We have a snow storm on the way, with 10-14″ of snow coming. Until it’s over, we’ll be inside, and the weather seems to call for cookies and … oh, something to drink! Milk, tea, hot chocolate, whiskey, your preference. This recipe makes 4 dozen terrific cookies. Each time we’ve made them the texture has been fabulous, and they freeze well, too. We make them with cayenne. Once we tried adding cinnamon, as well, but it didn’t make things better.
Ingredients
2 sticks butter, softened
1 cup white sugar
½ cup brown sugar, packed
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 eggs
2 cups all-purpose flour
2/3 cup cocoa powder
¾ teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon ground cayenne (optional) OR 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
2 tablespoons vegetable oil, as needed
1 cup dark chocolate or semi-sweet chocolate chips
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
In large bowl, mix butter, sugars, eggs, and vanilla until light and fluffy. Combine the flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt. If adding cayenne or cinnamon, add to dry ingredients. Stir into the butter mixture until well blended. If the dough is too stiff, stir in up to 2 tablespoons vegetable oil. Mix in the chocolate chips. Drop by tablespoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets.
Bake 8-10 minutes, or until just set. Cool a few minutes before removing to wire rack.
Our View From Iowa 
Thanks for the recipe! Stay warm and safe!!
You’re welcome. We’ll be in, so no problems here. Even if the power went out (not likely) we have plenty of quilts to keep warm with! 🙂
Those are really good. I enjoyed cleaning the beater and the bowl.
yumyumyum
Whiskey. I choose whiskey. 😉 These look good–I’m very intrigued by the idea of cayenne! We aren’t getting much snow but it’s so cold! I should make cookies, just to have the oven on.
Whiskey, good choice. Me, too, especially after dinner. The cayenne doesn’t add a lot of heat in that proportion, but you certainly can notice it. If you’re not sure, start with less. Then next time you make them, you’ll use the full amount. 😉
I’m coming right over! Stay snug.
You’ll need your snowshoes!
I have an industrial strength pair! Just don’t eat them all before I get there 😊
Not a chance that we’d eat them all. As much as we like our treats, we don’t like them ALL AT ONCE! 🙂
Thanks for the recipe…never made cookies with cayenne! We’re covered by same snowstorm (NW IA) and are enjoying cowboy cookies (with choc. chip, oatmeal and coconut). Stay warm 🙂
Thanks very much. Our power went off for about an hour today. It’s not usually glitchy here, so I doubt we’ll have more trouble. Enjoy those cookies!
The recipe looks great, but I’d avoid the cayenne myself. I’ve tried some chocolates with it added, and just didn’t enjoy the taste. Cinnamon? That’s a winner!
I think this is one that is different strokes for different folks. If you know you don’t like cayenne in chocolate, no need to try it here. But even without it, mmmm good cookies!