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Rich and decadent chocolate cookies spiced with the subtle flavors of cayenne and cinnamon. The perfect cookie for warming your belly and your tastebuds!
Happy December 1st! And happy COOKIE PARTY! I have been itching for this day since last year’s cookie explosion ended. Cookie nerd here, hi. I just can’t help it. I love me some cookies and holiday cheer. Put the two together and you’ve got one magical party.
Not only is today the first day of my own cookie party, but it’s also the first day of Rodelle’s cookie party. I’ve been working with Rodelle since this past summer, and they have been so great to me.
My baking cabinet is full of the most wonderful array of baking extracts, vanilla beans, vanilla paste, and, today’s featured ingredient, Dutch processed cocoa (I’ll get to that in a bit).
Some of Rodelle’s other brand ambassadors are in on this big cookie party too, so when you’re done here, be sure to check out some of the other amazing cookies my fellow bakers have coming out of their ovens this month!
Now, onto spicy chocolate cookie business.
These cookies started out as something completely different, but that’s just how cookies go sometimes in my kitchen. I have an extensive collection of cookie recipes on my blog, but I don’t really have any serious chocolate based cookies (except this oldie but goodie recipe, brownie cookies).
What do I mean by this? I mean cookies that are made with not only cocoa powder, but also chopped chocolate.
When Rodelle sent me some Dutch processed cocoa to try, I knew where I needed to put my cookie energy. A rich, decadent, super chocolatey cookie is what I was after.
WHAT IS DUTCH PROCESSED COCOA POWDER?
If you’re not familiar with Dutch processed cocoa, you might be unaware that it’s something completely different than natural cocoa powder.
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.
Fun fact: it’s actually what gives Oreos their signature almost black color.
Since I was going for rich, decadent chocolate cookies, Dutched cocoa was the way to go.
The original cookie I made was a basic chocolate chunk cookie, which was great! But I wanted something fancier for Rodelle, and I wanted something holiday-ish. So I jazzed them up with cinnamon and nutmeg (spices of the season), and cayenne pepper.
Yes, you read that right– cayenne pepper.
I couldn’t resist. There is something so tasty about chocolate + heat, especially when the weather outside is chilly.
The batter for these cookies is very simple, but there are a few things to keep in mind. For one, you’re going to want to be careful about the amount of cayenne pepper you use. I made these twice, once with 3/4 teaspoon and another with 1/2 teaspoon.
What I liked about the ones with more cayenne pepper was that they definitely had more heat. What I didn’t love about them was that I lost some of the cinnamon and nutmeg notes to the heat.
They were, however, really really good. But I’m a heat lover!
Matt is not as much of a heat lover, and he preferred the dialed back cayenne pepper. Spice at your own risk here, cookie bakers!
You’re also going to need to chill this batter, but just for one hour. That’s more than enough time to head to the gym for a quick workout so that when you get back to bake all of these tasty cookies, you won’t feel as bad about eating all of them right up.
I mean… Wait… The goal of the 12 Days of Christmas Cookies is to shaaaare the wealth. Welp, better make a double batch!
These cookies are super soft and chewy, and the flavors marry together over time, so the longer they sit, the better they get. That’s my kind of cookie!
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 platter this holiday season.
And YOU can whip these up at home with your own Dutch processed cocoa from Rodelle!
Happy baking, and thanks for helping me kick of 2016’s 12 Days of Christmas Cookies! We’re going all the way up to December 22nd– are you ready??
Chocolate Cayenne Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 and 1/4 cups all purpose flour be sure to measure properly
- 1/4 cup + 2 Tablespoons Rodelle Dutch processed cocoa
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper 3/4 teaspoon if you’re feeling really spicy!
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter at room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chopped
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa, baking soda, salt, cayenne pepper, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Set aside.
- 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.
- With the mixer on low, slowly add flour mixture and beat until just combined. Add the chocolate chunks and continue mixing until evenly dispersed. Cover dough and refrigerate for at least 1 hour and up to 3 days.
- 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.
- 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.
Rodelle provided me with the ingredients to make this recipe. Thanks for working with me, Rodelle!
