Mexican Chocolate Cookies

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Last Thursday was gross.

It was pouring rain, cold, and windy. I didn’t want to go outside, and the gloomy weather made it feel dreary inside the house, too.

But instead of letting the crummy weather get me down for no reason, I did one of my favorite things to do on a gray and rainy day:

Put on a thermal, sweatpants, and slippers.

Turn on some music (The Avett Brothers Live CD).

Bake cookies.

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And since the weather was so cold, I decided to try using some fun spices in these cookies.

Plus, I just wanted another excuse to use my new Vanilla Bean Extract and I thought this crazy idea just might work.

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Turns out that cocoa, vanilla, cinnamon, black pepper, and cayenne go really well together.

And they’re even better with a few white chocolate chips thrown in.

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These cookies won’t make the rain go away, but they sure will heat up your kitchen. And they’re fun to give to others that aren’t expecting that little kick from the black pepper and cayenne.

It’s definitely not enough heat to make you sweat, but these spicy cookies will warm you up.

If you’re not up for putting peppers in your cookies just yet, these would still be delicious without the black pepper and cayenne. The cocoa, cinnamon, and vanilla can definitely hold their own.

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Mexican Chocolate Cookies

Makes 12-15 cookies

  • 1/4 cup butter (1 stick), softened
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1 egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste (or vanilla extract)
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened baking cocoa
  • 3/4 cup whole wheat pastry flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • dash of black pepper (less than 1/4 teaspoon)
  • dash of cayenne pepper (less than 1/4 teaspoon)
  • 1/2 cup white chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In large bowl or stand mixer, cream butter and sugars until they’re light and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes.

Beat in the egg and vanilla until combined.

Add in all the dry ingredients (cocoa through spices) and mix together until all the flour and cocoa are mixed in the batter.

Fold in the chocolate chips.

Drop batter by tablespoon, about 2 inches apart, on baking sheet.

Bake 10-11 minutes. Let them rest on the baking sheet 2-3 minutes, then move to a cooling rack.

23 comments

  1. mmmm..these cookies look amazing brandi!!

  2. Chocolate with cinnamon is one of my favorite things-we have a local chocolate place that does mexican chocolate in truffles and hot cocoa. So good!

  3. These look so tasty! I bet chipotle would make a nice addition.

  4. I only had to try Mexican chocolate cookies one time before I became addicted. I always thought it sounded like such a weird combination, but clearly, I was wrong. I want to try one next with a little bit of chipotle powder.

  5. I love those flavor combos together. The sweet and spicy go so well together. :-)

  6. I like sweet and spicy combo. I think chocolate and chili really go well together, and so do chocolate and salt!

  7. These look delicious…and I guess since I’m half Mexican I should make them on the next rainy day :) Doesn’t baking cookies just make you feel so comfy? I’m going to try one of your pound cake recipes this weekend!

    • Yes, I love baking cookies – especially in sweats or pajamas :) Super cozy!

      Let me know which one you try! I hope you like it :) We loved both of them.

  8. I’ve heard that combining spice with chocolate is to die for… but I’m been so scared to try it! These cookies do look delicious though. Maybe one of these days I will fester up the courage to give it a try :)

  9. Baking is wonderful…especially when its junky outside. I love the use of the cayenne in these! I totally want to try this out.

  10. These would be perfect for today! As I look out the window all I see is rain… And it looks cold too!

    Pepper is one of my favorites, so there’s no way I’d leave it out :)

  11. I bet the heat really brings out the chocolate flavor. They look great!

  12. You cut to the core of me!! (a coined phrase from The Man when I make something he really loves haha) These cookies look so good, I LOVE the idea of using the Mexican spices in there!!!! You know my affinity towards anything Mexican-inspired, these cookies would’t stand a chance ;)

  13. I’m the same way! I love baking to music when it’s a bummy day outside!

  14. Oooh I love the combination of chocolate, cinnamon, and pepper. I’ve been dreaming up a Mexican chocolate cake recipe in my head but these look much easier (and more portable). You’ve done it again with the cookies… so when are you going to open your bakery? :)

  15. I LOVE the combination of sweet and spicy. These cookies look so good and I just adore the addition of white chocolate chips. :)

  16. i wish i were home baking cookies right now :)

  17. Those cookies look absolutely spectacular (and like they were the best way to beat the cold rain)!

  18. What is the texture like? Do they come out chewy or crispy?

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