This chocolate dipped sugar cookie recipe is one of the simplest, fancy cookie recipes around. I’m a huge fan of the smooth, creamy chocolate dipped base that touches your tongue with every bite. The drizzled tops make them look like fancy truffles or some other chocolate treat!
About this recipe
I started making cookies like this years ago, after realizing that cookies with the bottoms dipped in chocolate are one of the best things. In fact, these images were originally taken for this blog way in its early days, when it was still called “Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice.”
My blog has morphed a lot over the years, but I’ve recently been taking time to update some of those old, good recipes that I’d like to keep around. This is one of those oldies but goodies, updated with new tips and recipe notes.
Sugar cookie tips
Chocolate sugar cookies are much easier to make than regular ones (and the regular ones aren’t hard, either, so that’s saying something)! The reason for this is that cocoa makes the dough quite a bit more hardy, allowing the cookies hold their shape exceptionally well.
The best chocolate dipped sugar cookies come to be when the dough is allowed to rest in the fridge for at least a couple of hours (but preferably overnight). This is so that the dough can develop maximum flavour and hold its shape well. Chocolate sugar cookies, at least for this recipe, are nice in that if you don’t have the time, the fridge resting time is not as necessary; still, if you want the cookies to be their best selves, I recommend:
- Following the recipe carefully, and
- Allowing the dough to rest in the fridge before rolling and baking
Ingredient substitutes or additions
For this recipe, I don’t recommend making substitutes; but you could definitely include some nice additions. My top pick would probably be orange zest, but you could also add cacao nibs for some crunchy texture, cinnamon and/or a pinch of cayenne for a Mexican hot chocolate vibe, or a tiny bit of ground cardamom and/or chocolate shavings for a delicious, unique chocolate cookie.
The best kind of cocoa to use
You can use any type of cocoa for these chocolate dipped sugar cookies, but honestly my best tip is just to go for something that looks the way you want them to when they’re done. In these images, the cookies are made with a dark/red cocoa powder, but you can use regular cocoa powder (for a milk chocolate look), red cocoa powder (for a semi sweet chocolate look), or black cocoa powder (for a super dark chocolate look).
The best kind of chocolate to use
Honestly, if you don’t know how to temper the good quality stuff, the easiest, prettiest option would be to get some chocolate melting wafers, as listed in the recipe ingredients below. Use dark chocolate wafers for the base and first drizzle layer, and then white chocolate melting wafers on the top. You can order them online or pick them up at your local bulk food store.
When to serve chocolate dipped sugar cookies
I have some great ideas for how you could use these cookies, aside from the obvious “eat them yourself.” I’ll note them here:
- Make these as a fun family project or party idea
- Host/hostess gifts (pack them up all pretty like a box of chocolates)
- Party favours/prizes
- Stocking stuffers (pack them in cellophane bags and add them to stockings at Christmastime)
- House warming gifts
Packaging Ideas
My favourite way to package cookies is either in clear cellophane bags tied with ribbon, or in cookie boxes. They can be packaged individually for larger cookies or as a set in a box for smaller ones.
Recipe variations
Sugar cookies are one of those basic staple recipes that are great to make for everything. Here are a few of my favourite recipes:
To make these cookies, you will need:
- Ingredients (see recipe card)
- Mixing bowls
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Rolling Pin
- Cookie cutters (I’ve used a simple round cutter for this tutorial)
- Parchment or wax paper
- Cookie sheets
- Lifter
- Cooling rack
- Glass bowls
- Small pot (if melting the chocolate on the stovetop) or microwave
- Piping bags, ziploc bags, or heat proof squeeze bottle
Double Chocolate Dipped Sugar Cookies
These chocolaty, chocolate dipped sugar cookies are simple and delicious!
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp. vanilla
- 2 cups flour
- 1/2 cup cocoa
- 1-1/2 cup dark chocolate melting wafers
- 1/2 cup white chocolate melting wafers
Instructions
For the cookies:
-
Cream the butter and sugar together in a medium sized mixing bowl. Beat in the eggs and add the vanilla; stir until combined.
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Sift in the flour and cocoa, and mix/knead until the mixture is well combined. Cover, and chill for 2 hours or overnight.
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On a large flour dusted work surface, roll the dough to about 1/4" thickness. Cut into shapes and lay out on parchment lined or ungreased (non-stick) cookie sheets (the cookies can be fairly close together since they don't spread very much).
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Bake at 350 degree F for 8-10 minutes or until done. Cool on wire racks.
Dipping the cookies:
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In a glass bowl, melt the dark chocolate wafers over a pan of simmering water (making sure the bottom of the bowl doesn't touch the water), or in the microwave for 30 seconds at a time, stirring each time, until all of the wafers are melted and smooth.
Note: If you are using the microwave, if the bowl begins to feel hot, allow it to sit on the counter until it feels barely warm before microwaving the chocolate again.
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Dip the bottom of each cookie into the bowl of melted chocolate, and turn each cookie to its side with your fingers to let some of the chocolate drip off the bottom. Set the cookies chocolate side down onto a cookie sheet lined with wax paper or parchment paper.
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Scrape the remaining dark chocolate into a piping bag, ziploc bag, or heat proof squeeze bottle. If using a bag, cut off the tip, and drizzle the tops of the cookies with chocolate.
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Melt the white chocolate in another small glass bowl, as before. Scrape the chocolate into another bag or squeeze bottle, and drizzle the tops of the cookies.
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Allow the chocolate to set before trimming away the excess chocolate. Store in a cool, dry place in an airtight container.
Other delicious chocolate cookie recipes:
- Chocolate Hazelnut Cookies
- White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies
- Soft and Crispy Chocolate Chunk Cookies
- Italian Chocolate Spice Cookies
I hope you enjoy this recipe! Let me know how you plan to serve yours or how they came out in the comments! Or, of course, tag me in your photos on Instagram @naomicakesofficial so that I can see your beautiful work!
Thanks as always for visiting!
Back soon,
–Naomi
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