These sweet and spicy cookies are an awesome addition to your holiday cookie tray. The kicked-up cayenne powder adds a spicy touch to your sweets.
PREP TIME 20 minutesminutes
COOK TIME 10 minutesminutes
TOTAL TIME 30 minutesminutes
YIELD 3dozen
Ingredients
2 1/4cupsall-purpose flour
1/2cupunsweetened cocoa powder
2tspcream of tartar
1tspbaking soda
1/2tspkosher salt
1cup(2 sticks) butterroom temperature
1 1/2cupssugar + additional 1/4 cup for sugar topping
2large eggs
2tspcinnamon
1/2teaspooncayenne
Instructions
Preheat oven to 400°F, with racks in the upper and lower third of the oven.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and 1 1/2 cups sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Scrape down the side of the bowl.
Add the eggs and beat them in to combine with the butter mixture. With mixer on low, gradually add the flour mixture and beat until the dough is just combined.
In a small bowl, combine remaining 1/4 cup sugar, cinnamon, and cayenne powder. Using large tablespoons, form 1.5-inch balls of dough and roll them in the cinnamon-sugar mixture.
Place each dough ball about 3 inches apart on two parchment-lined baking sheets. Bake until the cookies are set in the center and begin to crack, about 10 minutes, rotating sheets halfway through.
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets on wire racks for 5 minutes, then transfer the cookies to the racks to cool completely.
Store in an airtight container, up to 1 week.
Recipe Notes
The cayenne in this recipe is what makes this cookie special. Neither of my kids are huge fans of spicy food but they LOVE these cookies. If you're worried your family won't like the kick, you can reduce the cayenne, but we highly recommend trying at least a pinch!