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These chocolate sugar cookies are soft, chewy and packed with cocoa flavor. They’re easy to make without any fancy ingredients, so you can whip them up whenever a chocolate craving hits. Each cookie bakes up with a crisp sugary edge and a tender center that melts in your mouth. They’re perfect for a festive treat whenever your sweet tooth craves one. It really isn’t the holidays, unless I have these chocolate Christmas cookies!
Chocolate sugar cookies combine cocoa powder and butter for a chewy, tender texture with sweet, crisp edges. These cookies are simple to make and full of flavor.
Cookie lovers might also enjoy these cranberry orange biscotti, Starbucks oat bars, chocolate chip shortbread, and my chocolate chunk pecan pie.
Why You’ll Love It
Rich chocolate taste: Deep cocoa flavor without too much sweetness.
Soft and chewy centers: Each cookie keeps the right balance of tender inside and crisp outside.
Reliable every time: The dough holds its shape and bakes evenly.
Perfect for gifting: The sugar-coated tops look elegant and travel well.
Sugar Cookie Cut-Outs Ingredients
A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Butter: Softened unsalted butter gives richness and helps create that chewy texture.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens the dough and adds sparkle when rolled before baking.
Eggs: Add structure and moisture so the cookies stay soft.
Vanilla extract: Balances the cocoa and rounds out the flavor.
All-purpose flour: Builds the body of the dough without making it dense.
Cocoa powder: Adds dark color and bold chocolate depth.
Baking soda: Lifts the dough slightly for a tender finish.
How to Make Star Shaped Sugar Cookies
For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.
Cream ingredients: Beat butter and sugar until fluffy, then mix in eggs and vanilla.
Add dry mix: Combine flour, cocoa powder and baking soda, then stir into the wet ingredients and chill the dough.
Shape dough: Shape the cookies and chill again.
Bake cookies: Arrange on a parchment-lined tray and bake until the tops crack lightly.
Cool and serve: Rest on the sheet a few minutes before moving to a wire rack.
Substitutions and Variations
Butter substitute: Try plant-based butter for a dairy-free version.
Extra chocolate: Stir in chocolate chips for a richer flavor.
Finishing touch: Sprinkle sea salt or drizzle melted chocolate after baking.
Serving Suggestions
With hot chocolate: Enjoy boozy salted caramel hot chocolate or one of these hot chocolate recipes with your cookies. Grinch hot chocolate is fun too!
With a festive cocktail: Indulge in a chocolate cake martini or Santa’s hat coconut rum cocktail with a plate of chocolate sugar cut-out cookies.
How to Store Sugar Cookies
Store: Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.
Freezer: Freeze baked cookies up to 3 months.
Thaw: Defrost at room temperature before eating.
Top Tips
Use fresh cocoa: Older cocoa loses strength and aroma.
Avoid overbaking: Remove while the centers still look soft.
Uniform size: Roll evenly so they bake at the same rate.
Chocolate Sugar Cookies FAQs
Yes, make the dough and chill up to 24 hours, then let it soften slightly before shaping and baking.
Yes, freeze them on a tray and bake straight from frozen.
Yes, but it isn’t acidic like natural cocoa, so it won’t react the same with baking soda. Reducing the baking soda slightly keeps the cookies from spreading too much and helps maintain the right texture.
Star Shaped Chocolate Sugar Cookies Recipe
Chocolate Sugar Cookie Cut-Outs
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 Cups unsalted butter, softened
- 2 Cups granulated sugar
- 2 eggs
- 3 Teaspoons vanilla extract
- 4 Cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 Cups cocoa powder
- 1 Teaspoon salt
- powdered sugar, optional
Instructions
- Cream the butter and sugar together with an electric mixer. Scrape the sides of the bowl and mix again for a few seconds more.
- Add eggs and mix. Add vanilla and mix.
- Sift the flour, cocoa powder and salt together. Add all of the flour mixture to the bowl. Mix on low speed for 30 seconds, being careful not to overmix.
- Roll the dough out between 2 pieces of parchment paper. Place on a baking sheet and put into the fridge for an hour.
- Cut the shapes and then put cookie dough shapes back into the fridge for another hour so they will then hold their shape better when baked.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F.
- Bake cookies for 8 to 12 minutes. The baking time will depend on the size of your cookie.
- Let cookies cool to room temperature on a wire rack. Dust with powdered sugar, if liked, before serving.
Notes
Avoid overbaking: Remove while the centers still look soft.
Uniform size: Roll evenly so they bake at the same rate.
Nutrition
Chocolate cut-out cookies are easy to make, rich with cocoa flavor and perfect for when you want something homemade and comforting. Each one bakes up soft in the middle with a light sugary crunch on the outside that makes every bite satisfying. The buttery dough gives them just the right balance of sweetness and texture, making them an instant favorite for any occasion. Keep this chocolate sugar cookie cutouts Christmas recipe close because once you bake them, you’ll reach for it again every time a chocolate craving strikes.
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Bella Bucchiotti
Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.
