Food and Recipes Desserts Cookies Spicy Hot Chocolate Cookies Be the first to rate & review! The ample amounts of cinnamon, chili powder, and cayenne infuse each bite of these chocolate cookies with an intriguing layer of warm spice. By Tricia Manzanero Stuedeman Published on December 26, 2022 Print Rate It Share Share Tweet Pin Email Photo: Stacy Allen, Prop Stylist: Caleb Clarke, Food Stylist: Jen Riley Active Time: 30 mins Total Time: 1 hrs 15 mins Yield: 26 cookies Crisp on the outside and chewy on the inside, these Spicy Hot Chocolate Cookies have an addictive combo of textures. Cinnamon, chili powder, and cayenne infuse each bite with an intriguing layer of warm spice; the cayenne in particular offers a present yet very pleasant kick. The chocolate morsels inside and on top add pockets of creamy chocolate throughout. Roll in powdered sugar, or add some mini marshmallows on top for a stronger hot chocolate cookies appeal. Our 35 Easiest Ever Christmas Cookie Recipes These cookies are perfect for the brisker holiday months, when you need a little warmth—from the inside and out. Since this recipe makes over two dozen cookies, they are a great choice for edible gifts or a cookie swap. Day-old, crumbled cookies make a great topping for sundaes or fun addition to parfaits. You can sprinkle them over whipped cream on an actual hot chocolate, or fill them with ice cream, whipped cream, or frosting for sandwich cookies. These cookies can be made ahead, of course, but our Test Kitchen says they're not as spectacular the second day. So make them seem fresh-from-the-oven by heating them in a microwave on HIGH for 15 seconds. They will be as tender and flavorful as the day you baked them! Ingredients 3/4 cup (6 oz.) unsalted butter, softened 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar 1/3 cup granulated sugar 1 large egg, at room temperature 1 large egg yolk, at room temperature 1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract 1 2/3 cups (about 7 1/8 oz.) all-purpose flour 1/2 cup (about 1 5/8 oz.) unsweetened cocoa 1 Tbsp. ground cinnamon 1 1/2 tsp. instant espresso powder (such as DeLallo) 1 1/4 tsp. chili powder 3/4 tsp. baking soda 3/4 tsp. kosher salt 1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper 2 cups (about 13 oz.) semisweet chocolate chips (from 1 [20-oz.] pkg.), divided Directions Preheat oven to 350°F. Line 3 baking sheets with parchment paper. Beat butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar with a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment on low speed until combined, about 1 minute; increase speed to medium, and beat until light and fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes, stopping to scrape down sides as needed. Stacy Allen, Prop Stylist: Caleb Clarke, Food Stylist: Jen Riley Add egg, egg yolk, and vanilla; beat on medium speed until combined, about 15 seconds, stopping to scrape down sides as needed. Stacy Allen, Prop Stylist: Caleb Clarke, Food Stylist: Jen Riley Whisk together flour, cocoa, cinnamon, espresso powder, chili powder, baking soda, salt, and cayenne pepper in a medium bowl until well combined, about 30 seconds. Stacy Allen, Prop Stylist: Caleb Clarke, Food Stylist: Jen Riley Gradually add flour mixture to butter mixture with mixer on low speed, beating just until barely combined, about 1 minute. Fold in 1 1/2 cups of the chocolate chips until combined. Stacy Allen, Prop Stylist: Caleb Clarke, Food Stylist: Jen Riley Scoop dough using a rounded 2-tablespoon scoop; roll dough into balls, and place on prepared baking sheets, spacing at least 2 inches apart. (Dough may be slightly sticky.) Stacy Allen, Prop Stylist: Caleb Clarke, Food Stylist: Jen Riley Bake cookies, 1 baking sheet at a time, in preheated oven until edges of cookies are set, tops are dry and cracked, but centers still feel underdone, 8 to 10 minutes. Cool cookies on baking sheets on a wire rack 2 minutes, dividing and pressing remaining 1/2 cup chocolate chips into tops of warm cookies (see Tip). Serve warm or transfer to a wire rack and cool completely, 20 to 30 minutes. Store leftovers in an airtight container up to 5 days. Tip Use a large round cutter or the back of a spoon to nudge still-warm cookies into a more uniform, circular shape, if desired. Rate it Print