CHOCOLATE SUGAR COOKIES

Chocolate Sugar Cookies are soft, rich, and perfect for rolling out and cutting into festive shapes for any holiday. This easy chocolate sugar cookie recipe bakes up tender, holds its shape beautifully, and delivers a deep cocoa flavor that’s a fun twist on classic sugar cookies.

Making cut-out sugar cookies is a tradition in our house for just about every major holiday, and these chocolate sugar cookies have quickly become a favorite. The dough is easy to work with, rolls out smoothly, and keeps crisp edges while baking — making them ideal for decorating. Frost them with pink frosting and sprinkles for Valentine’s Day, or switch up the colors for Christmas, Halloween, or birthdays.

Recipe Highlights

• Perfect for cut-out cookies: The dough rolls out easily and keeps its shape while baking.
• Soft and tender texture: These cookies stay soft, not dry or crumbly.
• Rich chocolate flavor: A delicious change from traditional vanilla sugar cookies.
• Great for decorating: Frosting, food coloring, and sprinkles make them endlessly customizable.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Cookies

• Eggs: Help bind the dough together so the cookies bake evenly and don’t crumble.
• Vanilla extract: Adds warmth and depth to the chocolate flavor; vanilla bean paste works great too.
• All-purpose flour: Creates structure while keeping the cookies tender.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the cocoa flavor.
• Cocoa powder: Gives the cookies their rich chocolate taste and deep color.
• Baking powder: Provides just enough lift so the cookies aren’t too dense.

Frosting

• Food coloring & sprinkles: Optional, but highly encouraged for festive cookies.
• Butter: Forms the creamy base of the frosting; real butter works best.
• Cream cheese: Adds richness and keeps the frosting smooth and slightly tangy.
• Powdered sugar: Sweetens and thickens the frosting for a spreadable consistency.
• Milk: Adjusts the frosting texture to your preference.

Tips for Success

Full instructions for making the recipe can be found on the recipe card below, but here are a few helpful tips.

• Cool completely before frosting: Warm cookies will melt the frosting.
• Chill the dough: This step is key for clean edges and easy rolling.
• Don’t overbake: Cookies should look just set — they’ll continue firming up as they cool.
• Roll evenly: Consistent thickness ensures even baking and soft centers.

Storage Instructions

Store frosted or unfrosted cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.

Chocolate Sugar Cookies Recipe

Chocolate Sugar Cookies are soft, rich and perfect for cutting out shapes and making holiday cookies. Easy chocolate sugar cookie recipe that is absolutely delicious!

5 from 2 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Cookies

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Chocolate Sugar Cookies

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 8 minutes minutes

Chill Time: 3 hours hours

Servings: 30 cookies

Calories: 276kcal

Author: Jessica & Nellie

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Ingredients 

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• 1 ½ cups butter softened to room temperature
• 1 ½ cups sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 3 ⅓ cups flour
• ½ tsp salt
• ¾ cup baking cocoa
• 2 tsp baking powder

Frosting:

• ½ cup butter softened to room temperature
• 4 oz. cream cheese softened to room temperature
• 3 ½ cups powdered sugar
• 3-5 Tbsp milk start with 3, add more if needed
• food coloring

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 375°.
• Cream butter and sugar for at least 2-3 minutes. Add eggs and vanilla and beat well for another 2 minutes.
• Add dry ingredients and mix just until combined. Chill the dough in the refrigerator for 3-4 hours.
• Roll out on a floured surface and cut into shapes. I like soft and thick cookies so I roll out the dough to be about 5/8″-1/4″ thick.
• Bake cookies on a cookie sheet for about 8-9 minutes. Cool for about 10 minutes on the cookie sheet and then place on a wire rack to cool completely.
• To make the frosting, blend the frosting ingredients together until smooth. Frost cooled cookies and add sprinkles if desired.

Nutrition

Calories: 276kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.5g | Cholesterol: 47mg | Sodium: 154mg | Potassium: 90mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 24g | Vitamin A: 447IU | Calcium: 27mg | Iron: 1mg

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FAQs

How do you keep sugar cookies soft?

Avoid overbaking and store the cookies in an airtight container after they’ve cooled. Baking them just until set helps keep the centers tender.

How long will decorated sugar cookies last?

Decorated cookies will stay fresh at room temperature for up to 7 days when stored properly.

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes! The dough can be refrigerated for up to 2 days before rolling and baking.

More delicious sugar cookie recipes to try:

• These Frosted Lemon Sugar Cookies are easy to make but are fancy enough to serve at a wedding, and the lemon flavor is perfect too!
• If I don’t have cream cheese on hand for the recipe in this post, then my next choice is these Soft Sugar Cookies that are made with sour cream (or yogurt).
• These Jello Sugar Cookies can be made with any flavor of Jello, so it’s easy to use whatever colors fit the current holiday or special occasion.
• Don’t have time to shape and bake individual cookies? Make these Sugar Cookie Bars – they are soft and thick and so easy to make!

Chocolate Sugar Cookies are a rich, festive twist on classic cut-out cookies, making them perfect for holidays, special occasions, and decorating with kids.