Matchmaker cookies

Fans of mint chocolate will be in utter heaven when they take a bite into these chewy, crisp, creamy, minty, chocolatey Matchmaker cookies.

If you're not already familiar with Matchmakers, allow me to fill you in. They're long sticks of chocolate, laced with mint pieces, making them both creamy and crunchy. They're popular year-round, but especially during the festive season, and they're very, very moreish.

To make these Matchmaker cookies, first you'll beat margarine, golden syrup, sugar, green food colouring together, then whisk in an egg before folding in flour and baking powder.

That's your basic cookie dough sorted, so then you'll add a heap of broken Matchmaker pieces to make your cookies minty and chocolatey.

Next, you'll dollop your cookie dough onto a lined baking sheet and bake for just 8-10 minutes. As a final step, while your cookies are still hot, you'll top the with extra Matchmaker pieces and leave them to cool completely.

Ready to make deliciously chewy, creamy, crispy, delicious Matchmaker cookies? Let's get started.

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 180C (160C fan-assisted, 350F).

In a large bowl, put the margarine, golden syrup, sugar and food colouring.

Beat until fluffy.

Add the egg. Beat until well combined.

Add the flour and baking powder.

Mix through.

Add 100g of Matchmaker pieces.

Stir through.

Place tablespoons of mixture at least 5cm (2 inches) apart on a baking sheet lined with baking paper.

Bake for 8-10 minutes until they just start to go golden at the very edges. Remove from the oven.

While the cookies are still hot, put extra Matchmaker pieces on top of the cookies.

Allow the cookies to cool for 5 minutes until firm enough to transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Aren't they a great colour? The green hue almost makes them taste more minty, in a funny way!

Be warned, they are very very moreish.

Luckily, they freeze well, so if you want to make them last, read on for lots of tips.

Pointers, tricks and troubleshooting tips for the perfect Matchmaker cookies

Are Matchmaker cookies easy to make?

Yes! These lovely little minty Matchmaker cookies are very easy to make.

This is a great bake to do with the kids as they can help with weighing out and mixing the ingredients. And snapping Matchmaker mint sticks into the cookie dough is lots of fun.

The cookies bake in a matter of minutes, so you can be all done and dusted from first to last in about 25 minutes.

Will I need any special equipment for this recipe?

You should be able to find everything you need to make Matchmaker cookies in the average kitchen.

If you have a hand whisk or stand mixer you can use this to bring the cookie dough together, but it's not essential - a classic bowl and spoon will work just fine.

The full list of suggested equipment can be found on the recipe card below.

Where can I buy Matchmakers?

In the UK, Matchmakers are available in most supermarkets, and are often found in corner-shops, convenience stores and newsagents, particularly around Christmas.

If you're not in the UK and can't find Matchmakers in your local store, you could use mint flavoured chocolate or mint chocolate thins broken into small pieces.

Are Matchmaker cookies suitable for vegetarians?

These Matchmaker cookies are perfectly fine for a vegetarian diet as they contain no meat, poultry, or fish.

When you are using ready-made elements like Matchmaker chocolates, it's always best to double-check the labels to be sure.

Are Matchmaker cookies suitable for vegans?

As they are, these cookies are not suitable for vegans as they contain egg, margarine, and Matchmakers, which contain milk.

It's always a good idea to check the labels on everything, even decorative elements like food colourings.

I haven't tried adapting this particular recipe to make it vegan, but here are the alternatives I usually go for when veganizing a recipe.

For the margarine, simply use a plant-based option that contains no milk - aim for one with an 80% fat content, if possible.

For the Matchmakers, you could use vegan dark mint chocolate broken into pieces.

And finally, you would need an egg replacement. Try one of the following alternatives (each = 1 egg, so multiply as needed for any given recipe).

• 1 tablespoon of crushed chia seeds or flax seeds mixed with 2 tablespoons of water and left for 10 minutes in the fridge.
• 3 tablespoons of aquafaba (the water you get in a tin of chickpeas).
• 3 tablespoons of applesauce (bear in mind this will add sweetness).

Let me know how you get on!

Are Matchmaker cookies gluten-free?

For these Matchmaker cookies, the recipe calls for wheat-based plain flour, so they would not be suitable for someone who needs to avoid gluten in their diet.

