Name: Soft Dark Chocolate Sugar Cookies
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 100 min
Ingredients: 2 cups all purpose flour (at least 11% protein); 1 teaspoon baking soda; ¼ teaspoon salt; 3 squares semi sweet (or unsweetened if you prefer) dark chocolate (3 ounces)*; 1 cup butter; 1 cup powdered/icing sugar; 1 large egg room temperature; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

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Soft Dark Chocolate Sugar Cookies, a delicious not too sweet easy to make Sugar Cookie. Perfect for dunking in milk or served with a cup of tea. A definite Christmas Cookie must for your Cookie Tray.

It’s always fun to make cookies for the holidays, from our favorite Cut Out Cookie to a very popular Shortbread and of course I can’t forget my favorite Coconut Jam Squares. But sometimes a simple and easy cookie recipe is just what we need. And these are just that!

Recipe Ingredients

Flour – all purpose – I like to use one with at least 11% protein that way the cookies don’t spread too much.
Baking soda
Salt
Chocolate -semi sweet dark chocolate
Butter – if you use unsalted butter then add a bit more salt
Sugar – Icing/Powdered/Confectioners sugar
Egg – large room temperature
Vanilla

What type of sugar should be used in making dark chocolate sugar cookies?

While normally granulated sugar is used in most cookies, powdered sugar is used and recommended in this recipe. Powdered sugar helps with absorbing some of the moisture in the soft dough. It helps in creating a nice soft cookie.

How to make Chocolate Sugar Cookies

In a medium bowl whisk together the flour, baking soda and salt. Set aside.

The dry ingredients whisked in a glass bowl.

In a medium bowl melt the chocolate and butter either in the microwave or bain-marie heat until butter has melted then whisk together until smooth. Set aside.

Melted butter and chocolate in a glass bowl.

Stir the powdered sugar into the melted chocolate with a whisk or spatula, combine until smooth, add the egg and vanilla, stir well to combine.

The sugar and egg added to the melted chocolate.

Add the flour mixture, stir to form a soft dough. Cover the bowl in plastic wrap and refrigerate for approximately 30-60 minutes.

Pre heat oven to 375F/ 190C. Line 1-2 cookie sheets with parchment paper.

Roll pieces of dough into 1 1/2 inches balls, place on parchment paper lined baking sheets, chill while the oven in pre-heating to 375F.

Bake for approximately 8-10 minutes. Dust with powdered sugar before serving if desired.

The baked cookies and dusted with powdered sugar.

What is bain-marie?

It is basically a fancy french term for a hot water bath. To do this, place a pot with water on the burner and a plate on top with the ingredient that needs to be melted or heated.

If you are melting chocolate be sure that the water in the pot does not touch the bottom of the dish. Heat the water to a slow boil and stir the chocolate until completely melted and smooth.

Tips for making the best chocolate sugar cookies

If your cookies come out extra fluffy and still round from the original ball shape, you can gently flatten the cookies, if you like, right after they come out of the oven with the bottom of a glass.

If you accidentally leave the chocolate dough balls in the refrigerator too long, just leave them out at room temperature for a few minutes or until they soften up a little more before baking. If you bake them directly from the refrigerator and they are too cold, they may take a little longer to bake.

What causes cookies to be hard?

There are a few reasons why cookies can harden. Over mixing the batter can cause cookies to harden. Also, over-baking can cause this as well.

Should sugar cookies be soft or crispy?

These sugar cookies should be nice and soft. Don’t over mix when adding the dry ingredients to prevent the cookies from getting hard.

Should I bake cookies on parchment paper?

Parchment paper is great to use because it prevents sticking and also helps the cookies bake evenly. Silicone baking mats are also great to use for baking cookies. They allow the cookies to bake perfectly and prevent them from getting too dark on the bottom.

How to store the sugar cookies

Store the baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They will last up to 3-4 days at room temperature. Refrigerating sugar cookies will dry them out and make them hard.

How to freeze the cookies

You can either freeze the cookie dough, wrap it well in plastic wrap then place in a freezer safe container or bag. The dough will last up to 3 months. To make it even easier you can freeze the cookie dough balls.

Place the balls on a cookie and freeze until firm, then move the frozen cookie balls into a container or bag. They will keep for up to 3 months in the freezer. They can be baked from frozen, just add a couple of minutes longer to the baking time.

Freeze the completely cooled cookies in a freezer safe container. They will keep for up to 3-6 months in the freezer.

So if are planning on doing some baking this week don’t forget to add this Chocolate Sugar Cookie recipe to your baking line up. Enjoy!

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