Soft Chocolate Sugar Cookies Recipe
There’s something truly magical about biting into Soft Chocolate Sugar Cookies—each one is a nostalgic throwback to childhood bake sales, after-school snacks, and glass-of-milk moments. With their crackly, sugared tops and tender, fudgy centers, these cookies boast the richness of cocoa and just the right amount of sweetness. They strike the perfect balance between chewy and soft, making them impossible to resist. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just getting started, this recipe is about to become your go-to method for chocolate cookie bliss.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You won’t believe how effortlessly pantry staples come together to create something so decadent! Every ingredient plays a starring role—giving you cookies that are deeply chocolatey, perfectly soft, and lightly crisp on the outside.
- Unsalted butter (1 cup, softened): Gives the cookies their irresistibly soft texture and melts in your mouth.
- Granulated sugar (1 1/4 cups plus extra for rolling): Sweetens the dough and creates that classic crackly, sparkly top.
- Light brown sugar (1/2 cup, packed): Adds moisture and a subtle hint of caramel, helping to keep the cookies chewy.
- Eggs (2 large): Binds everything together for the perfect cookie structure.
- Vanilla extract (2 teaspoons): Rounds out the chocolate flavors, adding warmth and complexity.
- All-purpose flour (2 cups): Provides the necessary structure while keeping the cookies soft and tender.
- Unsweetened cocoa powder (1 cup): Delivers a rich, deep chocolate flavor and that classic dark color.
- Baking soda (1 1/2 teaspoons): Helps the cookies rise to achieve their signature puffiness and texture.
- Baking powder (1/2 teaspoon): Works with the baking soda for lift and a pleasing crumb.
- Salt (1/2 teaspoon): Balances the sweetness and enhances all the other flavors.
- Additional granulated sugar (for rolling): Adds crunch and sparkle to every bite.
How to Make Soft Chocolate Sugar Cookies
Step 1: Prep the Oven and Baking Sheets
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. Line your baking sheets with parchment paper—this step is key, since it prevents sticking and helps with even baking. With your baking sheets ready and waiting, you’ll have a much smoother cookie-making experience (plus, cleanup is so much easier!).
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars
In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and light brown sugar until the mixture turns pale and fluffy. Don’t rush this step—it’s what gives your Soft Chocolate Sugar Cookies their signature softness and tender crumb, as air gets whipped into the dough.
Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Crack in the eggs one at a time, blending well after each addition so the mixture turns glossy and smooth. Then pour in the vanilla extract, letting its warm aroma blend perfectly with the rich chocolate to come.
Step 4: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, quickly whisk together the all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. This ensures even distribution so every cookie bakes up just right—no pockets of dry flour or bitter baking soda!
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until a soft dough forms. The dough will look rich and chocolatey, and might feel a little thick. If you love sneaking a taste, now’s the time—this stage smells absolutely divine!
Step 6: Shape and Coat the Dough Balls
Scoop out tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into uniform balls. Next, gently roll each ball in a small bowl of granulated sugar, making sure every surface is coated. This simple step gives Soft Chocolate Sugar Cookies their beloved sparkly shells and a light crunch.
Step 7: Bake to Perfection
Arrange the dough balls on your prepared baking sheets, leaving at least 2 inches between each one for spreading. Bake for 8-10 minutes—just until the edges begin to set, but the centers still look slightly underdone. This is the trick for super soft cookies: the residual heat will finish cooking them as they cool.
Step 8: Cool and Enjoy
Let the cookies rest on the hot baking sheet for 5 minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire rack. They’ll puff up and settle into the perfect, soft centers you crave. Once fully cooled, it’s time for the best part: taste testing!
How to Serve Soft Chocolate Sugar Cookies
Garnishes
For an extra special touch, you can dust your Soft Chocolate Sugar Cookies with a pinch of flaky sea salt, a drizzle of melted chocolate, or even a quick zigzag of white chocolate for contrast. Kids especially love a few chocolate chips pressed into the tops right as the cookies come out of the oven!
Side Dishes
These cookies are dreamy with a cold glass of milk, steamy hot cocoa, or a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream. Serve them alongside fresh berries for a little tartness—it’s a perfect match!
Creative Ways to Present
Stack your Soft Chocolate Sugar Cookies in a pretty tin for gifting, plate them pyramid-style at a dessert buffet, or sandwich a dollop of marshmallow fluff or ice cream between two cookies for the ultimate homemade treat. You can even crumble them over pudding or yogurt for a delectable parfait!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your leftover cookies soft and fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. For extra insurance, toss a slice of bread in the container—the cookies will steal its moisture and stay perfectly tender.
Freezing
You can freeze either the baked cookies or the unbaked dough balls. For dough, freeze them on a tray before transferring to a freezer bag—they’ll bake up beautifully straight from the freezer, just add a minute or two to the baking time. For baked cookies, wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2 months.
Reheating
If your frozen or room-temp cookies need a little fresh-from-the-oven magic, just pop them in a 300°F oven for about 4 minutes, or microwave them for 10-15 seconds. They’re right back to their warm, soft perfection!
FAQs
Can I substitute the cocoa powder with melted chocolate?
Cocoa powder is what gives these cookies their distinct fudgy flavor and tender chew. You can replace it with melted chocolate for a richer taste, but the texture might be a bit denser and less traditionally “sugar cookie.” Stick with cocoa powder for classic Soft Chocolate Sugar Cookies!
What type Dessert
Unsweetened natural cocoa powder is ideal, but Dutch-processed works nicely if you want a deeper, almost black-out chocolate hue. Either way, make sure to use a good-quality, unsweetened powder for the boldest flavor.
Can I make Soft Chocolate Sugar Cookies gluten-free?
Absolutely! Replace the all-purpose flour with a cup-for-cup gluten-free blend. Make sure it contains xanthan gum if you want to mimic the original soft, chewy texture. You’ll be amazed at how delicious the gluten-free results are.
Why do my cookies turn out flat?
Flat cookies often result from butter that’s too soft or warm, or from overmixing the dough. Try chilling your shaped dough balls for 20 minutes before baking, and be careful not to overbeat once the flour is added for perfectly puffy Soft Chocolate Sugar Cookies.
Can I double this recipe for a crowd?
Yes—this recipe is wonderfully scalable! Whether you’re baking for a big party, holiday gathering, or cookie swap, just double all ingredients and bake in batches. More cookies, more smiles.
Final Thoughts
These Soft Chocolate Sugar Cookies really bring out the chocoholic in all of us. Every batch disappears faster than you’d believe, and the simple process makes them a perfect weekend baking project. Give this recipe a try and let these cookies become a favorite in your home, just as they are in mine!
Print
Soft Chocolate Sugar Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the rich, chocolatey goodness of these Soft Chocolate Sugar Cookies. With a tender texture and just the right amount of sweetness, these cookies are a delightful treat for any occasion.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Additional:
- Additional granulated sugar for rolling
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Cream butter and sugars: In a large bowl, cream together softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs and vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, then add the vanilla extract.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients: Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until a soft dough forms.
- Shape and bake: Scoop out tablespoon-sized portions of dough, roll into balls, coat in granulated sugar, place on baking sheets, and bake for 8–10 minutes until edges are set.
- Cool and enjoy: Let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- For extra softness, slightly underbake the cookies and let them finish setting on the baking sheet.
- You can freeze the dough balls and bake directly from frozen, adding 1–2 minutes to the baking time.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 170
- Sugar: 13g
- Sodium: 95mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
