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Home ► Recipes ► American

Hot and Spicy Chocolate Chip Cookies

Updated: 11.07.23 | Marc Matsumoto | 65 Comments

4.50 from 4 votes
How do you like your Chocolate Chip Cookies? Crisp and crunchy? Cakey or gooey? I like mine with a kick of spicy goodness!
Recipe
A stack of perfect Chocolate Chip cookies that hold a surprise: Spice!

There are few desserts that I can think of that cause as much debate as the proper texture for a chocolate chip cookie. Some like them chewy, others like them crunchy while there's another camp that prefers a more cake-like texture. I've always been on the fence, loving the crisp caramelized snap of a good crunchy cookie while feeling equally partial to the soft and chewy cookie more reminiscent of the dough before it's been cooked. And if you're a dunker like me, you probably also appreciate the cakier cookies for their ability to soak up milk like a sponge for a cool creamy mouthful of sweet heaven. I decided to jump into the debate and possibly upset both sides with this recipe for Hot and Spicy Chocolate Chip Cookies.

So why have these chocolate chip cookie factions always been mutually exclusive? Is it not possible to have a cookie that suits everyone? These were some questions I started asking myself as I set out to make my first batch of cookies in over 4 years. I started with the basic recipe I learned from my mom as a kid. Then, I reduced the amount of flour (her's is very cakey), increased the amount of sugar (to make it more chewy and to increase crispness), and finally played with the baking times with each tray.

The perfect texture for a chocolate chip cookie: crisp edges and a gooey, cakey center.

By using a balanced dough (between flour, sugar and butter), I was able to get different textured cookies based on the amount of time they were cooked for. At 12 minutes the edges were slightly cakey while the centers were chewy and slightly gooey. At 16 minutes the cookies were cooked all the way through with crunchy edges and a crumbly center. 14 minutes turned out to be the magic number for my oven, producing cookies with a nice snap at the edges, a layer with a slightly cakey crumb on top, and a dense chewy bottom. But why stop there? Can't a chocolate chip cookie incite more than just a texture debate? I was determined to take this debate to another level with my Hot and Spicy Chocolate Chip Cookies.

In the flavor department, I'm a big fan of rustic Mexican chocolate, which is often infused with spices such as cinnamon and chili peppers. It also tends to be much more coarse than European chocolates due to the lack of conching. I wanted to introduce some of this into these cookies, but since Mexican chocolate can be hard to find, I added the spices to the dough instead. The heat really punctuates the earthy chocolate and brown sugar, making you pause for a moment while you figure out what's different about this cookie.

While I recommend the combo, if spicy chocolate chip cookies aren't your thing, try adding some peppermint oil to the dough, or replacing some of the sugar with raspberry jam. While experimentation in baking is often frowned upon, cookies are pretty forgiving and a great opportunity to try your hand at something a little different. The next time you bring cookies to a gathering, why not stir some delicious debate with a plate of Hot and Spicy Chocolate Chip Cookies?

📖 Recipe

Hot and Spicy Chocolate Chip Cookies

4.50 from 4 votes
Print Pin

Units

Ingredients 

  • 170 grams cultured unsalted butter 12 tablespoons at room temperature
  • ¾ cup dark brown sugar packed
  • ½ cup evaporated cane sugar
  • 2 large eggs at room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 teaspoons cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • ¾ teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 ½ cups bittersweet chocolate chips

Instructions

  • Move the oven rack to the middle position and preheat to 325 F (160 C) degrees.
  • Cream the butter and 2 kinds of sugar together until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time and mix till combined after each addition. Add the vanilla, cinnamon and cayenne pepper, mixing until combined.
  • In a separate bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder and salt together. Add it to the butter mixture and mix until just combined. Add the chocolate chips and stir in by hand.
  • Scoop roughly ¼ cup of batter for each cookie onto a baking sheet (it's okay if the balls are jagged) leaving enough room for them to spread. Bake 1 sheet at a time for about 12-15 minutes each or until the edges are set, but the middle is still soft. You may need to experiment with your oven to figure out the perfect cooking time. As these cookies bake, they go from chewy to cakey to crisp, so you can change their characteristic by the amount of time you bake them for.
  • To get the chewy center, allow them to cool on the pan (not on a rack).
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Comments

    4.50 from 4 votes (4 ratings without comment)

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Ehlana says

    July 05, 2020 at 11:02 am

    Hi, one question: the ingredients are given in metric measures but the oven temperature of 325 degrees is far higher than my ovens measure to. Is it degrees fahrenheit? That would be about 160 degrees celsius, which sounds more reasonable for biscuits.
    Perhaps the recipe could be updated to clarify this?

