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    Home » Recipes » Shortbread

    Spiced Chocolate Shortbread Cookies

    By Wendy Sondov · Published: Jan 27, 2018 · Modified: May 28, 2021 · This post may contain affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Spiced Chocolate Shortbread Cookies are just right for this blustery, winter weather. Spicy notes of cinnamon and cayenne pepper add warmth to the rich chocolate flavor. Defrost your taste buds with each crunchy bite.

    Spiced Chocolate Shortbread Cookies are sliced from a dough log that is covered in orange and yellow nonpareil sprinkles.



     Did you ever read the book (or see the movie with Juliette Binoche and Johnny Depp), “Chocolat” by Joanne Harris? If not, I highly recommend both.

    In the story, chocolate drinks and confections, with a little added cayenne pepper, creates magic, transforming the lives of the inhabitants of a conservative French village. When I first saw the movie (18 years ago), combining chocolate with pepper didn’t appeal to me, but the “Chocolat” story wove its magic on me too, so I made some Mexican drinking chocolate.

    sliced Spiced Chocolate Shortbread Cookies on a bright yellow plate.Mexican drinking chocolate is made like regular American hot chocolate with the addition of cinnamon and cayenne pepper. I love cinnamon even more than chocolate, so I was happy to add a pinch or two to my cocoa.

    It was the pepper that concerned me. I anticipated spicy heat. I was totally wrong.

    You could add a lot of pepper and create real heat, but in small amounts, the cayenne pepper adds just a lovely warmth that intensifies the chocolate flavor. That cup of hot chocolate may not have transformed my life (the story is, after all, fiction), but it did change my opinion of pairing chocolate and pepper.

    Spiced Chocolate Shortbread Cookies in a stack showing the red, orange, and yellow sprinkles on the edges of each cookie.

    Just like in Mexican Hot Chocolate, the pepper in Spiced Chocolate Shortbread Cookies provides cozy background warmth.

    If you are looking for spicy heat, you will need to increase the amount of pepper in the recipe.

    Each bite of Spiced Chocolate Shortbread Cookies is a crunchy, buttery, combination of chocolate and cinnamon with a gentle, warm finish.

    For easy preparation, I made Spiced Chocolate Shortbread Cookies as a slice-and-bake cookie. The dough is rolled into logs which are chilled then sliced, as needed, and baked.

    This dough can also be rolled out for cut-out cookies like I did when making Double Dipped Shortbread Cookies.

    Whichever method you choose, I recommend using mini chocolate chips rather than regular sized chips for smoother slices or rolled dough.

    Spiced Chocolate Shortbread Cookies dough slices being sliced off the dough log.I included Spiced Chocolate Shortbread Cookies in my January military care package with a “Spice Up the New Year” theme. Military food is notoriously bland.

    My care package contents were intended to remedy that situation with a selection of condiments, spices, and spiced cookies. Also, a friend gave me a whole bag of the little sauce packets that she saved up from fast food orders.

    What might have been thrown out, was instead mailed off to my soldier, where those little packets were cause for celebration.

    Spiced Chocolate Shortbread Cookies next to a cup of espresso.

    Spice up your baking with some Spiced Chocolate Shortbread Cookies. Their sweet warmth is like getting a hug from a cookie.

    (The Monday Box participates in affiliate marketing programs. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Additional affiliate programs may be linked when applicable. If you choose to purchase a product after following a link on this page, I will receive a small commission, at no cost to you, which helps make The Monday Box possible.)

    YOU MAY NEED THESE FOR BAKING SHORTBREAD

    white nonpareil sprinkles


    MORE SHORTBREAD COOKIES

    Easter Bunny Shortbread

    Shortbread Thumbprint Cookies

    Peach Tea Shortbread

    Chocolate Chocolate Chip Shortbread

    Vanilla Bean Shortbread Cookies


    Spiced Chocolate Shortbread Cookies

    Spiced Chocolate Shortbread Cookies

    Spicy cinnamon and cayenne pepper add warmth to the rich chocolate flavor of these buttery shortbread cookies.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 20 minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes
    Chill time: 1 hour
    Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
    Servings: 32
    Calories: 128kcal
    Author: Wendy Sondov
    Adapted From: Maida Heatter

