Hello, Good News! If you are looking for a delicious and easy recipe for frango mint chip cookies, you have come to the right place. Frango mint chip cookies are soft and chewy chocolate cookies with chunks of minty chocolate candies inside. They are perfect for any occasion, whether it’s a holiday, a birthday, or just a treat for yourself.
In this article, we will show you how to make frango mint chip cookies at home using simple ingredients and steps. We will also tell you some interesting facts and tips about frango mint chocolates, the main ingredient of these cookies. By the end of this article, you will be able to bake your own batch of frango mint chip cookies and enjoy them with your family and friends.
What are Frango Mint Chocolates?
Frango mint chocolates are a brand of chocolate truffles that were first created for the Frederick & Nelson department stores in Seattle, Washington in 1918. They were originally a frozen dessert sold at the tea room of the store, but later became a chocolate candy inspired by the dessert. The name Frango comes from a combination of “Fr” from Frederick’s and “ango” from tango, or from an acronym for FRederick And Nelson COmpany.
Frango mint chocolates became widely popularized by the Marshall Field and Company department store in Chicago, Illinois, which acquired Frederick & Nelson and its recipes in 1929. Marshall Field’s produced its own version of frango mint chocolates in its candy kitchen on the 13th floor of its flagship store on State Street. The chocolates were flavored with mint and had a smooth and creamy texture. They were sold in elegant green boxes with gold lettering and became a symbol of Chicago’s culture and tradition.
Other Flavors of Frango Chocolates
Besides the original mint flavor, frango chocolates also come in other flavors, such as dark chocolate, milk chocolate, caramel, raspberry, mocha, lemon, orange, cherry, and more. Some flavors are seasonal or limited edition, while others are available year-round. Frango chocolates also have different shapes and sizes, such as bars, bites, eggs, hearts, and stars.
Frango chocolates can be found in various outlets throughout the country, such as Macy’s department stores, Garrett Popcorn Shops, Amazon.com, and Frango.com. They are also sold online and shipped worldwide. Frango chocolates are a great gift idea for any occasion, as they can be personalized with custom messages and wrapped in festive packaging.
The Benefits of Mint Chocolate
Mint chocolate is not only delicious but also beneficial for your health. Mint chocolate is made from cocoa beans, which are rich in antioxidants that can protect your cells from damage and inflammation. Cocoa beans also contain flavonoids, which can lower your blood pressure and improve your blood flow. Mint chocolate also has caffeine and theobromine, which can boost your energy and mood.
Mint is also a healthy herb that can enhance the flavor and aroma of chocolate. Mint can help you digest your food better and relieve stomach problems such as nausea, gas, and bloating. Mint can also freshen your breath and prevent bad odors. Mint can also soothe your throat and ease coughs and colds.
How to Make Frango Mint Chip Cookies
Now that you know more about frango mint chocolates, let’s get started on making frango mint chip cookies. These cookies are easy to make and require only a few ingredients and tools. Here is what you will need:
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup (113 grams) of butter
- 1/2 cup (100 grams) of shortening
- 1 cup (200 grams) of brown sugar
- 1/2 cup (100 grams) of white sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) of vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup (25 grams) of frango mint chocolates, grated or very finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon (5 grams) of baking soda
- 1 teaspoon (5 grams) of salt
- 3/4 cup (75 grams) of nuts, chopped (optional)
- 1 1/2 cups (225 grams) of frango mint chocolates, chopped
- 2 1/4 cups (280 grams) of all-purpose flour
Tools
- A large mixing bowl
- An electric mixer or a wooden spoon
- A small bowl
- A whisk or a fork
- A measuring cup and spoons
- A grater or a knife
- A cutting board
- A cookie sheet
- Parchment paper or cooking spray
- A cooling rack
- An oven mitt
Steps
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line your cookie sheet with parchment paper or spray it with cooking spray.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter, shortening, and sugars with an electric mixer or a wooden spoon until light and fluffy.
- Add the eggs, one at a time, and beat well after each addition.
- Add the vanilla extract and the grated frango mint chocolates and beat until well combined.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture and beat until a smooth dough forms.
- Stir in the nuts and the chopped frango mint chocolates with a wooden spoon.
- Drop heaping teaspoons of dough onto the prepared cookie sheet, leaving about 1 inch (2.5 centimeters) of space between them.
