Crushed cookies add another dimension of flavor to homemade granola bars. These Thin Mint Granola Bars are easy to make and perfect for breakfast or lunch boxes.
I have a habit of buying cookies and hiding them under the cupboard. My family is pretty used to my sugar buying, so they know that most of the “extra” food is for the crazy baking that happens in our house.
So a package of store brand Thin Mints is definitely not just for eating. They know me a little too well for that. The first thing my daughter asked when she saw those cookies was, “what are you putting those in?”. She was right. They were definitely not for eating…at least not the traditional way.
Girl Scout cookies and treats tend to be all the rage in March. Now I have admitted before that I actually don’t buy real GS cookies that often. (Don’t hold me to that…because we do get them every once in a while.) This year we happened to make it through the season without spending $5 for 3 cookies. I picked up some Keebler Grasshoppers because my mind was thinking through fun combos.
You see, I had this crazy thought. A few weeks ago I made cookies and cream cookies that were super popular. It had me thinking up new creations with that flavor combo. Why not do mint cookies and cream this month?
I have a homemade granola bar base that I use for all our bars. My kids go through granola bars like crazy, so we are always creating fun new flavors to share.
These bars come together so quickly and only take about 20 minutes to bake. Feel free to let them cool and eat them as is. They taste just as good that way too.
But…this is me, and I have this crazy need to add more chocolate whenever I can. So, these bars got a healthy dose of chocolate and green drizzle. Hahaha! Like how I said healthy and chocolate in the same sentence? Sorry. That made me giggle this morning…it’s the little things 🙂
Now my mind is running with about 10 other “cookie” granola bars…I guess it’s time to bake another batch.
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Homemade granola bars with a fun cookie twist. Melted chocolate gives them an extra sweet touch.
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup butter, softened
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 1 1/2 cups flour
- 2 1/2 cups quick oats
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups crushed Thin Mint cookies (or Keebler Grasshoppers)
- 1/2 cup green candy melts
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips
- 1 teaspoon shortening, divided
Instructions
- Beat the butter and sugar until creamy. Add the eggs and vanilla and cream again. Stir in the flour, oats, and salt until mixed. Stir in the cookie crumbs.
- Press the mixture into a greased 9x13 baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 18-20 minutes. Let cool. Cut into 16 bars.
- Place the green candy melts and 1/2 teaspoon shortening in a microwave safe bowl. Heat 30 seconds and stir. Repeat. Stir until melted and creamy. Spoon into a plastic baggie with one tip cut off. Drizzle over the bars. Repeat with the chocolate chips and remaining shortening. Let set. Store in a sealed container.
More recipes to use those Thin Mints or Grasshopper cookies in:
Averie @ Averie Cooks says
March 18, 2014 at 8:58 AMMint and chocolate is always so awesome. Love this DIY bar! And those green drizzles 🙂 pinned
Jocelyn Brubaker says
March 22, 2014 at 11:15 PMThanks girl! 🙂
LuAnn Braley says
March 18, 2014 at 9:06 AMWe each usually inhale one package of Thin Mints. Maybe if we double this year’s order…because these have got to be made! I pinned the top picture.
Chelsea @chelseasmessyapron says
March 18, 2014 at 9:18 AMI love thin mints! They are definitely my favorite girl scout cookie. Your drizzle on these bars is incredible!
Jocelyn Brubaker says
March 22, 2014 at 11:16 PMThanks Chelsea! 🙂
Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes) says
March 18, 2014 at 2:25 PMThese granola bars look so fantastic! Now I want some of this!
Jocelyn Brubaker says
March 22, 2014 at 11:17 PMThanks Jocelyn! 🙂
Wendy says
March 18, 2014 at 3:01 PMIts good to know that Thin Mint addictions can be taken care of with Thin Mint knock offs year round! Even better, its good to know that delicious recipes like these granola bars can be made even when it isn’t Girl Scout cookie season! Chewy-crunchy granola bars that taste like thin mints have to be delicious!
Nancy [email protected] says
March 18, 2014 at 3:08 PMYou are the queen of granola bars! I seriously need help in making them! Looks great!
Jocelyn Brubaker says
March 22, 2014 at 11:17 PMHaha, thanks girl! 🙂
Chels R. says
March 18, 2014 at 5:44 PMMmmm!
Beth @ bethcakes says
March 18, 2014 at 9:09 PMThese granola bars look awesome! I currently have some boxes of Girl Scout cookies under my desk in my bedroom, so I definitely know what you mean about hiding things so your family won’t eat them. Haha. 🙂 I absolutely love the green and chocolate drizzle on these bars!
