Chocolate Cardamom Cookies

These Chocolate Cardamom Cookies are everything you want in a dessert – thick, soft-centered, and crispy-edged. The deep cocoa flavor is enhanced by a hint of espresso powder for richness, and a sprinkle of cardamom sugar gives a festive, slightly spicy warmth to every bite. Whether you enjoy them with a glass of milk, a cup of coffee, or simply on their own, these cookies are sure to bring joy to any occasion.

Perfect for holiday gatherings or a cozy night in, these cookies are straightforward to make and yield a batch of impressive, generously-sized treats. The delicate balance of flavors, from the rich chocolate to the aromatic cardamom, makes each bite an experience to savor. Bake a batch to share (or not!) and enjoy the delightful combination of textures and flavors in every crumbly, chewy bite.

Full Recipe:

2 cups unsalted butter, room temperature

3 1/2 cups brown sugar, loosely packed
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour (470 grams)
1 cup dark cocoa powder (100 grams)
1–2 tablespoons espresso powder (optional, but recommended for added depth of flavor)

1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
Extra cane or granulated sugar for rolling

1 teaspoon ground cardamom (optional for a festive twist)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream the butter and brown sugar together until fluffy and light.

Add eggs and vanilla extract, mixing gently until just combined.
Add the flour, cocoa powder, espresso powder, baking soda, and salt. Mix until a soft dough forms.
Form the dough into balls (about ¼ cup per cookie/ball). Roll each ball in the extra sugar (mix with cardamom if you’re feeling festive).

Place 6-8 dough balls on a baking sheet and bake in batches for 10-12 minutes. Once baked, let the cookies rest on the tray to settle into soft craggy middles with crisp edges before transferring them to a wire rack to cool.

Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cooking Time: 10 minutes per batch | Total Time: 30 minutes | Kcal per cookie: Approximately 250 kcal | Servings: 24 large cookies

What Makes These Cookies Special

These cookies are truly a standout for a few reasons. The combination of rich, dark cocoa and warm spices makes them a memorable treat, and they strike the perfect balance between crispy edges and soft, fudgy centers. They’re not just another chocolate cookie – the optional addition of ground cardamom and espresso powder elevates the flavor profile, adding a unique depth and warmth to each bite.

Flavor Notes and Texture

Deep Chocolate Flavor: Using high-quality dark cocoa powder brings out a robust and rich chocolate flavor. The cookies aren’t overly sweet but have a deep, satisfying taste that chocolate lovers will adore.
Cardamom Spice: While optional, adding cardamom imparts a hint of spiced warmth, which pairs beautifully with the cocoa. It’s a subtle yet festive twist that makes these cookies perfect for holidays or special occasions.
Crisp & Soft Contrast: The beauty of these cookies lies in their texture – crispy and slightly crunchy around the edges while remaining gooey, chewy, and soft in the center. The larger size of each cookie helps to achieve this contrast, making each bite a delightful experience.

Customization Tips

With or Without Cardamom: The recipe is highly flexible – if you’re not a fan of cardamom or don’t have it on hand, you can skip it, and the cookies will still be delicious. For a more traditional taste, roll the cookie dough balls in just granulated sugar.
Adding More Mix-ins: Want to take these cookies up a notch? Add some mix-ins like chocolate chips, nuts (like walnuts or pecans), or even dried fruit (like cranberries or cherries) to make the flavor more complex and varied.

Make-Ahead and Storage

Freezing the Dough or Cookies: These cookies are perfect for prepping ahead. Simply make the dough, form it into balls, and freeze them on a baking sheet. Once frozen, transfer them to an airtight container, and when you’re ready to bake, just pop them in the oven straight from the freezer, adding a minute or two to the baking time.

Storing the Baked Cookies: Once baked, store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature to keep them fresh. If you prefer to keep them longer, they freeze well and are delicious even when eaten cold or slightly thawed – the flavor and texture hold up beautifully.

Perfect for Every Occasion

These cookies are a hit for various occasions – from holiday parties and cookie exchanges to casual gatherings or as a comforting treat for yourself. Because they’re large, they’re great for gifting, and they’re certain to impress anyone who receives them. Plus, they look and taste gourmet, making them an easy yet sophisticated addition to any dessert spread.

Baking Tips and Tricks

Using Dutch Process Cocoa: While the recipe works well with any unsweetened cocoa powder, using Dutch process cocoa will give the cookies a darker color and smoother taste. This type of cocoa is less acidic, leading to a more balanced and intense chocolate flavor.

Achieving the Perfect Bake: For the ideal texture, remove the cookies from the oven when they’re slightly under-baked in the middle. Let them cool on the baking tray to continue setting and achieve that coveted crisp-soft contrast.

Enjoying the Cookies

Whether you’re dunking them into a glass of milk, pairing them with a cup of coffee, or serving them alongside ice cream, these cookies are versatile and loved by all ages. For an extra touch, you can even drizzle melted chocolate on top or sprinkle them with flaky sea salt right after baking for a gourmet finish.

The Inspiration Behind the Recipe

This cookie recipe is inspired by the desire to combine classic chocolate flavors with a unique and slightly exotic twist. The cardamom, which is traditionally used in Scandinavian and Middle Eastern baking, adds a hint of warm spice that enhances the richness of the chocolate. It brings a wintery, cozy element to the cookies, making them perfect for the holiday season, but they’re also enjoyable year-round.