- Bake for 8 to 11 minutes or until the edges are lightly browned.
- Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool on the cookie sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack.
- Enjoy your frango mint chip cookies with a glass of milk or a cup of coffee.
Nutrition Facts and Tips for Frango Mint Chip Cookies
|Nutrition Facts|Per Serving|
|—|—|
|Calories|210|
|Fat|14 g|
|Saturated Fat|9 g|
|Cholesterol|5 mg|
|Sodium|35 mg|
|Carbohydrates|23 g|
|Fiber|1 g|
|Sugar|20 g|
|Protein|2 g|
The nutrition facts are based on one serving size, which is one cookie. This recipe makes about 36 cookies, so you can adjust the nutrition facts accordingly if you eat more or less than one cookie. The nutrition facts are also approximate and may vary depending on the ingredients and brands you use.
Here are some tips to make your frango mint chip cookies even better:
- If you don’t have frango mint chocolates, you can use any other mint chocolate candies, such as Andes mints, York peppermint patties, or Junior Mints. You can also use plain chocolate chips and add some peppermint extract to the dough for a minty flavor.
- If you want to make your cookies more festive, you can use different colors of frango mint chocolates, such as red, green, or white. You can also sprinkle some crushed candy canes on top of the cookies before baking for a crunchy and colorful touch.
- If you want to make your cookies more chewy, you can reduce the baking time by a minute or two. If you want to make your cookies more crispy, you can increase the baking time by a minute or two. You can also adjust the amount of sugar in the recipe to suit your preference. More sugar will make your cookies more crispy, while less sugar will make your cookies more chewy.
- If you want to store your cookies for later, you can keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. You can also freeze them in a freezer bag for up to three months. To thaw them, just let them sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes before eating.
FAQs about Frango Mint Chip Cookies
Frango mint chip cookies are based on frango mint chocolates, which were first created in Seattle in 1918 and later popularized in Chicago in 1929. The cookies are a relatively recent invention that combine the chocolate candies with a soft and chewy cookie dough. The exact origin of the cookie recipe is unknown, but it may have been inspired by other chocolate chip cookie recipes that use different types of chocolate candies.
How do I grate frango mint chocolates?
To grate frango mint chocolates, you will need a grater or a knife and a cutting board. You can use either the fine or coarse side of the grater, depending on how small you want the chocolate pieces to be. You can also use a knife to chop the chocolates very finely. To make it easier to grate or chop the chocolates, you can freeze them for about 15 minutesbefore they become too soft and sticky. You can also use a food processor to pulse the chocolates until they are finely chopped.
Yes, you can use other types of cookies instead of frango mint chip cookies, as long as they have a similar texture and flavor. For example, you can use chocolate chip cookies, oatmeal cookies, peanut butter cookies, or sugar cookies. You can also add some mint extract or mint chocolate chips to the cookie dough to give them a minty flavor. However, if you want to enjoy the authentic taste of frango mint chocolates, we recommend using frango mint chip cookies.
Yes, you can make frango mint chip cookies vegan or gluten-free by making some substitutions in the ingredients. For example, you can use vegan butter and shortening, egg replacer or flax eggs, vegan sugar, and vegan frango mint chocolates. You can also use gluten-free flour, baking soda, and salt. However, you may need to adjust the amounts and baking times of the ingredients to get the best results.
To store frango mint chip cookies, you can keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. You can also freeze them in a freezer bag for up to three months. To thaw them, just let them sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes before eating.
There are many ways to vary frango mint chip cookies and make them more fun and delicious. Here are some ideas:
- You can add some marshmallows, coconut flakes, or sprinkles to the cookie dough for some extra sweetness and texture.
- You can drizzle some melted chocolate or caramel over the baked cookies for some extra decadence and flavor.
- You can sandwich two cookies together with some whipped cream, ice cream, or frosting for a double treat.
- You can cut out shapes from the cookie dough using cookie cutters and decorate them with icing and candies for some festive fun.
- You can make mini frango mint chip cookies by using a teaspoon instead of a tablespoon to drop the dough onto the cookie sheet. You can also use mini frango mint chocolates instead of regular ones.
What are some other recipes that use frango mint chocolates?
