Happy November to you! That's it. I've officially got the November-but-soon-to-be-December-cookie-making itch. Don't you? My favourite cookies to make, bake and create with are sugar cookies. Variation is great too, but in the end I just love a perfect little sugar cookie. That's not to say I love every sugar cookie, but the right sugar cookie has my heart. It has to buttery, slightly crispy, full of either pure vanilla or deep dark chocolate flavour, and absolutely must keeps its shape when baked. 
If you've read my previous post about The Perfect Sugar Cookie (and Cookie Pop), you know that I have a best-loved vanilla sugar cookie recipe (and technique for rolling and baking to ensure they keep their shape). So when I make the chocolate version, I use almost the same recipe, but I add some extra sugar (brown), premium dark cocoa powder, and an extra egg to make up for it. (I omit the lemon extract). And just like that they are the deepest of chocolate with the same delightful buttery, slightly-crispiness as the vanilla version. Doesn't the cookie dough look so dark and decadent? As for decorating these, anything goes of course. I love the visual of a pastel icing or fondant on a deep, dark cookie and, just as the vanilla version, they are perfect for cookie pops too. (You can learn about how to do that in the same post). Although the recipe helps keeps them from expanding, it's the process that is key, in my opinion. It's all about the chilling the dough, rolling it and chilling again before cutting shapes, then chilling (almost freezing) the shapes before baking. This will add to the baking time compared to other sugar cookie recipes, but it makes all the difference. Just make sure to bake the cookies long enough (even if it feels as though they're taking forever), so that they are crispy on the edges, but not burnt. Burnt chocolate cookies can make you shiver--and not in a good way. 
So albeit a simple and no-bells-and-whistles recipe, it's only the beginning of countless (fabulous) chocolaty cookie designs. ♥
Perfect Dark Chocolate Sugar Cookies
Buttery, crisp and super-chocolaty, these sugar cookies are ideal for decorating, snacking, tea-time or gifting. If the steps are followed, they will keep their shapes well and won't expand while baking. For a smaller batch, simply cut this recipe in half.
- 6 cups 750 g all-purpose flour, sifted
- 1-1/4 cups 137 g dark cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon 8 g salt
- 2 cups 454 g(4 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups 400 g granulated sugar
- 1 cup 228 g light brown sugar
- 3 eggs (cold)
- 2 teaspoons 10 ml pure vanilla extract
- In large bowl, sift together flour, cocoa powder and salt. Set aside.
- In an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter and sugars until fluffy and pale, about 5 minutes. Beat in eggs until just combined.
- Add flour mixture and mix on low speed until thoroughly combined. Add vanilla and blend.
- Remove 1/2 of dough from bowl, make a ball, and place on a large piece of plastic wrap on counter.Wrap the sides of wrap over the ball, then press down with the palm of your hand and make a disc about 2" thick. Finish wrapping the disc with the plastic wrap. Repeat with 2nd half of dough. Chill both discs of dough for about 45 minutes.
- Remove one disc and remove plastic wrap. Place on top of a large piece of parchment paper (I use a silicone rolling mat underneath to ensure it doesn't slip while rolling, but you can even dampen counter so the parchment sticks a bit.), then place two 1/4" wooden dowels on either side of your dough, then another sheet of parchment paper.
- Roll dough (this will require a bit of elbow grease for the first few minutes until it softens up a bit) so it's flush with dowels--they will ensure that your dough is even thickness.
- Preheat your oven to 325° F. Slide your parchment paper and dough onto a board, then place in refrigerator for about 15 minutes.
- Remove from fridge, and cut your shapes using the cutters of your choice, placing them on a baker's half sheet lined with a silicone baking mat (or parchment), with 2" clearance around each one and the edge of sheet. Place sheet with cookies into freezer for 15 minutes before baking. Bake until cookie edges are just crisp, about 16 minutes.
- Cool sheets on wire racks for 10 minutes, then gently remove cookies and place on wire racks to finish cooling.
May be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks. They also freeze well in an airtight container.
Sweetapolita's Notes:
- I use Cacao Barry Cocoa Powder Extra Brute
for my cookies (and almost all of my chocolate treats).
- When baking cookies, I always use a Silpat Non-Stick Baking Mat
on my cookie sheets.
- Because these cookies are all about the chocolate, try to use the best quality cocoa powder you can find.
- Use your favourite Royal Icing to decorate, and top with sprinkles, candy or a light dusting of confectioner's sugar.
for my cookies (and almost all of my chocolate treats).
