Chocolate Snickerdoodles Recipe

Chocolate Snickerdoodles Recipe for Sweet Cravings

Sweet chocolate lovers have found their ultimate comfort in these chocolate snickerdoodles that dance between cinnamon warmth and rich cocoa depths.

Soft cookie memories start swirling the moment butter meets sugar in a delightful mixer romance.

Childhood nostalgia blends perfectly with grown-up chocolate cravings in this irresistible treat.

Dusty cinnamon sugar coats each morsel, promising a delectable crunch that melts instantly on your tongue.

Kitchen adventures await with simple ingredients that transform into something magical and unexpected.

Crisp edges and tender centers create a cookie experience you cannot resist exploring.

Baking magic happens when classic techniques meet decadent chocolate innovation.

Questions About Chocolate Snickerdoodles

  • What makes Chocolate Snickerdoodles different from regular Snickerdoodles?

The key difference is the addition of cocoa powder, which gives these cookies a rich chocolate flavor while maintaining the classic cinnamon-sugar coating.

  • Are Chocolate Snickerdoodles soft or crispy?

These cookies are typically soft and chewy with slightly crisp edges, thanks to the careful baking technique of removing them when the centers still look slightly underbaked.

  • Why does the recipe use both an egg and an egg yolk?

The extra egg yolk adds richness and helps create a more tender, softer cookie texture, making the Chocolate Snickerdoodles extra delicious and moist.

  • Can I use Dutch-processed or natural cocoa powder for this recipe?

Natural cocoa powder works best, as it reacts better with the cream of tartar and baking soda to help the cookies rise and maintain their soft texture.

Why Chocolate Snickerdoodles Are a Cozy Classic

  • These chocolate snickerdoodles are perfect for quick dessert cravings with minimal effort and maximum flavor.
  • Beginner bakers can confidently create these cookies using simple ingredients and straightforward mixing techniques that don't require advanced skills.
  • Kids will love rolling dough balls in cinnamon-sugar and enjoying the delightful chocolate twist on a classic snickerdoodle recipe.
  • Perfect for after-school snacks, potlucks, holiday gatherings, or spontaneous sweet moments that call for chocolate comfort.

What’s in Chocolate Snickerdoodles

Dry Ingredients:
  • Flour: Base for cookie structure, all-purpose works best.
  • Cocoa Powder: Provides rich chocolate flavor and dark color.
  • Cream of Tartar: Helps create soft, chewy texture.
  • Baking Soda: Helps cookies rise and spread.
  • Salt: Enhances overall flavor.
Wet Ingredients:
  • Butter, Sugar: Creamy base for sweet and tender cookies, use softened unsalted butter.
  • Egg, Egg Yolk: Adds moisture and helps bind ingredients.
  • Vanilla Extract: Deepens flavor profile, pure vanilla recommended.
Coating Ingredients:
  • Granulated Sugar, Cinnamon: Sweet and spicy outer layer, creates classic snickerdoodle texture and taste.

How to Bake Chocolate Snickerdoodles Just Right

Step 1: Fire Up the Oven

Crank your oven to a toasty 375F (190C). Grab two baking sheets and blanket them with parchment paper.

Step 2: Blend Dry Ingredients

Toss these ingredients into a medium bowl and whisk like crazy:
  • Flour
  • Cocoa powder
  • Cream of tartar
  • Baking soda
  • Salt

Set the mix aside for now.

Step 3: Whip Butter and Sugar

Grab a large bowl and your electric mixer. Beat the softened butter and sugar until they transform into a fluffy cloud, about 2-3 minutes.

Step 4: Incorporate Wet Components

Crack in the egg and extra egg yolk. Splash in vanilla extract. Beat until everything mingles smoothly.

Step 5: Marry Wet and Dry Mixtures

Slowly fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Keep mixing until a gorgeous chocolate dough emerges.

Step 6: Craft the Magical Coating

In a small bowl, swirl together:
  • Granulated sugar
  • Cinnamon

Step 7: Shape Delectable Spheres

Roll the dough into cute little balls about 1 1/2 inches wide. Give each ball a luxurious roll in the cinnamon-sugar mix until completely dressed.

Step 8: Bake to Perfection

Arrange the coated dough balls on prepared sheets, leaving space between each. Slide into the oven and bake 8-10 minutes. You want edges set but centers looking slightly underbaked.

Step 9: Cool and Enjoy

Let cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and allow them to chill completely.

Tips to Get That Signature Crackled Top

  • Soften Butter Perfectly: Let butter sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes before creaming to ensure smooth, fluffy texture without melting.
  • Prevent Overmixing Dough: Mix dry and wet ingredients just until combined to maintain tender, soft cookie consistency and avoid tough cookies.
  • Achieve Consistent Cookie Size: Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to create uniform 1 1/2-inch balls for even baking and professional-looking results.
  • Store Smartly for Freshness: Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
  • Customize Coating Options: Experiment with alternative coatings like cocoa powder, powdered sugar, or flavored sugar blends for unique taste variations.

