Easy Chocolate Sugar Cookie Cutouts Topped With Chocolate
Chocolate sugar cookie cutouts are a fun and easy way to celebrate any holiday, but these heart-shaped cookies are especially good for Valentine’s Day. Decorated with a chocolate drizzle and Valentine themed sprinkles, these cookies are as pretty as they are delicious.
About Chocolate Sugar Cookie Cutouts
These sugar cookies are not difficult to make, but they do take a bit of time. It’s not all active time, but you still have to plan ahead and know that the cookie dough needs to chill for at least 3 hours. There’s also the time it takes to prepare the cookie dough, roll it out, and decorate the cookies once they’ve cooled. But don’t let the time involved dissuade you. The results are worth the wait!
Tips for Making Sugar Cookies
Sugar cookies aren’t difficult to make, but there are a few things to consider. First, use room temperature butter. If the butter is too cold it won’t mix well with the sugar, and if it’s too warm the cookies won’t hold their shape during baking.
Chilling the dough is also key to making sure that the cookies hold their shape while baking. Chill the dough for at least 3 hours, but overnight is even better. This makes it easy to break-up the process for these cookies. Make the dough on one day and then bake the cookies on another.
When you roll out the cookie dough, make sure that you keep the thickness consistent so that all of the cookies bake at the same speed. A 1/4 inch thickness works well for these chocolate sugar cookie cutouts. And to make sure that the cookies don’t get too tough, try to use as little flour as possible when rolling out the cookie dough.
For the best results while baking the cookies, start with chilled cookies. I know that I already mentioned chilling the dough. However, you can also chill the cutout cookies for a few minutes before placing them in the oven. You don’t have to do this, but it really can help especially if you feel like the cookie dough warmed up too much while rolling it out.
Don’t overbake the cookies. With darker colored cookies like these chocolate sugar cookie cutouts, it’s hard to tell when the cookies are ready and it’s easy to overbake. When in doubt, pull the cookies out of the oven and let them cool on the cookie sheet before transferring to a wire rack to finish cooling. You want the cookies to be cool before moving on to applying the chocolate drizzle and decorations.
You don’t have to decorate the cookies, but it really does add a pretty touch. And the extra chocolate on top really enhances the chocolate flavor in the cookie. Once the chocolate drizzle hardens, store the cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Step by Step Process With Photos
Here’s a look at how to make these chocolate sugar cookies. It’s a pretty standard dough. Start by creaming together the room temperature butter, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract. Once it’s creamy and smooth, add the egg and continue mixing until combined.
Now add the dry ingredients. Stir the flour, cocoa powder, salt, and baking powder until combined. The cookie dough will be stiff, but make sure you don’t overmix.
Remove the cookie dough from the bowl and flatten it into a rectangle. Wrap in plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator. The dough needs to chill for at least 3 hours, but you can refrigerate it overnight or longer. This is helpful if you’re trying to bake the cookies for a party and you want to prep the cookie dough a couple days ahead of time.
When you’re ready to bake the cookies, pull the cookie dough out of the refrigerator. Let it rest for a few minutes so that it’s easier to work with. Roll out the dough to about 1/4 inch thickness, then use a cookie cutter to cut out whatever shape you’d like. Place the cut out cookies on a parchment lined cookie sheet, and then place it in the refrigerator while the oven preheats. Once the oven is ready, place the baking sheet in the oven and bake the cookies for about 6 minutes.
Let the cookies cool on a wire rack while you prepare the topping. Place 1/2 cup of chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat at 15-30 second intervals until the chocolate is melted. You can use a piping bag, or Ziploc bag, to apply the melted chocolate. Or, simply use a fork to drizzle the chocolate on top of the cookies. While the chocolate is still wet, apply the sprinkles or whatever toppings you’d like.
Once the chocolate has set you can place these chocolate sugar cookie cutouts in an airtight container. These cookies have a tender bite and you’ll love the extra chocolate on top. Use a heart shaped cookie cutter for Valentine’s Day, or choose another shape for a different holiday. Whatever the occasion, I hope you enjoy making these chocolate sugar cookies.
Chocolate Sugar Cookies
Equipment
- Mixing Bowl
- Measuring Cups
- Measuring Spoons
- Baking Sheet
- Parchment Paper
- Rolling Pin
- Cookie Cutter
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter room temperature
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1.5 cups all purpose flour
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
For Decorating
- 1/2 cup chocolate melted
- Valentine's Day-themed sprinkles
Instructions
- Prepare the cookie dough. In a large bowl, beat the butter, sugar, and vanilla extract until creamy and well combined.
- Add the egg and continue beating until fully mixed.
- In the same bowl, add the flour, cocoa powder, salt, and baking powder. Mix with a spatula or spoon until you form a smooth and uniform dough.
- Shape the dough into a rectangular block, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 3 hours, or overnight.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
- Remove the dough from the refrigerator and roll it out to about 1/4 inch thickness. Dust the work surface lightly with flour if needed.
- Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter, or desired shape, to cut out the cookies.
- Place the cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Chill the cookies in the refrigerator for 5 minutes to help them hold their shape while baking.
- Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 6-7 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and let them cool completely on a wire rack.
- Melt the chocolate (in a microwave in short intervals or using a double boiler). Decorate the cookies with the melted chocolate using a piping bag or spoon. Sprinkle Valentine’s Day-themed sprinkles on top while the chocolate is still wet.
Here are some more fun recipes to try for Valentine’s Day. These cake-like Valentine Whoopie Pies are so easy to make, and the Mosaic Sugar Cookies are pretty and delicious. Here’s a look at a bunch of no-bake Valentine’s Day treats to make that are quick and easy to whip together.
Follow me on Pinterest for more fun and easy cookie recipes to make for Valentine’s Day, and throughout the year.
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