Soft Italian Chocolate Cookies. A simple name for special, soft, cake-like cookie, with mini chocolate chips or chocolate raisins inside, topped with crisp vanilla icing. Golden sugar adds sparkle and flair.
Choosing the right name is important.
Twenty-five years ago, when I was pregnant with my first child, my husband and I deliberated over baby names. We had no official notification of whether we were having a boy or a girl. I know this is going to sound ridiculous, but I knew I was having a girl because I had met her in my dreams. I had dreams where I was holding a black haired, blue eyed baby girl. My husband, the scientist, didn’t pay any attention to my “evidence”. He insisted that we pick a boy name and a girl name. Actually, he was rather convinced (I have no idea why) that we were having a boy, so convinced that he let me pick a girl name without any arguing. I let him pick the boy name without too much debate, because I knew we wouldn’t be using it.
My husband leans toward short, traditional American names. I, on the other hand, love international names that have meanings. My daughter’s name is Meira, pronounced meer-ah. I chose the name because I like the sound and the meaning. Meira means “peace” in Russian. I later found out that Meira is also a Hindi goddess princess. In addition, variations of the name mean “enlightened” in Hebrew and “to look” in Spanish. All excellent, in my opinion.
Unlike the significance of naming a child, naming a cookie is a minor detail. It is useful if the cookie name gives the eater an idea of what they are about to consume, such as Thin Mints, Graham Crackers, or Vanilla Wafers. A blogger naming a cookie might consider SEO (search engine optimization). What good is a delicious cookie with a name that no one can remember or search for? That is why this recipe is simply called Soft Italian Chocolate Cookies.
Though a long name, it’s relatively accurate in describing this soft chocolate treat. Research seems to indicate that it is a traditional cookie baked by people of Italian decent, who inherited the recipe from Italian ancestors. So far, so good.
The inaccuracy is in the word “cookie”. This is more like a little domed cake. The texture is soft and spongy with a soft, slightly chewy surface. Then the glaze goes on top, providing a little crunch when you take a bite. If you choose to add decorating sugar, there is a little extra crunch (and they look fancier all dressed up).
I will confess to fiddling with the original Italian version of this recipe. I don’t like nutmeg and allspice, so I left them out. If you like them, and would like to make a more traditional spice cookie, add a ¼ teaspoon each of nutmeg and allspice. Because I eliminated the extra spices, I added chocolate covered raisins which go well with the cinnamon chocolate flavor and provide a bit of extra chewiness. If you don’t like raisins, mini chocolate chips can provide an extra chocolate boost instead.
These cookie-cakes are excellent care package goodies. Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, they stay soft and delicious for at least 2 weeks. The recipe can be made with desert-safe ingredients and the icing, once dry, ships beautifully even in hot weather.
You can read more about desert safe ingredients and find an index of all of the desert safe recipes on The Monday Box by clicking here.
Soft Italian Chocolate Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter or vegetable shortening for desert-safe recipe, melted
- 4 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup Dutch-process cocoa regular cocoa can be used but doesn’t taste as chocolaty
- 4 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1/3 cup plain yogurt
- 7 tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or vanilla paste for desert-safe recipe
- 1 cup chocolate covered raisins if raisin is large cut in half and/or mini chocolate chips
- ICING: 3 cups confectioner’s sugar
- 4 tablespoons milk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract or vanilla paste for desert-safe recipe
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon optional
- ¼ cup sprinkles or decorating sugar optional
Directions
- In a small bowl, microwave butter or vegetable shortening until melted. Set aside to cool slightly.
- In a large bowl whisk together flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
- In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat butter (or vegetable shortening) and sugar until combined, about 2-3 minutes.
- Mix in the eggs, yogurt, milk, and vanilla.
- Reduce speed of mixer and slowly add dry ingredients until just combined.
- Stir in raisins and/or mini chips.
- Chill in the refrigerator for 1 hour-overnight.
- When dough is chilled and ready to bake: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
- With a 2 tablespoon scoop, form golf-ball sized dough balls.
- Roll into a ball with a smooth surface (no raisins or chips on the outer surface or finished cookie will have “craters”).
- Place on prepared cookie sheet about 2” apart, and bake for 10-12 minutes. (Finished cookie balls will have surface cracks which should look dry when done.)
- Cool completely on wire racks before icing.
- ICING: In a medium bowl, mix together confectioner’s sugar, milk, vanilla ( and cinnamon if using) to form a thick icing. If the icing is too thin it will drip down the sides of the cookie. (Not a problem but not as neat looking)
- Hold bottom edges of cookie and dip into icing, top down. Shake gently to remove excess icing. If using sprinkles or decorating sugar, sprinkle on immediately after icing each individual cookie. The icing begins to set quickly.
- Place the cookies on wire rack to dry.
- Leave the cookies out several hours to overnight to allow the icing to set completely before wrapping.
- These cookies are soft and cake-like. They will remain soft for at least 2 weeks if stored at room temperature in an airtight container.
Packing Tips
Wrap pairs of cookies, with bottoms together, in plastic wrap. Place in airtight containers or ziplock bags.
The Monday Box cookie jar is full of Italian cookies! Click on the photo to get the recipe.
Monica says
Meira is a beautiful name. And these cookies are so interesting. I love your creative substitutions and those gold sprinkles/sugar on top of them. My all-time favorite Italian “cookie” is the tri-color or rainbow cookies. Those are also more like petite fours or cake, and calling them “cookie” doesn’t seem to give them enough credit…but I guess, ultimately, it’s all about the taste.
themondaybox says
Thanks, Monica. 🙂 The sprinkles are just because I like bling on my cookies (though they do add crunch) 🙂 I am wondering if the whole “cookie” concept with Italian “cookies” has to do with translation. Maybe English had a more limited idea of what constitutes a cookie. But, definitely the bottom line is the taste!
Eva @ Eva Bakes says
These almost look like baked donuts! I’ll take a dozen, please. 🙂
themondaybox says
They have a different texture than baked donuts, Eva. More chewy, I think, but fluffy in the same way. You will probably need a dozen, anyway. The first is a sample. The next 11 are due to the addictive quality of these cookies. 🙂
noyomoco says
These look delicious! They look like beautiful, little cakes 🙂
themondaybox says
Thanks, Jennifer! They are a cookie-cakelette. 🙂 Soft like a cake but sturdy like a cookie. The chocolate cinnamon flavor is great with a cup of coffee! 🙂
Jess @ On Sugar Mountain says
Wendy these look like little chocolate puffs of cookie perfection!! 😀
themondaybox says
They are yummy, and soft, and chewy, and addictive, Jess. They are an excellent munchie for late night exam studying. 🙂
Sinead says
Meira is such a pretty name 🙂 These cookies look so delicious, I love the golden sugar on top
themondaybox says
Thank you, Sinead! I think your name is pretty as well, and has a beautiful meaning, “God is gracious”. The meaning behind a name is like a hidden treasure. 🙂 These cookies traditionally have just the white icing but the sparkling golden sugar needed a home. 🙂
Joanne says
It is funny how you were both so convinced the other was wrong that you conceded to each other’s name choices! These cookies (or mini cakes) sound delicious – no matter what they’re called!
themondaybox says
It is funny in retrospect, Joanne. But in the end, I was right, as usual. 🙂 These cookies really are a excellent soft and chewy change from regular crunchy flat cookies.
Miss Messy says
They look amazing! Little yummy cakes 🙂
themondaybox says
Thanks! They are so easy to make and stay tasty a long time too. 🙂 I am glad you stopped by because now I found your blog that is full of yummy looking treats I can’t wait to try!
Rosie @ Blueberry Kitchen says
Ooh yum, your cookies look so delicious! I love your daughter’s name too – so pretty!
themondaybox says
Thank you, Rosie. 🙂 Because my kids have two last names (hyphen in the middle) we chose not to give middle names, but we debated over Rose as my daughters middle name. Its a beautiful name, sounds good with Meira, and was my husband’s grandmother’s name. 🙂 So, I love your name too!
Ashley says
I love those gorgeous sparkly sprinkles on top! These sound wonderful – the perfect cross between a cookie and cake!
themondaybox says
Thanks, Ashley! Like most Italian cookies, these are perfect with your beverage of choice. Mine is coffee but milk, tea, or wine would do. 🙂 The sparkly gold decorating sugar is cookie bling. 🙂
Chandra@The Plaid and Paisley Kitchen says
I love your Daughters name! I too love names with meanings. Chandra is Sanskrit the original language of India and it means Shining brighter than the moon. What I also love is the look of these cookies! The look very delicious!
themondaybox says
Chandra, what a beautiful meaning! Not only does it communicate a beautiful visual but somehow contains in one word how much your parents love you. While pondering this philosophical response, have a cup of tea and a cookie. 🙂
crazyforcrust says
These cookies look unbelievably good!
themondaybox says
Thanks, Dorothy! 🙂
shannon says
i am so intrigued by these cookies; i don’t think i’ve ever made anything like them and they’re beautiful! Meira is a beautiful name; it took forever for us to pick Stella’s name (sort of the same issues you had with husbands and pretty straightforward options). i halfheartedly picked boys’ names knowing that a girl was happening. 🙂
themondaybox says
I know it isn’t scientific, but I really felt like I had already met my daughter when she was born. After hanging out together for 8 months (preemie) I kind of knew her. 🙂 Stella(meaning star) is also a beautiful name! (And there won’t be 12 other little girls with the same name when she starts school!) I also had never made cookies like these before. The amount of baking powder in the recipe surprised me until I baked batch #1 and saw the cake-like texture. They are just so easy to make, taste good, and stay soft for so long. In the interest of public service I tried them with butter and with Crisco, with chips, raisins, and plain. All were tasty. My batch with espresso powder was disappointing. Not enough maybe? At some point I will tweak that. 🙂
shannon says
aw, thank you! i thought the same thing when i named her: there shouldn’t be any duplicates in her class. 🙂 Espresso powder can be tricky, because you never want to add too much (bitter!) but if you don’t add enough, it can lack in the flavor department. I’ve found that if i go a bit beyond my comfort zone with it, it turns out well.
