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The Perfect Dark Chocolate Sugar Cookie

November 3, 2012 - 148 Comments

Perfect Dark Chocolate Sugar Cookie via Sweetapolita

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.

Perfect Dark Chocolate Sugar Cookie via Sweetapolita

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. ♥

Print
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.
Ingredients
  • 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
Instructions
  1. In large bowl, sift together flour, cocoa powder and salt. Set aside.
  2. 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.
  3. Add flour mixture and mix on low speed until thoroughly combined. Add vanilla and blend.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. Preheat your oven to 325° F. Slide your parchment paper and dough onto a board, then place in refrigerator for about 15 minutes.
  8. 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.
  9. Cool sheets on wire racks for 10 minutes, then gently remove cookies and place on wire racks to finish cooling.
Sweetapolita's Notes

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.
Good luck & enjoy!

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Filed Under: Cookies, Cut-Out Cookies, Cutout Cookies for Decorating Tagged With: chocolate, chocolate cookie, chocolate sugar, holiday, perfect, stars, sugar cookies

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Comments

  1. Roxy @ www.bakemecakes.blogspot.com says

    November 3, 2012 at 9:44 am

    I’m totally making these. They look scrumptious! I got the November itch too but I’m going to try to enjoy the calm before the December Christmas storm!

    Reply
  2. Cindy says

    November 3, 2012 at 9:51 am

    These are beautiful!

    Reply
  3. neev says

    November 3, 2012 at 9:53 am

    They sure do look dacadent.I too wasthink how lovely the would look with some pastel icing like a soft pink. You are amazing.

    Reply
  4. Amanda says

    November 3, 2012 at 10:09 am

    Cant wait to try this Rosie!! Beautiful pictures!

    Reply
  5. Niki says

    November 3, 2012 at 10:10 am

    Am reading you, and follow you everywhere! I using a loto of your recipew with great success.. I just need to say hat I LOVE YOU!! <3

    Reply
    • Rosie @ Sweetapolita says

      November 4, 2012 at 11:58 am

      Thank you for the sweet comment, Niki!

      Reply
  6. Brian @ A Thought For Food says

    November 3, 2012 at 10:15 am

    These cookies just brought a huge smile to my face. Just beautiful, Rosie! Hope all is well!

    Reply
  7. Sil says

    November 3, 2012 at 10:27 am

    Oh. My. !!!

    I will be trying these ASAP. I have a wonderful tasting cookie but it tends to spend just a bit. These look perfect! Thank you for sharing! You are one of my “go to” people when looking for anything sweet!

    Reply
  8. Alba says

    November 3, 2012 at 10:28 am

    These look delicious and they are perfect! I’m sure going to try this recipe following all the steps, because some chocolate (perfect) cookies are wonderful as christmas gifts. Will you share your recipe for royal icing one day, Rosie? I haven’t found one that I feel comfortable with, and I would like to try yours!
    Happy weekend and baking!
    xo

    Reply
  9. Victoria says

    November 3, 2012 at 1:30 pm

    I am definitely making these cookies!

    Reply
  10. marla says

    November 3, 2012 at 1:54 pm

    Perfect cookies Rosie!

    Reply
  11. Anne says

    November 3, 2012 at 7:09 pm

    Just wanted to thank you for sharing your wonderful baking tips and recipes. Accorfing to my boys My cakes are now the yummiest cakes my boys love eating and that is simply a big thanks to you. May I also add that they both love joining me to bake up something yummy from you and I know we are all going to have so much fun in the kitchen baking a batch of these yummy cookies. I’m sure you have probably figured that yummy is their favourite word when it comes to sampling the baked goods from your wonderful recipes.
    Big THANK YOU again for sharing and educating me.
    Love you lots x

    Reply
    • Rosie @ Sweetapolita says

      November 4, 2012 at 11:58 am

      Thank you so much, Anne. What a lovely comment! xo

      Reply
  12. Ginan says

    November 4, 2012 at 12:22 am

    I have been wondering about a chocolate flavor sugar cookie… or even something to replace gingerbread cookies for Christmas. perfect!

    Reply
  13. Vanita says

    November 4, 2012 at 3:14 am

    I also want to start baking Christmas goodies right away, but there’s a lot of work ahead of me, so I can’t – yet.
    It’s amazing how well your cookies keep their shape. I’ll have to try your technique.

    Reply
  14. Kathryn says

    November 4, 2012 at 4:22 am

    I love the simplicity of a good sugar cookie but I do always find the chocolate kind rather disappointing – this recipe looks like everything I could want and more & has made me ridiculously excited for the upcoming cookie season!

    Reply
  15. sere says

    November 4, 2012 at 4:55 am

    I really want try this dark version, because I made your sugar cookies and they were… simply perfect!

    Reply
  16. Christina says

    November 4, 2012 at 5:00 am

    Hello! Happy November to you too! I have a huge block of dark chocolate sitting in my fridge, can I use that instead of the cocoa powder?

