Chocolate Sugar Cookies Recipe

If there’s one treat that never fails to make any chocolate lover’s heart skip a beat, it’s this Chocolate Sugar Cookies Recipe. Imagine rich cocoa flavor, melt-in-your-mouth texture, and that irresistible sugary crunch on the outside — all coming together in a cookie that’s both classic and a little bit decadent. These cookies are perfect for holidays, midnight cravings, or after-school surprises. Whether you enjoy them plain or with a dip of glossy chocolate, this recipe will convince you to ditch store-bought versions forever.

Ingredients You’ll Need

To make the very best Chocolate Sugar Cookies Recipe, you need just a handful of pantry staples, each selected to add depth, tenderness, and a touch of elegance. The secret is in balancing the flavors, so don’t skip the high-quality chocolate and molasses!

• Unsalted butter (3/4 cup, 170 g): Room temperature butter is key for that soft, slightly chewy texture and richness in every bite.
• Dark brown sugar (3/4 cup, 150 g): Packed full of molasses, it deepens the chocolate notes and makes each cookie extra soft.
• Granulated sugar (1/4 cup, 50 g): Adds a touch of classic sweetness and crispness to the outer layer.
• Large egg (1): Helps bind everything together and gives each cookie structure and lift.
• Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Enhances all the flavors and brings out the richness of the chocolate.
• Molasses (1 tablespoon): Just a bit gives a subtle earthy sweetness that makes these cookies irresistible.
• All-purpose flour (2 cups, 250 g): Provides the ideal base for chewy but not crumbly cookies.
• Unsweetened cocoa powder (1/2 cup, 45 g, sifted): Using a rich, dark cocoa like Hershey’s Special Dark creates that stunning color and deep chocolate flavor.
• Baking soda (1 teaspoon): Gives the cookies their perfect, slightly puffy rise and those signature cracks on top.
• Salt (1/2 teaspoon): A little salt balances the sweetness and sharpens all the other flavors.
• Granulated sugar (1/3 cup, 66 g), for rolling: Rolling the dough in sugar adds phenomenal sparkle and crunch to every bite.
• Dark or semi-sweet chocolate chips (1 cup): Ghirardelli or another good-quality brand melts beautifully for that luscious chocolate-dipped finish.
• Coconut or vegetable oil (1 teaspoon): Helps the chocolate coating stay silky smooth and shiny after dipping.

How to Make Chocolate Sugar Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Baking Sheets

Start by preheating your oven to 325°F and lining two large baking sheets with parchment paper. This ensures the cookies bake evenly and makes cleanup a breeze. Set those pans aside and get your mixer ready—it’s almost cookie time!

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars

In the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the butter, dark brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Beat on medium speed until the mixture turns light and fluffy, about 2 to 3 minutes. This step sets the foundation for that tender, melt-in-your-mouth crumb. Remember to scrape down the sides of the bowl to get every bit mixed in.

Step 3: Add Wet Ingredients

Mix in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined. Next, pour in the molasses. Mixing on low speed, let it blend in completely. The mixture might look a bit dark and glossy now—don’t worry, that’s a secret to these cookies’ intense flavor and beautiful color.

Step 4: Mix Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, sifted cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. This extra step evenly distributes the cocoa and leavening, so every bite is equally chocolatey and perfectly textured.

Step 5: Combine and Finish the Dough

Add the dry ingredients to your butter and sugar mixture in three additions, mixing just until the dough comes together. To avoid a cloud of cocoa powder, cover your mixer with a kitchen towel during this step. Use a spatula to make sure no white streaks of flour remain—here’s where the dough starts to look rich and chocolatey!

Step 6: Form and Roll the Cookies

Using a large cookie scoop, divide the dough into 1.8 to 2.0 ounce balls. Roll each ball between your hands until smooth, then coat generously in the extra 1/3 cup of granulated sugar, making sure each cookie is sparkling on all sides. Arrange them on your prepared baking sheets, giving about 2 to 3 inches of space between each. Gently flatten the tops—just a little—using your hand or the bottom of a measuring cup. For extra sparkle, sprinkle a tiny bit more sugar on top.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Pop your trays in the center rack of the oven and bake for 10 to 11 minutes. The edges should be set while the centers stay soft, and you’ll see those signature cracks forming across the top. Pull them from the oven and allow the cookies to cool for about 10 minutes right on the sheet. They’ll settle and become impossibly fudgy as they cool.

Step 8: Dip in Chocolate (Optional, but Magical!)

If you want to make your Chocolate Sugar Cookies Recipe even more decadent, wait until the cookies are completely cool. Then, melt the chocolate chips with the oil in a microwave-safe bowl, stirring every 30 seconds until perfectly smooth. Dip half of each cookie into the chocolate and let the excess drip off, then lay the cookies on a rack. Add sprinkles or chopped nuts if you like. Allow the chocolate to set at room temperature for about an hour before diving in.

How to Serve Chocolate Sugar Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

For that bakery-shop look, try a sprinkle of flaky sea salt on the wet chocolate, or dust with gold sanding sugar for a touch of celebration. Chopped roasted nuts or colorful sprinkles are both beautiful and delicious. The contrast of salty, sweet, and crunchy makes every bite feel special.

Side Dishes

These cookies are pure chocolate bliss on their own, but serving them with a scoop of vanilla or raspberry ice cream is downright dreamy. For a more grown-up pairing, try espresso, a hot latte, or even a glass of cold milk—the ultimate comfort combo. They also shine alongside a fresh fruit platter for a little balance.

Creative Ways to Present

Stack cookies inside a cellophane bag tied with ribbon for an instant DIY gift, or arrange them on a styled platter for dessert tables. If you’re feeling festive, use a fork to drizzle extra chocolate in crosshatch patterns, or sandwich a scoop of ice cream between two cookies for dreamy chocolate cookie sandwiches. However you serve them, these beauties will steal the show.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once completely cool, store any uneaten cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay deliciously soft and chewy for up to 4 days. If you dipped them in chocolate, be sure to separate layers with parchment so the chocolate doesn’t smudge or stick together.

Freezing

The Chocolate Sugar Cookies Recipe freezes beautifully! Place baked and cooled cookies in a single layer (or separated by parchment) in a freezer-safe bag or container. Stored this way, they’ll keep their flavor and texture for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature and they’ll be as good as fresh.

Reheating

If you love a warm cookie, pop one in the microwave for 8 to 10 seconds. This softens the center and gives a bit of that just-baked experience. Just be careful not to overheat, especially if the cookies are chocolate-dipped.

FAQs

Can I use milk chocolate instead of dark or semi-sweet for the coating?

Absolutely! The Chocolate Sugar Cookies Recipe is flexible—milk chocolate yields a sweeter profile, while dark or semi-sweet keeps things rich. Pick your favorite or try a blend for extra depth.

Do I have to use molasses?

Molasses adds a subtle depth and softness that defines this recipe, but if you’re absolutely in a pinch, you can substitute with an equal amount of honey or maple syrup—the flavor will be slightly different, but still delicious.

My dough is sticky. Is that normal?

Yes, the dough for this Chocolate Sugar Cookies Recipe should be soft and a little sticky—that’s what ensures such a fudgy texture. If needed, chill it in the refrigerator for 15–20 minutes to make it easier to handle and roll.

What’s the best way to get perfectly round cookies?

Use a large cookie scoop and your hands to shape each dough ball, then gently press the tops with a flat object like a measuring cup. For ultra-uniform edges, you can gently swirl a round cookie cutter around each cookie as soon as they come out of the oven.

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Definitely! You can prepare the dough and refrigerate it, tightly wrapped, for up to 48 hours. You can also freeze the dough balls, then bake straight from the freezer—just add an extra minute or two to the baking time.

Final Thoughts

Chocolate lovers, you haven’t lived until you’ve tasted a homemade batch from this Chocolate Sugar Cookies Recipe. With their rich cocoa flavor, sparkly sugar coating, and optional chocolate dip, these cookies are pure joy in every bite. Whether you share them or keep the stash for yourself, I hope you’ll give this recipe a try and fall in love, just like I did!

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