CateyLou says
These look so soft and delicious! I love the sugar on top, so pretty.
themondaybox says
Thanks, CateyLou! They are definitely soft and also delicious. 🙂 The sparkly golden sugar is a beauty bonus. 🙂
Suzie says
Those are so pretty! They sound fantastic but, almost everything you make does 🙂
themondaybox says
Suzie, you are so sweet! Thank you for being my own personal cheering section. I am actively trying to include as many desert safe recipes as possible now that it is moving toward summer. Its a challenge, but I am learning (slowly) some tricks. 🙂
Kiran @ KiranTarun.com says
Soft, pillowy deliciousness! I love the sparkling sugar crystals on top! So festive!
themondaybox says
Thanks, Kiran! Pillowy is the perfect description for these cookies. 🙂 The original recipe doesn’t use sprinkles but life is just a little more festive, as you said, with some sprinkles. 🙂
Holly says
Ah yes, the back and forth that goes on when trying to name a child…I love that you just KNEW that you were having a girl and found the perfect name. Although I do like my children’s names, I am convinced that I agreed to the first when I was feeling woozy from delivery…the name wasn’t anywhere on our “possible names” list! Ha!
I am going to bake my grandmothers some cookies to send on Wednesday or Thursday so they get them on mother’s day. I am sure I’ll find a great recipe on your site. Thanks!
themondaybox says
Very sneaky of your husband, Holly! 🙂 I am glad the name turned out to be one you liked anyway! I hope you do find a recipe you like to send in your Mother’s Day packages. Let me know what you choose and how they turn out. 🙂
zerrin says
Wendy, these cookies look really so soft! Love that they are like bite size cakes and the topping makes them so elegant!
themondaybox says
They are surprisingly soft, Zerrin, but sturdy at the same time, making them a good mailing cookie. The icing on the top helps keep them soft for several weeks!
Dish & Tell says
Love the gold sprinkles! They look delicious.
-Em
themondaybox says
Thanks, Emily! I refer to the sprinkles as cookie bling. 🙂 The cookies are great with a cup of tea or coffee or even a glass of milk. 🙂
Aimee @ ShugarySweets says
How pretty! Love the sprinkles!!
themondaybox says
Thanks, Aimee! Me too. 🙂
Cindy says
These look so delicious! However, I have been searching your blog for the recipe for you Chocolate Chip cookies!! I am on a quest for the perfect chocolate chip cookie . . . again! Could you please direct me as to where to find it. Thank you!
themondaybox says
Thanks,Cindy. 🙂 I truly understand your quest! And I am very happy to share my favorite chocolate chip recipe! Its actually not on my site because its not mine. After extensive sampling, we are devoted to the Jaques Torres NY Times Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/09/dining/091crex.html?_r=0 Several things make it different. It uses cake and bread flours instead of all purpose and a little corn starch for chew. Also it “requires” 24-36 hrs in the fridge before baking. We never want to wait that long so I always have a bag of frozen dough balls in a zip lock bag in the freezer so we can pop them straight into the oven (12 min.) whenever the need strikes. Let me know what you think!
Eden Passante says
The texture of these looks perfect! I love a cake-y cookie and the glaze is great too!
The Monday Box says
Thanks, Eden! I love that the glaze helps keep the cookies cake-y for a long time! They are great with a cup of coffee…or tea…or milk! 🙂
Joanne says
Hello. I had these growing up. They are called chocolate meatballs. My mom makes them slightly different. But they are by far the best cookie.
The Monday Box says
Hi, Joanne! I love the name, “Chocolate Meatballs”! Learning about cookies from different cultures is fascinating to me. Everyone seems to have wonderful recipes for care packages or just nibbling and enjoying! I think the very best cookies have memories attached…who made them or where they were eaten. Love makes everything taste better. 🙂
Bob says
I came to check out a recipe for Italian Easter cookies when I stumbled onto these. They are fan-freaking-tastic! Thanks!
The Monday Box says
Thanks, Bob! I agree with you! There are so many WONDERFUL Italian cookies! I hope you will enjoy the Italian Easter cookies AND these amazing Italian Chocolate cookies. Both are soft with crunchy icing and lots of flavor. 🙂