    Reply
  17. Sue Spear says

    November 4, 2012 at 6:38 am

    I am definately going to make these for my grandkid’s and perhap’s a few for me !!! xxx

    Reply
  18. Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar says

    November 4, 2012 at 7:07 am

    These sure do look perfect! LOVE this recipe…they’re so pretty too :)

    Reply
  19. Inés Tsai says

    November 4, 2012 at 8:57 am

    Hi Rosie!!! Thank you so much for sharing this recipe with us! I love it and definitively will try it! The cookies look delicious!! I´ve just tried your “Salted Caramel Chocolate Fudge Cake” recipe ((I posted it ;) ) with some changes, and my family loved it!!! Best wishes from Belize!!!

    Reply
  20. AnneMarie@simplysweeter.blogspot.com says

    November 4, 2012 at 9:44 am

    These are just lovely!!! Thanks so much for sharing!

    Reply
  21. Tracy {pale yellow} says

    November 4, 2012 at 11:11 am

    I love that you have already started thinking about holiday baking! These cookies look like they are going to make the list no questions asked!

    Reply
  22. Grace says

    November 4, 2012 at 12:12 pm

    Yumyumyum!

    Grace
    http://herumbrella.cl,

    Reply
  23. buttercream bakehouse says

    November 4, 2012 at 12:17 pm

    wow! Those are perfect. I am thinking all that flour is what helps them keep such a great shape while baking. This is a must try. Thanks for posting another fabulous recipe.

    Reply
  24. Liz @ Tip Top Shape says

    November 4, 2012 at 12:37 pm

    These are beautiful!

    Reply
  25. Jo-Ann with Fine Frostings says

    November 4, 2012 at 1:27 pm

    Perfect timing to start my Christmas baking. These cookies look devine on their own which shows how well the bake and don’t spread. Thanks for sharing Rosie – it looks like a winning recipe to me!!

    Reply
  26. Rachel says

    November 4, 2012 at 3:58 pm

    These are lovely! One of these days I’m going to brave and patient enough to make these and try out my hand decorating them with royal icing. You intimidate me with your talent!

    Reply
  27. Kathy Moore says

    November 4, 2012 at 9:48 pm

    I have made a version of a dark chocolate sugar cookie for several years. I make a thumbprint before baking and fill with raspberry jam when they are cooled. Something was always not quite right with this cookie, but I didn’t know what. I can’t wait to try your recipe Rosie. Thank you!!!!

    Reply
  28. XL @ 6 Bittersweets says

    November 4, 2012 at 10:09 pm

    What gorgeous cookies! Does it matter if we use natural or Dutch-process cocoa powder? The brand you recommend is obviously Dutch-process but recipe didn’t specify so I was curious if natural would also work. Thanks!

    Reply
  29. Barbara Hadjiapostolou says

    November 5, 2012 at 1:44 am

    I have made some of your cakes and they have turned out absolutely gorgeous. you are indeed an inspiration to a few of us here in South Africa. Am looking forward to trying out the cookie recipe this weekend.

    thank you so much for all the tips and so easy to follow instructions.

    Reply
  30. Miss Nancy Pants says

    November 5, 2012 at 8:47 am

    These are so pretty, Rosie! I love the dark hue of them as well! On the cookie baking list! P.S. I made your vanilla sugar cookies a few months ago and they turned out beautiful! Thank you for always providing us with such gorgeous recipes! xo

    Reply
  31. Sue @ Cakeballs, cookies and more says

    November 5, 2012 at 8:54 am

    i am so nervous about trying a chocolate roll out cookie, I worry I will over bake them, one day I will be brave enough

    Reply
  32. Aysh says

    November 5, 2012 at 9:58 am

    They are stunning Rosie, just like everything you make. I love looking at all your beautiful creations. Your cake recipes have saved my life after moving to Quebec from California.

    Rosie, I really need your help on a sprinkle search. I don’t know anyone better to ask than you! Please let me know if I can email you.

    Thanks!

    Ps. At the rate, I am going working my way through your recipe list, someone might need to check me in to rehab @ the Betty Crocker Institute.

    Reply
  33. Dena says

    November 5, 2012 at 11:40 am

    These look divine! Do you have a frosting recipe you would recommend for on them (not fondant)? Thanks so much!

    Reply
  34. lyndsay says

    November 5, 2012 at 3:11 pm

    rosie these do look perfect!! i’ve used that cocoa powder before too and it’s so rich and good.

    i can’t even believe the holidays are upon us. blogs are gonna go WILD with baking pretty soon!!

    xo

    Reply
  35. nyanyels says

    November 5, 2012 at 4:45 pm

    Oh my goodness! They’re amazing. I’m gonna say just one thing: PERFECT!

    Love

    Nyanyels (from Barcelona)

    Reply
  36. Linda from Holland says

    November 6, 2012 at 3:23 am

    They look so clean and sharp, just love the way they look. I agree with earlier comments. I follow you blog by email and my heart makes a little jump everytime I see there is a new post. I learned a lot and tryed several recipes. They don’t look as good as yours yet, but it’s getting better each day. I just wiched that we had a school like Bonnie Gordon around here !!! Do you have a great gingerbread recipe as well ??? Love everything you do ! Keep those video’s comming !

    Reply
  37. Desire' says

    November 6, 2012 at 12:15 pm

    The are just absolutely fabulous! I am such a huge fan of everything you bake. I have question though…I recently tried to make a peanut butter sugar cookie, but the recipe was not great and the cookies did not keep their shape at all (I made them in the shape of pugs for a friends birthday). How could I adapt the recipe to make peanut butter cookies? Or at least peanut butter flavour? Any advice would be so much appreciated.

