Chocolate Cut Out Cookies

I love cookies, but I can usually take ‘em or leave ‘em unless they involve chocolate or lots of frosting.  So how about the best of both worlds?  A chocolate roll out cookie covered in royal icing…yum!

Recipe Notes:

*I used natural cocoa powder.  Dutch process cocoa powder will also work in this recipe.

Chocolate Cut Out Cookies

Recipe from Our Best Bites

1 cup salted butter, softened

1 cup granulated sugar

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla

½ cup cocoa powder

2 ½ cups all purpose flour

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line several baking sheets with parchment paper.

Cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, approximately 1-2 minutes.  Add in the egg and vanilla and mix until well combined.

Turn the mixer to low.  Alternate adding in the cocoa powder and flour until it is all incorporated.  Scrape down the sides of the bowl as necessary.

Dust your rolling surface with a mixture of cocoa powder and flour (I mixed up about 2 tablespoons of each in the corner of my mat).  Scoop the dough onto the mat.  If the dough is crumbly, press it together and knead it several times with your hands until it holds together.  Flatten the dough into a disc and roll out to ¼ inch thickness.

Cut out shapes and place them on the prepared baking sheets.  Bake for 8-10 minutes or until the dough no longer looks wet.  Cool for 5 minutes on the cookie trays.  Then move to wire racks and cool completely before frosting.