These chewy chocolate cookies are made with cocoa powder and are so easy to make. You need just a couple of staple ingredients and little prep time. Completely made from scratch! Friends and family frequently request these cocoa cookies because they have everything a perfect chocolate cookie has to have. Soft, chewy centers and crispy edges. They are beyond chocolaty just like my brownie cookies!
You want to make perfect cookies every time? I've got you covered with my ultimate guide on how to make cookies from scratch with plenty of professional tips and possible mistakes to avoid.
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Ingredients notes and substitutions
- Unsweetened cocoa powder - either Dutch-processed or natural cocoa powder works fine for this cocoa cookie recipe. Use whatever you prefer or have available. I tried them both and got great results with both. If I have to pick only one, I'd say Dutch-processed cocoa powder is my personal favorite though.
- Butter and egg - you can make vegan chocolate cookies by swapping the butter and egg for vegan butter and flax egg. Use my vegan chocolate chip cookies recipe as a guide for the replacements but follow the directions of this chocolate cookie recipe.
- Sugars - I used ¾ cup granulated sugar and ¼ cup light brown sugar because of the desired spreading and texture. Dark brown sugar can be used as well if preferred. If you use more brown sugar than granulated, they spread less. I don't recommend using only granulated or brown sugar, as you will get a completely different texture.
- All-purpose flour - to make gluten-free chocolate cookies, substitute the all-purpose flour with Bob's Red Mill gluten-free flour. If you need a handy guide to gluten-free baking, read this article on how to make gluten-free cookies to get perfect results.
- Chocolate (optional) - either semi-sweet chocolate chips or chopped chocolate bars are delicious. You can leave it out or replace it 1:1 with any add-ins you love. By the way, have you seen my handy list of chocolate chip cookie recipes?
Photo instructions
In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, cocoa, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt and set aside. In a large bowl, cream the butter, sugar, and brown sugar for about 2-3 minutes.
Then add the egg and vanilla and mix, until creamy and well combined.
Add the flour mixture and mix on medium-low speed just until incorporated. Then stir in the chocolate chips, if used, just until evenly distributed.
Cover and chill for 1 hour.
Scoop 2 tablespoons of cookie dough per cookie...
then roll into even balls and bake.
Expert tips
- Avoid overmixing the dough, especially when you add the dry mixture to the dough.
- Chill the chocolate cookie dough for 1 hour. It should be a smooth, rollable dough that doesn't stick before you bake it.
- Don't overbake them. Remove the cookies from the oven when they start to get small little rips on top.
FAQs
I wrote a thorough guide on how to make cookies where questions like why cookies turn out flat, don't spread, turn out hard, or how chilling affects the taste and texture are answered. I also share mistakes to avoid and tips for success. So whatever your question, check out my how to make cookies post and find the answer. If your question is still not answered, simply leave a comment below.
Make ahead and freezing instructions
- You can prepare the dough for up to 2 days in advance. Cover and chill it in the fridge until you are ready to go. The longer it is in the fridge, the harder the dough will be. Let it stand at room temperature for about 20-30 minutes until it is a smooth and spoonable dough. Then scoop, roll and bake.
- Freeze the prepared dough for up to 3 months. Therefore, make the dough as directed and then chill for 1 hour in the fridge. Scoop and roll balls of cookie dough and transfer to freezer bags. Before baking, let them sit at room temperature for 1-2 hours to thaw. Alternatively, you can thaw them in the fridge overnight and let them stand at room temperature for 30 minutes before baking.
- Baked cocoa cookies freeze well for up to 3 months. Wrap the baked and chilled cookies in plastic wrap and store them in freezer bags. Wrap them individually and take care that no air is sealed in. Let thaw at room temperature for 1-2 hours before serving.
More cookie recipes
Find here some of my favorite recipes which are loved by family, friends, readers around the world.
- Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
- Brown Butter Cookies
- Pistachio Cookies
- Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies
- White Choc Cookies
Recipe
Chocolate Cookies made with Cocoa
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
- ½ cup unsweetened Dutch-processed* cocoa powder, spooned and leveled
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup packed light brown sugar**
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Optional: ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips or chopped chocolate bars
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, cocoa, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt and set aside.
- In a large bowl, using an electric mixer fitted with a paddle or whisk attachment, cream the butter, sugar, and brown sugar on medium-high speed for about 2-3 minutes. Then add the egg and vanilla and mix for about 1 minute, until creamy and well combined. Add the flour mixture and mix on medium-low speed just until incorporated, about 30-60 seconds. Then stir in the chocolate chips, if used, just until evenly distributed. Cover and chill for 1 hour.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two or three baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
- Scoop 2 tablespoons (45 g) of cookie dough per cookie, roll into even balls with the palm of your hands and place 6 cookies, spaced 3 to 4 inches (7.5 to 10 cm) apart, on each prepared baking sheet. Bake one sheet at a time for 10-11 minutes, or until edges are set, and the centers start to get small rips on top and look dry and puffy.
- Remove from the oven and let cool for about 5 minutes on the baking sheet, or until firm enough to move. They will deflate as they cool. Then, transfer to a wire rack and let cool completely. The cookies will stay fresh in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
Notes
Video
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Khadijah
These are perfect. Fudgy, rich, chocolate goodness. It’s like eating a brownie in cookie form. These are very good. I didn’t have cornstarch so I skipped that but they still turned out great. Will definitely make again. Yummy chocolate cookie that really hits the sweet tooth. I used dark cocoa powder and it made it really rich and velvety but still chewy and yummy.
Veronica
My family enjoyed these cookies very much! They were quick and delicious, definitely making these again.
Michelle h
These are absolutely amazing.. I decided about 30 minutes was enough chill time.. they turned out perfectly!!! Great recipe..easy to make !
Barbara
You are absolutely correct! When they first came out of the oven, I wasn’t thrilled. Oh, my! After they cooled off, it was hard to eat just one. Had to hide them away. Tastes like a brownie without the mess.
Adria
This may be the best chocolate cookie recipe I have ever used. They are fudgy, rich and chewy and also form into a perfectly round crackled cookie. The dough seems rather thick but they came out perfectly. The only adjustment I made was to add 1 tablespoon of instant espresso to a double batch. I will definitely keep this recipe on file as the go to chocolate cookie from now on. Thank you!
Laurie
I am helping my neighbor that has been in the hospital most of this year. He has lost so much weight I have been making lots of sweets. I love this recipe. I made it true to form with the exception of salt. I just had salted butter so I eliminated the salt and it worked perfectly. Mine did not flatten out either. I sprinkled some powdered sugar over mine and added a small amount of pecans to mine. Very good. Ill use this recipe again. Thanks for sharing.