Description
Mexican Chocolate Shortbread Cookies are rich, buttery, and deeply chocolatey with warm cinnamon and a subtle touch of cayenne. They slice cleanly, bake beautifully, and deliver that perfect tender shortbread texture with a bold twist that makes them stand out on any dessert tray.
Ingredients
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
2/3 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon fine salt
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 cup mini chocolate chips, optional
Instructions
1. In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and powdered sugar until light and smooth. Mix in the vanilla extract.
2. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, cornstarch, cinnamon, cayenne pepper, and salt.
3. Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture and stir until a soft dough forms. Fold in the mini chocolate chips if using.
4. Shape the dough into a log about 2 inches thick. Mix the granulated sugar and extra cinnamon, then roll the dough log in the mixture. Wrap and chill for 1 hour.
5. Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Slice the chilled dough into 1/4-inch rounds.
6. Arrange the slices on the baking sheet and bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until the edges are set.
7. Let the cookies cool on the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
Use softened butter, not melted butter, so the shortbread keeps its tender texture.
Chilling the dough helps the cookies hold their shape and makes slicing easier.
For a milder batch, reduce the cayenne to a pinch without losing the warm Mexican chocolate character.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 115
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 25mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 18mg
Keywords: Mexican Chocolate Shortbread Cookies, chocolate cookies, cinnamon cookies, shortbread cookies, slice and bake cookies