Hot Chocolate Cookies

Valentine's Cayenne Pepper Chocolate Cookies

The cayenne pepper and black pepper give a gentle sensation of heat to these chocolate cookies. Be sure not to over bake the cookies; they should be slightly soft inside.
PREP:
30 minutes
BAKE:
10 minutes
TOTAL:
40 minutes
YIELD:
15
Hot Chocolate Cookies
INGREDIENTS:
  • 1 cup Unsalted Butter, Softened
  • 1/2 cup Brown Sugar
  • 1/2 cup Granulated Sugar
  • 1 Large Egg
  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
  • 2 1/2 cups All Purpose Flour
  • 2/3 cups Cocoa
  • 1/2 teaspoon Salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon Cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
  • 1/8 teaspoon Freshly Ground Black Pepper
DIRECTIONS:
Beat with an electric mixer:
Unsalted butter, softened
Brown sugar
Granulated sugar

Add and mix completely:
Egg
Vanilla extract

Sift together, then add and mix just until completely incorporated:
Flour
Cocoa
Salt
Cinnamon
Cayenne pepper
Black pepper

Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill until firm. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Roll the dough out on a lightly floured counter to 1/4 inch thickness and cut with your favorite Ann Clark cookie cutters; then transfer the cookies onto cookie sheets that have been lined with parchment paper or silicone liners. Bake 8 to 10 minutes, until the surface of the cookies looks completely dry and set. Let the cookies cool slightly on the sheets; then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Drizzle with melted chocolate (dark, milk, or white), if desired, before serving.

Enjoy!