    Reply
  38. Andrea says

    November 6, 2012 at 3:27 pm

    I am SO ready to make Christmas cookies!!!! And this recipe will be added to my list….they look amazing!

    Thank you for your amazing recipes! I use them often and check your blog weekly for new posts – I’m addicted! :)

    Reply
  39. KB @ Home-Baked Happiness says

    November 6, 2012 at 5:17 pm

    Do you think the texture of these would work for a stuffed cookie? I’ve been looking for a good chocolate cookie to form around candies and bake.

    Reply
  40. Stephanie says

    November 6, 2012 at 7:12 pm

    So beautiful!! I want to make some pretty decorated cookies this winter, would love to try them on a dark chocolate background

    Reply
  41. Loretta | A Finn In The Kitchen says

    November 6, 2012 at 10:13 pm

    Although I rarely make sugar cookies, these would be worth trying. Whenever I made them, they always puffed up. I love that yours stayed ‘put’.

    Reply
  42. Julia | JuliasAlbum.com says

    November 8, 2012 at 12:59 pm

    Beautiful cookies! I could probably sandwich them together with something sweet and creamy in between.

    Reply
  43. MollyCakesBakes says

    November 9, 2012 at 7:38 pm

    Hey Rosie! Just made these!
    They are awesome, but make a huge amount! My mixer was overflowing!

    Reply
  44. Kari@Loaves n Dishes says

    November 13, 2012 at 4:11 pm

    I love these cookies, is it wrong that I want to eat the cookie dough scraps,raw?

    Reply
  45. Maria says

    November 13, 2012 at 6:05 pm

    Wow these look absolutely BEAUTIFUL!!!!! Love the idea of a dark chocolate sugar cookie because I’m not really a fan of the traditional kind. These sound great!!!!

    Reply
  46. MikeVFMK says

    November 13, 2012 at 6:11 pm

    I’m a cookie lover but especially notice my need for baking them and eating them once November and December roll around. And buttery is amazing, as are anything chocolate for me. And these sugar cookies fit the bill. They look too good, as usual. Cravings kicking in now!

    Reply
  47. Emma says

    November 18, 2012 at 5:44 am

    This was only my second time making sugar cookies (the first time, I made your vanilla ones!) and they were ahhh-mazing! Perfectly chocolatey and so much fun to make – thank you for your recipe :]

    Reply
  48. Steph says

    November 18, 2012 at 4:30 pm

    I just love your website. Will be adding these to my holiday cookie list :)

    Reply
  49. Tammy says

    November 19, 2012 at 6:45 am

    This will seem like a silly question, but here goes:
    What do you think would happen if you made these with all white sugar and not brown?
    I am living in a country where they don’t sell brown sugar – or molasses *gasp!* I’ve had lose 99% of my ‘go to’ recipes because of that. BUT these cookies… OH MY! I really would love to try them. Any thoughts? I may just give it a go and see what happens.
    I’ll be hauling an entire suitcase full of the stuff when we head back to the states for a visit.

    Reply
    • Rosie @ Sweetapolita says

      November 20, 2012 at 11:49 am

      Hi Tammy,
      I think the cookies would work just fine with all white sugar, so no worries! The flavour might be a little less “deep,” but delicious nonetheless, I’m sure. If you do, let me know how it went? Best of luck!

      Reply
  50. Louise says

    November 20, 2012 at 11:46 am

    Rosie, I made these cookies and they are the most amazing chocolate cookie ever, this from a vanilla lover. Thank you for sharing your talents with the world. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!

    Reply
  51. elpida says

    November 21, 2012 at 4:40 am

    Hi there. I found your recipe in a greek blog. http://mamas-party.com/2012/11/18/%CF%83%CE%BF%CE%BA%CE%BF%CE%BB%CE%B1%CF%84%CE%BF%CE%BC%CF%80%CE%B9%CF%83%CE%BA%CF%8C%CF%84%CE%B1/
    It used your photo but didn’t really give you credit or a link. If you move the mouse over the photo it does say by sweetapolita, though.And that’s how I found you. I did the recipe – your recipe- and it’s awesome !! thanks a lot for sharing.

    Reply
    • elpida says

      November 21, 2012 at 12:41 pm

      Oh and I also blogged about them here :
      http://twoboysandhope.blogspot.gr/2012/11/blog-post_20.html

      Loved them – loved them !!

      Reply
  52. Mary says

    November 21, 2012 at 7:08 am

    These look perfectly delicious and decadent! Please tell me you will be making some (and bringing) for Christmas?! ;) xo

    Reply
  53. Kendra says

    November 21, 2012 at 10:40 am

    Made these this week and they were AMAZING!!!

    Reply
  54. Ivana @ Macarons and Pearls says

    November 21, 2012 at 12:28 pm

    These look absolutely perfect, and the photos are so perfectly styled! I’m in love :) And I need to give this recipe a try asap!

    xx Ivana
    Macarons and Pearls

    Reply
  55. Amanda @ Once Upon a Recipe says

    November 22, 2012 at 11:44 am

    These look magical. I must must must try this recipe for the holidays.
    PS. I love my Silpat too!

