If you are on the hunt for a treat that brings a burst of childhood magic and a fresh twist to your cookie jar, this Lucky Charms Cookies Recipe is exactly what you need. Packed with colorful marshmallows, minty chocolate chips, and a hint of fun green color, these cookies are playful and delicious, making every bite a delightful celebration. They’re soft, chewy, and perfectly balanced with just the right amount of sweetness and minty freshness to brighten up your day or any gathering.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting ready to whip up these cheerful cookies? The ingredients are wonderfully straightforward but each plays a special role to create that perfect texture, flavor, and eye-catching color. From the creamy butter that ensures softness to the Lucky Charms marshmallows that add joyful bursts of sweetness, every item matters.
- Butter (1/2 cup, softened): This gives your cookies a tender and rich base that melts in your mouth.
- Granulated sugar (3/4 cup): Sweetens the dough while contributing to that slight crisp edge.
- Egg (1): Binds everything together and adds moisture for chewy texture.
- Mint extract (3/4 Tbsp): Introduces a refreshing twist that sets these cookies apart from the rest.
- Green food coloring (3-4 drops): Adds a festive pop of color, perfect for making your batch stand out.
- All-purpose flour (1 1/2 cups): The structural backbone of the cookie dough.
- Baking soda (1/2 tsp): Helps your cookies rise just right and keep their shape.
- Baking powder (1 tsp): Further ensures a light and fluffy texture.
- Cream of tartar (1 tsp): Stabilizes the dough for perfect chewiness.
- Salt (1/4 tsp): Balances sweetness and enhances the flavors.
- Mint chocolate chips (1 cup): Melt in your mouth pockets of minty chocolate goodness.
- Lucky Charms marshmallows (1 1/2 cups): Adds bursts of colorful sweetness and that signature Lucky Charms charm.
How to Make Lucky Charms Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Start by setting your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure it’s perfectly heated when your cookie dough is ready. This step is crucial for even baking and that beautiful golden edge on your cookies.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugar
Using softened butter, beat it together with granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This creaming process incorporates air, which will give your cookies that tender, delightful texture.
Step 3: Add Egg, Mint Extract, and Green Food Coloring
Next, crack in the egg and pour your mint extract for that refreshing flavor punch. Add the green food coloring gradually, mixing well until your dough showcases a cheerful minty shade throughout.
Step 4: Mix in the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cream of tartar, and salt. Slowly add this dry mix to your wet ingredients, stirring just until combined to avoid overworking the dough.
Step 5: Fold in Chocolate Chips and Lucky Charms Marshmallows
Now for the fun part — gently fold in the mint chocolate chips and those iconic Lucky Charms marshmallows. This is what makes your Lucky Charms Cookies Recipe truly special with every colorful bite.
Step 6: Shape the Cookies
Roll your dough into small balls, about the size of a walnut, and carefully place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Keep a little space between each cookie to allow for spreading.
Step 7: Bake and Cool
Bake for exactly 10 minutes; they’ll look just set but still soft. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 2 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This step helps the cookies firm up without losing their tender chewiness.
How to Serve Lucky Charms Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of colorful sugar crystals or a light dusting of powdered sugar can elevate the visual appeal and add a hint of extra sweetness to your Lucky Charms Cookies Recipe. For a minty boost, a small drizzle of melted white chocolate tinted green is also a lovely touch.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair wonderfully with a cold glass of milk or a warm cup of peppermint tea. Their minty freshness and sweetness complement creamy or warm beverages beautifully, making snack time feel like a special treat.
Creative Ways to Present
Try stacking the cookies with some mint chocolate spread between for delightful cookie sandwiches. Another fun idea is to serve them alongside a small bowl of Lucky Charms cereal for dipping, doubling down on that nostalgic charm and playful texture contrast.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
To keep your Lucky Charms Cookies Recipe fresh and chewy, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay delicious for about 3-4 days, perfect for enjoying throughout the week.
Freezing
If you want to bake ahead or save your cookies for later, these freeze beautifully. Place them in a freezer-safe bag or container with layers separated by parchment paper, and they’ll keep well for up to 3 months. Just thaw at room temperature before serving.
Reheating
To gently warm your cookies, pop them in the microwave for about 10 seconds or in a preheated oven at 300 degrees Fahrenheit for 5 minutes. This will revive that soft, gooey texture as if they’re freshly baked.
FAQs
Can I use regular chocolate chips instead of mint chocolate chips?
Absolutely! While mint chocolate chips add a refreshing twist, regular chocolate chips work just fine and keep the classic chocolate flavor you know and love.
Is there a way to make these cookies gluten-free?
Yes, you can substitute the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free baking blend. Just make sure your blend contains xanthan gum or a similar binder for the best texture.
Can I skip the food coloring if I don’t want green cookies?
Definitely! The green food coloring is purely for fun and appearance. The cookies will still taste fantastic without it, just without that signature minty hue.
What if I want the cookies to be less minty?
Feel free to reduce the mint extract to half or adjust according to your taste preferences. The cookies will still be delicious with a hint of mint rather than an overpowering flavor.
Can these cookies be made vegan?
To make a vegan version, substitute the butter with a plant-based alternative, use a flax or chia egg, and ensure your chocolate chips and marshmallows are vegan-friendly. The taste and texture might be slightly different but still enjoyable!
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly joyful about baking and sharing the Lucky Charms Cookies Recipe—it’s like sprinkling a bit of nostalgia and whimsy into your day with every delicious bite. Whether you’re baking for a party, a holiday, or just a pick-me-up, these cookies bring smiles and happy surprises. Give this recipe a try and let the magic of those colorful marshmallows and minty chocolate chips brighten your kitchen and your taste buds.
Print
Lucky Charms Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delight in these whimsical Lucky Charms Cookies, featuring a festive blend of minty flavors, colorful Lucky Charms marshmallows, and rich chocolate chips. Soft, chewy, and perfectly sweetened, these cookies are an enchanting treat perfect for St. Patrick’s Day or any celebration that calls for a bit of luck and sweetness.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter (softened)
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg
- 3/4 Tbsp mint extract
- 3–4 drops green food coloring
Dry Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp cream of tartar
- 1/4 tsp salt
Add-ins
- 1 cup mint chocolate chips
- 1 1/2 cup Lucky Charms marshmallows
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure it’s ready for baking the cookies to perfection.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which helps create a tender cookie texture.
- Add Egg, Extract, and Coloring: Beat in the egg, followed by the mint extract and green food coloring. Mix thoroughly until the color is evenly distributed throughout the batter.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, cream of tartar, and salt. Gradually add this to the wet mixture, mixing until fully incorporated.
- Fold in Chips and Marshmallows: Carefully fold in the mint chocolate chips and Lucky Charms marshmallows, making sure they are evenly dispersed without overmixing the dough.
- Shape Cookies: Roll the cookie dough into small balls, approximately 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter, and place them evenly spaced on a prepared cookie sheet.
- Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Let the cookies cool on the sheet for 2 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Make sure the butter is softened at room temperature for easier creaming with sugar.
- If you prefer, you can substitute mint extract with vanilla extract for a different flavor profile.
- Be gentle when folding in the marshmallows to prevent them from melting or losing their shape before baking.
- Use parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent cookies from sticking to the sheet.
- For a more intense green color, adjust the food coloring drops as desired.
