Description
These Mexican Chocolate Shortbread Cookies are crisp, buttery, rich with cocoa, and finished with a warm hint of cinnamon and a subtle touch of cayenne for extra depth. They are an easy recipe that feels special enough for holidays, cookie swaps, dessert platters, and everyday sweet cravings. If you are looking for chocolate cookie ideas, easy dessert recipes, homemade treats, holiday baking inspiration, and simple food ideas that pair beautifully with coffee or hot chocolate, this is one recipe you will want to make again and again.
Ingredients
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons coarse sugar, for topping
Instructions
1. In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and powdered sugar until smooth and fluffy.
2. Mix in the vanilla extract until fully combined.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, cinnamon, cayenne pepper, and salt.
4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture and mix just until a soft dough forms.
5. Shape the dough into a log or flat disk, wrap tightly, and chill for 1 hour until firm.
6. Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
7. Slice the dough into cookies about 1/4 inch thick, or roll and cut into shapes if preferred.
8. Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheet and sprinkle the tops with coarse sugar.
9. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until the cookies are set and slightly firm around the edges.
10. Let the cookies cool on the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
Do not overmix the dough or overbake the cookies, because shortbread should stay tender and delicate rather than dry and hard.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Mexican-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 cookies
- Calories: 170
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 35mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 19g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg