Lazy No Bake Thin Mint Cookies ~ a lazy cook’s dream of a cookie! These super easy no bake cookies taste every bit as good as the originals, and you can make a dozen quicker than you can say Girl Scout Cookie!
One of my favorite posts of all time is my HOMEMADE THIN MINT COOKIES. They give you that perfect flashback to your favorite Girl Scout cookie. They’re a great project for a weekend afternoon, but I get it, I realize that baking from scratch doesn’t always fit into your schedule. What about when you get a craving for Thin Mints a busy Monday? Here’s a version that needs no baking at all, uses just 3 ingredients, and gives you that same thrill — I know you’re going to love them.
But hold on, before we get started, let me tell you what you’re going to need — there are only 3 things, but you’ve got to get these particular 3 things: a box of Nabisco Famous Chocolate Wafers, 8oz of Baker’s Semi Sweet baking chocolate, and a bottle of peppermint extract. The thin crisp chocolate wafers are the perfect base for these DIY Thin Mints, and they save a TON of work over the original recipe. I use Baker’s chocolate because it melts easily for me, and gives the cookie a really nice dark semi sweet coating. Be sure you get peppermint extract — don’t be tempted to use spearmint, or all purpose mint flavoring — you’ll wind up with something that tastes vaguely of toothpaste, and that’s not the effect we’re after.
A quart sized Pyrex measuring cup works well for melting the chocolate and coating the cookies. The cookies are decidedly delicate, so take care as you dip them. An easy way to do it is to plop the cookie down head first into the chocolate, then gently flip it with a fork and lift it out of the chocolate with the fork, letting the excess chocolate drip off before setting it down on parchment or waxed paper. You can also just spoon the chocolate over the top of the cookie and forget about the bottom, if you like.
If you tend to have trouble melting chocolate in a microwave, you can do it in a double boiler. I have never had trouble, and neither should you, as long as you follow the chocolate melting rules — keep away from all moisture, and microwave in short bursts, stirring in between to let the ambient heat do much of the work.
For a gluten free no bake thin mint, see my GLUTEN FREE THIN MINT COOKIES, they’re just as quick, easy, and tasty as these cookies, but without the gluten. And I haven’t left you white chocoalte lovers out of the loop either ~ check out my EASY NO BAKE WHITE CHOCOLATE THIN MINTS. As you can see, I have a little obsession with these cookies 😉
Bottom line…I think these are a fabulous treat, and I have to admit they are every bit as good as the full fledged version. This will be my go to recipe for Thin Mints from now on. Be sure to try them straight from the fridge 🙂
Lazy No Bake Thin Mints
Ingredients
- 15 Nabisco Famous Chocolate Wafers
- 8 oz Baker's Semi Sweet Baking Chocolate (8 squares)
- 1/4-1/2 tsp peppermint oil or extract
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet with parchment or waxed paper.
- Chop the chocolate into small pieces
- Put the chocolate into a small microwave safe bowl. I like to use a 4 cup glass measuring cup because it is a good shape for dipping the cookies.
- Microwave on high for 60 seconds. Stir the chocolate and microwave again in 15 second bursts, stirring in between, just until most of the chocolate is melted. Remaining lumps will melt as you stir. Don't overheat the chocolate.
- Stir in the peppermint extract. Start with 1/4 teaspoon and taste it. Add a touch more if you like.
- Using a fork, dip the cookies very gently in the chocolate to coat on both sides. Let the excess chocolate drip off before setting the cookies down on the baking sheet.
- Let set at room temperature, and then store in the refrigerator.
Tips for success:
- Make sure you have the correct ingredients.
- Be sure you have chopped the chocolate before putting it in the microwave so that it will melt easily and evenly.
- Don’t get any water or moisture near the chocolate as you are melting it, that can cause the chocolate to ‘seize’ into a solid mass.
- Microwave in very short bursts, stirring well in between. The chocolate will become fluid and glossy when it is perfectly melted.
- Use a good quality peppermint oil or extract. If the bottle says “Flavoring” it may contain water and can cause the chocolate to seize. Don’t use Spearmint or all-purpose Mint…make sure you get Peppermint for that classic Thin Mint flavor.
- Be gentle when coating the cookies. Nabisco Chocolate Wafers are notoriously brittle. If you are having trouble, just hold the cookie on the tines of a fork and spoon the chocolate over it, without dipping.
- Let set at room temperature, and store in the fridge or freezer for best results.
Don’t forget to pin these Lazy No Bake Thin Mint Cookies!
50 Comments
Elaine Buonsante
October 14, 2018 at 8:15 pmI just finished off the Mint Chocolate Girl Guide cookies that I bought from the neighbour girl. The recipe that you have shared here sound just the same. Now I can enjoy them yer round.