If you love frango mint chocolates, you will love these other recipes that use them as well:
- Frango Mint Chocolate Cake: A moist and rich chocolate cake with layers of frango mint chocolate frosting and ganache.
- Frango Mint Chocolate Cheesecake: A creamy and smooth cheesecake with a chocolate crust and a frango mint chocolate topping.
- Frango Mint Chocolate Brownies: A fudgy and chewy brownie with chunks of frango mint chocolates and a chocolate glaze.
- Frango Mint Chocolate Fudge: A simple and easy fudge with melted frango mint chocolates and condensed milk.
- Frango Mint Chocolate Ice Cream: A refreshing and delicious ice cream with frango mint chocolates and peppermint extract.
Where can I buy frango mint chocolates?
You can buy frango mint chocolates in various outlets throughout the country, such as Macy’s department stores, Garrett Popcorn Shops, Amazon.com, and Frango.com. You can also order them online and have them shipped worldwide. Frango chocolates are a great gift idea for any occasion, as they can be personalized with custom messages and wrapped in festive packaging.
How do I make my own frango mint chocolates?
If you want to make your own frango mint chocolates, you will need some basic ingredients and tools. Here is what you will need:
Ingredients
- 2 cups (340 grams) of semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) of heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons (30 grams) of butter
- 1/4 teaspoon (1.25 milliliters) of peppermint extract
- A pinch of salt
Tools
- A microwave-safe bowl
- A microwave oven
- A spatula
- A candy thermometer
- A baking sheet
- Parchment paper or wax paper
- A piping bag or a ziplock bag
- A pair of scissors
Steps
- In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the chocolate chips, heavy cream, butter, peppermint extract, and salt.
- Microwave the mixture for about 30 seconds or until the chocolate chips are melted. Stir well with a spatula until smooth and glossy.
- Refrigerate the mixture for about an hour or until it is firm enough to pipe.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or wax paper.
- Spoon the mixture into a piping bag or a ziplock bag. Cut off a small corner of the bag.
- Pipe small mounds of the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving some space between them.
- Refrigerate the mounds for another hour or until they are set.
- Enjoy your homemade frango mint chocolates or store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
What are some other names for frango mint chocolates?
Frango mint chocolates are also known by other names, depending on where they are sold or made. Some of these names are:
- Frango Mints: The original name for frango mint chocolates, used by Frederick & Nelson and Marshall Field’s.
- Frango Mint Truffles: A name used by Macy’s, which acquired Marshall Field’s in 2005 and continued to produce frango mint chocolates under its own brand.
- Frango Mint Chocolates: A name used by Frango.com, which is an online retailer that sells frango mint chocolates and other products.
- Mint Meltaways: A name used by Fannie May, which is a Chicago-based candy company that sells its own version of frango mint chocolates.
- Mint Smoothies: A name used by Rheo Thompson Candies, which is a Canadian candy company that sells its own version of frango mint chocolates.
Frango mint chip cookies are so popular because they are delicious, easy to make, and versatile. They are delicious because they combine the flavors and textures of chocolate and mint, which are a classic and irresistible combination. They are easy to make because they require only a few ingredients and steps, and they can be customized with different add-ins and toppings. They are versatile because they can be enjoyed as a snack, a dessert, or a gift, and they can be adapted to different dietary preferences and occasions.
Conclusion
We hope you enjoyed this article about frango mint chip cookies and learned something new. Frango mint chip cookies are a great way to enjoy the taste of frango mint chocolates in a different form. They are soft and chewy chocolate cookies with chunks of minty chocolate candies inside. They are perfect for any occasion, whether it’s a holiday, a birthday, or just a treat for yourself.
If you want to make your own frango mint chip cookies at home, you can follow our easy and simple recipe that uses only a few ingredients and tools. You can also vary the recipe by using different flavors of frango mint chocolates, adding some nuts or marshmallows, or drizzling some chocolate or caramel over the cookies. You can also make your own frango mint chocolates by following our homemade recipe that uses chocolate chips, heavy cream, butter, peppermint extract, and salt.
If you want to learn more about frango mint chocolates, you can read our article that tells you some interesting facts and tips about them. You can also check out some other recipes that use frango mint chocolates as an ingredient, such as cake, cheesecake, brownies, fudge, and ice cream. You can also buy frango mint chocolates from various outlets or order them online from Frango.com or Amazon.com.
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