Chocolate Cayenne Cookies
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Rich and decadent chocolate cookies spiced with the subtle flavors of cayenne, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Sweet and spicy at its finest! You can also find this recipe on page 56 of my cookbook.
YOU WILL LOVE THESE SPICY CHOCOLATE COOKIES
I have a confession: one of the best chocolate cookie recipes I have on my site uses cayenne pepper. The only other recipe on my site that contains cayenne pepper is Nashville hot chicken. Welcome to my weird recipe creator life.
The truth is, chocolate with cayenne pepper is a quite popular thing, and the first time I experienced the combo was at our favorite local specialty chocolate store. After one bite, I knew I had to turn those flavors into a cookie!
The base for these dark chocolate cayenne cookies comes from my favorite dark chocolate cookie. That base recipe has been used for mint chocolate chip cookies, peppermint bark cookies, and chocolate white chocolate chip cookies.
It is a reliably soft and chewy cookie recipe with slightly crisp edges that is absolutely packed with rich, deep chocolate flavor. Be sure to check out my success tips and recipe card notes for changing up how you make these cayenne pepper chocolate cookies to fit your tastes.
CHOCOLATE CAYENNE COOKIES KEY INGREDIENTS
Along with salt, an egg, butter, sugar, and vanilla, there are a few other key ingredients to note.
ALL-PURPOSE FLOUR: be sure you’re measuring properly as these cookies can spread too much (or not enough!) with too much or too little flour.
DUTCH PROCESSED COCOA POWDER: this is my preference for the best chocolate flavor, but you can also use unsweetened cocoa powder in this recipe.
BAKING SODA: you’ll often see Dutch processed cocoa powder paired with baking powder, but not in these chocolate chili cookies!
CAYENNE PEPPER, CINNAMON, & NUTMEG: this blend of spices complements chocolate so nicely! You will love the way the spices marry together and bring a whole new depth to chocolate.
CHOPPED CHOCOLATE: I prefer using quality, chopped chocolate in these cookies, but chocolate chips work just fine, too! Chopped chocolate typically lends to creamier and larger bites of chocolate. Also… Chocolate puddles on warm cookies right from the oven!
WHAT IS DUTCH PROCESSED COCOA POWDER?
This type of cocoa powder is unsweetened cocoa powder that has been processed in an alkali solution to reduce its acidity. This process brings a smoother, darker, and richer chocolate flavor than natural cocoa.
While natural cocoa powder is acidic and very bitter, Dutched cocoa powder has been neutralized, which boasts a smooth, mellow flavor. It’s also very dark, which brings a deep chocolate “look” to baked goods.
You can absolutely use unsweetened cocoa powder in these chocolate cookies, just know the chocolate flavor will be a little less smooth and the cookies may not be as dark.
HOW TO MAKE CAYENNE CHOCOLATE COOKIES
These cookies come together quickly, but the dough does require chilling. Be sure you’re building in chilling time (at least 1 hour).
STEP #1
Start by whisking together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, salt, cayenne pepper, cinnamon, and nutmeg, then set this mixture aside.
STEP #2
Next, cream the butter and sugar together on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, then reduce the mixer speed to medium, add the egg and vanilla, and beat again until combined.
STEP #3
Reduce the mixer again to low speed, then slowly add the flour mixture and beat until just combined. Add the chopped chocolate (or chocolate chips) and continue mixing until evenly dispersed. Cover the dough tightly and refrigerate for at least 1 hour *(ou can also portion out the dough and chill it in balls, if you prefer).
STEP #4
When you are ready to bake the cookies, preheat the oven, then use a cookie scoop to roll the dough into balls and place them onto the prepared baking sheet to bake.
SUCCESS TIPS
TIP #1
Be mindful about the amount of cayenne pepper you use. While testing this recipe, I made one batch with ¾ teaspoon and another batch with ½ teaspoon. What I liked about the ones with more cayenne pepper was that they definitely had more heat, but I lost some of the cinnamon and nutmeg notes to the heat. Spice at your own risk here, cookie bakers!
TIP #2
These cookies are super soft and chewy, and the flavors marry together over time, so the longer they sit, the better they get. Eat as many as you want on the day they’re baked, but definitely save one or two to taste the next day!
Rich, sweet, decadent chocolate plus melty chunks of chocolate, the bite of cinnamon, the nuttiness of the nutmeg, and the subtle heat from the cayenne will make this cookie an absolute show-stopper on any cookie spread. They’re one of my favorites on cookie trays at Christmas since they warm the belly, too!
Chocolate Cayenne Cookies Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 and ¼ cups (150g) all-purpose flour be sure to measure properly
- ¼ cup + 2 Tablespoons (36g) Dutch processed cocoa powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper1
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter at room temperature
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 ounces (113g) semi-sweet chocolate2 chopped
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, salt, cayenne pepper, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Set aside.1 and ¼ cups (150g) all-purpose flour, ¼ cup + 2 Tablespoons (36g) Dutch processed cocoa powder, ½ teaspoon baking soda, ¼ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper1, ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- In a large bowl with a handheld mixer or the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar on medium-high speed until light and fluffy (approximately 2-3 minutes). Turn the mixer speed down to medium, add the egg and vanilla, and beat again until combined.½ cup (113g) unsalted butter, 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar, 1 large egg, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- With the mixer on low, slowly add flour mixture and beat until just combined. Add the chopped chocolate (or chocolate chips) and continue mixing until evenly dispersed. Cover the dough tightly and refrigerate for at least 1 hour and up to 3 days. You can also portion out the dough and chill it in balls, if you prefer.4 ounces (113g) semi-sweet chocolate2
- When you are ready to bake the cookies, line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Set aside. Preheat oven to 350ºF (177ºC).
