26-03 FLAVOR OF THE MONTH: MINT CHOCOLATE
Part of my cookie series. This is for March.
Read about the introduction and idea of this project in the inaugural post.
When I first posted about this project, Sammy suggested I try mint as a flavoring. I thought that was a brilliant idea, especially because I could imagine it paired with dark chocolate, like an After Eight, which was one of my favs growing up.
MM... MINT CHOCOLATE.
I originally wanted to do two trials:
- Mint leaves
- Mint extract
Unfortunately, I hit a depressive episode, and wasn't even sure if I would bake these cookies. But desperate not to break the record (it's on the bucket list), I managed to pull through on the last day of March.
I usually turn the oven off at 11 minutes and let them sit in there for 2 minutes, but I think I left the oven on for a minute too long.
Trial #1
I didn't want to buy a vial of mint extract, so I used the mint leaves I had grown and dried over the winter. It tastes minty enough when I make tea. I used the same quantity and process as the earl grey cookies: 3 teaspoons of leaves, cooked in the melted butter.
It looks like a normal chocolate chip cookie, but didn't taste as nice.
Taste test
Verdict: ★
Not only was there absolutely no hint of mint, I over-baked the cookies so they came out a bit dry. (We still ate them all though.) Of all the cookies I've baked since last winter, these were the worst.
Until next time
I want to redo this again next year using mint extract, because now I'm wondering if it was me—like I just didn't bring my A-game—or the ingredients? So, I'll do trial #2 next March, even if I don't continue the project in 2027.
I plan on baking April's cookies this weekend! I'm feeling a lot better mood-wise and am craving something sweet.