🎉 Introduction
If you’re craving a cookie that’s rich, chocolatey, soft, and unbelievably chewy, these Chocolate Sugar Cookies deliver everything you love in a classic sugar cookie — but with an indulgent cocoa twist. Inspired by the soft, cozy aesthetic of Olives + Thyme, this recipe transforms simple pantry ingredients into a decadent treat with deep chocolate flavor, tender texture, and a melt-in-the-mouth bite.
These cookies don’t just taste incredible — they’re also beautiful. Rolled in sugar before baking, they develop a sparkly, crackled surface that glimmers under the light. Inside, they stay soft, rich, and slightly chewy thanks to the perfect balance of cocoa, sugar, and butter. Every bite feels like a chocolate brownie and a sugar cookie combined into one dreamy dessert.
Perfect for holiday platters, cozy winter evenings, Valentine’s Day treats, dessert boards, or Pinterest-friendly recipe posts, these cookies bring together simplicity and indulgence in the best way. And the best part? They require no chilling, no special tools, and come together in minutes.
Let’s bake the softest, chewiest chocolate sugar cookies ever!
🧰 Equipment Needed
- Mixing bowls
- Hand mixer or stand mixer
- Whisk
- Silicone spatula
- Measuring cups & spoons
- Baking trays
- Parchment paper
- Cookie scoop
- Cooling rack
- Bowl for rolling sugar
🛒 Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1 ⅓ cups All-purpose flour
- ½ cup Unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon Baking soda
- ½ teaspoon Salt
Sugar Mixture
- 1 cup Granulated sugar
- ¼ cup Brown sugar (light or dark)
- ¼ cup Extra granulated sugar for rolling
Wet Ingredients
- ½ cup Unsalted butter, softened
- 1 Large egg
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons Milk (any type)
👩🍳 Directions
Step 1: Preheat & Prepare
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Line baking trays with parchment paper.
Step 2: Cream Butter & Sugars
In a large bowl, beat together:
- Softened butter
- Granulated sugar
- Brown sugar
Beat for 2–3 minutes, until creamy, fluffy, and pale.
This step creates the signature soft, chewy cookie texture.
Step 3: Add Egg, Vanilla & Milk
Mix in:
- Egg
- Vanilla extract
- Milk
Beat until smooth and glossy.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together:
- Flour
- Cocoa powder
- Baking soda
- Salt
Whisk until smooth and lump-free.
Step 5: Add Dry to Wet
Pour the dry mixture into the wet mixture.
Fold gently using a spatula until a dough forms.
The dough will be soft, thick, and chocolatey.
Step 6: Shape & Roll
Scoop dough into balls (1–1½ tablespoons each).
Roll each ball in granulated sugar for a sparkly finish.
Place on baking trays with space to spread.
Step 7: Bake
Bake for 8–10 minutes, or until:
- Tops crack slightly
- Edges are set
- Centers still look soft
Do not overbake — cookies firm up as they cool.
Step 8: Cool
Let cookies cool on the tray for 5 minutes.
Move to a cooling rack to finish setting.
Your soft, chewy chocolate sugar cookies are ready to enjoy!
🍽️ Servings & Timing
- Servings: 18–22 cookies
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Bake Time: 8–10 minutes
- Total Time: Around 20 minutes
🧊 Storage & Reheating
Room Temperature
Store cookies in an airtight container for 4–5 days.
Freezer
Freeze baked cookies or dough balls for up to 2 months.
Reheating
Warm for 5–6 seconds in the microwave for brownie-like softness.
🥄 Variations
1. Double Chocolate Sugar Cookies
Add chocolate chips to the dough.
2. Peppermint Chocolate Sugar Cookies
Mix in peppermint extract for wintery flavor.
3. Espresso Chocolate Sugar Cookies
Add 1 teaspoon instant espresso to deepen the chocolate.
4. Cinnamon Mocha Cookies
Add cinnamon + a pinch of nutmeg for warm flavor.
5. White Chocolate Drizzle Cookies
Drizzle melted white chocolate over cooled cookies.
6. Nutty Chocolate Sugar Cookies
Fold in chopped pecans or walnuts.
❓ 10 FAQs
1. Why did my cookies spread too much?
Butter may have been too soft — chill dough 15 minutes.
2. Why are my cookies puffy?
Too much flour — spoon & level accurately.
3. Can I make the dough ahead?
Yes — refrigerate for 24 hours.
4. Can I use dark cocoa powder?
Yes — cookies will be deeper and richer.
