Mexican Hot Chocolate Cookies

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Mexican hot chocolate cookies are chewy, chocolatey, and just a little bit spicy. Enjoy them with a glass of cold milk or a warm mug of cocoa!

When we lived in Texas, one of the things I got hooked on was Mexican hot chocolate — hot chocolate spiced with cinnamon and ground chile peppers.

I love the way the warmth of the spices plays off the sweetened chocolate, and I knew it would be great for cookies, too.

Mexican hot chocolate cookies on a plate with holiday decor

I’ve been making these Mexican hot chocolate cookies for years. It’s hard to choose my top holiday cookie, what with my double ginger molasses cookies and raspberry jam cookies also in the running, but these are definitely a family favorite!

Ingredients for Mexican hot chocolate cookies

The most important thing to remember for this recipe is that ground chile powder is not the same as chili powder!

Ground chile powder is a single ingredient made from ground chiles. I like to use ancho chile powder for the smoky flavor, and this recipe also uses ground cayenne pepper. 

Do not use the chili powder you’d use for savory dishes, as it is a blend of spices including salt.

Crinkle cookies like these also call for cream of tartar. This helps make the cookies rise as well as creates that wonderfully chewy texture!

Cream of tartar works together with baking soda. If you don’t have cream of tartar, swap out both for baking powder instead. However, the texture of your cookies will be slightly different.

Mexican hot chocolate cookies on a cooling rack

How to make this chocolate crinkle cookies recipe

First, cream together your butter and sugars. I use both granulated white sugar and brown sugar here for the best texture. The mixture should be completely blended and slightly fluffy.

Then, add your eggs and vanilla and mix well.

In another bowl, mix together the dry ingredients. This recipe will work with any variety of cocoa powder you have on hand, so don’t worry about whether you have Dutch-process cocoa or another kind.

If you prefer you can skip the cayenne pepper, or add more if you want a truly heated cookie!

flour, cocoa, and spices in mixing bowl

Mix the dry ingredients into the sugar mixture until completely incorporated. It will be a bit crumbly and not as wet as other cookie doughs you might be used to, but that’s OK.

Pop the dough in the fridge to chill while you preheat the oven to 350°F. I also line my baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking, create even baking, and make cleanup easier.

When you’re ready to bake, stir together sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Scoop dough into balls and roll each ball in the cinnamon-sugar mixture, then place on the baking sheet. 

I use a medium cookie scoop of 1 ½ tablespoons, which makes an approximately 3-inch cookie.

Make sure to leave room between the cookies to allow for spreading. I put about 8 cookies on each sheet to give them plenty of space.

Put the remaining dough back into the fridge and bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes.

The cookies will be lightly puffed when you remove them from the oven, but deflate quickly. Transfer them immediately from the baking sheet to a wire rack to cool completely.

cooling rack with Mexican hot chocolate cookies

Storage tips

Mexican hot chocolate cookies will stay soft and chewy for up to 1 week, stored in a cookie jar. I use a glass cookie jar for mine, or in a pinch I use a zip top bag.

If your cookies get too hard for your liking, add a slice of bread to the container. The cookies will take in the bread’s moisture and soften! Be sure to remove the bread once it is hard.

Chocolate cookies are great for freezing. I love freezing cookies so I can bake just a few at a time. It also makes it easy to prepare for holiday entertaining!

To freeze, after you roll the cookies in the cinnamon sugar, place them close together on a parchment lined baking sheet. 

Freeze the baking sheet for about 2 hours, until the dough is completely frozen. 

Then, transfer the dough balls to a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Be sure to label it!

You can bake the dough directly from frozen at 350°F. Keep in mind that the cookies might take extra time to bake through, so watch carefully.

hot chocolate cookies on a plate

Other cookie recipes to enjoy

I hope you enjoy these Mexican hot chocolate cookies as part of your next cookie tray!

Mexican hot chocolate cookie being dipped into milk

Love this recipe? Please leave a 5-star review below! It means so much when you enjoy my recipes, so let me know how it goes and leave a comment if you have any questions.

hot chocolate cookies on a plate

Mexican Hot Chocolate Cookies

Mexican hot chocolate cookies are chewy, chocolatey, and just a little bit spicy. Enjoy them with a glass of cold milk or a warm mug of cocoa!
4.80 from 15 votes
Print Pin Save
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Chill Time 30 minutes
Total Time 57 minutes
Course Cookies
Cuisine American
Servings 36
Calories 87 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • ½ cup lightly packed brown sugar
  • 8 tablespoons butter, softened
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup cocoa powder
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground chile powder, such as ancho
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper, optional
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
  • ¼ teaspoon salt

For rolling

  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Instructions

  • In a large bowl, beat together the sugars and butter until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, cinnamon, chile powders, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt. Slowly add to the sugar mixture and mix until well combined. Chill dough in fridge for about 30 minutes, and preheat oven to 350°F.
  • When ready to bake, mix together granulated sugar and cinnamon together in a small bowl. Scoop dough into balls and roll in cinnamon-sugar mixture, then place on parchment-paper covered baking sheet, leaving plenty of space between cookies to allow for spreading. Chill any remaining cookie dough while you bake.
  • Bake for 10-12 minutes and transfer immediately to wire cooling rack.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 cookieCalories: 87 kcalCarbohydrates: 15 gProtein: 1 gFat: 3 gSaturated Fat: 2 gCholesterol: 16 mgSodium: 71 mgPotassium: 47 mgFiber: 1 gSugar: 10 gIron: 1 mg

Nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate based on online calculators. Any nutritional information found on Stetted should be used as a general guideline only.

Tried this recipe?Share on Instagram and mention @stetted or tag #stetted!

megan

About Megan

I focus on fresh ingredients and easy methods, with spins that keep meals interesting. Dinnertime shouldn’t be stressful or complicated, and I’m here to help you enjoy the time spent in the kitchen. Read more…

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

10 Comments

    1. @The Chocolate Priestess, if it is a spice I’d use it in place of the cayenne, maybe adding more depending on how spicy it is. If it is a flavored cocoa, maybe use 1/8 cup of that and 1/8 cup of regular cocoa? Again, it depends on how spicy it is. What’s the brand name? I’d love to try working with that.

  1. Hi, I haven’t had cream of tartar in my cupboard for years. What’s a substitute? I love Mexican hot chocolate and can’t wait to try this recipe! Thanks.