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.
Nutrition
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!
I 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.
I just made them it took me 5 min’s and they are better than the original!…I used oreo’s and I scrapped off the cream…Each oreo will make two cookies. then I melted the semi chocolate chips in the microwave 1 min increments stirring each time it took 2 min’s…Then I put a teaspoon of peppermint in the chocolate and I dipped the cookie in…it was kind of messy.I licked the bowl and the spoon clean..lol. I put them in the freezer for about 3-5 min’s and they are readt ti eat! They taste delicious…When I make them again…I’m just going to spread the chocolate mint on the top, because when I double coated them they stuck to my plate. Honestly I dont think I need to coat both sides…It’s all about the chocolate mint and cookie crunch. So one side is fine!
Love all your recipes! Beautifully photographed in a simple setting…
Thank you so much Joann 🙂
Oh my gosh, you’re a genius! I think making these is easier than hunting down a Girl Scout any day. 🙂
These are really great, Kate, the flavor is so good and those crisp wafer cookies are perfect!
Hi Sue! These look they are amazing What a great idea!!! Hope you have been well.
Thank you. ~Bijouxs
güzel ince ve lezzetli çikolatal?
These Nabisco wafers are great on their own. They must be fabulous kicked up a notch. I have to try this Sue.
Sam
You’re so right, those cookies are incredible!
My 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.
I’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!
that is how I’ve always made them! 🙂
Hey Sue,
This is a wonderful recipe but I was wondering what your thoughts on dipping Oreos in the chocolate instead would be. Thanks!
I think you could absolutely do that Sabrina. The Oreos will be a little thicker but will have much the same flavor!
I 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.
Hello 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.
This is amazing! Thin mints are my favorite but who wants to spend $5 a box these days;-) Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Janette!
They cost $13 on Amazon…I would pay 5.00 in a heart beat…lol…Anyways I just made the recipe…I bought oreo’s 3.50 semi chocolate chips 1.99 and Peppermint extract 6.00….I used 1 row of oreos and got 20 wafers when I separated them…used a half bag of choc chips and a teaspoon of mint…So I’m guessing 20 cookies cost me about 2.50…A BARGAIN RIGHT?