Meet your new obsession: Chocolate-Cinnamon Sugar Cookies. These are the kind of treats that make the kitchen feel cozy and festive, no matter the season. Imagine the classic comfort of a sugar cookie, with a decadent chocolate twist and an irresistible dusting of cinnamon sugar. Every bite delivers a soft, chewy center with a hint of spice — not too sweet, but absolutely memorable. Whether you’re sharing with friends or indulging with a cup of tea, these cookies bring so much joy with every nibble.

Chocolate-Cinnamon Sugar Cookies Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of Chocolate-Cinnamon Sugar Cookies is in their simplicity. Each ingredient has an important role to play, contributing to the cookies’ rich chocolate flavor, tender bite, and sparkling finish. Here’s what you’ll want to have ready:

All-purpose flour: The foundation for structure, ensuring your cookies hold together with just the right chewiness.
Unsweetened cocoa powder: Delivers deep, chocolatey flavor and that signature dark chocolate hue.
Baking soda: Helps the cookies spread perfectly and turn out soft in the middle.
Salt: Just enough to balance sweetness and intensify flavors — don’t skip it!
Ground cinnamon: Brings that bit of warm spice, both in the dough and the finishing sugar coating.
Unsalted butter (softened): The secret to a tender crumb and deep flavor — room temperature makes for easy mixing.
Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create those pretty crackled tops when rolled for baking.
Brown sugar (packed): Adds moisture and caramel notes for richer, softer cookies.
Large egg: Binds everything together and adds richness without making the dough dry.
Vanilla extract: Rounds out all the flavors with classic, comforting aroma.
For rolling: Granulated sugar mixed with ground cinnamon — for that irresistible exterior crunch and sparkle.

How to Make Chocolate-Cinnamon Sugar Cookies

Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Pans

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper, which keeps the cookies from sticking and makes cleanup a breeze. This bit of prep ensures your cookies bake evenly and come off the pan effortlessly.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon. Whisking not only combines everything thoroughly but also helps aerate the mixture, leading to lighter, fluffier cookies.

Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugars

Using a large bowl, cream your softened butter with the granulated sugar and packed brown sugar. Beat until the mixture is light and fluffy; this step creates tiny air pockets, resulting in a super tender and slightly chewy cookie — the classic Chocolate-Cinnamon Sugar Cookies texture we all love.

Step 4: Add the Egg and Vanilla

Beat in the egg and vanilla extract. This is the moment where everything smooths out and the dough starts coming together, setting the stage for that perfect consistency in the finished cookies.

Step 5: Combine the Wet and Dry Ingredients

Gradually mix the dry ingredients into your wet mixture. Stir until a soft, cohesive dough forms — don’t overmix, or you’ll risk tough cookies. If you’re feeling extra indulgent, this is the point to fold in mini chocolate chips for even more chocolatey goodness.

Step 6: Roll and Coat

In a small bowl, mix together the rolling sugar and ground cinnamon. Scoop tablespoon-sized amounts of dough, roll them into balls, then generously coat each one in the cinnamon-sugar mixture. This simple step is what gives Chocolate-Cinnamon Sugar Cookies their trademark sparkle and subtle crunch.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Place the dough balls on your prepared baking sheets, spacing them about two inches apart. Bake for 9 to 11 minutes — you’re looking for set edges and soft centers. Let them cool on the sheet for five minutes before moving to a wire rack. This short rest sets their shape and keeps them perfectly chewy.

How to Serve Chocolate-Cinnamon Sugar Cookies

Garnishes

These cookies are fantastic straight from the oven, but if you crave a little extra flair, try a light dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of melted chocolate once they’ve cooled. For a playful winter touch, a tiny sprinkle of flaked sea salt contrasts beautifully with the sweet-spicy profile.

Side Dishes

Chocolate-Cinnamon Sugar Cookies pair so well with both warm and cold beverages. Serve with a tall glass of cold milk, a creamy latte, or a mug of spiced chai. For dessert platters, they shine alongside fresh berries, vanilla ice cream, or a scoop of cinnamon gelato for a memorable treat.

Creative Ways to Present

Stack these cookies in clear cellophane bags tied with ribbon for a quick edible gift, or arrange them on a platter surrounded by cinnamon sticks and chocolate chunks for a charming holiday centerpiece. If you’re feeling adventurous, sandwich a scoop of ice cream between two cookies for a decadent spiced chocolate ice cream sandwich!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Place cooled Chocolate-Cinnamon Sugar Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, where they’ll stay fresh and chewy for up to five days. Tuck in a slice of bread to keep them extra soft, and avoid humidity for best results.

Freezing

These cookies freeze beautifully! Store baked cookies in a zip-top freezer bag, or freeze dough balls before rolling in cinnamon sugar. When ready to enjoy, simply thaw at room temperature (or bake dough balls from frozen, adding 1-2 minutes to the bake time).

Reheating

For that “just baked” magic, warm cookies in a 300°F oven for 2–3 minutes, or give them a quick zap in the microwave. This brings back the soft, gooey centers and reactivates the cinnamon-chocolate aroma — guaranteed to make your kitchen smell delightful all over again.

FAQs

Can I use Dutch-process cocoa in this recipe?

Absolutely! Dutch-process cocoa will give your Chocolate-Cinnamon Sugar Cookies an even deeper, richer chocolate flavor and a darker color. Just make sure your baking soda is fresh for best leavening results.

Can I double the recipe for a bigger batch?

Yes, please! Just double every ingredient and bake in batches as needed. These cookies never last long, so making extra to share (or freeze) is always a good idea.

Can I make Chocolate-Cinnamon Sugar Cookies gluten-free?

Definitely. Substitute your favorite 1:1 gluten-free flour blend in place of the all-purpose flour. The results are delightfully similar — soft, tender, and packed with chocolate-cinnamon flavor.

How do I know when the cookies are done baking?

The edges should look set but the centers will still appear a little soft — that’s what keeps them chewy. They’ll continue to firm up on the baking sheet after you remove them from the oven, so don’t overbake!

Can I add nuts or other mix-ins?

Why not! Chopped toasted pecans, walnuts, or even a handful of dried cherries add wonderful texture and extra layers of flavor to your Chocolate-Cinnamon Sugar Cookies.

Final Thoughts

Few things are as comforting (or impressive) as a batch of homemade Chocolate-Cinnamon Sugar Cookies. Whether you bake them for a loved one, bring them to a party, or simply treat yourself to a little everyday luxury, these cookies are pure happiness, bite after bite. Go ahead — preheat your oven and let your kitchen fill with chocolate-cinnamon goodness!

Chocolate-Cinnamon Sugar Cookies Recipe

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4.7 from 28 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 24 cookies 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

Indulge in the rich flavors of chocolate and cinnamon with these delectable Chocolate-Cinnamon Sugar Cookies. A perfect blend of sweetness and spice, these cookies are sure to satisfy your cravings.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients:

1½ cups all-purpose flour
½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Wet Ingredients:

½ cup unsalted butter (softened)
¾ cup granulated sugar
½ cup brown sugar (packed)
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For Rolling:

¼ cup granulated sugar mixed with 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

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Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
Whisk together dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
Cream butter and sugars: In a large bowl, beat together butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
Add wet ingredients: Mix in the egg and vanilla extract until smooth.
Combine dry and wet ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture to form a soft dough.
Prepare rolling mixture: In a small bowl, mix the rolling sugar and cinnamon.
Shape and bake: Roll tablespoon-sized balls of dough in the cinnamon-sugar mixture and place on baking sheets. Bake for 9–11 minutes until set.
Cool and enjoy: Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet before transferring to a wire rack.