Black Cocoa Cookies Recipe with Chocolate Chips

These Black Cocoa Cookies have the best tender cookie texture with intense chocolate flavor. They are loaded with chocolate chips, are soft and chewy, and have perfectly crisp edges.

Fair warning - you'll be hooked after the first batch. This cookie recipe is so yummy, and actually really fun to make. The black color is one that always throws people off a bit, because black cookies just aren't a common look! But what makes them addictive is their taste - and that's something that no one can deny.

The dark color makes these the perfect Halloween cookies or a great treat to add to any dessert table during the holiday season.

Most people think that I add food coloring to this - but it's black cocoa powder that creates the look. A little bit does the trick and goes a long way, and I'm here for the unique twist.

Check out my Fruity Pebbles Cookies and these 3-Ingredient Brownies for two of my other favorite treats.

Ingredients

Sugar - Adds sweetness to the cookies.
Flour - One of the main dry ingredients used to make cookie dough.
Black cocoa powder - The dark cocoa powder gives the dark color.
Brown sugar - For more sweetness.
Baking soda - For texture.
Salt - Just a little bit is needed to mix into the flour mixture.
Salted butter - Make sure it's softened before adding.
Egg - The binding agent for the ingredients.
Pure Vanilla extract - For flavor.
Chocolate chips - Because chocolate chip cookies must have chocolate chips!

See the recipe card for quantities.

How to Make Black Cocoa Cookies

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Add parchment paper to two large baking sheets.

Step One: Mix the flour, sugars, black cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt into a large mixing bowl.

Step Two: Add the vanilla, butter, and egg. Mix. This is easiest with room-temperature ingredients.

Step Three: Stir in the chocolate chips.

Step Four: Use a cookie scoop to make 15 cookies and place them three inches apart on the baking sheet. You'll need to spread these out over a couple of sheets.

Step Five: Put them in the oven to bake for 12-13 minutes.

Step Six: Let cool and enjoy.

Top Tip

Let cookies cool on a wire rack so that they don't keep cooking on the baking sheet. Even though the sheet is pulled from the oven, the residual heat will still cook the cookies at a slower rate.

Substitutions

Dark chocolate chips - You can turn these into dark chocolate cookies by using dark chocolate chips. You can also use white chocolate chips.
Dark brown sugar - This would work as well for sweetness.
Espresso powder - Add in some espresso powder for a mocha-flavored cookie.

Variations

Coconut sugar - You can use this as a sweetener in the cookies.
Sprinkles - If you really want to turn these into Halloween cookies, add Halloween sprinkles to the top! You could also add fun candy eyeballs as well.
Royal icing - Drizzle icing on top of these cookies. This pairs well with the mild chocolate flavor.

See this Chocolate Fudge Cupcakes recipe for the ultimate chocolate cupcake.

Equipment

To make this simple cookie recipe, you'll need to have a cookie sheet, a large bowl, a cooking rack, a hand mixer, and a cookie scoop.

Storage

Once you bake a batch of these cocoa cookies, storage is key! Let the cookies cool completely, and then store them in an airtight container. You can keep them in the fridge or at room temperature - either work.

You can also freeze them to enjoy another or next time by adding them to a freezer-safe bag or container.

Common Questions

Can I add toppings?

You bet! You can drizzle frosting or even create spider webs on top of the cookies with white icing! Halloween sprinkles are a good idea, as well as even adding mini chocolate chips.

How do I know when the cookies are done baking?

These are flatter cookies, so pay attention to the edges. Once they start to crisp and harden, that is a good clue that the cookies are getting very close to being done. I also use my nose as a guide as well. Once I actually start selling the cookies in the oven, I know that they are almost done baking.

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