Chocolate Sugar Cookies

This is a simple recipe for dark chocolate sugar cookies. It’s the perfect blank canvas for your cookie decorating projects. 

Chocolate Sugar Cookies

Today I’m sharing my favorite chocolate sugar cookie recipe that is ideal for decorating.  It contains no chemical leavening, so it bakes up evenly for a perfectly smooth decorating surface. I use this recipe for decorating Christmas cookies. They’re also good sandwiched with a little buttercream.

Modcloth sent me some fun baking and kitchen wares. I just love this owl apron! Browsing their kitchen items is so much fun. You can check out more of what they carry here.

You can find a similar stackable bowl set, right here. I’m always looking for ways to save space, and this nesting set is amazing! All the bowls and measuring cups fit together perfectly.

 

Chocolate Sugar Cookies

Here’s a biscuit cookie, that looks like my pug. (A biscuit biscuit?!) These cookies are great for decorating with royal icing – fondant, too! I often use a combination of the two for a smooth finish.

Chocolate Sugar Cookies

These chocolate sugar cookies are very simple, but so satisfying. The yield will change according to the size of your cookie cutter. But you’ll get at least 3 dozen with a 3-inch cutter (with re-rolling scraps). These cookies are sturdy, too! You can make extra-large cookies and they’ll bake up firm and hold together well.

Also consider trying another of my favorite dark chocolate sugar cookie recipes, right here.

Chocolate Sugar Cookies

Heather Baird
This is a simple recipe for dark chocolate sugar cookies. It's the perfect blank canvas for your cookie decorating projects. Made with no chemical leavens, these rolled cookies bake to a perfectly flat surface.
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 3 dozen

Ingredients
  

  • 1/2 lb. two US sticks unsalted butter
  • 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 2 cups plus 1 tablespoon all purpose flour
  • 1 scant cup dark cocoa powder
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions
 

  • In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, mix the butter and sugar together until just incorporated. Do not over-mix at this stage, or the cookies may spread while baking.
  • Add the egg and vanilla extract. Mix again on low speed, stopping to scrape down the sides of the bowl intermittently as needed.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder and salt. Add to the butter and egg mixture. Mix on low speed until a dough is formed and there are no longer any streaks of butter in the mixing bowl. The dough will often clump around the paddle attachment while being mixed. This is normal and a good sign that your dough is the right consistency.
  • Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Turn the dough out onto a sheet of wax paper and top with a second sheet. Roll dough into an oblong disc between the paper with a rolling pin. Transfer dough – wax paper and all – to a large cookie sheet. Wrap the dough tightly onto the cookie sheet with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour.
  • Remove top sheet of wax paper and roll dough a little thinner. It should not be sticky. You may dust the surface lightly with flour if it is sticky, but not too much! You don’t want streaks of white flour baked onto your pretty dark chocolate cookies.
  • Roll dough to a ¼-inch to ½ -inch thickness.
  • Cut out desired shapes from the dough and transfer to the prepared baking sheet. Be careful not to stretch the cutout shapes or they will be distorted after baking.
  • Refrigerate the cutouts for 30 minutes. This will help the cookies maintain a crisp shape during baking.
  • Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  • Bake the cookies for 15 to 20 minutes.
  • Let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack. Decorate the cookies when completely cooled.
Keyword all purpose flour, dark cocoa powder, unsalted butter
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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Unknown
Unknown
12 years ago

I'd love to receive the Ingredi-antique Measuring Spoons for Christmas, they'd be a great fit in my kitchen!

Gastroadikta
Gastroadikta
12 years ago

I felt in love with this: http://www.modcloth.com/shop/kitchen-decor/cat-ula -> Cat spatula!! jajajja
I have 8 cats!! and 5 are maine coons, so I love all the things related with cats.
This is my e-mail: anna.barri84(at)gmail.com

Kisses!

StephanieTania
StephanieTania
12 years ago

Hi! Your cookies look delectable as always 🙂
I am an aspiring baker and I would just love to have the quirky and colorful Roy G. B-aker Food Prep Set.

http://www.modcloth.com/shop/kitchen-decor/roy-g-b-aker-food-prep-set

Everyday mom
Everyday mom
12 years ago

It would be a tough choice, but I would probably choose something with an owl or a mustache on it, my two latest obsessions.