    Reply
  56. Jessica Jones says

    November 25, 2012 at 9:29 am

    With the wooden dowels to we lay them down next to the dough to ensure thickness?

    Reply
  57. Mama B @ My Edible Journey says

    November 27, 2012 at 10:46 am

    Those look fantastic. I need something to use up the rest of the creamy salted caramel filling I used between some vanilla bean sugar cookies yesterday. I think these will fit the bill. Thanks.!

    Reply
    • Reinaldo says

      September 10, 2014 at 5:18 am

      Wonderful! She has two little boys and they were fhtngiig over these cookies! I want to do a copycat feature of these cookies. I am working on the post tonight. I will let you know as soon as I post it!

      Reply
  58. Diana says

    November 29, 2012 at 1:17 pm

    I am STILL itching to make these, I have all the ingredients and just have not found the time! Speaking of frosting these, do you have a suggestion for a recipe? I specifically bought some cute Christmas chape cookie cutters to use with this recipe and I would love to decorate my trees, bells and stars! :)

    Reply
  59. Michelle Rolfe says

    December 3, 2012 at 3:38 pm

    Rosie, thank you so much for all your recipes. I’ve made a few of them now and none of them shave let me down! I’m a fellow Canadian but been living in Scotland for the last 14 years and its great to see that your measurements are also in grams (saves me trying to convert). The amounts were spot on and my 2 girls have just devoured countless amounts of these dark chocolate cookies prior to bed….which is probably not my best idea, but as its close to Christmas I give in a lot! But thank you so much for your brilliant site and sharing all your recipes!

    Reply
  60. Seini says

    December 6, 2012 at 4:21 am

    Just baked these up today and waited very patiently for them to cool so I could taste-test (raw dough passed the test already haha) – brilliant! Great flavour and texture, just the right sugary hit IMO. Thanks for the super recipe :-)

    Reply
  61. Ida says

    December 8, 2012 at 11:35 am

    Hello Rosie! I thought they were the most amazing cookies and tried to recreate them. They look beautiful, and they turned out very tasty but extremely hard, what did I do wrong?

    Reply
  62. Roshini says

    December 8, 2012 at 2:56 pm

    Hi Rosie, Thanks for the lovely recipe. I made a batch 3 days back. It turned out very good – I mean the colour and the shape. But, like Ida’s comment, my cookies from the first half of dough turned out rock hard (even though the colour and the shape looked exactly like in your pictures! – I was really proud of myself that time ;) ) then I realized that i had rolled it out too thin as I didn’t have a 1/4″ rod to help me measure the thickness.
    So, I actually measured the thickness with my second half of the dough and made exactly 1/4″. But then the cookies turned crisp on the surface but chewy or underbaked?? (whatever you name it…) inside. I think 16 minutes of baking is not enough. I waited till it cool completly and since it was not uniformly crisp I baked again for 5 minutes but still not crisp. Is there something else wrong? or are the chocolate cookies soft inside?
    Anyways, the taste was awsome!

    Reply
  63. aine says

    December 9, 2012 at 5:27 am

    made them yesterday and got so many compliments- everyone loves them. I got sixty cookies from this recipe and haven’t used all the dough yet!

    Reply
  64. Kimberly says

    December 9, 2012 at 10:19 pm

    I want to use this dough to make a non-gingerbread, gingerbread house. No one eats the gingerbread, just the candy… Think it would work?!

    Reply
  65. sabrina says

    December 10, 2012 at 1:37 pm

    Thank you so mush for this recipe! Mine are just out of the oven! they are perfect! And it save my life that you translate with “gr”! Thank you again!

    Reply
  66. Katie says

    December 10, 2012 at 8:06 pm

    Do you think it would be a problem only doing 1/2 a recipe? I want to test it out with gluten free flour, but don’t want 30 cookies if it doesn’t work out in my favor.

    Reply
    • Rosie @ Sweetapolita says

      December 10, 2012 at 8:50 pm

      Hi Katie,
      You can definitely go ahead and play around with a half batch — I can’t see any reason why that wouldn’t work well. Best of luck!

      Reply
      • Katie says

        December 11, 2012 at 6:25 pm

        Thanks!!!

        Reply
  67. Helen says

    December 10, 2012 at 9:11 pm

    Delicious! I made them last night and they turned out great. For a bit of variation I also (half) dipped some of my circle shaped cookies in white chocolate and then coconut which looked kinda cool and tasted yummy! Thanks from the bottom of our tummies all the way down here in New Zealand.

    Reply
  68. Helen says

    December 10, 2012 at 9:15 pm

    PS I used two quarter inch thick magazines covered in foil instead of dowel and that worked fine.

    Reply
    • Gail saraceno says

      December 10, 2017 at 7:24 pm

      I use two small paint stir sticks wrapped in Saran Wrap

      Reply
  69. Leah says

    December 10, 2012 at 9:37 pm

    Is it normal for the dough to be dry/ crumbly before chilling?

    Reply
  70. Marie says

    December 12, 2012 at 5:08 am

    About to make these! Thinking about adding in some ginger chunks! :)

    Reply
  71. Jenny says

    December 12, 2012 at 12:59 pm

    Baking today and these are next…going to add some grated orange peel! Can’t wait to smell these baking while the snow is softly falling outside :-)!