Joann Raccippio
September 29, 2018 at 2:29 pmLove all your recipes! Beautifully photographed in a simple setting…
Sue
September 29, 2018 at 4:02 pmThank you so much Joann 🙂
Kate
February 29, 2016 at 3:52 amOh my gosh, you’re a genius! I think making these is easier than hunting down a Girl Scout any day. 🙂
Sue
February 29, 2016 at 10:23 amThese are really great, Kate, the flavor is so good and those crisp wafer cookies are perfect!
Bijouxs
October 11, 2015 at 2:38 pmHi Sue! These look they are amazing What a great idea!!! Hope you have been well.
Thank you. ~Bijouxs
roy
September 22, 2015 at 9:42 amgüzel ince ve lezzetli çikolatal?
Sam @ My Carolina Kitchen
September 10, 2015 at 8:12 amThese Nabisco wafers are great on their own. They must be fabulous kicked up a notch. I have to try this Sue.
Sam
Sue
September 10, 2015 at 2:49 pmYou’re so right, those cookies are incredible!
Cindy
July 3, 2015 at 10:22 amMy sis makes something similar, but uses Ritz crackers, chocolate Candy-Quik and peppermint oil, not extract. They taste even better than the Girl Scout ones, because of that hint of salt from the Ritz.
Sue
July 3, 2015 at 11:05 amI’ve heard of people using Ritz, and I’ve always thought that sounded strange, but now that you describe it, I want to give them a try!
Deb
June 22, 2016 at 8:53 amthat is how I’ve always made them! 🙂
Sabrina Gorgeous
June 8, 2015 at 2:35 pmHey Sue,
This is a wonderful recipe but I was wondering what your thoughts on dipping Oreos in the chocolate instead would be. Thanks!
Sue
June 8, 2015 at 2:57 pmI think you could absolutely do that Sabrina. The Oreos will be a little thicker but will have much the same flavor!
John
June 6, 2015 at 2:11 pmI see I am the only male commenting- Since I have to do all the baking and I love mints I have tried this twice today and unlike your pictures and the ladies comments both were a disater, I bought all the ingredients as required.Melted the chocolate as laid out yet by the time Ihad stirred in the peppermint the chocolate was forming a lump.This was even after I saw the small lumps melt into a smooth paste as advertised.. Anyway I chalk my experience up to a disaster and dont think I should blow the money on a third try.!! Sure looks and sound like everyone else is getting what I wanted.
Angela
January 31, 2018 at 1:56 pmHello John, sorry you have had such a hard time making these cookies. I was thinking if you tried the chocolate melting disk in cake decorating isle at Walmart or Hobby Lobby, you would have better results. This chocolate is desiged for this type of thing. Wilton is the brand. I hope you give it another try.
Janette
February 9, 2015 at 8:12 pmThis is amazing! Thin mints are my favorite but who wants to spend $5 a box these days;-) Thanks for sharing!
Sue
February 9, 2015 at 10:07 pmThanks Janette!
Jen
December 16, 2014 at 4:41 pmI made these tonight for my office holiday party. They turned out great! I couldn’t find the chocolate nilla wafers so I used oreo thin wafers in the snack packs. Delicious! And I didnt have any trouble melting the chocolate-I used the Bakers semi sweet like suggested. I will definitely make these again!
Sue
December 16, 2014 at 4:44 pmI am in love with these, both the white and the regular chocolate have become regulars around here, and I’m so glad they worked out for you Jen. I love your idea of using Oreo thin wafers!
Amy
December 9, 2014 at 7:41 pmWe just tried this and had issues with the chocolate being thick and not coating well 🙁 there was way too much chocolate on one cookie so we wound up just spreading it on the top but that was a mess as well.
Sue
December 11, 2014 at 7:12 amBe sure to use baking chocolate, Amy, for easiest melting. I find that Baker’s Chocolate melts up nice and thin.
Linda
February 20, 2014 at 10:23 amThanks for bringing these by What’d You Do This Weekend. I still don’t have my cookies. YIKES!!
Hope to see you next week.
Linda
grace
February 19, 2014 at 11:20 ami have a box of actual thin mints in the freezer that tempt me every time i open the door. i think i’ll wait til they’re gone to attempt these… 🙂
Laura (Tutti Dolci)
February 18, 2014 at 6:04 pmI love thin mints so I’d inhale these (and hide them in the freezer! ;))
Sue
February 18, 2014 at 8:04 pmThe only problem is that these cookies taste even better right out of the freezer!
