Soft and Chewy Chocolate Sugar Cookies
These soft and chewy chocolate sugar cookies are an easy 5-ingredient homemade treat with a perfect balance of chocolate richness, sweetness, and tender chewiness. Ideal for potlucks, family gatherings, or a comforting snack.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups (190 grams) all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup (25 grams) unsweetened cocoa powder (preferably Dutch-processed)
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar
- ½ cup (115 grams) unsalted butter, softened (room temperature)
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Optional: coarse sugar for sprinkling on top before baking
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line your baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, and baking soda until fully combined.
- In a separate bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar with an electric mixer or whisk until light, fluffy, and pale in color, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add the egg and vanilla extract to the butter-sugar mixture and beat until fully combined and glossy.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed or folding with a spatula until no flour streaks remain. The dough should be thick and slightly sticky. If too dry, add a teaspoon of milk or water.
- Using a cookie scoop or two spoons, drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing about 2 inches apart. Sprinkle coarse sugar on top if desired.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, until edges look set but centers are still soft and slightly underbaked.
- Let cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack to cool completely.
Notes
Do not overbake; remove cookies when edges are set but centers are still soft to keep them chewy. Use room temperature ingredients for best texture. Chill dough for 15-20 minutes if cookies spread too much. For gluten-free, substitute flour with a 1-to-1 gluten-free blend. For dairy-free, use plant-based margarine or coconut oil and plant-based milk if needed. Brown sugar can be used instead of granulated sugar for a softer, chewier texture. Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120
- Fat: 6
- Carbohydrates: 15
- Protein: 1.5
Keywords: chocolate sugar cookies, soft cookies, chewy cookies, easy cookies, 5-ingredient cookies, homemade cookies, chocolate cookies