I haven't tested this recipe with gluten-free flour yet but if you want to give it a go, I always recommend using a good quality brand, which will usually be made from a blend of different flours such as rice flour, and oat flour, raising agents, of course, and usually a binding agent such as xanthan gum.

You will also need to use gluten-free baking powder.

Whenever you're baking for somebody who needs to avoid gluten in their diet, you should check the label of all ingredients to make sure that they don't contain any traces of gluten. This includes checking any decorative elements. flavourings and food colourings.

Are Matchmaker cookies healthy?

These are a high sugar minty treat and should be enjoyed on occasion in a sensible portion.

Are these Matchmaker cookies safe to eat while pregnant?

Good food hygiene should always be practiced at home, but this is particularly important when cooking for pregnant people. Make sure all the ingredients are in good condition and the cookies are prepared safely.

Egg safety advice varies from country to country, depending on how the eggs are treated and handled. Please make sure to check the information locally to where you live.

At the time of writing (Jan 2021), UK-produced eggs bearing the Red Lion stamp are consider so safe, you can even eat them raw.

A Mummy Too does not give medical advice. If you have any questions or concerns please speak to a health professional who will be able to give you further information.

Can I make this recipe without food colouring?

Yes, this recipe will work just fine without the food colouring.

I like to add a touch of green to these Matchmakers cookies as it enhances the minty look and makes them bright and fun, but it's not essential.

I haven’t got golden syrup can I use honey?

The golden syrup in this recipe is what helps the cookies achieve a lovely chewy texture, but if you don't have any, it should be fine to use a different syrup.

Agave could work but be mindful that it is very intensely sweet, so you might like to use a bit less.

You could also use honey but it has a very distinct flavour which might not really work with the mint.

What goes well with Matchmaker cookies?

A glass of milk is always the perfect partner to any type of cookie.

You could also turn these Matchmaker cookies into a dessert by popping a scoop of mint choc chip ice cream between two cookies to make an instant ice cream sandwich!

How should I store Matchmaker cookies?

To keep these Matchmaker cookies fresher for longer, store them in an airtight container in the pantry or cupboard.

Allow your cookies to cool completely on a wire rack before transferring them to a suitable container. It's best to keep them in a box that they just fit in snuggly, rather than one with lots of air space around them.

How long do Matchmaker cookies keep?

When stored correctly in an airtight container somewhere cool, these cookies will keep for up to a week.

Can I leave Matchmaker cookies out on the counter?

No, it's not a good idea to leave cookies out on the counter for too long as they will go stale much more quickly. Once cooled, get them into a container and into the cupboard as soon as possible.

Can I make Matchmaker cookies ahead?

Yes, you can make the dough ahead and store it in the fridge for up to 2 days, tightly wrapped in cling-film, or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

These cookies also keep well once baked and stored in an airtight container so you could make them a few days ahead if you need to. Make sure to let them cool fully before putting them into their container.

Can I keep Matchmaker cookies in the refrigerator?

There's no need to keep these cookies in the fridge. In fact, they will keep better just in a container in the pantry.

Can I freeze Matchmaker cookies?

Yes, Matchmaker cookies freeze well and will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. Once cooled, pop your cookies into a food bag and squeeze out as much air as you can, this will help reduce the risk of freezer burn.

If you have a rapid freeze draw in your freezer you could put the cookies in on a baking sheet to freeze before transferring them to a container or food bag. It helps to freeze them separately like this then they won't all stick together in the freezer.

What is the best way to defrost Matchmaker cookies?

You can defrost these cookies in the fridge overnight. Just pop them on a plate and they will be thawed out by morning.

Once thawed, don't re-freeze your cookies.

Can I make these Matchmaker cookies in a different quantity?

It's really simple to make more or fewer of these Matchmaker cookies. On the recipe card below you'll see the number of servings is set to 30 cookies.

To change the amount you want to make, simply click on the servings and a slider will pop up that you can move to get the number you need. All the ingredients will update automatically with the correct quantities so you're ready to get baking!

Can I make these cookies in different sizes?

If you like, you can play around with the size of the cookies; make giant ones to share, or how about making mini ones that would be so cute for a tea party?