Alanna
February 19, 2014 at 7:45 amYes! I always used to eat them that way. These look perfect!
Liz
February 18, 2014 at 7:31 amI am going to be a dissenting opinion 🙂 …and I guess it doesn’t quite go with the “lazy”, but none of the boxed stuff tastes right to me anymore and I’ve been making the “snaps” in the link below whenever chocolate wafers are called for. You can bake them to your desired crispness. They come together quickly and you can freeze the dough…so not as lazy and not no bake but an option if anyone else does not like the boxed stuff.
http://www.injennieskitchen.com/2011/02/chocolate-snaps/
I AM going to make the thin mints with the homemade snaps, though – yum and I like the idea of a bit more chocolate than mint and really good chocolate!
Sue
February 18, 2014 at 9:45 amThanks for the link, I’ll check that out. I agree about the boxed cookies, I think as time goes by manufacturer’s, (even the Girl Scouts!) are having to cut corners to make a profit.
Tricia @ Saving room for dessert
February 18, 2014 at 6:51 amYeah – thin mints year round! Woohoo – and so easy – this is absolutely, without a doubt, brilliant!
tanna
February 18, 2014 at 4:12 amThank you so much for your sweet comment on my blog and THANK YOU for this recipe. My grandsons love thin mints… and this looks like a fun “project” with them. blessings ~ tanna
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef
February 18, 2014 at 2:53 amPerfect. One woman’s lazy is this woman’s delicious. I love this idea.
[email protected]
February 18, 2014 at 12:51 amThese look so authentic there is nothing nicer than a crisp chic mint biscuit perfect broken on ice cream too. And what a breeze you don’t have to bake!
sippitysup
February 17, 2014 at 4:55 pmYet another use for those Nabisco wafers! I always just grind them up and use them in crusts. But I always think that they should be usable in their perfect round shape too. GREG
Sue
February 17, 2014 at 5:02 pmIt’s funny because the time that I did bake the cookie part from scratch they were exactly like these wafers, so it really makes sense to save the time and energy and get right to the good part — eating!
Berny @ I Only Eat Desserts
February 17, 2014 at 4:12 pmBeautiful photos! I need to give this a try – it looks simple but oh so delicious 🙂
Sue
February 17, 2014 at 4:16 pmYou can’t go wrong with them, Berny!
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella
February 17, 2014 at 3:51 pmI like the idea of using whatever chocolate you like because then you can use really good chocolate and it really lifts the taste! 😀
Sue
February 17, 2014 at 4:17 pmThat’s so true, and it’s why mass produced can never compete with homemade 🙂
[email protected] is How I Cook
February 17, 2014 at 1:02 pmI really shouldn’t have looked at this page. thin Mints are my favorite. I don’t buy them because I have no restraint. And the truth is that these look way better!
Sue
February 17, 2014 at 1:53 pmThey are thinner, crisper, and more chocolatey. The good news is that you can make them in small batches so you won’t get into too much trouble 😉
Linda
February 17, 2014 at 12:28 pmThese look awesome. The little girl I bought mine from has not brought them to the office yet (her mother). I may have to resort to making my own Thin Mints. You came to the rescueu!
I’d love it if you shared this at What’d You Do This Weekend.
Have a good week,
Linda
annie @ chase that i love
February 17, 2014 at 10:51 amHurray for “lazy” recipes. Dishes are my enemy, my kitchen counters are almost always covered with something sticky. I have a funny relationship with chocolate and mint. I always think I don’t like it, but the smell entices me and once I have a bite, I want more.
Another reason these are better than purchased cookies — making them yourself is always more satisfying!
Sue
February 17, 2014 at 11:41 amI know what you mean about chocolate and mint…I like it when the chocolate dominates, and it does in these cookies.
cheri
February 17, 2014 at 10:41 amAnother clever recipe. I bet these are fantastic. Thanks Sue!
Chris @ The Café Sucré Farine
February 17, 2014 at 9:20 amI wouldn’t call these lazy Sue but I would call them delicious! LOVE this idea!!
Mary
February 17, 2014 at 8:49 amThis is the best copycat for these I’ve seen yet! Recently found your blog. It – is – GREAT!! I think you’re my recipe soulmate. haha!
Sue
February 17, 2014 at 9:29 amWelcome in Mary! I think you’ll love these, and they are truly simple to make. Almost dangerously simple 😉
Velva
February 17, 2014 at 8:27 amI bet these tastae a million times better than the girl scout version….This rocks. Love it.
Sue
February 17, 2014 at 9:24 amI can honestly say they taste just like the real thing, and I personally think that the chocolate coating is even better because it’s 100% chocolate.