- Using a cookie scoop (I use this #50 cookie scoop for all of my standard size cookies), roll the dough into balls and place on prepared baking sheet. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until edges are set and center is no longer shiny. Remove from oven and allow to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Cookies stay fresh covered at room temperature up to 1 week. Baked cookies can be frozen, up to 2 months. Rolled cookie dough can be frozen, up to 3 months. Place on baking sheet and add 1-2 minutes to baking time.
Video
Notes
- Cayenne pepper: this is a moderate level of spice. Feel free to use ¾ teaspoon if you’re feeling really spicy!
- Semi-sweet chocolate: I like to use chopped bar chocolate in these cookies, but you can also use semi-sweet chocolate chips. For chips, use ¾ cup (127g).
Nutrition Disclosure
All nutritional values are approximate and provided to the reader as a courtesy. Changing ingredients and/or quantities will alter the estimated nutritional calculations.
How cool are these cookies? I love a kick of spice so these are totally up my alley! Pinning for Christmas and beyond!
Thanks, Jess! I loved these cookies so much!
These are beautiful. I love the idea of cayenne in these cookies, my husband would be in your camp with more heat, I would be in Matt’s with less. I think my favorite holiday cookie is whichever cookie I’m eating at the time. I can never choose a favorite.
Haha! I like that answer, Courtney!
Yay for Christmas cookies! I can’t wait to see all the cookies you have in store this year!
This spicy version is the perfect way to start the season 🙂 I’ve only added cayenne to cookies once before, so I’ll have to try it again soon!
& my favorite holiday cookie is anything that combines chocolate and peppermint!
Chocolate and peppermint is always a good choice for the holidays– in many forms!
These look so good, Lynn! We are having a Mexican-themed Christmas lunch at work soon and I’ve been looking all over Pinterest for a dessert. These might be it!
Goodness, I have too many favorites, but Peanut Butter Blossoms and Chocolate Crinkle Cookies are at the top, for sure. Now all I want to do is get in the kitchen and start baking!
I think these cookies would be the PERFECT addition to that lunch, Cory!
These look so good! I love all the spices you used and I’m curious to try chocolate with the cayenne!
My favorites are snickerdoodle and gingerbread, though I love all cookies, hehe!
“All cookies”– yep, rarely do I meet a cookie I don’t like! I have a fun twist on the snickerdoodle coming on the 11th! Stay tuned for that one!
These look fun! Can’t wait to see the other cookies you’re doing as well. I love Russian tea cakes (I think they have many names)
Oh yes, snowballs is what Matt’s family calls them! I made them for last year’s 12 Days and I have a variation of them with chocolate chips coming to the blog on Saturday! Check back for that one 🙂
Ryan has a recipe for brownie cookies and then we add orange extract, they are amazing and I think I may have to buy the stuff to make them when I’m out today now!
Chocolate and orange is one of my FAVORITE flavor combos!!
Love this flavor combo!!! My favorite Christmas cookies are chocolate andes mint cookies.
I have an Andes Mint cookie recipe that I’ve been meaning to make into chocolate cookies! Always a great combo.
Since your lovely post last year, I’m all about the chocolate cookies with the peppermint kiss. I even bought extra bags last winter so I could keep making them in the summer…????
I love this about you, Jill. Those kisses are so dangerous!!
Can’t wait to try!
Favorite–I can’t decide between white chocolate cranberry cookies or peppermint sugar cookies ????. I think I’ll make both with all my Rodelle winnings!
Hahaha, you suck up!
Gingerbread is my favorite cookie. I make them with lots of spices and cream cheese frosting.
I love the idea of adding cream cheese frosting, Amy!
I’ve never had a cookie of yours that wasn’t good! I’m pretty boring- I like chocolate chip ????
Nothing boring about chocolate chip! You’re biased because you’re my sister 😉
This recipe sounds amazing, thank you!
My favorite cookie is definitely an original chocolate chip cookie but snickerdoodles and peanut butter cookies topped with Hershey kisses during the holidays!
Classic choices!
This is the first year we are going to do cookies as gifts for coworkers. I am going to add this to our list. Excited for your other flavors!
This cookie was a huge hit! I hope your coworkers like them!
So happy the 12 Day of Cookies is here! I can’t wait to see what you’ve baked up this year 🙂
I love a little hit of heat with my chocolate, and you know I’m all about that dark chocolate flava flave. I cannot wait to try these out after my next run!
Hahaha, you are my favorite, Amy!
They sound delicious!
My favorite are white chocolate macadamia cookies and snowballs!!
Yes! I have a chocolate chip snowball recipe coming tomorrow!
I am intrigued by this cookie. I may need to try it this year! My favorite Christmas cookies are soft sugar cookies with frosting and lots of sprinkles.
You had me at “lots of sprinkles,” Kim! I hope you give this cookie a try!
My favorite holiday cookies my fiancés family calls Bord’s nest cookies 🙂 I think other people call them thumb prints but I’ve never seen a recipe quite like the one they use.
I love holiday cookies that are specific to a family! They’re the best!
I am looking to try new cookie recipes this year. Shortbread maybe? I love a good sugar cookie!
Well I definitely have a few in the lineup of 12 that I’m sure you’ve never had! Stay tuned, Katy!
My favorite cookie during the holidays are always a nice chewy sugar cookie.
Excellent choice, Zack!