1 Dozen Spicy Chocolate Cookies
Y’all know that Tex-Mex food is a cuisine in a league all its own, right? It’s not some fusion of half Texas food and half Mexican food stirred together. Tex-Mex food includes favorites like tortilla soup, carne guisada, refried beans, crispy tacos, cheese enchiladas with chili gravy, migas and more. Are you hungry yet?
It takes a special kind of dessert to follow such spicy food—a dessert that also has a little kick to it. I’m going to let y’all in on a little secret: Texans sprinkle cayenne pepper and chili powder on their chocolate desserts. Yep, it’s true. Just ask your favorite Texan. They’ll tell you that the combination of chocolate and spice creates a sweet burn that is unbeatable. The thing about sweet heat is that it keeps you comin’ back for more. Don’t say I didn’t warn you now: these cookies are addictive.
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
- ¼ cup shortening
- ½ cup + 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 large egg yolk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla
- ½ cup + 2 tablespoons flour
- 3 tablespoons cocoa powder
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ¼ teaspoon instant espresso powder
- Preheat the oven to 375°.
- Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
- In a medium bowl cream together with an electric mixer the butter, shortening and sugar. Beat this mixture very well, for 1 full minute.
- Add the egg yolk and vanilla and beat until just combined.
- In a small bowl, whisk together all remaining ingredients. Add this mixture in 2 batches to the butter mixture, beating until just combined.
- Using a teaspoon scoop, measure 2 teaspoons of dough into your hand. Roll into a ball and place on cookie sheet.
- Bake for 11-12 minutes if you want your cookies fudgey in the middle. They will just be beginning to crack. Bake about 1 minute longer if you like your cookies firmer. Let cool on cookie sheet before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
I totally love the idea of spicy chocolate cookies. It’s like a cup of Mexican hot chocolate, but warm and chewy from the oven! mmm…
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I totally did not know that about Tex-Mex! Got to explore this further. I love spice and chocolate – sometimes I add some cayenne in my chocolate milk. The cookies look delicious.
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I love mixing chocolate with spices! It just gives a unique flavor that can’t be beat! These cookies sound so delicious!
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I’ve never had a spicy cookie but I’m intrigued!
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I love spicy flavors and chocolate together, it’s sooo good. Your cookies look amazing. I wish I had some right now!
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I recently tried a similar recipe from Martha’s site, but this looks EVEN BETTER. I think I would love the addition of the espresso into the cookie. Love the photo too, it’s beautifully shot!
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this sounds just lovely! i cant wait to try it out. thank you for sharing this.
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chocolate and spices, a perfect combo…we use them in sweet and savoy..yummy!!
sweetlife
ps, sending you an email
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Yum…I love the dash of heat in these.
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Cayenne in chocolate cookies!!!! Great idea!! I have had it in a chocolate bar, but never in a baked good. Mmmmmmmmmmmmm!
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Cayenne is such a great addition to cookies. In small amounts it makes a subtle undertone that keeps people guessing!
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I love spicy cookies and with chocolate, sounds even better!
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mmm I love the spicy chocolate mix! And I love that it only makes a dozen!!
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Never tried spicy cookies, I think it’s time!
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Wherever the idea of chocolate and cayenne originated (Ancient Aztecs? Mexico? Texas?) — YES!
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Can I get an AMEN?! Also, can I get a dozen of these mailed to New Jersey? *mwah*
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I love a spicy cookie! These would be great with some kicked-up hot cocoa (with a bit of cinnamon and chipotle). Yum!
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Hi Tina! New to your site and I LOVE that your recipes are downsized. Sometimes just for two is perfect. Love these spicy cookies
mickey
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looks like i need to go to texas!
to be honest, i’ve never tried a spicy/sweet dessert!
thanks for the recipe!
your site is wonderful to come to for downsized desserts!
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I love a hit of cayenne and espresso with chocolate! These would be perfect after some spicy enchiladas.
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I’ve had tex mex but definitely not the real thing! And I’ve never had cookies with a kick either! Sounds delish.
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I’m new to the southwest, but still haven’t managed to try spicy chocolate…especially in cookies! They sound like the perfect vehicle for the combination though
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YUM, what a perfect combination, and I can taste that sweet burn that is unbeatable. Im craving a cookie now. It really would be a lovely balanced dessert. Yep, this here is a winner I must try!
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uh yum!! And a batch that’s just the right size! These remind me of the Mexican Hot Chocolate cookies I made! Love the chocolate/cinnamon combo!
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This sounds like a great cookie; spicy things really boost the flavor of chocolate.
By the way, we have the exact same glass as you!
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Yum! I’ve been looking for a complement to lemon spice cookies and these seem to be it!!
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Just made these and my husband said that they were the best cookies EVER! ( I did omit the espresso powder as we did not have this on hand)
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