    Ingredients

    Cookies

    • 2 cups all-purpose flour
    • ½ cup cocoa I use Whole Foods 360 brand Fair Trade cocoa
    • ½ cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips I use Whole Foods 360 brand Fair Trade chips
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • 1 teaspoon cinnamon Penzey’s Vietnamese Cinnamon of more intense flavor
    • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
    • 1 cup unsalted butter room temperature
    • 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

    Decorating

    • 7 tablespoons Nonpareil sprinkles

    Instructions

    • In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa, chocolate chips, salt, cinnamon and pepper.
    • In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream butter and sugar until light. Add vanilla and mix to combine.
    • Gradually add flour mixture and mix just until all of the flour is incorporated and the dough forms.
    • Form the dough into a log, compressing to remove air bubbles.
    • Line a jelly roll pan with wax paper and spread sprinkles in the pan. Gently roll the dough log back and forth over the sprinkles to coat. (If the dough is too sticky to roll easily, refrigerate first then roll in sprinkles.)
    • Wrap the log in wax paper and cover in plastic wrap. Chill for at least 1 hour or overnight.
    • When ready to bake: Preheat oven to 325˚F. Line baking sheet with parchment paper.
    • Slice the dough log ¼” – ½” thick.
    • Place on prepared baking sheet about 1” apart and bake for 10-12 minutes. (Cookies firm as they cool).
    • Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
    • Store layers of cookies between wax paper in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.

    Notes

    Packing tips
    Double wrap small piles of cookies in plastic wrap, then place snugly in an airtight container or zip lock bag for mailing. Vacuum sealing is recommended when longer freshness times are needed.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 128kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 15mg | Sodium: 20mg | Potassium: 52mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 186IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 8mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @TheMondayBox or tag #themondaybox!

     

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    Comments

    1. ava

      May 05, 2021 at 4:22 pm

      5 stars
      So good! Made them for Cinco de mayo! My children even loved them! (thats hard to beat)

      Reply
      • Wendy Sondov

        May 05, 2021 at 8:36 pm

        Hi, Ava. I'm so glad that you and your kids loved these cookies! If the children give a recipe the thumbs up, it's a keeper. 🙂 Happy Cinco de Mayo!

        Reply
    2. saltandserenity

      February 07, 2018 at 10:11 am

      Another cookie to add to my "MUST BAKE" list. I will blame my winter weight gain on you!! I am excited to try adding some heat to my chocolate. Great idea to use mini chips. I always have problems slicing cookies when they have add-ins to the dough.

      Reply
      • The Monday Box

        February 08, 2018 at 1:05 pm

        Thanks, Cindy! The problem with add-ins is ugly cookies. If we can make peace with ugly cookies, there will be no problem with add-ins! The add-ins just make it impossible to get a smooth pretty surface. But flavor? These cookies have flavor to spare!

        Reply
    3. Tricia @ Saving Room for Dessert

      January 30, 2018 at 6:24 am

      I really loved that movie Wendy - chocolate was certainly the star 🙂 And I love these cookies - so pretty and no doubt delicious with that little bit of cayenne.

      Reply
      • The Monday Box

        February 05, 2018 at 11:05 am

        Thanks, Tricia! For years I wondered about adding pepper to chocolate. Now that I've tried it, I can see why it inspired love in the Chocolat story! 🙂

        Reply
    4. Carlee

      January 29, 2018 at 8:53 pm

      You have me sold! And I love those little sprinkles around the outside. The look absolutely delicious.

      Reply
      • The Monday Box

        February 05, 2018 at 11:04 am

        Thanks, Carlee! I was curious but cautious at first, but I am definitely sold on this flavor boost!

        Reply
    5. Shannon Ketchum

      January 28, 2018 at 2:32 pm

      These look fantastic! I love the combination of some cayenne with my chocolate. It adds so much depth of flavor. I love that you send these care packages all the time. You're a gem!

      Reply
      • The Monday Box

        January 29, 2018 at 1:00 pm

        Thanks, Shannon! I had never tried cayenne with chocolate, but now I am sold! Depth of flavor is the perfect way to describe it. Sending military care packages is a feel good activity. I feel good and hopefully so does the recipient soldier! 🙂

        Reply

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    I'm Wendy, a baker, care package maker, and smile creator. On The Monday Box you’ll find care package inspiration and recipes for delicious treats that make it easy for you to share home baked love. Let’s spread happiness, one cookie at a time!

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