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By Elena
Nov 29, 2022, Updated Dec 13, 2023
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Italian Chocolate Spice Cookies Recipe is an easy one-bowl chocolate cookie that is soft and cake-like with plenty of chocolaty flavor and a hint of warm spice. This is an old family recipe you will love.
If you loveclassic Italian cookiestry these recipes:Soft AMARETTI CookiesandBasic Italian Biscotti,Italian Ladyfinger (Savoiardi), Lemon Ricotta Cookies (Italian Recipe), orItalian Butter Cookies Recipe (bakery style). Happy baking!
Italian Chocolate Spice Cookies
Italian chocolate spice cookies are one of our favorite cookies to make for a Christmas cookie tray or any time during the holiday season. These aren’t just Christmas cookies- we make them for any special occasion.
One of our family’s favorite cookies for a reason. These little cookies are simply irresistible. These cookies have a chewy chocolate cake center and a soft, yet crisp outside.
If you visit a European Christmas market around Christmas time you will see variations of these chocolate spice cookies in many shapes, flavors, and forms.
Table of Contents
- Italian Chocolate Spice Cookies
- Simple Ingredients
- How to Make Italian Chocolate Spice Cookies (Step-by-Step Photos)
- Variations
- Baking and Making tools
- Make Ahead and Storage for Italian Chocolate Spice Cookies
- Top tip for Italian Chocolate Spice Cookies Recipe
- FAQ
- More Classic Italian Desserts
- Italian Chocolate Spice Cookies Recipe Recipe
Simple Ingredients
There aren’t many ingredients in this recipe, so it’s important to use high-quality products. I prefer to use European butter for extra flavor in all ourpieandcookie recipes. You likely have all of these other basic ingredients on hand.
- All-purpose flour
- Cocoa powder
- Baking powder
- Salt
- Nutmeg
- Cinnamon
- Vanilla extract
- Eggs
- Granulated sugar
- Milk
- Butter
- Bittersweet chocolate
- Orange Zest
- Powdered sugar for rolling cookies
See the recipe card for quantities.
How to Make Italian Chocolate Spice Cookies (Step-by-Step Photos)
Making Italian chocolate spice cookies is fun and easy. The dough comes together in one bowl and then you simply roll them into balls and cover them in powdered sugar before baking. They look so pretty with the crinkle top look from the icing sugar.
In a large bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whisk the eggs on medium-high speed until nice and frothy (about 3-4 minutes). Slowly add sugar. Continue to whisk until well combined and slightly thickened. The mixture will be pale yellow and light.
Add the milk, butter, melted chocolate, vanilla extract, and zest (if using). Mix until well combined. Remove the bowl from the stand mixer.
Sift in the dry ingredients (flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, salt, and spices) over the mixture of wet ingredients and mix with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula until well combined.
At this point, the dough will be soft. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
Take the dough out of the fridge and scoop the dough with a medium-sized cookie scoop. Roll the dough into a ball with floured hands.
Roll each dough ball into a smooth ball and then roll in a small bowl of powdered sugar (icing sugar).
Place the dough balls onto the lined cookie sheet about 2 inches apart. Continue to roll until all of the dough is used.
Bake for about 8-10 minutes or until firm to the touch. Transfer to a wire rack and cool. Enjoy slightly warm, or room temperature.
Variations
These Italian chocolate cookies recipe is rolled in powdered sugar and resemble chocolate crinkle cookies. They are simple drop cookies that are perfect for adding, or mixing in your favorite flavors.
- Simple glaze. I like these cookies with powdered sugar on top, but you can certainly add a simple glaze to the tops of the cookies like the ones in this Italian Wedding Cookies Recipe.
- Nuts. Mix in nuts of choice such as walnuts or chopped almonds.
- Melted chocolate. Makes these into EXTRA chocolatey cookies by dipping them in a chocolate glaze as I use in this recipe Italian Classic Almond Biscotti Recipe (Cantucci).
- Sprinkles. If you want to go a step further and make these cookies festive add some candy sprinkles! You can do this after adding a simple white or chocolate glaze.
- Chocolate Chips.
Baking and Making tools
You don’t need any special equipment to make these cookies. A stand mixer or hand mixer will do. If you have a cookie scoop that works well to make the cookies the same size. If not, just use a spoon!
