Chocolate Cut Out Cookies
Chocolate cut out cookies are made with cocoa powder and dipped in melted chocolate. This no-chill dough creates cookies that don’t spread in the oven!
Who else is feeling the love this week? Valentine’s Day calls for all the chocolate desserts and this year I made simple chocolate cut-out cookies. They are dipped in melted chocolate and topped with sprinkles!
Why you should try this recipe: This recipe is derived from my cut-out sugar cookie recipe. The dough requires no chilling. Just roll, cut and bake! The best part is the cookies won’t spread in the oven.
How to make cut-out chocolate cookies
These cookies are easy to make in just a few steps. Whisk the flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt in one bowl. In a separate bowl, beat together the butter and confectioners’ sugar. Mix in the egg and vanilla until combined. Add the dry ingredients and mix just until incorporated.
Roll the dough on a lightly floured surface (don’t worry the flour won’t appear on the cookies once they are baked!). Cut out the cookies and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake at 400 degrees F for 8 minutes. Cool on a wire rack before dipping in chocolate and adding sprinkles.
Helpful tips
There are a few tips I find helpful for this recipe. Use a good quality cocoa powder since this will be the predominant taste in the cookies. I prefer Ghirardelli unsweetened cocoa powder. When cutting out the cookies, I like to dip the cookie cutter in flour so the dough doesn’t stick to it.
Bake similar sized cookies on the same baking sheet. Bigger cookies will take a minute or two longer to bake and smaller cookies will burn if waiting for the bigger cookies to finish. Wait for the cookies to cool completely before dipping chocolate. If you have trouble melting chocolate, be sure to read my tips for melted chocolate.
Storing cut out cookies
Chocolate cut out cookies will last in an airtight container at room temperature for 5 days or in the refrigerator for a week. If you choose to frost the cookies, then they will last only a few days as frosting can make the cookies moist and soft. Fortunately, melted chocolate does not have this effect in my experience.
You can also freeze the baked cookies and store them in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 1 month. Chocolate cookie dough may be frozen for up to 3 months. Wrap securely in plastic wrap or place in an airtight container and label with the date. Defrost in the refrigerator before bringing to room temperature and baking.
Related recipes
Chocolate cookies are some of my favorite cookies. I absolutely adore my double chocolate chip cookies for their chewiness and deep chocolate flavor. If you enjoy making thumbprint cookies, then check out my chocolate cherry thumbprint cookies.
Like I said earlier, this recipe derives from my easy cut-out sugar cookie recipe. It is a tried and true favorite of mine (especially around the holidays). If you are looking for more Valentine’s day cookies, try these heart-shaped chocolate chip cookies!
Chocolate cut out cookies are perfect not only for Valentine’s Day, but for any special occasion! Use any shaped cookie cutter you’d like. These cookies would make a good addition to the Christmas cookie plate!
Did you love this recipe? Please leave a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 rating in the recipe card below and if you REALLY loved it, consider leaving a comment further down the page.
Chocolate Cut Out Cookies
Ingredients
Cut Out Sugar Cookies
- 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup (72 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (226 g or 2 sticks) unsalted butter, , room temperature
- 1 ½ cup (187 g) confectioners’ sugar
- 1 large egg,, room temperature
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400° F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine softened butter and confectioners’ sugar using a hand mixer.¹ Beat until light and fluffy, about 1 to 2 minutes. Add the egg and vanilla, and beat until thoroughly incorporated, about 30 seconds. Scrape down sides as necessary.
- With mixer on low, slowly add flour mixture to the bowl. The dough is ready when most of it sticks to the paddle. When touched, it has a little give, but does not stick to fingers.
- Flour the work surface and roll dough to about 1/4-inch thick, using flour for dusting as necessary (flour will dissolve and not show up on the cookies). Use cookie cutters to cut cookies and place on prepared baking sheet. Gather scraps and reroll dough when necessary.
- Bake for 7 to 8 minutes, rotating halfway through. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 2 minutes, then transfer to wire rack to cool completely. Dip in melted chocolate and add sprinkles if desired.
7 Comments on “Chocolate Cut Out Cookies”
I love your recipe, I can’t wait to make these scrumptious looking cookies. I wonder if they could be frozen before baking and sliced? Thank you for sharing this wonderful recipe.
Hi Sherry! Yes, the cookie dough may be frozen for up to 3 months. Defrost in the refrigerator before cutting and baking. Enjoy!
These are so good! Everyone loved them! LOVED them! Easy to make. Great flavor and texture. We used cookie cutters but with the last bit of dough I made a few 3/4” slightly flattened balls and everyone thought those were even better than the cutouts. If I make this again I will probably try making more of the dough into flattened ball style cookies.
Is it necessary to use confectioners’ sugar for this recipe?
Just made it and they are delicious dipped half in white melted chocolate…a treat !