    Reply
    • Jenny says

      December 13, 2012 at 1:52 pm

      They came out splendid! Tast and look great! It’s so cold here I just put tray’s in the garage instead of freezer LOL! Thank you for sharing the recipe.

      Reply
  72. Javeria says

    December 13, 2012 at 9:44 am

    Hey Rosie,

    Love your blog – its bookmarked on my laptop :)
    I’m thinking of making these cookies, but half the quantity – what should I do about the eggs since the recipe calls for 3 eggs?

    Reply
  73. Melanie says

    December 15, 2012 at 10:53 pm

    Sweetapolita is one of my favourite baking blogs, I don’t know why I didn’t just check here first when looking for a recipe for chocolate sugar cookies :-) Luckily, google was thinking for me, and here I am! I was looking for something to use to make ‘hats’ for snowman cake pops I’m making for my kids’ classmates, and these are perfect. Tasty, too!

    One surprise: the heavy dough totally stressed out my KitchenAid stand mixer! I have a Pro 6 model, so lots of gumption to it, but wisps of smoke came out the speed control lever… I’ve made Panettone, lots if yeast doughs, etc, with my trusty mixer, so was surprised. What kind of mixer are you using?

    Reply
    • Saskia says

      March 27, 2013 at 7:55 am

      Melanie, I had the same issue with my mixer (a Breville Pro)!

      Reply
  74. Shauna MacKenzie says

    December 16, 2012 at 4:50 pm

    I found this recipe on Pinterest and fell in love with the photo! I bake a lot during Christmas and wanted to add a new recipe to my list this year. I just took my first batch of these cookies out of my oven and they are to-die-for! I used Ruddy Red cocoa powder and it made them super chocolatey and very rich. They are labour-intensive but I will definitely be making these again!!!

    Reply
  75. Kimpossible says

    December 19, 2012 at 8:55 pm

    These made my short list for Christmas. They’re as well conceived as they are beautiful, and as unusual as they are delicious. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  76. Tracy says

    December 21, 2012 at 7:36 am

    I have finally found my answer to the holiday cookie! (I only like chocolate :-) Question: What salt do you use in your recipes, i.e., is it Kosher/coarse salt or just regular table salt. Thank you!

    Reply
  77. Pearl says

    December 21, 2012 at 9:08 am

    Made these cookies for presents and the cookies kept their shape. I tried many other recipes during the process but your recipe is for keeps. Thank very much for sharing. Happy Holidays to you!

    Reply
  78. Laura Dolce says

    December 22, 2012 at 6:23 pm

    Just made two batches of these today and WOW. So delicious, absolutely hold their shape and my kids love them! Left most plain, but did some with Tiffany blue icing and pearls. So pretty. thanks for this new holiday recipe – it’s a keeper!

    Reply
  79. Julia Estrada says

    December 22, 2012 at 6:29 pm

    Rosie, I just have to say that I’m so grateful for your recipes. I’m a college student but did not go to culinary school (though I thought about it for a very long time!) and so everything I do is self-taught. I bake whenever I’m home from college now (and I mean I bake a TON) and I’d say that 8 out of every 10 recipes I make are from this website. They all come out beautifully and I get so many compliments! Thank you for being one of my “teachers” and providing us with such great recipes and clear instruction. These cookies are awesome!

    Much holiday love,
    Julia

    Reply
  80. Virginia Libby says

    December 22, 2012 at 6:39 pm

    My girls and I saw these and decided that we have to make them for Santa. Can’t wait to make a batch! Love your site and recipes. Thank you so much for sharing with us!

    Reply
  81. Ellie D says

    December 23, 2012 at 5:02 am

    This recipe is great – cookies were fab! I didn’t do all the freezer / fridge steps but they still came out great. I managed to yeild about 25 cookies from just 1/3 of the mixture so maybe my cookies were smaller, but I froze the rest of the dough meaning I can get it out today and make a new batch in time for Christmas!

    Reply
  82. Vernell says

    January 4, 2013 at 10:33 am

    Awesome cookies!!! I added these to my Christmas cookies this year and they were a huge hit. I cut mine into big snowflakes and gifts and added just a bit of white icing to decorate them. Everyone I gave them to were jostling for them. This is now my favorite cookie to make. Thanks so much for sharing!

    Reply
  83. Rob says

    January 6, 2013 at 10:33 pm

    2 inches of clearence? So about 8 cookies per half sheet going into the oven?

    Reply
    • Rob says

      January 11, 2013 at 9:32 pm

      These were definitely pretty but ended up tasting/texture more like a brownie than a cookie. Kind of cake-ish.

      Reply
  84. Sarah says

    February 13, 2013 at 2:56 pm

    Wow, mine came out so perfect! Thanks for all the tips on making perfect sugar cookies. Going to be spreading the love tomorrow with piles of perfect chocolate hearts.

    Reply
  85. Lori says

    April 21, 2013 at 6:32 am

    This recipe was easy to follow and delicious!! My cookies did not spread and turned out beautiful!! I had to adjust only the bake time as I did not have the silicone cooking mat. Thank you for the tip on rolling the dough between celaphane, mess was minimized and it worked great!!

