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Soft Chocolate Sugar Cookies

Rich and soft chocolate sugar cookies made with a secret ingredient! If you love chocolate, these decadent cookies are for you!

Chocolate Sugar Cookies | lifemadesimplebakes.com

Something about the last few weeks of this pregnancy has me craving all things bread, ice cream and cookies! I’ve been pretty careful about balancing sweets with lots of healthy food, but lately that’s been a bit of a struggle. In hopes of keeping this little blog alive while we adjust to life as a family of 5, I’ve been working overtime in the kitchen. Thanksgiving and Christmas… I’m ready for you!! Our freezer is full of frozen cookie dough, half batches of soup, and lots of bread! The important stuff 😉

Chocolate Sugar Cookies | lifemadesimplebakes.com

I had originally planned on posting these soft chocolate sugar cookies with you in December, but I just couldn’t hold out! They’re everything you want in a “drop” sugar cookie. Simple to make & easy to bake. No dough rolling or decorating required, although these would be pretty amazing dipped with white or dark chocolate and topped with peppermint pieces or festive sprinkles. Can you tell I’m excited for the holidays?!

Chocolate Sugar Cookies | lifemadesimplebakes.com

Let’s talk about this recipe for a minute. The dough is made with a stick of soft butter and a stick of melted butter, which means it produces a nice soft & chewy cookie. It also means it needs to be refrigerated for at least an hour (reflected in the prep time). Do NOT skip that step. You’ll end up with super flat cookies.

Second, I used a dutch process cocoa which gave me dark cookies. You can use special dark cocoa or even your run of the mill natural unsweetened cocoa. Just use a quality product. The important ingredient (and my secret ingredient in a lot of my chocolate baked goods) is espresso powder. It is the ultimate enhancer. These cookies will not taste the same with out it, trust me. You can pick up a little jar of it next to all of the other coffee products, or it may even be located on the baking aisle in some stores. King Arthur Flour & Williams-Sonoma also sell it.

Chocolate Sugar Cookies | lifemadesimplebakes.com

When you’re ready to bake off the dough, you can either roll it in sugar or leave the dough as is. The choice is yours! I love how these look (and taste) with the sugar on them, however they taste just as good without. Take care not to under or over bake them. You’ll know their done when the edges are set and the centers are soft but not gooey, about 8-10 minutes.

Chocolate Sugar Cookies | lifemadesimplebakes.com

Let them cool on the sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely, or long enough to not burn your tongue! Serve with a tall glass of milk and ENJOY!

Chocolate Sugar Cookies | lifemadesimplebakes.com

Soft Chocolate Sugar Cookies Recipe

Rich and soft chocolate sugar cookies made with a secret ingredient! If you love chocolate, these decadent cookies are for you!
4.89 from 36 votes
Pin Rate
Course: Cookies
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 1 hr 15 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 1 hr 25 mins
Servings: 24 cookies
Calories: 180kcal
Author: Andrea
Print Recipe

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter - melted
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter - room temperature
  • 1 cup brown sugar - packed
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 tsp expresso powder
  • 2 cup all purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup +2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 3/4 tsp salt
  • 1/3 cup granulated sugar - for rolling

Instructions

  • In the bowl of a stand mixer (or a large mixing bowl with a hand mixer), beat the butter and sugars until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes.
  • Add in eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Add vanilla and espresso powder, mix until combined.
  • In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the cocoa powder, flour, baking soda, and salt. With mixing speed on low, gradually add the dry ingredients. Mix until a soft dough forms.
  • Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Refrigerate dough for one hour.
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or silicone baking mats, set aside.
  • Using a standard size cookie scoop (#40 or 1.5 tablespoons), scoop dough and roll in the granulated sugar, if desired. Place on prepared sheet, then bake for 8-10 minutes. The cookies should be soft in the center but set on the edges.
  • Remove from the oven and allow the cookies to cool on the sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Nutrition Facts
Soft Chocolate Sugar Cookies Recipe
Serving Size
 
1 cookie
Amount per Serving
Calories
180
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
9
g
14
%
Saturated Fat
 
5
g
31
%
Cholesterol
 
36
mg
12
%
Sodium
 
136
mg
6
%
Potassium
 
70
mg
2
%
Carbohydrates
 
26
g
9
%
Fiber
 
1
g
4
%
Sugar
 
16
g
18
%
Protein
 
2
g
4
%
Vitamin A
 
259
IU
5
%
Calcium
 
17
mg
2
%
Iron
 
1
mg
6
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Did you make this recipe?Take a picture and tag @lmadesimple on Instagram or tag #LMSBakes! We can't wait to see your version!

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Andrea

About the Author

Andrea

Hi I'm Andrea!

Hotelier turned Food Blogger to help make your life simple, one recipe at a time.

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Comments:

  1. 5 stars
    I prefer these not rolled in sugar, but that’s just my personal preference. These are so delicious and I am adding these to my regular cookie rotation. Great chocolate flavor. I did use espresso powder.
    Thanks for a great recipe!!
    I believe I like these better than Martha Stewart’s Grammy’s Chocolate Cookies.

  2. These are the BEST chocolate cookies. I am obsessed. And so is everyone I’ve baked them for. Absolutely scrumptious. Game changer! THANK YOU!

  3. 5 stars
    These were so good! I made a simple icing and made them into homemade Oreos and they were so perfect!

  4. 5 stars
    Absolutely delicious chocolate cookies! They are like a much better version of an Archway chocolate cookie.

    The only thing was that I did have to flatten them a bit before baking. I tested one first, without flattening, and it didn’t spread at all when baked, it was just a chocolate ball. But, they came out perfectly when I flattened them with the bottom of a glass before baking. In my oven, they baked for 11 minutes.

    Thanks so much for the recipe! I love chocolate cookies and these are perfect. Now, I have to go check out your other recipes!

    1. Yay!! I’m so glad to hear that you enjoyed the cookies. Hope you find some other recipes you enjoy!