Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These spiced cocoa cookies offer a unique and comforting combination of flavors—rich cocoa, aromatic cinnamon, bold coffee, and a hint of dark rum—that create a warm, inviting taste experience. Their soft texture and cocoa powder coating make them perfect for enjoying alongside tea or coffee, especially during colder months or festive occasions. Easy to prepare yet impressively flavorful, these cookies bring a gourmet touch to your baking repertoire.
Ingredients
120 g softened unsalted butter
130 g brown sugar
80 g light molasses or mild honey
1 egg (grade C1)
330 g all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/8 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons dark rum
30 g ground coffee beans
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
50 g natural cocoa powder
(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)
Directions
Prepare the Dough
In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and molasses (or honey) until smooth and fluffy. Beat in the egg until fully combined. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, ground coffee, cinnamon, and cocoa powder. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Stir in the dark rum until the dough comes together.
Chill the Dough
Cover the dough and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to firm up.
Bake the Cookies
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll dough into small balls and place on a lined baking sheet. Bake for 12-15 minutes until set but still soft in the center. Remove from oven and let cool slightly, then dust with cocoa powder.
Serve
Enjoy these spiced cocoa cookies with tea or coffee.
Servings and timing
Makes 24 cookies
Prep time: 20 minutes plus chilling
Cooking time: 15 minutes
Total time: 35 minutes
Calories: Approximately 220 kcal per cookie
Variations
- Replace dark rum with bourbon or brandy for a different flavor profile.
- Use honey instead of molasses for a milder sweetness.
- Add chopped nuts such as pecans or walnuts for added texture.
- Sprinkle coarse sugar on top before baking for a subtle crunch.
- Substitute ground coffee with instant espresso powder for a stronger coffee flavor.
Storage/Reheating
Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer storage, freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat briefly in a microwave or oven to restore softness before serving.
FAQs
Can I omit the dark rum?
Yes, the rum adds flavor but can be omitted or replaced with vanilla extract.
What type of molasses is best?
Light molasses or mild honey is recommended for a subtle sweetness.
Can I use instant coffee instead of ground coffee beans?
Yes, instant coffee or espresso powder can be used with similar results.
How do I prevent cookies from becoming hard?
Avoid overbaking and store in an airtight container to maintain softness.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, the dough can be refrigerated for up to 24 hours before baking.
Are these cookies gluten-free?
No, they contain all-purpose flour but can be adapted with gluten-free flour blends.
How do I store leftover cookies?
Keep in an airtight container at room temperature or freeze for longer storage.
Can I add other spices?
Yes, nutmeg or cloves can complement the existing spice mix.
How large should the cookie dough balls be?
About 1 to 1.5 tablespoons each for evenly sized cookies.
Can I roll cookies in powdered sugar instead of cocoa powder?
Yes, but cocoa powder enhances the rich chocolate flavor and adds slight bitterness.
Conclusion
Spiced Cocoa Cookies are a delightful treat that combines rich chocolate, warm spices, and bold coffee flavors, with a subtle hint of rum for complexity. Their soft texture and cocoa powder coating make them ideal for cozy moments and gatherings. Simple to prepare yet sophisticated in taste, these cookies are sure to become a favorite in your baking collection.
Spiced Cocoa Cookies
Soft and aromatic spiced cookies infused with cocoa, dark rum, coffee, and cinnamon, coated in cocoa powder for a rich and warming treat perfect for cozy moments.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes plus chilling
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: International
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 120 g softened unsalted butter
- 130 g brown sugar
- 80 g light molasses or mild honey
- 1 egg (grade C1)
- 330 g all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons dark rum
- 30 g ground coffee beans
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 50 g natural cocoa powder
Instructions
- Cream together softened butter, brown sugar, and molasses (or honey) until smooth and fluffy.
- Beat in the egg until fully combined.
- Whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, ground coffee, cinnamon, and cocoa powder in a separate bowl.
- Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet mixture.
- Stir in dark rum until dough comes together.
- Cover dough and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to firm up.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Roll dough into small balls and place on a lined baking sheet.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes until set but still soft in the center.
- Remove from oven and let cool slightly, then dust with cocoa powder.
- Enjoy with tea or coffee.
Notes
- Chilling the dough is essential for texture and flavor development.
- Do not overbake to keep cookies soft inside.
- Dust with cocoa powder while cookies are still warm for best coating.
- Use fresh ground coffee for optimal aroma.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: Approx. 14 g
- Sodium: Approx. 90 mg
- Fat: Approx. 10 g
- Saturated Fat: Approx. 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: Approx. 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: Approx. 30 g
- Fiber: Approx. 2 g
- Protein: Approx. 3 g
- Cholesterol: Approx. 35 mg