Italian Chocolate Spice Cookies
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These Italian Chocolate Spice Cookies are an easy treat with a soft, cake-like texture, rich chocolate flavor, and a hint of warm spice. Made in just one bowl, this family recipe is perfect for holidays, gifting, or anytime you want a unique chocolate dessert.
Try my Soft Amaretti Cookies and Italian Ladyfinger (Savoiardi) next!
Quick Look: Italian Chocolate Spice Cookies
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Servings: 24 cookies
- Dietary Info: Vegetarian, dairy-free adaptable
- Method: Oven-baked
- Technique: Mix the wet and dry ingredients together in one bowl until a soft dough forms. Scoop or shape into cookies, place on a baking sheet, and bake until set but still soft.
- Flavor & Texture: Rich and chocolaty with warm notes of spice, these cookies are soft, tender, and slightly cake-like.
The Best Christmas Cookies
Italian chocolate spice cookies are one of our favorite cookies to make for a Christmas cookie tray or any time during the holiday season. These aren’t just Christmas cookies- we make them for any special occasion.
One of our family’s favorite cookies for a reason, these little cookies are irresistible. They have a chewy chocolate cake center and a soft yet crisp outside. If you visit a European Christmas market around Christmas time, you will see variations of these chocolate spice cookies in many shapes, flavors, and forms.
If you love classic Italian cookies, try these Lemon Ricotta Cookies (Italian Recipe) and Italian Butter Cookies.
Made With Amore,
“Love this recipe, it’s our family’s favorite in the holidays. I make a batch with orange and one without it. Can’t wait to do it again.”
– Amelie
Table of Contents
Simple Ingredients
There aren’t many ingredients in this recipe, so it’s important to use high-quality products.
- Cocoa Powder: The base of the rich chocolate flavor.
- Bittersweet Chocolate: Adds extra richness and depth. Choose a good-quality chocolate (60–70% cacao) for the best balance of sweetness and bold flavor.
- Warm Spices (Cinnamon & Nutmeg): Give these cookies their signature cozy flavor.
- Orange Zest: Brightens the chocolate and adds a subtle citrus note.
- All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure for the soft, cake-like texture. Measure properly (spoon and level) to keep the cookies light and tender.
See recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Variations & Substitutions
- Add a Simple Glaze: I like these cookies with powdered sugar on top, but you can certainly add a simple glaze to the tops of the cookies like the ones in this Italian Wedding Cookies Recipe.
- Mix Ins: Mix in nuts of choice, such as walnuts or chopped almonds. To make these cookies festive, add some candy sprinkles after adding a simple white or chocolate glaze.
- Melted Chocolate: To make these into extra-chocolate cookies, dip them in a chocolate glaze, as I doin this Italian Classic Almond Biscotti (Cantucci).
How To Make Italian Chocolate Spice Cookies
Making Sicilian chocolate spice cookies is fun and easy. Follow the step-by step photos and see the recipe card at the bottom for a printable version.
- In a large bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whisk the eggs on medium-high speed until nice and frothy (about 3-4 minutes). Slowly add sugar. Continue to whisk until well combined and slightly thickened. The mixture will be pale yellow and light.
- Add the milk, butter, melted chocolate, vanilla extract, and zest (if using). Mix until well combined. Remove the bowl from the stand mixer.
- Sift in the flour mixture/dry ingredients (flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, salt, and spices) over the mixture of wet ingredients and mix with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula until well combined.
- At this point, the dough will be soft. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Take the dough out of the fridge and scoop with a medium-sized cookie scoop. Roll into a ball with floured hands, then into confectioner sugar. Place the dough balls onto the waxed paper lined cookie sheet about 2 inches apart. Continue to roll until all of the dough is used.
- Bake for about 8-10 minutes or until firm to the touch. Transfer to a wire rack and cool. Enjoy slightly warm, or room temperature.
Italian Chocolate Spice Cookies FAQs
Freeze raw balls of cookie dough in an airtight container in a single layer.
Separate each layer with a wax or parchment paper sheet; cover, label, and freeze. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator when ready to use, then roll in powdered sugar and bake.
It’s optional, but it adds a pretty finish and a touch of sweetness that complements the cocoa and spices.
These cookies will freeze for about 3 months in a freezer bag or airtight container. You can also store the chocolate spice cookies in a sealed container on the countertop for 1-3 days.
