Chocolate Chili Cookies Recipe

By
Carrie Vasios Mullins
Carrie Vasios Mullins is a contributing writer at Serious Eats.
Carrie Vasios Mullins
Carrie Vasios Mullins is the former national editor at Serious Eats, with a focus on all things sweet.
Learn about Serious Eats' Editorial Process
Updated April 19, 2019
20110502-entertaining-cincodemayo-cookies.jpg
Carrie Vasios

When you're in my line of work, you make a lot of sweets and it can be hard to keep track of them all. It has its upsides—there's something kind of fun about stumbling upon a recipe that I made and loved...and forgot about. These cookies, which I created for a Cinco de Mayo party a few years ago, are a prime example.

These cookies pay homage to the spicy-sweet flavors found in mole. Ancho chile powder adds a subtle, smoky heat that deepens the flavor of the chocolate. With a sprinkling of powdered sugar these fudgy chocolate coins are sure to be a hit (on Cinco de Mayo or any other day).

Check out other Cinco de Mayo recipes »

Recipe Details

Chocolate Chili Cookies Recipe

Active 25 mins
Total 105 mins
Serves 36 servings

Ingredients

  • 2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

  • 1 teaspoon ancho chile powder, plus more for garnish

  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

  • 1 1/2 cups sugar

  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature

  • 2 large eggs

  • Confectioners' sugar

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease or line two baking sheets.

  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together cocoa powder, flour, salt, and chili powder.

  3. In a large bowl, beat together butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes. Mix in eggs and beat for another minute. Beat in flour mixture and continue to beat until dough has become smooth and cohesive, about two minutes.

  4. Split dough in two equal parts. Roll each half into a 1 1/2 inch wide log. Wrap each log in plastic wrap. Let dough chill in refrigerator for 1 hour.

  5. Cut dough logs into 1/2-inch thick coins. Arrange coins on baking sheets. Bake until evenly lightened in color but still chewy in texture, about 16 minutes. Let cookies cool before dusting with confectioners sugar and extra ancho chili powder, if desired.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
122 Calories
6g Fat
17g Carbs
2g Protein
×
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 36
Amount per serving
Calories 122
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 6g 7%
Saturated Fat 3g 16%
Cholesterol 24mg 8%
Sodium 34mg 1%
Total Carbohydrate 17g 6%
Dietary Fiber 1g 2%
Total Sugars 9g
Protein 2g
Vitamin C 0mg 0%
Calcium 5mg 0%
Iron 1mg 6%
Potassium 27mg 1%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

More Serious Eats Recipes