    Reply
  86. alice smith says

    August 20, 2013 at 1:35 pm

    does this recipe really make only about 30 cookies? with 6 cups of flour and a pound of butter… it just seems as if there should be a lot more cookies. is this a problem of the baker eating the dough?? ;-)

    Reply
  87. Leah says

    November 7, 2013 at 3:33 pm

    Another winning recipe. They have a great chocolate flavor and are only a little sweet without any toppings. The color is gorgoues and I used it to make some Mickey Mouse cupcake toppers, which looked gorgeous. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  88. Ladi says

    November 27, 2013 at 2:29 pm

    This looks great – but I think a little more instruction could be useful for those of us who are just learning to bake. I tried my mixer and it caught fire. I happened to be baking some tortilla chips at the time so I just thought the light smokey scent was those in the oven but I knew something was up when the dog started barking and I realized the smoke was coming from the mixer as soon as I unplugged it there was a burst of flame so I through it in the sink and turned on the water. Now I have a bowl of almost mixed dough. I’m going in with my hands – but I’ll wash them first.

    Reply
    • Ladi says

      November 27, 2013 at 9:51 pm

      But I have to say – even with the burned mixer, the cookies came out great.

      Reply
  89. Brenlynwin says

    December 10, 2013 at 5:10 pm

    Made these this afternoon & they are fabulous! Both the dough AND the cookies! =) THANKS for sharing a great recipe!

    Reply
  90. J Williams says

    December 12, 2013 at 8:15 am

    The dough came out beautiful, almost black as tar. Some of the nicest dough I’ve ever worked with and the taste is wonderful. I decorated them with white sprinkles and white snowflakes. The black and white look was very different.

    Reply
  91. Lov2Bake says

    January 7, 2014 at 10:33 am

    This is hands down THE PERFECT CHOCOLATE COOKIE in every way! I went through 4 double batches over the Christmas season and got rave reviews. The dough is a decorator’s dream to work with, no spread, clean cuts, nice flat tops. The flavor is exceptional and the texture is perfect. Works well with lighter cocoa, half & half and black. Totally trashed my default chocolate cookie dough. Look no further, this is THE ONE! [it also keeps much longer than 2 weeks in airtight storage… only if under lock & key] Seriously, when people take the first bite, their eyes roll back. Yah, that good!

    Reply
  92. Marcella says

    January 8, 2014 at 8:05 pm

    These cookies are just… WOW! I will definitely be making these soon.

    Reply
  93. jora sanchez says

    February 3, 2014 at 8:41 am

    i’ve made them, they are great!! followed all the baking tips and the shape was perfect even though it was a snowflake (no way easy)and the flavour is really good! thank you for sharing all your recipes an tips!

    Reply
  94. Mrs. Joy says

    February 5, 2014 at 9:01 am

    Not only are these cookies beautiful they are delicious!!! The don’t spread at all and hold their shape beautifully. I also made this recipe and substituted the cocoa with flour, doubled the vanilla, and added a little lemon extract. Worked just as beautifully and deliciously as the original recipe. Thank you for your willingness to share your recipes and for being so detailed and the beautiful pictures that accompany them.

    Reply
  95. Jenny L. says

    February 15, 2014 at 8:25 pm

    Made these this evening with my daughter. She saw Totoro cookies on Pinterest, and thought of this recipe, and was suddenly driven to make cookies. We happened to have everything we needed for it (whew! We had a snowstorm last night and I didn’t want to go to the store). I only have a regular-sized Kitchenaid, so next time (and there WILL be a next time) we’re going to halve the recipe. I just had my first sample. Brilliant! I don’t usually do rolled cookies–I’m too impatient, and frankly I haven’t had a recipe that made it seem worth it. But these will be done again. Thanks so much!

    Reply
  96. raquel feeney says

    February 26, 2014 at 2:44 pm

    i can’t really get all purpose flour in belgium… what will happen if I use pastry/cake flour??? Its either that or “bread” flour… there is no “all purpose” here!

    HELP! i want these cookies!!

    Reply
  97. Alvina says

    May 10, 2014 at 4:50 pm

    Just wondering…
    Do you think these cookies could be piped into rosettes or sea shells?

    Thanks
    Alvina

    Reply
  98. Joanne says

    June 22, 2014 at 5:56 pm

    When I made this dough at Christmas it was absolutely gorgeous….looked liked a freshly poured blacktop road. It was great to work with and turned out to be the best tasting chocolate cookie I’ve ever had. I plan to make them again for an occasion at school…they’ll resemble a slate chalkboard….yummy!

    Reply
  99. frissia says

    August 28, 2014 at 5:22 am

    Hi, can I half the recipe? If so, will the flour be measured 375 grams? Thanks

    Reply
    • Rosie @ Sweetapolita says

      August 28, 2014 at 6:35 am

      Hi Frissia! Yes, absolutely you can half the recipe. xo

      Reply
      • frissia says

        August 28, 2014 at 8:33 pm

        Will the flour be measured 375 grams? Thanks

        Reply
  100. Liz says

    October 16, 2014 at 2:57 pm

    This recipe looks great, but it’s a bit much for my needs. If I were to halve this recipe, how many eggs would you suggest I use?

