Soft Chocolate Sugar Cookies with Cinnamon Imperials Recipe
These Soft Chocolate Sugar Cookies are a delightful treat combining rich cocoa flavor with a soft, chewy texture. Rolled in granulated sugar for a sweet crust and optionally topped with cinnamon imperials, these cookies are perfect for chocolate lovers seeking a tender bite with a hint of cinnamon warmth.
- Author: Cleo
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 11 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 26 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup butter – softened
- 1½ cups brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup cocoa powder (not Dutch-processed)
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp table salt
For Rolling and Topping
- ½ cup granulated sugar (for rolling)
- ¼ cup cinnamon imperials (optional)
- Prepare the Butter and Sugar: Combine the softened butter and brown sugar in a mixing bowl and beat together until the mixture is light and fluffy, ensuring proper aeration for soft cookies.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Incorporate the eggs and vanilla extract into the butter mixture, mixing until just combined to maintain a tender texture.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: Slowly stir in the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and table salt. Once incorporated, beat the dough well for about 60 seconds to develop the right consistency.
- Chill the Dough: Cover the dough and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to firm up, which helps with handling and results in a better cookie structure.
- Preheat Oven: After chilling, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ready the baking process.
- Prepare Baking Sheet: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and facilitate easy cleanup.
- Granulated Sugar Prep: Pour the granulated sugar into a small bowl; this will be used to coat the cookie dough balls before baking.
- Shape the Cookies: Scoop the dough and roll it into balls, ensuring consistent cookie size for even baking.
- Coat with Sugar: Roll each dough ball in the granulated sugar thoroughly, then place them about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet to allow space for spreading.
- Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10-11 minutes until set but still soft in the center.
- Add Cinnamon Imperials: If using cinnamon imperials, immediately press one into the center of each cookie as they come out of the oven, then allow them to cool so the candy adheres properly.
- Cool the Cookies: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 7-10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely, which ensures they firm up with a soft interior.
- Storage: Store the cooled cookies in an airtight container to maintain freshness for up to 4 days.
Notes
- Using non-Dutch processed cocoa powder helps retain a robust chocolate flavor.
- Chilling the dough is essential for manageable shaping and improved texture.
- Press cinnamon imperials immediately after baking to avoid melting them too much.
- Cookies can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- For softer cookies, avoid overbaking; remove when centers are just set.
Keywords: soft chocolate sugar cookies, chocolate cookies, easy chocolate cookie recipe, cinnamon sugar cookies, soft baked cookies