Chocolate sugar cookies are a delicious twist on a classic! Perfect for cutout cookies and decorating any way you want.
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Chocolate sugar cookies for cutouts are another fun twist to a traditional cut and bake cookie recipe.
You’re going to love these flavorful chocolate cookies with orange icing! They’re perfect for holidays, parties, cookie exchanges, and late night snacking!
With this simple and easy chocolate cookie recipe you’re going to have a great time. These are no chill chocolate sugar cookies that are really low maintenance to make- which another reason to love them!
Chocolate sugar cookie recipes are always a great crowd pleaser and no one expects the orange zest glaze on top.
Orange and chocolate are a combination of flavors made by the Gods. It’s such an indulgent flavor and one I simply can’t get enough of. Especially during the holidays!
These cookies are firm enough to hold shape once cut but still soft. They’re moist and rich too, so every bite is just as good as the last.
So grab your favorite cookie cutters and preheat your oven for this fantastic recipe you won’t want to wait to try!
Chocolate Sugar Cookie Ingredients
For the cookies you will need:
- Flour: We need all-purpose flour to get a good gluten base for these cookies.
- Cocoa powder: This is where the chocolate flavor (and brown color) come in.
- Baking soda: The leavening agent that makes these cookies puff up slightly while baking.
- Salt: This is the flavor enhancer that makes every other ingredient shine through- like the perfect recipe wingman.
- Shortening: You can use plain or butter flavored depending on preferences.
- Sugar: White sugar will give us a sweetened cookie and allow for a slightly crisp texture once the cookies are baked.
- Egg: The binder in the recipe so that the cookies stay together perfectly.
- Vanilla: Another flavor enhancer, but it works as a base for the other flavors to branch off of.
- Sour cream: Adding moisture to the cookies, but Greek yogurt could be used instead!
For the icing you will need:
- Powdered sugar: To get a creamy white icing we need to use powdered sugar.
- Vanilla: A little vanilla to help flavor the icing perfectly.
- Milk: You can add a little more or less depending on how thick or thin you want the icing to be.
- Orange zest: This is optional, but so worth it!
How to Make Chocolate Sugar Cookies
- In a bowl, sift together the dry ingredients and then set them aside.
- In a large bowl, cream together the shortening and sugar.
- Add in the egg and the vanilla don’t then mix well.
- Add in the sour cream and mix well again.
- Add the dry ingredients to the mixture and then mix again, just until everything is combined. The dough shouldn’t be sticky to the touch.
- If you don’t want to roll the dough onto a floured surface, then lay it between two sheets of parchment paper. Flatten the dough out to ¼inch thick and cut into desired shapes.
- Place the cookies onto a greased or parchment lined baking sheet and bake in the oven at 350 degrees F for 10 minutes.
- When the cookies have finished baking, they should look dry on top and on the bottom.
- Make the icing by mixing the powdered sugar and vanilla in a bowl. Add in the milk, 1 tablespoon at a time until the desired consistency has been reached.
- Stir in the orange zest, if you are using it.
- Divide and color the icing if desired and spread onto cookies.
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Chocolate Sugar Cookies
Equipment
Ingredients
For the Cookies
- 2 ¼ cups flour
- ¾ cup cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup shortening
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- ½ cup sour cream (see note for substitutions)
For the Icing
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla
- 2-3 tablespoons milk (enough for a spreadable icing)
- 1 tablespoon orange zest (optional)
Instructions
For the Cookies
- Sift dry ingredients together, set aside.
- In a large bowl, cream together shortening and sugar.
- Add egg and vanilla, mix well.
- Add sour cream, mix well.
- Add dry ingredients and mix until just combined. The dough shouldn't be sticky to touch.
- To avoid marring the chocolate dough with white flour, lay down a large piece of parchment. Flatten the dough slightly with your hands and then lay another large piece of parchment over top.
- Roll it out about ¼ inch thick and cut into desired shapes.
- Place cookies on a greased or lined sheet pan and bake at 350 degrees F for about 10 minutes.
- When the cookies are done, they should be dry on the top and the bottom.
For the Icing
- Mix powdered sugar and vanilla.
- Add milk 1 tablespoon at a time until icing reaches desired thickness.
- Stir in orange zest, if using.
- Divide and color icing as desired.
Alli
Love the flavor combo!