Serving Suggestions
I love serving these Italian chocolate spice cookies as a cozy, crowd-pleasing dessert after enjoying dishes like Baked Eggplant Stacks, Cheese and Broccoli Pasta Bake, or Bacon Wrapped Filet Mignon. If you want to add another sweet treat to your table, try pairing them with a Thick Italian Hot Chocolate or Authentic Cannoli Dip for a beautiful and indulgent dessert spread.
My Pro Tips
Recipe Tips
- Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Using room temperature ingredients (especially butter and eggs) ensures a soft and uniform cookie dough. They will also bake more evenly this way.
- Chill the Dough: Make sure to chill the cookie dough before baking to make sure the cookies hold their shape.
- Don’t Overbake: You’ll need to keep an eye on them to ensure they don’t get too dark. This is sometimes tricky for chocolate cookies since they are already dark in color.
More Chocolate Dessert Recipes
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Italian Chocolate Spice Cookies
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ⅓ cup cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 pinch salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 eggs, room temperature
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup milk
- ½ cup butter, melted and cooled
- 4 ounces bittersweet chocolate, melted and cooled
- zest of 1 orange, optional
- powdered sugar for rolling cookies
Instructions
- In a large bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whisk the eggs on medium-high speed until nice and frothy (about 3-4 minutes). Slowly add sugar. Continue to whisk until well combined and slightly thickened. The mixture will be pale yellow and light.
- Add the milk, butter, melted chocolate, vanilla extract, and zest (if using). Mix until well combined. Remove the bowl from the stand mixer.
- Sift in the dry ingredients (flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, salt, and spices) over the mixture of wet ingredients and mix with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula until well combined. At this point, the dough will be soft.Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Take the dough out of the fridge and scoop the dough with medium-sized cookie scoop. Roll the dough into a ball with floured hands.
- Roll each dough ball into a smooth ball and then roll in a small bowl of powdered sugar (icing sugar). Place on baking sheet about 2 inches apart. Continue to roll until all of the dough is used.
- Bake for about 10 minutes or until firm to the touch. Transfer to wire racks to cool completely. Enjoy slightly warm, or room temperature.
Notes
- Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Using room temperature ingredients (especially butter and eggs) ensures a soft and uniform cookie dough. They will also bake more evenly this way.
- Chill the Dough: Make sure to chill the cookie dough before baking to make sure the cookies hold their shape.
- Don’t Overbake: You’ll need to keep an eye on them to ensure they don’t get too dark. This is sometimes tricky for chocolate cookies since they are already dark in color.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Thx for sharing! How many cups should I use if I want to add walnuts
Thx
You are welcome. I would do about a half a cup of chopped nuts. You can do a little more if you like more :).
These cookies were soft, pillowy, chocolatey and not too sweet. I may add more cinnamon and nutmeg next time as I felt the spice level was lacking. Left out the orange zest. Baked them for 10 minutes and they were perfect! Thanks for the recipe 🙂
You are welcome! I am happy you loved them! YES, feel free to adjust the spices to your liking. There are many more yummy cookies to try!
Have you tried making these vegan?
I am sorry, I have not tried to make them vegan, so I am not sure how I would alter the recipe.
Wonderful cookies with my favorite chocolate-orange combination. Our TGIF coffee group inhaled them. I used a hand mixer, and a teaspoonful of dough to roll; made 46 cookies. A few were baked without powdered sugar – I’m not a really sweet fan – and they were great, too. Thank you.
Happy you loved them!
Love this recipe, it’s our family’s favorite in the holidays. I make a batch with orange and one without it. Can’t wait to do it again
Happy you love them as much as we do!
Hi! Are you using salted or unsalted butter in this recipe?
Thank you!
Hi! I use salted butter in most baked goods (Kerrygold butter). This goes against popular opinion you should bake with unsalted butter when baking to control the salt amount. You can use either. I prefer salted and still a tad of salt. That is my preference :). Enjoy!
Splendid recipe. Enjoyed these cookies for Christmas and highly recommend making them.
They are easy and tasty. Happy you loved them!
Could I make this with a regular hand mixer?
Yes, absolutely!
These cookies are so delicious. A perfect amount of warm spices, chocolate, and citrus. Great mix for the season.
So happy you love them. Enjoy!
These cookies are full of flavor and super easy to make all in one bowl. Enjoy!
Elena, these cookies are easy and sooo chocolaty delicious!!!! 5 stelle ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reminds me of my mom’s cookies she used to make!!
Next time I will make these with walnuts 😁
Next on my list is the ricotta lemon cookies!!!
Thrilled you love the cookies! I love the idea of adding walnuts. My mamma does that. The lemon ricotta cookies are one of my absolute favorites! Enjoy. Let me now what you think.