Chocolate Sugar Cookies Recipe

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Soft chocolate cut out sugar cookies that require no dough chilling and are perfect for shaping with cookie cutters. Crisp edges, soft centers, and plenty of room for decorative icing and sprinkles. 

Why these Chocolate Cut Out Cookies work

I am a firm believer that cut out cookies should require as little time as possible, since rolling and cutting them out can take quite a bit of work. This recipe is a chocolate version of my go-to basic cut out sugar cookie, and we’re just replacing some of the flour with cocoa powder (with a few other adjustments) so you can rest assured this cookie recipe works just as wonderfully as that one!

Chocolate Sugar Cookies Ingredients

For the cookies, you will need:
all-purpose flour
Dutch processed cocoa powder
baking powder
salt
egg
vanilla extract
unsalted butter
powdered sugar

Sugar Cookie Icing Ingredients

This cookie icing is the most popular recipe I have on my site, believe it or not. It’s simple, dries hard, and can be used like any traditional royal icing for decorating.

For the cookie icing, you will need:
powdered sugar
warm water
light corn syrup
vanilla or almond extract

STEP #1

Star by tossing together 2 and ½ cups of flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt, then set this mixture aside.

STEP #2

In a measuring cup or small bowl with a spout, beat the egg and vanilla extract, then set this aside.

STEP #3

Next, cream together the butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the egg mixture to the creamed butter and sugar and beat on high until completely incorporated, scraping down sides as necessary.

STEP #4

Reduce the mixer to low speed, then add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients little by little, allowing dough to come together after each addition. After you have added all 2 and ½ cups of flour (plus baking powder and salt) to the bowl, most of the dough should stick to your beaters or paddle.

STEP #5

Test the dough consistency by touching it with your fingers. It should be slightly tacky, but not sticky. It should remind you of Play-Doh. If it is too sticky, add 2 Tablespoons of flour at a time until you reach 2 and ¾ total cups of flour. Occasionally, I will need a tad more flour, but do not exceed 3 cups of flour.

STEP #6

When your dough is the right consistency, gather it into a ball and allow it to rest for 10 minutes. While it is resting, preheat your oven, prepare your baking sheets, and gather your cookie cutters.

STEP #7

Roll, cut, re-roll, bake!

Icing Chocolate Sugar Cookies

While I like to use the included icing recipe, I also like to decorate these chocolate cookies with melted chocolate. You can use milk, dark, or white chocolate.

Chocolate Sugar Cookie Cut Out Recipe Tips

Do not exceed 3 cups of flour for these cut-out cookies. Too much flour can make your cookies spread and/or too crunchy.

While this dough does not need to be refrigerated, you can pop it in the fridge if you think it’s getting too soft to work with as you’re rolling, re-rolling, and cutting into shapes.

Bake the same shape of cookies on a tray at a time. Too many varied shapes or sizes will result in uneven baking of the cookies.

If you’re looking for a recipe for chocolate sugar cookies that are SERIOUSLY EASY, this is it, my friends. I can’t stress to you enough just how simple they are and how you’re going to love using this dough for all your go-to chocolate shapes. 

Oh, and… My BEST tip for getting uniform and perfectly identical shapes is to invest in (BAH– they’re super cheap) two ¼” rods from a hardware store. Round or square will do.

I have round and usually tape them to my rolling mat. 

This will ensure your dough is ¼” thick… Ta-da.

(Look at all those uniform cookies. Gorg.) 

I do recommend, however, letting these cookies sit out for a day to dry out. I know, I know. That sounds so weird. But they are sturdiest when they’ve had a chance to sit and lose some of that initial moisture.

You’re certainly welcome to decorate them right away, but it’s always been my preference to wait a bit. Your choice!

I hope you’ll give this chocolate cut-out sugar cookie recipe a try. I’m really proud of it and I think you’ll be happy with how easily you (and maybe your kiddos?) can achieve delicious, chocolate shapes. 

With all the sprinkles, of course.