Jocelyn Brubaker says
March 22, 2014 at 11:27 PMThanks Beth! 🙂
Elizabeth @ Confessions of a Baking Queen says
March 19, 2014 at 12:18 AMThese are my kind of granola bars!! WOW
Julianne @ Beyond Frosting says
March 19, 2014 at 1:04 AMGAH! I love these SO much. I might actually make a homemade granola bar LOL!
Jocelyn Brubaker says
March 22, 2014 at 11:28 PMHaha, thanks girl!! 😉
Jennie @themessybakerblog says
March 19, 2014 at 7:00 AMI love that your daughter knows you so well. Squirrel now asks permission to eat food before digging in. I only buy Thin Mints once a year; the rest of the year I buy Keebler Grasshopper cookies when they go on sale. This here is one creative recipe. Love it! Pinned.
Jocelyn Brubaker says
March 22, 2014 at 11:29 PMI love that she knows me so well too! 😉 Thanks Jennie!
Taylor @ Food Faith Fitness says
March 19, 2014 at 7:06 AMOh my gosh! Move over Quaker Chewy Granola Bars, there’s a new kid in town!
These are my kind of granola bars. Chocolate mint for lyfe yo’! Pinned
Kelly says
March 19, 2014 at 7:08 AMI am obsessed with homemade granola bars and these thin mint ones are amazing!! Love the pretty drizzle – you make the best GS treats:)
Jocelyn Brubaker says
March 22, 2014 at 11:30 PMThank you so much Kelly! 🙂
Chloe @ foodlikecake says
March 19, 2014 at 7:54 AMHomemade granola bars are awesome and thin mints are amazing, so these look perfect!
Jocelyn Brubaker says
March 22, 2014 at 11:35 PMThanks Chloe! 🙂
Melanie @ Carmel Moments says
March 19, 2014 at 8:12 AMOh my goodness! I bet these are incredible! Love mint.
Have a great day Jocelyn!
Risa says
March 19, 2014 at 9:51 AMWith Thin Mints winning the title of America’s favorite cookie this year, these granola bars are sure to be a hit! I can’t wait to try these myself (Girl Scout mom here!)
Kelly says
March 19, 2014 at 12:08 PMI LOVE Thin Mints. Any dessert recipe involving something with mint in the title is a must bake for me. I will definitely be giving these a try!
Jocelyn Brubaker says
March 22, 2014 at 11:39 PMYou will love these, I promise! 😉
Hayley @ The Domestic Rebel says
March 19, 2014 at 12:09 PMYeah, I usually can’t justify spending $5 on a single serving size of cookies (come on, we all know the box is for one person!!) so I usually use the Keebler swap myself. I must make these granola bars; they look SO awesome!!
Jocelyn Brubaker says
March 22, 2014 at 11:43 PMI totally agree the box is just for one person! 😉 Thanks Hayley!
Zainab @ Blahnik Baker says
March 19, 2014 at 1:38 PMThese bars look amazing!! Chocolate and mint is one of my favorite combinations and I always justify the $5 cookies in one serving 😮 I’m bad for myself.
Ilona @ Ilona's Passion says
March 19, 2014 at 4:59 PMGreat recipe! I love different kinds of granola:)
Jocelyn Brubaker says
March 22, 2014 at 11:43 PMThanks Ilona! 🙂
Anne says
March 19, 2014 at 11:04 PMThese look delicious! I can’t wait to try them. Thanks for sharing via Heather’s French Press Wake Up Wednesday Link party.
Jenn @ Deliciously Sprinkled says
March 19, 2014 at 11:22 PMThese look so good, mint and chocolate for breakfast is always a great way to start the day! I love how easy these bars are to make and I love the drizzle on top! 🙂
Jocelyn Brubaker says
March 22, 2014 at 11:44 PMThanks Jenn! 🙂
Elizabeth @ SugarHero.com says
March 20, 2014 at 12:09 AMHellooooo, sexy! I would flip if these showed up in my lunch. 🙂 And I laughed when you talked about your family, because mine’s the same way. Anytime something “fun” comes home from the grocery store, they know that it’s for the blog and not for them!
Chris @ Shared Appetite says
March 21, 2014 at 6:20 AMI am obsessed with thin mints! Can’t believe you turned them into granola bars! This is amazing!!! Pinning 🙂
Jocelyn Brubaker says
March 22, 2014 at 11:45 PMThank you so much Chris! 🙂
[email protected] says
March 22, 2014 at 9:41 AMGranola bar that tastes like my favorite Girl Scout cookie…that’s the dream!
Mel says
March 24, 2014 at 8:26 PMPinned these look amazing!
Julie @ This Gal Cooks says
March 24, 2014 at 11:29 PMI need some of these stat. My lunch box would be pretty happy if I put one or two in it to take to work. Great recipe, Jocelyn!
Kathleen says
March 27, 2014 at 4:00 PMThese look amazing! What a brilliant idea!