Chocolate Andes Mint Cookies

These are chocolate cookies with just the right amount of mint! These cookies usually pleasantly surprise people when they have never had them before. I can only find the green bags of Andes mint baking chips at Wal Mart, and I usually stock up on them, because this is fast becoming our friends' and is already one of my husband's favorite type of cookies. This recipe also doubles well.

• Ready In: 45 mins
• Serves: 18
• Yields: 36 cookies

Ingredients

• 2 1⁄4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2⁄3 cup cocoa powder
• 1  teaspoon baking soda
• 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄2 cup butter, softened
• 1⁄2 cup shortening
• 3⁄4 cup granulated sugar
• 2⁄3 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1  teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2  large eggs
• 1 (10 ounce) package  Andes mint baking chips

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F
2. Combine flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt in a small bowl; set aside.
3. Cream butter, shortening, granulated sugar, and brown sugar in a large mixing bowl.
4. Add vanilla extract and eggs, beating well.
5. Switch from an electric mixer to a sturdy spoon, and gradually mix in the flour mixture.
6. Stir in mint chips. The dough will be VERY stiff.
7. Drop by well-rounded teaspoons (I use a cookie scoop) onto parchment-lined baking sheets.
8. Bake for 10 minutes, until centers are set.
9. Remove immediately (be careful, so cookies do not fall apart) to wire racks to cool completely.