, or in the refrigerator for up to a week. They also freeze beautifully for up to 3 months.

Variations to Explore

While these Andes Mint Cookie Bars are perfect as is, you can always experiment with different additions:

Extra Chocolate Boost: Fold in a half cup of mini chocolate chips along with the Andes mints for an even more intense chocolate experience.
White Chocolate Drizzle: Once cooled, melt some white chocolate and drizzle it decoratively over the top of the bars for an elegant finish and an extra layer of sweetness.
Peppermint Extract: For an even stronger mint flavor, consider adding a quarter teaspoon of peppermint extract to the wet ingredients.
Nutty Crunch: For those who love a bit of crunch, a half cup of chopped walnuts or pecans could be folded into the dough.

These soft batch Andes Mint cookie bars are a crowd-pleaser for any gathering. Their vibrant mint and rich chocolate profile makes them a standout dessert during holiday cookie seasons, family potlucks, or simply as a special everyday treat. The ease of preparation combined with their irresistible flavor guarantees they’ll be a repeat request!

More Delicious Dessert Recipes to Try

Scrumptious Butterscotch Brownies
Decadent Amaretto Brownies
Classic German Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookies
Irresistible Chocolate Oreo Cookies
Comforting Oatmeal Fudge Bars

Andes cookie squares stacked on a plate.

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Soft Batch Andes Mint Cookie Bars

By

Heather Seeley

Soft batch Andes mint cookie bars with a chewy texture.

Prep:

10 minutes

Cook:

25 minutes

Total:

35 minutes

Servings:
24

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Ingredients

▢ 1 cup butter, softened
▢ 2 oz cream cheese, softened
▢ 1 cup brown sugar
▢ 1/2 cup granulated sugar
▢ 2 large eggs
▢ 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
▢ 2 teaspoons cornstarch
▢ 2 cups all-purpose flour
▢ 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
▢ 1/2 teaspoon salt
▢ 1 package (28 pieces) Andes Creme de Menthe Thins Candy, chopped

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175°C).
Lightly spray a 9×13 inch brownie pan with non-stick cooking spray or line with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, cream cheese, brown sugar, and granulated sugar with a mixer until well combined and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
Add in the eggs and vanilla extract and mix for another 2-3 minutes, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
In a small separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients in the mixer bowl. Mix on low speed just until combined and a soft cookie dough forms. Do not overmix.
Gently stir in the chopped Andes Mints by hand until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
Press the mixture into the prepared pan and spread out evenly to form a smooth layer.
Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs.
Remove from oven and allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before slicing into squares and serving.

Nutrition Facts (Approximate per serving)

Calories: 166kcal

Carbohydrates: 21g

Protein: 1g

Fat: 8g

Saturated Fat: 5g

Cholesterol: 22mg

Sodium: 194mg

Potassium: 28mg

Sugar: 13g

Vitamin A: 270IU

Calcium: 14mg

Iron: 0.6mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

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