Anonymous
Anonymous
12 years ago

I love to give gifts for or from the kitchen.

Chelsey
Chelsey
12 years ago

I would love the cutlery sets. It would be hard to choose between them all- maybe mix and match??

Adrienne
Adrienne
12 years ago

The Vinyl Vittles Bento Box- I've been wanting a bento box for a while now . . .

Allison
Allison
12 years ago

I would LOVE that pretty cupcake kit, I need all the help I can get in my baking pretty department!

Karen
Karen
12 years ago

I would also love the cupcake kit–I love to make cupcakes!

racんele
racんele
12 years ago

I'm in love with those moustaches cookies cutters!
So cute :3

Ashlee
Ashlee
12 years ago

I would love a new apron! I saw some very cute ones on the website!

Stephanie Chazan
Stephanie Chazan
12 years ago

Lots of friends buy me the cutest aprons when they find out I'm obsessed with baking, so I'd return the favor and buy one of modcloths' aprons for my new-to-baking friends, and then also buy the deco dot apron for myself! Those ruffles are adorable 🙂 and you have to look cute and have fun in the kitchen to have a baking success!

-Stephanie
S.chazan@yahoo.com

I Wanna Be a Rockstar
I Wanna Be a Rockstar
12 years ago

I really love the Paw me a Cup tea set and the If You Can't Stand the Hoot apron!

Anonymous
Anonymous
12 years ago

I would like to try making cake pops so I would get this kit: http://www.modcloth.com/shop/kitchen-decor/cake-pops-kit

Anonymous
Anonymous
12 years ago

I love the meow for measuring cups!! So cute. Also, love these cookies!

Shannon
Shannon
12 years ago

The matryoshka kitchen timer! The matryoshka salt & pepper shakers! I swoon.

shannon.amber.roche@gmail.com

Anonymous
Anonymous
12 years ago

For Christmas I am creating a cupcake baking set for my little sister who just got married in June. She's always loved baking but recently gotten into cupcakes and she loves it. So I'm creating an all things cupcake basket for her. Shh don't tell her!! She's also collected teacups for many years now. She likes to have friends over for little cupcake parties, and while I already have a lot of cupcake-related things, she doesn't have any cutesy little teacups to use when she has people over. The Floral to Ceiling Tea Set would be just perfect to go… Read more »

Stephanie Van Dellen
Stephanie Van Dellen
12 years ago

The owl oven mitts are too cute! Love the cookies, nice post as usual!
stephaniemvandellen@gmail.com

Agnese
Agnese
12 years ago

there are so many beautiful things! I love first of all "Washing & Hoping & Dreaming Dish Rack" but also "Retro-freshment Bottle Set" and "Cutensils Cutlery Set". They are adorable! 😉

Michelle
Michelle
12 years ago

This comment has been removed by the author.

Michelle
Michelle
12 years ago

Wow I can't believe how many cute things modcloth has! It was hard to pick only one but I really like the tiffin box! I've been looking for one for a long time but haven't found one I liked until now!

http://www.modcloth.com/Modcloth/Apartment/Kitchen+Bath/-Tasty-Trio-Tiffin-Box-in-Bold-Breakfast

Quilt Genius
Quilt Genius
12 years ago

I've never had a chocolate sugar cookie before…looks yummy!

Mary
iammaryburke @ gmail.com

Lou
Lou
12 years ago

I love all the tea things and the water bottles. Seriously, nice stuff!

Estee
Estee
12 years ago

I love the Delectable Duo Tiffin Box. So cute!

stkavdiel AT gmail DOT com

kmp0803
kmp0803
12 years ago

Ingredi-antique Measuring spoons for my sister-in-law and Washing & Hoping & Dreaming Dish Rack for my mom. These are really cute.

kitkat0803@yahoo.com

Rebecca
Rebecca
12 years ago

The haute hibiscus apron would be perfect for my sister who lives in Hawaii.

Cindy
Cindy
12 years ago

I love all the tea related stuff on modcloth…but everything they have is pretty great! So many great gift ideas! Also, love those sweet little pug cookies!
cindy@hungrygirlporvida.com

Rosa's Yummy Yums
Rosa's Yummy Yums
12 years ago

A great giveaway! A pity I don't live in the uS.

Your decorated cookies are so cute!

