Who says you need to wait for Girl Scout season to indulge in that irresistible crispy chocolate-mint combo? With these homemade Copycat Thin Mints, you can recreate the iconic cookie right in your kitchen, and they might even taste better than the original! Perfectly crisp with a deep chocolate flavor and cool peppermint essence, these cookies deliver that nostalgic bite any time of year.
What makes these cookies even more amazing is how simple they are to prepare. Whether you’re looking to surprise guests, stock your freezer with treats, or gift a beautiful homemade box, Copycat Thin Mints are your go-to. They’re vegan-friendly too, which means almost everyone can enjoy them.
What Kind of Chocolate Should I Use?
For the best results, use a good quality semi-sweet or dark chocolate for the coating. Avoid milk chocolate—it’s too sweet and lacks the intensity that balances the mint. Couverture chocolate or melting wafers are ideal for that glossy finish, but chocolate chips work too if that’s what you have on hand.

Ingredients for the Copycat Thin Mints
All-Purpose Flour – Provides structure to the cookie base and keeps it crisp.
Cocoa Powder – Unsweetened cocoa gives the cookies their deep, rich chocolate flavor.
Baking Powder – Just a little helps with lightness and the perfect texture.
Salt – Enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness.
Vegan Butter – Creates a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture while keeping the cookies dairy-free.
Granulated Sugar – Adds sweetness and helps the cookies crisp up nicely.
Peppermint Extract – Essential for that cool, minty punch that defines a Thin Mint.
Vanilla Extract – Rounds out the flavor for extra depth.
Dark or Semi-Sweet Chocolate – For dipping the cookies and creating that iconic outer shell.
Coconut Oil or Shortening (optional) – Helps make the melted chocolate smoother and glossier.
How To Make the Copycat Thin Mints
Step 1: Make the Dough
In a large bowl, beat the vegan butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Mix in the peppermint and vanilla extracts.
Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Slowly add this to the wet mixture and stir until a soft dough forms.
Step 3: Chill and Roll
Wrap the dough in plastic and chill for at least 1 hour. Once chilled, roll out the dough on a floured surface to about 1/8-inch thickness.
Step 4: Cut and Bake
Use a small round cutter (about 1.5 inches) to cut out the cookies. Place them on a lined baking sheet and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 8-10 minutes. Let them cool completely.
Step 5: Dip in Chocolate
Melt the chocolate with a bit of coconut oil or shortening. Dip each cooled cookie into the chocolate and place them on parchment to set. Chill until firm.
How to Serve and Store Copycat Thin Mints
These cookies are best served chilled—just like the boxed originals! Keep them in the fridge or freezer for that iconic snappy texture. Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week in the fridge or up to 2 months in the freezer.
They make a beautiful addition to holiday cookie trays, dessert boards, or even wrapped as edible gifts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use regular butter instead of vegan butter?
Yes! If you’re not avoiding dairy, unsalted butter works perfectly in this recipe.
Can I freeze the cookie dough?
Absolutely. Wrap the dough tightly in plastic and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before rolling.
What kind of chocolate melts best for coating?
Couverture or melting wafers give the best results, but you can also use chocolate chips with a teaspoon of coconut oil.
How do I keep the chocolate coating smooth?
Adding coconut oil or shortening to your melted chocolate helps create a thinner, glossier coating.
Are these cookies gluten-free?
Not as written, but you can substitute a gluten-free 1:1 baking flour.
Can I double the batch?
Yes, this recipe doubles well. Just be sure to chill the dough in two portions for easier handling.
Want More Cookie Ideas with a Twist?
If you love these Copycat Thin Mints, you’ll probably enjoy these other favorites:
- Salted Caramel Pecan Cookies for a deeper caramel crunch.
- Lemon Churro Cookies if you’re craving tangy meets warm spice.
- Chocolate Crinkle Sandwich Cookies with a soft ganache center.
- Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies if you prefer classic nostalgia.
- Brown Sugar Maple Cookies with cozy fall flavor.
For even more inspiration, head to my Pinterest where I post daily sweet tooth favorites: Life with Nina on Pinterest
Save This Pin + Share Your Results
📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest dessert board so you can come back to it any time.
And let me know in the comments how yours turned out. Did you dip them twice for extra crunch? Did you add a hint of espresso powder to the dough?
I love hearing how others make these recipes their own. Questions are welcome too—let’s help each other bake smarter.

Copycat Thin Mints
- Prep Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 30 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Description
These Copycat Thin Mints are crispy, rich chocolate cookies with a refreshing peppermint flavor, coated in a silky dark chocolate shell. A perfect homemade take on the Girl Scout favorite, they’re also vegan-friendly and freezer-approved. Serve them chilled for the classic experience!
Ingredients
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup vegan butter, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
8 ounces dark or semi-sweet chocolate, chopped or chips
1 tablespoon coconut oil or shortening (optional)
Instructions
1. In a mixing bowl, cream the vegan butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
2. Add peppermint extract and vanilla extract to the butter mixture and mix well.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.
4. Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir until a dough forms.
5. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
6. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
7. Roll out the dough to 1/8 inch thickness on a lightly floured surface.
8. Cut out cookies using a 1.5-inch round cutter and place them on the baking sheet.
9. Bake for 8–10 minutes, then cool completely on a wire rack.
10. Melt chocolate and coconut oil or shortening in a microwave-safe bowl, stirring every 20–30 seconds until smooth.
11. Dip each cookie into the melted chocolate and place on parchment paper.
12. Chill dipped cookies until the chocolate coating is set and firm.
Notes
Chill the dough well before rolling to ensure easy cutting and clean shapes.
Use parchment paper to avoid sticking when dipping in chocolate.
For the most authentic taste, serve cookies straight from the fridge or freezer.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 105
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 45mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 13g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: Thin Mints, copycat cookies, chocolate mint, Girl Scout cookies, vegan cookies