I make this peanut butter cookie with a mini snickers baked inside…that is my favorite cookie! Although, I have never met a cookie I didn’t like!!
OH! That sounds fabulous!!
My favorite Christmas cookies are M&M cookies! Love the red and green colors!
Excited to get some new ideas from your 12 days of cookies! 🙂
What is it about colored m&ms that make a holiday that much more fun to celebrate?! Hope you find a cookie or two that you like, Melissa!
The only cookie I associate with “holiday” are rugelach, so I guess that makes them my favorite – the Hanukkah cookie trend never really took off. 😉
I just learned what rugelach was this week from Sally! I added it to my to-make list!
It’s tough to pick a favorite, but I’ve always loved peanut butter blossoms with the hershey kiss!
Always a classic for the holidays!
these may make the fact that caribou didn’t release their spicy mocha this year a bit less sad. my favorite cookie is a thick and chewy chocolate chip with salt!
You absolutely MUST make these cookies in place of that, Julie!!
I use their vanilla extract but didn’t know about the other products. Thank you!
I love a good chewy molasses cookie at Christmas.
They have SO many wonderful products! You have to find more of them!
Hi Lynn!
My favourite Christmas cookie is your peppermint biscotti! I would love to enter your giveaway, but sadly I can’t as I live in Canada. I just LOVE the Rodelle cocoa! Our Costco used to carry it but now they just have Fry’s. 🙁 Which I find isn’t as cocoa-y! And pumpkin spice extract…
Naomi! I am flattered!! I do love those biscotti too 🙂 I’m glad to hear you’re a fan of Rodelle too. They are so great. Big fat bummer they stopped carrying it! 🙁
I haven’t met a cookie I didn’t like but a favorite of mine is oatmeal raisin! ????
How did I not know that about you?! That’s my favorite!!
I didn’t know that about you either!! ????
Chocolate and spiciness- my two favorite things! I can’t wait to make these cookies!
They go SO well together!
My Favorite holiday cookie is the classic sugar cookie with buttercream icing. I Also love a good monster cookie made with oats and peanut butter too!!
I have a monster cookie with all the goodies coming to the blog next week!
my favorite is 7-layer bars – so rich and sweet
I have never made 7 layer bars. They are on my to-do list for… Eventually!
These look super yummy! I found a cayenne fudge recipe that with go well with this! My favorite cookie for the holidays are oatmeal no bake cookies!!
Ohhhh, cayenne fudge!! Sounds delish!
My favorite holiday cookies are my mom’s Jell-O cookies, which I have taken over making now!
Jell-O cookies?! Tell me more!!
She has been making them as long as I can remember. They have a box of jello in them, the lime ones are the best! I will email you the recipe if you’d like!
Yes, please! freshaprilflours@gmail.com 🙂
…while you’re at it, Liz, email me your address too! You won Rodelle’s goodie box!
I love “Big Soft Ginger Cookies”. I’ve had the recipe forever – I cut it out of a magazine – maybe BHG. They are big and soft and very gingery!
You had me at “very gingery!” I loveeeee ginger in my baked goods!
Wow! These cookies look delicious!???? I will try them this week! ???? I love molasses cookies, sugar cut-out cookies, and chocolate crinkle cookies! ????
Thank you, Karen! I have a peppermint cut-out sugar cookie debuting this week! 🙂
Making these cookies today! Love anything Mexican chocolate! Pick me pick me????
These look fabulous!! My favorite cookie is a lemon pepper cookie made with lemon,fresh ground pepper and cornmeal. They also have a punch of spicy heat from the pepper.
WHAT?! That sounds amazing!! Could you send me the recipe?? freshaprilflours@gmail.com 🙂
Made these today and I loved them!! Still goey in the center and really liked the subtile spicy kick at the end. A winner cookie!
I LOVE these cookies so much– I need to make another batch before the weather gets warm again!
I am currently chilling the dough for these cookies, I am using vegetable shortening instead of butter. Although all the other responses are from last year I feel I can add a favourite Christmas cookie Pfeffernusse or German gingerbread so many yummy spices.