Remember when it comes to baking times, larger cookies might take a little longer and small ones will bake more quickly so keep an eye on them through the oven door.

Can I make this recipe in a stand mixer such as a KitchenAid or Kenwood Mixer?

You don't need a stand mixer to make your cookie dough, but you can certainly use one if you wish.

Fit the paddle attachment and beat to combine the sugar, margarine, food colouring, and golden syrup. Then add the egg and mix on low to combine otherwise it may spatter.

You might need to scrape the side of the bowl to make sure everything is well mixed in.

Finally, add the flour and again, mix on slow so the flour doesn't fly out in a cloud. As soon as it's combined, it's done - avoid mixing vigorously or for too long as you'll overwork the dough.

Fold in the Matchmakers pieces by hand to avoid breaking them into tiny pieces, then you're ready to start portioning the cookie dough onto baking sheets.

Why do my cookies look less green after baking?

When using food colouring in baking, I recommend using the gel style rather than liquid colourings. The gel colours are more concentrated so less likely to water down and affect the consistency of your bake, and they much more stable when cooked. Liquid colours can all but disappear during baking, which can be rather disappointing.

Using gel colour should ensure your bakes come out of the oven looking the same or a similar colour as there were when they went in (allowing for browning etc).

Liquid colour tends to come in bottles, while gel food colouring tends to come in a tube or pot. You will find a range of colours in the baking aisle of most supermarkets.

How can I make sure my Matchmaker cookies are perfectly cooked?

These cookies don't take long in the oven, and you'll know when they are done when they start to turn just slightly golden brown around the edges.

These cookies will still be soft when they come out of the oven, so don't forget to give them a few minutes on the tray to firm up before trying to move them. This gives you time to pop the extra Matchmaker pieces on top. You don't need to press them down, just place them on top and the heat from the cookies will melt them slightly, then set again as they cool.

Your fully cooled cookies should be crisp on the edges, chewy in the middle with a lovely, sweet and mint crumb.

Why did my Matchmaker cookies turn out burnt?

As soon as these cookies take on a little golden colour around the edge, they're done. Don't be tempted to bake them until they're golden all the way across unless you prefer a well-done, crisp cookie.

If you find that your bakes often burn, it may be that your oven is too hot. Some temperature dials are not an accurate measure of the actual oven temperature so either try setting the oven 10-20C lower next time, or you could use an oven thermometer to get the exact temperature.

These cookies bake in about 10 minutes, so set a timer for 8 minutes and check them through the oven door. If they look done take, them out.

The final issue that could cause dry or burnt cookies is a mistake in the ingredients quantities. I recommend measuring everything out before you start to reduce the chances of accidents.

Why did my Matchmaker cookies turn out wet and underbaked?

Remember these cookies will still be soft when they come out of the oven, and gradually harden as they cool.

If they're still dough-like once cooled, your cookies have either been taken out of the oven too soon, or cooked in an oven that isn't hot enough.

As these cookies are only in the oven for about 10 minutes it's important to preheat the oven. That way you know the cookies will be in there at a constant, correct temperature.

If after 10 minutes, if your cookies are still wet and haven't started to turn golden brown at the edges, put them back in for a few more minutes.

You should also check that you have the right temperature set. If you find that your bakes often take longer to be ready than indicated, it may be that your oven is running too cold. Some temperature dials are not an accurate measure of the actual oven temperature so either try setting the oven 10-20C higher next time, or you could use an oven thermometer to get the exact temperature.

A very hot oven can also be a problem, causing the cookies to catch at the edged while still wet in the middle. Again, it's important to check that your oven is heating to the correct temperature.

The final issue that could cause wet cookies is a mistake in the ingredients quantities. I recommend measuring everything out before you start to reduce the chances of accidents.

How can I add/change the flavours in Matchmaker cookies?

Matchmakers most commonly come in mint flavour, but most supermarkets stock an orange flavour too, so that could be an easy way to change the flavour of your cookies. You could use orange food colouring too!

Matchmakers also release limited-edition flavours from time to time, so keep an eye out for those!

What is the origin of this Matchmaker cookie recipe?

This recipe is a celebration of the classic minty chocolate treats Matchmakers, baked into these delightful chewy cookies. Make some today to spread some minty joy.

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