Spicy Hot Chocolate Cookies

Ever since I was a kid, I’ve been a real-life Cookie Monster. I love any type of cookie, for any occasion, and I firmly believe that cookies make everything better. Today, I am sharing one of my favorite recipes. Not only does it feature cookies and chocolate, two of my favorite things, but it also leads to the most delicious spicy baked goods I have ever come across. This is my recipe for spicy hot chocolate cookies.

I love these cookies, because they are easy to make, although they have a super complex taste. They are perfectly balanced, right between spicy and sweet. This little piece of chocolatey heaven will stay soft and chewy for days. I promise, if you try these, they’ll be the only cookies you’ll want to eat for months. If you liked my Mexican Hot Chocolate (get the recipe here), this is the cookie version, and it is to die for.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• ½ cup butter, softened.
• ¾ cup sugar
• ¾ cup brown sugar
• 1 tsp cream of tartar
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
• 2 eggs
• 1 tbs vanilla extract
• ½ cup cocoa
• 2 ¼ cup flour
  

1. Preheat the oven to 350˚F, and prepare a baking sheet.
2. In a large bowl, cream the butter and two types of sugars. You'll want to do this until the color turns to beige (instead of brown), and until the mixture becomes fluffy.
3. Add in the cream of tartar, baking soda, salt and cayenne pepper. Blend well.
4. Using a whisk, beat in the eggs and the vanilla extract. It is better to beat in the eggs one at a time, to give the mixture time to emulsify.
5. Add in the cocoa and flour, and mix with a wooden spoon until combined. Don’t be intimidated by the amount of flour; it seems like a lot, but it all gets blended in.
6. On a plate, combine equal parts of sugar and cinnamon.
7. Scoop up small tablespoons of dough, and use your hands to form into balls. It is the heat of your hands that will allow the dough to hold its shape.
8. Roll each ball in the cinnamon-sugar coating a couple times, and place on your baking sheet. Flatten slightly with your palm.
9. Bake cookies for about 10 minutes.
10. Allow the cookies to cool slightly before transferring them onto a cooling rack.
11. Enjoy with a tall glass of milk!

Let me know if you end up trying this recipe, and tag me in your pictures on Instagram or Twitter, using the hashtag #teaandmascara. Hope you like it!

Much love,
-TM-