Description
These Piped Chocolate Butter Cookies are delightful, buttery treats with a rich cocoa flavor, perfect for any occasion. Soft, piped dough creates elegant shapes that bake into crisp-edged, tender cookies. Finished with optional melted chocolate drizzle and colorful sprinkles or chopped nuts, they make a beautiful and delicious snack or dessert.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1¾ cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1-2 tablespoons milk (as needed for piping consistency)
Decoration
- Melted chocolate for drizzling
- Sprinkles or chopped nuts
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: Beat the softened unsalted butter and powdered sugar together using an electric mixer or stand mixer for 2-3 minutes until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and pale in color, which helps create a tender cookie texture.
- Add Vanilla and Dry Ingredients: Mix in the vanilla extract thoroughly. Gradually add the all-purpose flour and unsweetened cocoa powder to the butter mixture. Stir until a soft dough forms. If the dough is too stiff for piping, add 1 to 2 tablespoons of milk to adjust consistency.
- Prepare for Piping: Transfer the smooth dough into a piping bag fitted with a large star tip. Pipe decorative shapes, such as rosettes or swirls, onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow spreading.
- Bake: Place the baking sheets in the preheated oven and bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes or until the edges look set and slightly firm. Once baked, allow the cookies to cool on the sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them carefully to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Decorate (Optional): Once cookies have cooled, drizzle or dip them in melted chocolate. Immediately add sprinkles or chopped nuts on top before the chocolate sets to add color and texture.
Notes
- Make sure the butter is properly softened to ensure smooth creaming with sugar.
- If you don’t have a piping bag, you can use a plastic zip-top bag with a corner cut off as a substitute.
- Adjust milk quantity carefully; too much will make dough too soft and difficult to pipe.
- Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Use good-quality cocoa powder for the best chocolate flavor.
