Chocolate Sugar Cookies

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Chocolate sugar cookies are buttery, tender and melt in your mouth with each delicious bite! These are the perfect elevated cookies to cut out and frost for Valentine’s Day, or any day!

Cookies are the best dessert because everyone loves them and they work for any occasion! Next, try my favorite no-bake cookies, perfectly soft peanut butter cookies and these loaded ranger cookies that you will go crazy over!

Incredible chocolate sugar cookies are just as heavenly as my classic sugar cookies but with a chocolate twist! Using simple ingredients and an easy baking process, you will satisfy not only your sweet tooth but your chocolate craving too! I love to get my kids in the kitchen with me and cut these into fun and festive shapes. You can even add frosting for an extra special touch.

These chocolate sugar cookies will definitely go fast at any gathering or party. They’re always a unique surprise because most people will serve something like chocolate chip cookies or brownies, so I love to bring this dessert. It never takes long for the rave reviews to start rolling in, and everyone asks for the recipe. In fact, because they are so adored, you might want to double the recipe. They keep for days and store well in the freezer, too!

Ingredients Needed

This chocolate sugar cookies recipe only requires a handful of basic baking ingredients, yet they come together for a delightful treat that is perfect for any occasion. Check out the recipe card at the bottom of the post for all of the exact measurements.

Unsalted Butter: It’s best to use unsalted butter, so that you have control over the amount of salt going into the recipe. Allow it to soften to room temperature before beginning the recipe.
Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the cookies without overwhelming the chocolate flavor.
Egg Yolks and Egg: To bind the ingredients together, and using plenty of egg yolks adds amazing richness.
Vanilla Extract: To enhance the flavor.
All-Purpose Flour: Use all-purpose flour for a tender cookie with wonderful texture in each bite.
Salt: Just a little bit of salt to bring all of the flavors together.
Baking Powder: Ensures these bake properly with the perfect spread and lift.
Cocoa Powder: For just the right amount of chocolate flavor.

How to Make Chocolate Sugar Cookies

These are so fun to make for the holidays or anytime of year! You can cut them into any shape, and even decorate them with icing. Follow the instructions below for how to make these cookies.

Prep: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
Beat Butter and Sugar: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, add the butter and sugar and beat on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed.
Add Egg and Vanilla: Add in the egg yolks, egg, and vanilla extract and beat until combined.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, salt, baking powder, and cocoa powder. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Mix on medium-low speed to combine. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed, but do not over-mix.
Roll Dough and Cut Shapes: Lightly dust a clean surface with flour and roll out the dough to ¼ inch thick. Cut out your desired shapes and place the cookies on the prepared baking sheets, leaving 1 ½ inches between them. Gather the scraps of dough together and roll out again. Repeat until all the dough has been cut out.
Bake: Bake for 7-9 minutes, just until the centers of the cookies have lost their sheen and look matte. Remove from the oven and allow the cookies to cool for 2-3 minutes on the baking sheet before transferring them to a cooling rack to finish cooling.
Frost: Frost the cooled cookies with buttercream, royal icing, or any other frosting of your choice.

4-photo collage of the cookie dough being mixed together and cut into shapes.

Tips for Making Chocolate Sugar Cookies

Making this cookie recipe is easy, but there are a few things to keep in mind, so they’re perfect every time. Follow my tips below to help make your baking a success!

Cocoa Powder: Using high-quality cocoa powder will yield better chocolate flavor! If desired, substitute 2 tablespoons of regular cocoa powder for Dutched cocoa powder for a deeper, richer chocolate flavor.
Don’t Overbake! If you bake these cookies until the edges are fully set, they will be hard once they cool. The centers of the cookies should just barely turn matte when they are removed from the oven.
Don’t skip cooling on the pan! Letting the cookies cool on the pan for a few minutes allows the baking process to continue without the intense heat of the oven. If you remove them from the pan right after taking them out of the oven, the center will be slightly underbaked and they may fall apart as you transfer them.
Use any kind of frosting! Chocolate is a hit with so many flavors. You don’t need to use fancy royal icing to pipe intricate designs for these cookies to be enjoyed, although they do make a great decorated cookie. Plain buttercream, homemade buttercream, orange glaze, strawberry icing… so many wonderful options to tailor these cut-out cookies to your liking.

Top-down view of cooked chocolate sugar cookies in a parchment paper-lined pan.

Storing Leftover Cookies

These chocolate sugar cookies are so irresistible that you’ll want to enjoy them as long as possible! Here’s some tips on how to keep leftovers tasting fresh and delicious for longer!

Make Ahead: The dough may be made in advance and chilled for up to 24 hours before being rolled out, however, it is significantly more difficult to roll it out when it has been chilled. Allow the dough to sit at room temperature for 2-3 hours to thaw before rolling out.
In the Freezer: The baked chocolate sugar cookies may be frozen and stored in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months. Allow them to thaw at room temperature for a couple of hours before frosting and serving.
In the Refrigerator: Frosted sugar cookies may be kept in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 8 days, or at room temperature for up to 5, though this will also depend on the type of frosting you use on them.
Freezing Frosted Cookies: Chocolate sugar cookies frosted with royal icing may be frozen for 4 hours while laying in a single layer on a baking sheet before being transferred into a large freezer bag. Allow the cookies to thaw at room temperature for a couple of hours before serving.

3 cookies on a wire rack. One has a bite taken out of it.

More Chocolate Cookies

Cookies are one of the best desserts because they are easy to make, easy to transport, and easy to eat. They’re popular with everyone! And there is just something about a flavorful chocolate cookie that tastes so amazing. Here are some of our favorites to try next.

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Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, add the butter and sugar and beat on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed to ensure the butter and sugar are evenly incorporated.
Add in the egg yolks, egg, and vanilla extract and beat until combined.
In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, salt, baking powder, and cocoa powder. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix on medium-low speed just until they are fully combined. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed, but do not over-mix.
Lightly dust a clean surface with flour and roll out the dough to ¼ inch thick. Cut out your desired shapes and place the cookies on the prepared baking sheets, leaving 1 ½ inches between them. Gather the scraps of dough together and roll out again, repeating until all the dough has been cut out.
Bake for 7-9 minutes, just until the centers of the cookies have lost their sheen and look matte. Remove from the oven and allow the cookies to cool for 2-3 minutes on the baking sheet before transferring them to a cooling rack to finish cooling.
Frost the cooled cookies with buttercream, royal icing, or any other frosting of your choice.

Calories: 148kcalCarbohydrates: 19gProtein: 2gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.4gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 39mgSodium: 71mgPotassium: 53mgFiber: 1gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 232IUCalcium: 12mgIron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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Chocolate Sugar Cookies | The Recipe Critic