Cheers,

Rosa

Anonymous
Anonymous
12 years ago

Lori says. Liv my lucky ay dress! Lmoffitt@bex.net

Anonymous
Anonymous
12 years ago

That would be luv..

Heather (Heather's Dish)
Heather (Heather's Dish)
12 years ago

my friend who's throwing me my baby shower is having a mustache-themed party for her 1-year-old soon…i would SO get here the mustachioed refreshment straws!

Meghan @ Domestic Sugar
Meghan @ Domestic Sugar
12 years ago

I love MODCLOTH! I have them on bookmark!

I would like the OWL coffee cup! or anything there. Anything OWL or otherwise 🙂

http://www.modcloth.com/shop/kitchen-decor/know-it-owl-mug-in-coffee

Heidi Durham
Heidi Durham
12 years ago

I am getting the Be Pre Slice cutting board for my friend Anna, who is a very Type A chef, it's perfect! I hope someone gets me the I can't stand the hoot apron!! Love this site.. Do you have a vanilla sugar cookie recipe which is as good?

Vanessa
Vanessa
12 years ago

My sister loves to bake/cook and LOVES ModCloth…I would so enjoy being able to get her a few Christmas goodies that she would love…including that owl apron!!!

Heather
Heather
12 years ago

Oh, Heather. Post of awesomeness! My husband is a lover of Shark themed kitchen gadgets and would love that oven mitt. My 2 year old daughter is already a cupcake-baking scholar and would adore the pretty cupcake kit. Dreaming for myself, a stay at home mom, I envision myself in the No Taste Like Home apron with that plunging V neckline, feeling sassy and inspired baking in something other than my sweats! Thank you for the giveaway!

joan
joan
12 years ago

I so need a new bag!

Anne
Anne
12 years ago

I'd give the pretty cupcake kit to my cousin – we both have a "thing" for cupcakes. 🙂

DanaS
DanaS
12 years ago

Oh LOVE the cupcake kit! The girls I nanny for would absolutely love helping me bake with this!

Beth H.
Beth H.
12 years ago

What an awesome website! Hard to pick… but I would probably get the tiffin box for my friend Bruce who loves all things Indian and the cat-ula for a dear friend, Jess who loves cats and baking! (cole12880_at_hotmail_dot_com)

WonderMom
WonderMom
12 years ago

I have to say that when I am cooking, I love to drink coffee. I am an avid collector of coffee cups and would add any of those cups to my collection. But the dinosaur ice cup tray would go over so big with my kids!!!

Tiffany
Tiffany
12 years ago

I would love the Be Pre-slice Cutting Board for me!

Tiffany
Tiffany
12 years ago

So many great items! For myself, I'd really love the Woodland Holiday Apron. I love all things Christmas!

Ellen @ BakeItWithBooze
Ellen @ BakeItWithBooze
12 years ago

The Brew La La Bottle opener! Love this new site and have added it to my favorites. Your cookies look great!

Leslie
Leslie
12 years ago

My Grandmother is a huge fan of elephants and she would love the Trunks Full of Taste shaker set.

Betsy
Betsy
12 years ago

So many cute things! I think the Bursting With Flavor Tumbler set is my favorite, so colorful.

Kylie
Kylie
12 years ago

I would DEFINITELY pick (to have or give away!) either the Whale measuring cups or the owl cutting board for no other reason than being super cute.

SiobhanB
SiobhanB
12 years ago

Awesome giveaway I love modcloth. I'd probably get my mom the tea infuser set for Christmas or get myself one of their lunch bags since I always take my lunch to work. The recipe card index is cute too (if anyone saw my pile of unorganized recipes they'd cringe). These cookies look delicious 🙂

Eemi
Eemi
12 years ago

The Penguin Pals Oven MItts are adorable! I would love to give a pair of those to my mom.

Sarah
Sarah
12 years ago

The Whale Measuring Cups! Oh my goodness, I need those in my house right now. I had no idea ModCloth sold awesome kitchen stuff.

Nicolette
Nicolette
12 years ago

I just bought a couple dresses, earrings and scarf from ModCloth. I *know* they sell apartment stuff, but never even looked. (Maybe because I spend enough time looking at their party dresses?!)

However, now that I've spied through their kitchen stuff I've fallen in love with a few pieces. Shake Your Towel-feather Dispenser is so chic and adorable for my new house.