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Make Ahead and Storage for Italian Chocolate Spice Cookies
Make Ahead
You can make the cookie dough up to 24 hours in advance and store it in an airtight container until you are ready to scoop and bake. You will need to let it sit for at least 10 minutes before working with the refrigerated dough.
Storage
These cookies will freeze for about 3 months in a freezer bag or airtight container. You can also store the chocolate spice cookies in a sealed container on the countertop for 1-3 days.
Top tip for Italian Chocolate Spice Cookies Recipe
Use room ingredients
Using room temperature ingredients (especially butter and eggs) for the Italian chocolate spice cookies ensures a soft and uniform cookie dough. They will also bake more evenly this way.
Chill cookie dough before baking
Make sure to chill the cookie dough before baking to make sure the cookies hold their shape.
Do not over-bake
You’ll need to keep an eye on them to ensure they don’t get too dark. This is sometimes tricky for chocolate cookies since they are already dark in color.
I baked them for about 8-10 minutes to achieve a very soft, light golden brown on the edge. Thatway, they stay nice and soft. This is key to achieving the beautiful bakery-style cookie look ad taste.
FAQ
Can I freeze chocolate spice cookies?
Yes! I recommend freezing the raw dough balls and baking them when ready to serve. Freeze raw balls of cookie dough in an airtight container in a single layer.
Separate each layer with a wax or parchment paper sheet; cover, label, and freeze. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator when ready to use, then roll in powdered sugar and bake.
More Classic Italian Desserts
- Traditional Panettone Recipe (Italian Christmas Cake)
- Authentic Struffoli Recipe (Italian Honey Balls)
- Chiacchiere di Carnevale Recipe (Italian Fried Pastries)
- Italian Fig Cookies Recipe (Cucidati)
- BEST Italian Wedding Cookies (Anginetti)
- Italian Chocolate Spice Cookies Recipe
- Classic Pizzelle Cookies
Make sure to leave a⭐️star ratingon the recipe card and comment below if you make the recipe. I love to connect with you through my recipes.
I would love for you to tag me on Instagram@cucinabyelena so I can see your delicious Italian recipes. To get more ideas,follow me on Pinterest.
Italian Chocolate Spice Cookies Recipe
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5 from 6 reviews
Italian Chocolate Spice Cookies Recipe is an easy one-bowl chocolate cookie that is soft and cake-like with plenty of chocolaty flavor and a hint of warm spice. This is an old family recipe you will love.
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 24 servings 1x
Ingredients
UnitsScale
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- pinch salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 eggs, room temperature
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 cup butter, melted and cooled
- 4 ounces bittersweet chocolate, melted and cooled
- zest of 1 orange (optional)
- powdered sugar for rolling cookies
Instructions
- In a large bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whisk the eggs on medium-high speed until nice and frothy (about 3-4 minutes). Slowly add sugar. Continue to whisk until well combined and slightly thickened. The mixture will be pale yellow and light.
- Add the milk, butter, melted chocolate, vanilla extract, and zest (if using). Mix until well combined. Remove the bowl from the stand mixer.
- Sift in the dry ingredients (flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, salt, and spices) over the mixture of wet ingredients and mix with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula until well combined. At this point, the dough will be soft.
Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes. - Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Take the dough out of the fridge and scoop the dough with medium-sized cookie scoop. Roll the dough into a ball with floured hands.
- Roll each dough ball into a smooth ball and then roll in a small bowl of powdered sugar (icing sugar).
Place on baking sheet about 2 inches apart. Continue to roll until all of the dough is used. - Bake for about 10 minutes or until firm to the touch. Transfer to wire racks to cool completely. Enjoy slightly warm, or room temperature.
Notes
Tips
Use room ingredients
Using room temperature ingredients (especially butter and eggs) for the Italian chocolate spice cookies ensures a soft and uniform cookie dough. They will also bake more evenly this way.
Chill cookie dough before baking
Make sure to chill the cookie dough before baking to make sure the cookies hold their shape.
Do not over-bake
You’ll need to keep an eye on them to ensure they don’t get too dark. This is sometimes tricky for chocolate cookies since they are already dark in color.
I baked them for about 10 minutes.
Storage
- The dough batter can be refrigerated for up to 24 hours before baking. These cookies will freeze for about 3 months in a freezer bag or airtight container. You can also store the chocolate spice cookies in a sealed container on the countertop for 1-3 days.
- Author: Elena
- Prep Time: 30 min
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Sweet
- Method: Italian
- Cuisine: Italian
