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Chocolate Sugar Cookies (Soft & Chewy)

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!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
bake time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 22 cookies
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes
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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
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Equipment

  • 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

Method
 

Step 1: Preheat & Prepare
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Line baking trays with parchment paper.
Step 2: Cream Butter & Sugars
  1. In a large bowl, beat together:
  2. Softened butter
  3. Granulated sugar
  4. Brown sugar
  5. Beat for 2–3 minutes, until creamy, fluffy, and pale.
  6. This step creates the signature soft, chewy cookie texture.
Step 3: Add Egg, Vanilla & Milk
  1. Mix in:
  2. Egg
  3. Vanilla extract
  4. Milk
  5. Beat until smooth and glossy.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
  1. In a separate bowl, whisk together:
  2. Flour
  3. Cocoa powder
  4. Baking soda
  5. Salt
  6. Whisk until smooth and lump-free.
Step 5: Add Dry to Wet
  1. Pour the dry mixture into the wet mixture.
  2. Fold gently using a spatula until a dough forms.
  3. The dough will be soft, thick, and chocolatey.
Step 6: Shape & Roll
  1. Scoop dough into balls (1–1½ tablespoons each).
  2. Roll each ball in granulated sugar for a sparkly finish.
  3. Place on baking trays with space to spread.
Step 7: Bake
  1. Bake for 8–10 minutes, or until:
  2. Tops crack slightly
  3. Edges are set
  4. Centers still look soft
  5. Do not overbake — cookies firm up as they cool.
Step 8: Cool
  1. Let cookies cool on the tray for 5 minutes.
  2. Move to a cooling rack to finish setting.
  3. Your soft, chewy chocolate sugar cookies are ready to enjoy!

Notes

🧊 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!