Elegant and buttery with a deep chocolate flavor, these Piped Chocolate Butter Cookies are a delight to bake and share. Their delicate texture and stunning shapes make them perfect for special occasions, gifting, or pairing with your favorite hot drink.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These cookies are simple yet impressive, perfect for any occasion.
The dough is easy to work with, ensuring beautifully piped shapes.
Customizable with decorations like melted chocolate, sprinkles, or nuts.
Quick to make, requiring minimal preparation and bake time.
Rich, buttery, and chocolaty flavor that’s hard to resist.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
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)
Optional Decorations:
Melted chocolate for drizzling
Sprinkles or chopped nuts
Directions
Preheat the Oven:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
Cream Butter and Sugar:
In a large mixing bowl, beat softened butter and powdered sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
Add Vanilla and Dry Ingredients:
Mix in the vanilla extract. Gradually add the flour and cocoa powder, mixing until a soft dough forms. If the dough is too stiff to pipe, add 1-2 tablespoons of milk, one at a time, until the dough is soft but holds its shape.
Prepare for Piping:
Transfer the dough to a piping bag fitted with a large star tip or your preferred nozzle. Pipe the dough onto the prepared baking sheets in swirls, lines, or rosettes, leaving space between each cookie.
Bake:
Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are set. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Decorate (Optional):
Once cooled, drizzle the cookies with melted chocolate or dip the edges into melted chocolate. Add sprinkles or chopped nuts for a festive touch.
Servings and Timing
Servings: 24 cookies
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Variations
Flavored Butter Cookies: Add a pinch of espresso powder or a dash of almond extract for unique flavor twists.
Colorful Toppings: Use white chocolate drizzles and colorful sprinkles for a vibrant look.
Gluten-Free Option: Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking mix.
Double Chocolate Delight: Add mini chocolate chips to the dough for an extra burst of chocolate.
Spiced Version: Incorporate a pinch of cinnamon or chili powder for a spicy kick.
Storage/Reheating
Storage: Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
Freezing: Freeze unbaked piped dough for up to three months. Bake directly from frozen, adding a couple of extra minutes to the bake time.
Reheating: If desired, warm cookies in the oven at 300°F for 5 minutes to refresh their texture.
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FAQs
How do I prevent my cookies from spreading too much?
Ensure the butter is just softened, not melted, and chill the piped cookies for 15 minutes before baking.
Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?
Yes, but reduce the added salt or omit it entirely to balance the flavor.
Why is my dough too stiff to pipe?
The dough may be too dry. Gradually add 1-2 tablespoons of milk until it’s soft but still holds its shape.
Can I make these cookies without a piping bag?
Yes, roll the dough into small balls and flatten them slightly with a fork or the bottom of a glass.
Can I make these cookies ahead of time?
Absolutely! Prepare and pipe the dough, then freeze it. Bake fresh cookies whenever needed.
Conclusion
Piped Chocolate Butter Cookies combine elegance and ease, making them a standout treat for any occasion. With their rich chocolate taste and decorative possibilities, these cookies are as fun to make as they are to eat. Perfectly suited for holidays, gifting, or a simple indulgence, they’re bound to become a favorite in any baker’s repertoire.
📖 Recipe:
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Piped Chocolate Butter Cookies
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Elegant and buttery, these Piped Chocolate Butter Cookies feature a rich chocolate flavor and a delicate texture. Perfect for holidays, gifting, or a simple indulgence, these cookies are quick to prepare and beautifully customizable with decorations like melted chocolate or sprinkles.
Ingredients
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)
Optional Decorations:
Melted chocolate for drizzling
Sprinkles or chopped nuts
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven
- Preheat to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Cream Butter and Sugar
- Beat softened butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add Vanilla and Dry Ingredients
- Mix in vanilla extract. Gradually add flour and cocoa powder, mixing until a soft dough forms. Add milk as needed for piping consistency.
- Prepare for Piping
- Transfer dough to a piping bag with a large star tip. Pipe shapes onto prepared baking sheets.
- Bake
- Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are set. Cool on sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
- Decorate (Optional)
- Drizzle or dip cooled cookies in melted chocolate and add sprinkles or nuts.
Notes
For best results, use butter that is softened but not melted.
If dough is stiff, add milk in small increments to achieve piping consistency.
Chilling piped cookies for 15 minutes before baking helps prevent spreading.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24 cookies
- Calories: 110 kcal per cookie