How the Ingredients Work Together

Butter & Brown Sugar for Softness: Using butter and brown sugar as the base provides a rich flavor and chewy texture. Brown sugar has a bit of molasses, which adds moisture and makes the cookies delightfully soft and chewy on the inside while still allowing them to crisp up around the edges.
Dark Cocoa Powder for Depth: Dark cocoa powder is a key component of this recipe, contributing to both the rich color and deep flavor. It’s best to use a quality dark or Dutch-process cocoa powder for that intense chocolatey goodness.
Espresso Powder for Bold Flavor: Espresso powder acts as a flavor enhancer for chocolate. While you don’t necessarily taste the coffee itself, it amplifies the richness of the cocoa. This addition is optional, but highly recommended for a more sophisticated taste.

Cardamom for Warmth: Cardamom, with its aromatic and slightly citrusy notes, provides a subtle warmth that complements the cocoa. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can increase the amount of cardamom for a spicier kick.

Variations to Try

Chocolate Crinkle Cookies Version: If you want to transform these cookies into chocolate crinkle cookies, simply roll the cookie dough balls in powdered sugar before baking. This will create a crinkly, snowy effect on the outside, adding a festive touch and a slightly different texture.
Double Chocolate Chips: For an even more decadent experience, add chocolate chips (dark, milk, or white) into the dough. This creates pockets of melted chocolate within the cookie, making each bite extra gooey.

Salted Caramel Drizzle: After baking, drizzle the cookies with salted caramel sauce. The combination of deep cocoa, warm cardamom, and salted caramel is irresistible, and it elevates these cookies to a gourmet level.

How to Serve These Cookies

These cookies can be enjoyed in many ways. Here are some serving ideas to make them even more special:

Classic Milk Pairing: Enjoy the cookies warm with a glass of cold milk for the perfect balance of creamy and chocolatey flavors.

Ice Cream Sandwiches: Turn these cookies into an indulgent ice cream sandwich by placing a scoop of your favorite ice cream (like vanilla, coffee, or even pistachio) between two cookies.
Dipped in Chocolate: Melt some chocolate (dark, milk, or white) and dip half of each cookie in it for a two-tone look. Sprinkle with sea salt, sprinkles, or chopped nuts while the chocolate is still soft.
Cookie Crumble Dessert Topping: Crumble the cookies over yogurt, ice cream, or a fruit compote for an added crunch and chocolate flavor.

Why You Should Try This Recipe

These cookies are versatile, approachable, and a little bit fancy – making them perfect for bakers of all skill levels. If you’re someone who loves traditional chocolate cookies but wants to try something a bit different, this recipe offers that familiar comfort with a twist. The cardamom adds an almost mysterious flavor that guests won’t immediately recognize, making these cookies a great conversation starter at gatherings.

Tips for Perfect Results Every Time

Chill the Dough for Thicker Cookies: If you prefer thicker cookies, try chilling the dough for 20-30 minutes before forming the balls. This will prevent them from spreading as much during baking, giving you a chunkier texture.
Don’t Overbake: It’s tempting to wait until the cookies are firm to the touch, but the key to soft-centered cookies is to remove them from the oven while they still look slightly underdone. As they cool on the baking sheet, they’ll firm up and reach the perfect balance of crispy edges and gooey centers.

Measure Ingredients Precisely: For the best results, especially in baking, it’s important to measure ingredients accurately. Use a kitchen scale for the flour and cocoa powder if possible, to avoid adding too much and making the dough dry.

Dietary Notes and Substitutions

Gluten-Free Option: You can easily make these cookies gluten-free by using a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend in place of the all-purpose flour. Make sure it’s a blend designed for baking to achieve a similar texture.
Vegan Version: To make these cookies vegan, use plant-based butter, a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water, set aside until it thickens), and ensure that your cocoa powder and other ingredients are vegan-friendly.

Lower Sugar Version: For a slightly less sweet cookie, reduce the brown sugar by ½ cup. The cookies will still have a rich cocoa flavor but with a slightly less intense sweetness.

The Perfect Gift or Party Treat

If you’re planning on giving homemade treats as gifts, these cookies are a wonderful choice. You can package them in a festive tin, wrap them in parchment paper with a ribbon, or stack them in a cellophane bag. Their large size and beautiful appearance make them an impressive (and delicious) gift for friends, family, or neighbors.

Alternatively, these cookies are ideal for a cookie swap or holiday party – they’ll stand out among other treats due to their unique flavor and texture. And since the recipe yields about 24 large cookies, you’ll have plenty to share!

Healthier Ingredient Options

Coconut Sugar: Swap out the brown sugar for coconut sugar for a lower-glycemic option. It adds a slightly caramel-like flavor and pairs wonderfully with the chocolate and cardamom.
Whole Wheat Flour: Substitute half of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for a bit more fiber and nuttier taste. This swap will make the cookies slightly more dense, but still tasty.

Conclusion

These Chocolate Cardamom Cookies are a delightful twist on a classic treat, combining deep cocoa flavor with a touch of warm spice. Perfect for the holidays or any time you’re craving a comforting dessert, they offer a crispy edge and soft, chewy center that will impress everyone who tries them. Easy to make, versatile in flavor, and great for gifting, this recipe is sure to become a favorite for any cookie lover. Bake a batch, savor each bite, and share the joy!