5. Why are my cookies dry?
They were overbaked — remove while soft.
6. Can I make them gluten-free?
Yes — use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
7. Can I roll cookies in powdered sugar?
Yes — they will look more like crinkles.
8. Can I freeze the dough balls?
Yes — roll in sugar after thawing.
9. Can I add frosting?
A swirl of chocolate buttercream is amazing.
10. Are these cookies good for gifting?
Absolutely — they stay soft for days.
🏁 Conclusion
These Chocolate Sugar Cookies are everything a chocolate lover dreams of — soft, chewy, rich, melt-in-your-mouth, and covered in sparkly sugar that makes them beautiful enough for any holiday tray or dessert board. With their brownie-like flavor and classic sugar-cookie texture, they strike the perfect balance of indulgence and simplicity.
Whether you’re baking for Christmas, preparing cozy winter desserts, filling cookie boxes, or creating stunning Pinterest content, these cookies always deliver. They’re quick, reliable, delicious, and absolutely irresistible.
Bake a batch, pour a warm drink, and enjoy every chocolatey bite!
Chocolate Sugar Cookies (Soft & Chewy)
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Ingredients
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Discover more than 1700+ delicious recipes you can cook at home. Easy, step-by-step instructions with new recipes added every day.
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Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Line baking trays with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, beat together:
- Softened butter
- Granulated sugar
- Brown sugar
- Beat for 2–3 minutes, until creamy, fluffy, and pale.
- This step creates the signature soft, chewy cookie texture.
- Mix in:
- Egg
- Vanilla extract
- Milk
- Beat until smooth and glossy.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together:
- Flour
- Cocoa powder
- Baking soda
- Salt
- Whisk until smooth and lump-free.
- Pour the dry mixture into the wet mixture.
- Fold gently using a spatula until a dough forms.
- The dough will be soft, thick, and chocolatey.
- Scoop dough into balls (1–1½ tablespoons each).
- Roll each ball in granulated sugar for a sparkly finish.
- Place on baking trays with space to spread.
- Bake for 8–10 minutes, or until:
- Tops crack slightly
- Edges are set
- Centers still look soft
- Do not overbake — cookies firm up as they cool.
- Let cookies cool on the tray for 5 minutes.
- Move to a cooling rack to finish setting.
- Your soft, chewy chocolate sugar cookies are ready to enjoy!
Notes
Room Temperature Store cookies in an airtight container for 4–5 days. Freezer Freeze baked cookies or dough balls for up to 2 months. Reheating Warm for 5–6 seconds in the microwave for brownie-like softness. 🥄 Variations
1. Double Chocolate Sugar Cookies Add chocolate chips to the dough. 2. Peppermint Chocolate Sugar Cookies Mix in peppermint extract for wintery flavor. 3. Espresso Chocolate Sugar Cookies Add 1 teaspoon instant espresso to deepen the chocolate. 4. Cinnamon Mocha Cookies Add cinnamon + a pinch of nutmeg for warm flavor. 5. White Chocolate Drizzle Cookies Drizzle melted white chocolate over cooled cookies. 6. Nutty Chocolate Sugar Cookies Fold in chopped pecans or walnuts. ❓ 10 FAQs
1. Why did my cookies spread too much? Butter may have been too soft — chill dough 15 minutes. 2. Why are my cookies puffy? Too much flour — spoon & level accurately. 3. Can I make the dough ahead? Yes — refrigerate for 24 hours. 4. Can I use dark cocoa powder? Yes — cookies will be deeper and richer. 5. Why are my cookies dry? They were overbaked — remove while soft. 6. Can I make them gluten-free? Yes — use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. 7. Can I roll cookies in powdered sugar? Yes — they will look more like crinkles. 8. Can I freeze the dough balls? Yes — roll in sugar after thawing. 9. Can I add frosting? A swirl of chocolate buttercream is amazing. 10. Are these cookies good for gifting? Absolutely — they stay soft for days. 🏁 Conclusion These Chocolate Sugar Cookies are everything a chocolate lover dreams of — soft, chewy, rich, melt-in-your-mouth, and covered in sparkly sugar that makes them beautiful enough for any holiday tray or dessert board. With their brownie-like flavor and classic sugar-cookie texture, they strike the perfect balance of indulgence and simplicity. Whether you’re baking for Christmas, preparing cozy winter desserts, filling cookie boxes, or creating stunning Pinterest content, these cookies always deliver. They’re quick, reliable, delicious, and absolutely irresistible. Bake a batch, pour a warm drink, and enjoy every chocolatey bite!