How to Keep Chocolate Snickerdoodles Soft

  • Store chocolate snickerdoodles in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Keep them at room temperature away from direct sunlight and heat sources.
  • Wrap individual cookies tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. They'll maintain quality for 23 weeks in the freezer.
  • Remove frozen cookies from the freezer and let them sit at room temperature for 3060 minutes before enjoying. Avoid microwaving to prevent texture loss.
  • Warm cookies briefly in a 300F oven for 23 minutes to restore their soft, chewy consistency and enhance their delicious flavor.

What to Enjoy with These Cookies

  • Creamy chocolate milk complements the rich, cocoa-infused snickerdoodles, enhancing their deep chocolate flavor and providing a smooth, refreshing contrast.
  • A bold espresso shot highlights the warm cinnamon notes, creating a sophisticated coffee-cookie experience that balances sweetness and intensity.
  • Creamy vanilla ice cream creates a luxurious dessert combination, softening the cookie's crisp edges and adding a cool, smooth texture.
  • Aromatic chai spices echo the cinnamon coating, building layers of warmth and complexity that elevate the chocolate snickerdoodle's overall taste profile.

Chocolate Snickerdoodle Variations You’ll Love

  • Vegan Chocolate Snickerdoodles: Replace butter with coconut oil and use flax eggs instead of regular eggs. Swap regular sugar with coconut sugar for a healthier alternative.
  • Gluten-Free Chocolate Snickerdoodles: Substitute wheat flour with almond flour or gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. Use xanthan gum to help bind the ingredients together.
  • Low-Sugar Chocolate Snickerdoodles: Replace granulated sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia. Use unsweetened cocoa powder and reduce coating sugar for a less sweet version.
  • Nutty Chocolate Snickerdoodles: Add chopped walnuts or pecans to the dough for extra crunch. Mix ground nuts into the coating mixture for additional texture and flavor.
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Chocolate Snickerdoodles Recipe

Chocolate Snickerdoodles Recipe


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4.8 from 38 reviews

  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 24 1x

Description

Irresistible chocolate snickerdoodles bring classic comfort with a rich cocoa twist, melding nostalgic cinnamon warmth and deep chocolate notes. Cookies promise pure comfort that connects friends and families through sweet, simple pleasures you’ll savor with each delightful bite.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 large egg yolk
  • 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder

Leavening and Seasoning Ingredients:

  • 1 ½ teaspoons cream of tartar
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Coating Ingredients:

  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Instructions

  1. Meticulously prepare the baking environment by heating the oven to a precise 375F (190C) and lining two baking sheets with parchment paper.
  2. Craft the dry mixture by whisking flour, cocoa powder, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl, then set aside the powdery blend.
  3. Transform butter and sugar into a voluminous, airy mixture using an electric mixer, beating until the texture becomes light and fluffy.
  4. Incorporate egg, additional egg yolk, and vanilla extract, blending thoroughly to create a cohesive wet base.
  5. Gradually fold the reserved dry ingredients into the wet mixture, gently mixing until a smooth, uniform chocolate dough emerges.
  6. Prepare the signature coating by combining granulated sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl, creating a fragrant dusting mixture.
  7. Sculpt the dough into uniform 1 1/2-inch spheres, then generously roll each ball in the cinnamon-sugar coating, ensuring complete coverage.
  8. Arrange the coated dough balls on prepared baking sheets, maintaining adequate spacing, and bake for 8-10 minutes until edges firm up while centers retain a slight softness.
  9. Allow cookies to rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack, permitting them to cool and set completely.

Notes

  • Use room temperature ingredients to ensure smooth mixing and consistent texture in your chocolate snickerdoodles.
  • Chill the dough for 30 minutes before rolling to prevent spreading and create thicker, chewier cookies.
  • Swap regular flour with gluten-free flour blend for a celiac-friendly version without compromising taste.
  • Reduce sugar by 25% and use dark cocoa powder for a more intense, less sweet chocolate experience.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 24
  • Calories: 150
  • Sugar: 8 g
  • Sodium: 50 mg
  • Fat: 7 g
  • Saturated Fat: 4 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 20 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 30 mg
Jamie Granger

Jamie Granger

Recipe Developer & Food Writer

Expertise

  • Fusion Cuisine Development
  • Recipe Development and Food Styling
  • Culinary Writing and Content Creation
  • Nutrition and Healthy Cooking​

Education

Culinary Institute of America

  • Degree: Associate in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Emphasis on flavor development, classic and contemporary culinary techniques, menu design, and global cuisine preparation; combined with food-service management, communication, and finance training; and immersive hands‑on restaurant operations through paid industry internships.

Jamie Granger turns ingredients into memories. With her recipes, she brings a fusion-forward flair to every creation. 

Her dishes reflect the places she’s explored, the chefs she’s learned from, and the deep connection she has to food as a form of expression. 

At Pass and Provision, Jamie develops recipes that balance flavor, health, and beauty, meals that don’t just satisfy your appetite but speak to your curiosity.

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