Chocolate Chunk Cookies

Dessert Baking Chocolate

These cookies are reminiscent of a good cup of Mexican-style hot chocolate. Feel free to add more cayenne pepper (or leave it out altogether). Every chocolate lover will enjoy dipping these chocolate chunk cookies in a glass of milk while they are still warm. We love them straight out of the freezer as well.

By Tara Swartzendruber-Landis / Photography By D. Lucas Landis | December 11, 2015

Ingredients

1 cup sugar
½ cup butter, room temperature
4 ounces dark chocolate, melted
2 tablespoons whole milk
1 egg
¾ teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon cinnamon
¼ teaspoon cayenne powder
2 cups flour
1½ teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup chocolate chunks (milk, dark or semi-sweet)
¼ cup powdered sugar

Instructions

Yield: About 3 dozen

Cream the sugar and butter for 3–5 minutes, until light and fluffy. Add the dark chocolate, milk, egg and vanilla and beat again until smooth.

In a separate bowl, mix the cinnamon, cayenne, flour, baking powder and salt with a fork until well mixed and uniform in color. Slowly add this mixture to the wet ingredients until well blended. Stir in the chocolate chunks with a wooden spoon or spatula. Chill for 2–3 hours.

Preheat oven to 375°. Use a cookie scoop to roll the cookies into balls. Drop each one in the powdered sugar. Tap off the excess sugar and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 12–14 minutes. Use a fork to press down and slightly flatten the cookies halfway through the baking time.

Remove from oven and allow to cool on the pan for 5 minutes. Move to a cooling rack. Eat within 1–2 days, or store in the freezer.