    Reply
    • Rosie @ Sweetapolita says

      October 26, 2014 at 8:45 am

      Hi Liz! You can cut this recipe in half, most definitely. For the eggs you can use 1 whole egg and one egg yolk. Happy Baking!

      Reply
  101. Laura says

    October 20, 2014 at 1:00 am

    I made a batch of these cookies yesterday, and they’re DELICIOUS!! All my friends said they tasted amazing, and looked like shop bought ones (I made little moustache shapes). I’m going to use this recipe to make moustache cookie pops for my son’s 1st birthday. Thank you so much for posting this recipe!!

    Reply
    • Rosie @ Sweetapolita says

      October 26, 2014 at 8:45 am

      So glad to hear it, Laura! Thanks for letting me know! xo

      Reply
  102. Kathy A says

    October 20, 2014 at 4:05 pm

    Can this recipe be cut in half?
    Thanks,
    Kathy

    Reply
    • Rosie @ Sweetapolita says

      October 26, 2014 at 8:44 am

      Hi Kathy! Yes, you can definitely cut this recipe in half. For the eggs you can use 1 whole egg and one yolk. Hope that helps!

      Reply
  103. Kinjal says

    October 26, 2014 at 1:41 am

    Hi, I just love your recipes!!! Can you please suggest me an eggless recipe for the same… We live in India and we do not eat eggs…. most of your recipes calls for eggs and that is the reason I am not able to make it…..please suggest me an alternative for EGGS… TIA

    Reply
  104. Georgina says

    November 22, 2014 at 3:42 pm

    I made these biscuits the other day and they were fabulous, lovely dough to work with. Thank you for the recipe :-). I’d like to know also if you think the dough is ok to freeze. Planning on baking heaps for Christmas gifts and want to get ahead!! Many thanks love your beautiful baking.

    Reply
  105. ivonne ivette says

    November 28, 2014 at 8:53 pm

    Hi rossie!! Thanks a lot for the recipe.. im making them right now and hope they will be as beautiful as yours.. just a question.. if i want to cut the shapes later can i do that?? Like for another day or do i have to cut first and then keep them in the airtight container?.. thanks a lot!! =)

    Reply
  106. handiest says

    December 5, 2014 at 1:48 am

    Good day! Do you know if they make any plugins to assist with Search Engine Optimization? I’m trying to get my
    blog to rank for some targeted keywords but
    I’m not seeing very good success. If you know of any please
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    Reply
  107. Peggy says

    December 12, 2014 at 3:28 pm

    I just made these today. They are so delicious! I got 50 3 inch cookies and 10 or so mini cookies. (My dowel rods are 5/16 of an inch.) There was so much dough that my mixer had to work very hard to get it all mixed, but in the end we got there. I’m wondering if the cookeis were mixed in a regular-sized Kitchen Aid mixer? Maybe I missed that part? The end product is so yummy that it doesn’t matter to me now, but I’d like to know for future reference if there’s a trick to makng it mix easier. (My mixer made a scraping sound and actually shut itself off at one point when the dough was thickest.) Thank you for a yummy recipe!

    Reply
  108. Kotea says

    December 13, 2014 at 10:20 pm

    Just finished making these. They turned out exactly like you said! They are simple but delicious — perfect to go with all the rich desserts of the season. I will say, my husband and I live in a tiny apartment, we have an 18 month old and I am 21 weeks pregnant. So the complexity of the recipe (in the fridge, out of the fridge, in the freezer, etc.) was a bit overwhelming. But with the right amount of space, tools, and less distractions these would be much more fun to make.

    Reply
  109. Susan spinks says

    February 21, 2015 at 3:15 am

    I made these today followed instructions exactly but they still rounded slightly, any ideas Rosie?

    Reply
  110. Aura Nielsen says

    May 15, 2015 at 12:21 pm

    Why do you cook the cookies at 325? I am sure there is a good reason, I just wondered why such a low temperature. Have you tried higher – 350/375?

    Reply
  111. emily says

    May 31, 2015 at 10:10 pm

    May i know how long can this chocolate cookie dough in the freezer lasts before the next time you bakr it?

    Reply
  112. Raquel says

    June 1, 2015 at 6:32 pm

    Hi Rosie!

    Im from Mexico and i love your cakes.
    Congrats for your book.sweet evening

    Reply
  113. Brenda says

    July 1, 2015 at 1:11 pm

    Can not wait to try this recipe, Thank you!

    Reply
  114. Pat Greco says

    October 27, 2015 at 10:43 am

    I purchased the book. The recipe is different. Is there a difference in the out come. I love the book but want to make the best one for making decorated chocolate cookies.
    Thank you
    Pat

    Reply
  115. SugarMamaChu says

    December 1, 2015 at 12:44 pm

    These cookies are the best…I have made so many times and for the adults, they do prefer chocolate cookies over the regular sugar…I am making a batch right now!!!

    Reply
  116. Erin McDowell says

    December 15, 2015 at 5:18 pm

    Um, 3 dozen???
    More like 8 dozen or something.
    And SIX cups of flour? I’m sorry, but I think that was too much. I thought they ended up tasting like too much flour, not sweet or buttery or chocolatey enough (although I did just use good quality cocoa powder, not dark cocoa powder). I’d revise.

