Rich and tender chocolate cookies embossed with charming holiday motifs, perfect for the Christmas season. Soft, fudgy texture with a deep cocoa flavor, ideal for holiday gifting or cozy winter treats.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These festive chocolate Christmas cookies are the ultimate holiday treat—soft in the center with just the right amount of cocoa richness. The dough is easy to roll and cut, holding beautiful impressions from embossed rolling pins or cookie stamps. Whether you’re filling a holiday cookie tin, decorating a dessert table, or sharing homemade gifts, these cookies bring charm, comfort, and a delightful chocolatey bite to every occasion.
Ingredients
200 g all-purpose flour
50 g unsweetened cocoa powder
150 g unsalted butter, softened
100 g sugar
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)
Directions
Prepare the Dough
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper. In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until a smooth, soft dough forms.
Roll and Shape
Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4 inch thickness. Use cookie cutters or an embossed rolling pin to create festive holiday shapes or patterns.
Bake
Place the shaped cookies onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them evenly. Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the cookies are set but still slightly soft in the center.
Cool and Serve
Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Serve as-is or package for gifting.
Servings and timing
Makes 24 cookies
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 12 minutes
Total time: 32 minutes
Calories: Approximately 150 kcal per cookie
Variations
- Add a touch of ground cinnamon or nutmeg for a warm holiday twist.
- Dip half of each cookie in melted white or dark chocolate and sprinkle with crushed peppermint.
- Stir in mini chocolate chips or chopped nuts for extra texture.
- Use orange or almond extract in place of vanilla for a flavor variation.
- Add a dusting of powdered sugar for a snow-kissed finish.
Storage/Reheating
Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. They can also be frozen (before or after baking) for up to 2 months. To serve, thaw at room temperature and enjoy—no reheating necessary.
FAQs
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, the dough can be refrigerated for up to 24 hours. Let it soften slightly before rolling.
What’s the best way to prevent the dough from sticking?
Lightly flour your rolling surface and rolling pin. If the dough becomes too soft, chill it for 10 minutes.
Can I use cookie stamps or embossed pins?
Yes, this dough holds impressions well and is perfect for embossed designs.
Are these cookies sweet or bittersweet?
They have a mild, balanced sweetness with a deep cocoa flavor.
Can I make these gluten-free?
Use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend as a 1:1 substitute.
How can I make the cookies more festive?
Decorate with icing, edible glitter, or colored sugar before baking.
Can I freeze the baked cookies?
Yes, place cooled cookies in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 2 months.
Do these cookies spread during baking?
They hold their shape well, making them great for detailed cutouts.
What type of cocoa should I use?
Use unsweetened natural cocoa powder for the richest flavor.
Are these cookies soft or crunchy?
They are soft with a tender bite, ideal for enjoying with tea or coffee.
Conclusion
Festive Chocolate Christmas Cookies are a seasonal delight that combines deep cocoa flavor with soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Their charming holiday shapes and decorations make them ideal for gifting, sharing, or indulging by the fire. Simple to make and endlessly customizable, these cookies are sure to become a cherished tradition in your holiday baking.
Festive Chocolate Christmas Cookies
Rich and tender chocolate cookies embossed with charming holiday motifs, perfect for the Christmas season. Soft, fudgy texture with a deep cocoa flavor, ideal for holiday gifting or cozy winter treats.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 32 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: International
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 200 g all-purpose flour
- 50 g unsweetened cocoa powder
- 150 g unsalted butter, softened
- 100 g sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until a dough forms.
- Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4 inch thickness.
- Use cookie cutters or an embossed rolling pin to cut or imprint festive shapes.
- Place cookies on prepared baking sheets and bake for 10-12 minutes until set but still soft in the center.
- Cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- For deeper flavor, use high-quality unsweetened cocoa powder.
- Dough can be chilled for 30 minutes if too soft to roll.
- Decorate with royal icing or powdered sugar if desired.
- Perfect for gifting—store in airtight tins with parchment between layers.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Sugar: Approx. 8 g
- Sodium: Approx. 70 mg
- Fat: Approx. 9 g
- Saturated Fat: Approx. 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: Approx. 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: Approx. 16 g
- Fiber: Approx. 1 g
- Protein: Approx. 2 g
- Cholesterol: Approx. 25 mg