Who doesn’t love a good sugar cookie? But what if we take it up a notch and make them chocolatey? That’s exactly what we’re doing today! These Chocolate Sugar Cookies are soft, spiced, and have the perfect balance of sweetness and cocoa. Plus, they come with a rich chocolate icing that takes them to the next level. Whether you’re making these for a holiday, a party, or just because, they’re sure to be a hit! So, grab your apron, and let’s get baking!
Method
Preheat the Oven
Start by setting your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures the oven is at the perfect temperature when your cookies are ready to go in. While waiting for the oven to heat up, gather all your ingredients and necessary tools. This makes the baking process smoother and more enjoyable!
Mix the Wet Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, add the butter, sugar, cream cheese, and egg. Using an electric mixer, beat the ingredients together until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and fully combined. The butter and sugar should cream together smoothly, creating a soft and airy texture that will help make the cookies light and delicious.
Add the Flavor
Next, mix in the vanilla bean paste and all the warm spices: cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, cloves, and cardamom. Stir everything thoroughly so the spices are evenly distributed throughout the dough. This ensures that each bite of cookie is packed with flavor.
Prepare the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring continuously to prevent any lumps. Once most of the flour is incorporated, pour in the whole milk to help bring everything together into a smooth dough. Be careful not to overmix; stir just until the flour is fully combined to avoid tough cookies.
Roll and Cut the Dough
Once your dough is formed, lay a sheet of parchment paper on your countertop. Lightly flour a rolling pin to prevent sticking, then roll out the dough to about 1/4-inch thickness. If the dough is too soft and difficult to handle, let it chill in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes before rolling. Using a round cookie cutter or a glass cup, cut out circles from the dough and carefully lift them onto a parchment-lined baking tray. These cookies don’t spread much, so you can place about 8 cookies per tray without worrying about them merging together.
Bake the Cookies
Place the baking tray in the preheated oven and bake for 9 minutes. Keep an eye on them since they are meant to stay soft; they may still appear slightly undercooked when removed from the oven. That’s okay! They will continue to firm up as they cool. Allow the cookies to rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before icing.
Make the Chocolate Icing
While your cookies cool, prepare the chocolate icing. In a mixing bowl, beat together the butter, powdered sugar, cocoa powder, and milk using an electric mixer. Start at a low speed to avoid a sugar cloud, then increase the speed until everything is smooth, creamy, and fully incorporated. If the icing feels too thick, add a tiny splash of milk; if it’s too thin, sift in a bit more powdered sugar.
Frost and Enjoy
Once your cookies are completely cooled, spread a generous layer of chocolate icing on top of each cookie. You can use a spoon, a butter knife, or a piping bag to make them look extra neat. If you like, add sprinkles, chocolate shavings, or a dusting of cocoa powder for decoration. Now, they’re ready to enjoy!
Necessary Tools
- Mixing bowls
- Electric mixer
- Measuring cups & spoons
- Rolling pin
- Parchment paper
- Baking tray
- Round cookie-cutter (or a glass cup)
Chocolate Sugar Cookies
Cuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy18
servings15
minutes9
minutes24
minutesIngredients
For the Cookies:
1/2 cup butter, room temperature
1 cup white sugar
1/4 cup cream cheese
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla bean paste (or vanilla extract)
2.5 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ginger powder
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp allspice
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1/2 tsp cardamom
2 tbsp whole milk
For the Chocolate Icing:
1/2 cup butter, room temp
2.5 cups powdered sugar
2 tbsp cocoa powder
2 tbsp whole milk
Directions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Gather all your ingredients to make sure everything is ready to go.
- Mix the Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, cream together the butter, sugar, cream cheese, and egg using an electric mixer until smooth and fluffy.
- Add the Flavor: Mix in the vanilla bean paste and all the spices (cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, cloves, and cardamom). Stir well to make sure the flavors are evenly distributed.
- Prepare the Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add this to the wet mixture, stirring continuously until fully combined. Add the milk and mix until you have a firm dough.
- Roll and Cut: Lay a piece of parchment paper on your countertop. Lightly flour a rolling pin and roll out the dough until it’s about 1/4-inch thick. Use a glass cup or round cookie cutter to cut out circles.
- Bake: Transfer the cookie rounds onto a parchment-lined baking tray. These cookies don’t spread too much, so you can fit about 8 cookies per tray. Bake for 9 minutes until they are set but still soft.
- Make the Icing: While the cookies cool, beat together butter, powdered sugar, cocoa powder, and milk using an electric mixer until super smooth.
- Frost and Enjoy: Make sure the cookies are completely cooled before spreading on the icing. Decorate as you like and enjoy!
Notes
- Chilling the Dough: If your dough feels too soft, chill it for 15-20 minutes before rolling it out. This makes it easier to cut and helps the cookies hold their shape.
- Don’t Overbake: These cookies may look slightly soft when they come out of the oven, but they will firm up as they cool. Overbaking can make them dry.
- Sift the Cocoa Powder: For smooth icing, sift the cocoa powder before mixing to avoid clumps.
- Wait Before Icing: If you ice the cookies while they’re warm, the icing will melt and become runny. Patience is key!
Serving Suggestions
- Pair these cookies with a glass of cold milk or hot cocoa for the ultimate treat.
- Use sprinkles or chocolate shavings on top of the icing for extra flair.
- Make cookie sandwiches by spreading icing between two cookies.
- Crumble them over vanilla ice cream for a fun topping!
Fun Fact
Did you know that the first known sugar cookies were created in the 1700s by German settlers in Pennsylvania? They became so popular that Pennsylvania named them the official state cookie! Adding chocolate just makes them even better.
Conclusion
These Chocolate Sugar Cookies are a fun twist on the classic sugar cookie. They’re rich, spiced, and topped with a creamy chocolate icing that makes them irresistible. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or just want a sweet treat, these cookies will hit the spot. So, go ahead and give them a try, your taste buds will thank you!