    Reply
    • Rosie @ Sweetapolita says

      December 15, 2015 at 8:33 pm

      Erin, it sounds like something went seriously wrong–these cookies are amazing, and probably the recipe I get the most raving reader emails about. I have been making them for years, and they are deep, dark and chocolaty–not too floury at at all. As I mention in the blog post, the cocoa powder you use is one of the most important details. The dark cocoa powder is what gives the cookies there wow factor, and that’s why I call them The Perfect “Dark” Chocolate Sugar Cookie. Regular cocoa powder simply doesn’t have enough intensity to balance out this recipe. I definitely won’t be revising this recipe!

      Reply
  117. Anisa Stier says

    January 7, 2016 at 4:56 am

    Hi Rosie,

    i want to half the recipe to do some baking with the kids (don’t need 3 dozen). What size eggs are you using? 1 1/2 eggs is a bit difficult to measure.
    Do you think 2 small eggs should be ok, or do you know the weight/volume of eggs required on the full recipe?
    Love you recipes, keep up the good work,
    Anisa

    Reply
  118. Patricia says

    March 20, 2016 at 7:15 pm

    Hi Rosie,

    I am a recently retired Secondary Educational Administrator and I missed my job so much, I wanted to find a challenge to replace those 40 plus crazy years in Public education. I certainly was not content to sit in front of a TV or to just “travel” the old bucket list. I started baking cookies with a vengeance and have been constantly searching for every recipe I could find for not just good, but PERFECT sugar cookies, both vanilla as well as chocolate. I counted them up today while I decided to write and thank you for this PERFECT chocolate recipe and I have tried 10 different chocolate and 15 different vanilla sugar cookie recipes. Your recipe is the FINEST I have EVER tried! Yes, to the gal who complained about the large amount of flour, 6 cups is quite a bit, but use your math skills and take a minute to half this recipe if someone does not want several dozen! However, even though it gave my new Kitchen Aid mixer its first true “workout” I was delighted with the amount of cookies I am so enjoying cutting and baking today. Your instructions and help show what an EXCELLENT talent you have in the “ART” of baking along with the fact you are an EXCELLENT teacher! I spent many years looking for good teachers such as yourself to hire! How lucky we all are that have found you and your willingness to share your knowledge with us. I am going to also try your vanilla recipe as soon as I finish these PERFECT chocolate sugar cookies. I LOVE that yes, they taste exactly right, if you use GREAT chocolate, I used Valhrona. Also I used, extra fine bakers white sugar, and organic cage free large brown eggs. They cut perfectly CLEAN and remained exactly as I cut them with little if NO spreading. I am eager to start decorating them tomorrow after they have rested tonight. You are a true talent I am so happy to have found your web page and will certainly continue to follow and I look forward to learning what you are so gracious to share!

    Reply
  119. Adrian Hunley says

    December 12, 2016 at 11:10 am

    I must have done something wrong! The dough tastes AMAZING, but it is too dry for me to roll out. Can anyone give me any suggestions?

    Reply
  120. Eve says

    December 23, 2016 at 10:17 am

    I LOVE THESE!!!!! This is the 3rd patch, second year of making them. The recipe had made it into my “recipe box of deliciousness’

    What is your go to frosting/icing for these?

    Reply
  121. Christine mancuso says

    October 4, 2017 at 8:37 am

    Could this dough be rolled into logs, chilled and then sliced, b a ked and hold their circle shape?

    Reply
    • Christine mancuso says

      October 15, 2017 at 8:44 pm

      Yes! They worked perfectly

      Reply
  122. Christine mancuso says

    October 15, 2017 at 8:42 pm

    Wow, wow, and wow! These are really wonderful cookies. I am so happy I stumbled upon this site. I wasn’t entirely sure if I was baking them the correct time, but after several rounds, I can say, they are good soft, good crisp, just plain old good!

    Reply
  123. Falahah says

    November 14, 2017 at 6:55 am

    Hi , i’m about to try your recipe . I don’t have much time , so can i divide into 6 doughs and chill them for 30 minutes only ? What if i don’t put the brown sugar ?
    Btw , I LOVE YOUR WEBSITE SO MUCH! I’m so in love with PINK ! Your website is just so adorable! Thank You for your incredible recipe !

    Reply
  124. Kate says

    December 14, 2017 at 8:16 am

    AMAZING! Just made these cookies…they are absolutely delicious!!! I used Trader Joe’s unsweetened cocoa powder. It’s unbelievable how good they are just on their own without any icing. I followed your recipe exactly and patiently kneaded the dough through the initial dry stage. It’s wonderful that the dough does not stick to one’s hands or surfaces. Thank you for sharing your incredible skills…I look forward to your other recipes.

    Reply
  125. Alina says

    May 9, 2018 at 7:40 pm

    Здравствуйте! Invite some friends over, round up the kids, and have fun decorating these classic chocolate sugar cookies. And jazz them up with sprinkles!

    Reply
  126. smadav 2019 says

    June 10, 2018 at 11:50 am

    The Best Nice Information, . . Thanks for admin

    Reply

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Hi, I’m Rosie! Welcome to the new (and even sweeter) version of the Sweetapolita blog! You will now find frequent new recipes + so, so much more: lifestyle posts themed around my life as a baker, mom-preneur, sprinkle-tosser, lover of travel, photography, fashion and all things happy!
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