    Reply
    • Marc Matsumoto says

      July 05, 2020 at 11:07 am

      Hi Ehlana, sorry about that, this is a very old recipe, and the ingredients were automatically converted to metric at some point, but unfortunately the instructions were not converted. I've updated. Thanks for pointing this out. Also, you should know that the cup measurements are US cups, not metric cups.

      Reply
  2. Marc Matsumoto says

    February 06, 2014 at 11:55 pm

    Glad to hear you're enjoying them. Good luck with the ramen!

    Reply
  3. lovesirbecky says

    February 06, 2014 at 11:14 pm

    I have made these cookies maybe 8 times now...? And myself and my family can't get enough of them! I love putting 'Andes peppermint crunch baking chips' in them with white chocolate chips as they make a great combination and go with the cayenne pepper surprisingly well. Thank you for posting so many amazing recipes, my next goal is to make the chicken stock for tomorrow nights ramen!

    Thanks,

    From Emily.

    Reply
  4. Susie Anne says

    September 12, 2012 at 12:31 pm

    chili and chocolate...excellent combination, something new to the taste buds.

    Reply
  5. Susie Anne says

    September 12, 2012 at 8:31 am

    chili and chocolate...excellent combination, something new to the taste buds.

    Reply
  6. Catie_cohen130 says

    July 23, 2011 at 3:43 pm

    they were a hit! that says a lot since my family considers themselves cookie connoisseurs 🙂

    Reply
  7. bribri says

    February 13, 2010 at 6:09 pm

    umn no..i wanna know if ii could make em with out it ruining the shape or order of the way they turn out besides the taste~~~~~~~~~!!!!

    Reply
  8. amelia says

    November 10, 2009 at 2:40 pm

    wonderful: a grown-up, spiked up, version of a classic!

    Reply
  9. amelia says

    November 10, 2009 at 10:40 am

    wonderful: a grown-up, spiked up, version of a classic!

    Reply
  10. Kevin (Closet Cooking) says

    February 09, 2009 at 8:17 pm

    I like the sound of spiced ccc's.

    Reply
  11. Kevin (Closet Cooking) says

    February 09, 2009 at 4:17 pm

    I like the sound of spiced ccc's.

    Reply
  12. Marc Matsumoto says

    February 06, 2009 at 4:54 am

    Yea, you definitely taste it. A lot of mexican hot chocolate recipes call for such a small amount that it's not even noticible which seems to defeat the purpose for me, but you can change the amount to suit your tastes.

    Reply
  13. Marc Matsumoto says

    February 06, 2009 at 4:53 am

    Wow peanut butter cayenne cookies is unusual. Kind of makes me think of Thai food. I bet they were great!

    Reply
  14. Marc Matsumoto says

    February 06, 2009 at 4:52 am

    I have to say I'm not a big fan of gingerbread personally, but I could see how cayenne pepper would work well with gingerbread:-)

    Reply
  15. Butterball says

    February 06, 2009 at 1:15 am

    Love the tips for chewey, crunchy, etc. Being the moody type I change with the wind on which way to go.

    Reply
  16. Butterball says

    February 05, 2009 at 9:15 pm

    Love the tips for chewey, crunchy, etc. Being the moody type I change with the wind on which way to go.

    Reply
  17. Jen says

    February 05, 2009 at 8:14 pm

    Sweet & spicy, I likey! I also like the peppermint oil suggestion.
    I'm actually working on a Mexican chocolate post---great minds cook alike 🙂

    Reply
  18. Gera says

    February 05, 2009 at 6:09 pm

    I'm big fan of choco cookies...really addicted...the new hot-spicy-cayenne dimension is gorgeous to eat!
    Marc a perfect and delicious inspiration 🙂

    Cheers!
    Gera

    Reply
  19. Natasha aka 5 Star Foodie says

    February 05, 2009 at 4:25 pm

    Brilliant idea! Love the spicy. I will definitely have to make these for my husband.

    Reply
  20. Jen says

    February 05, 2009 at 4:14 pm

    Sweet & spicy, I likey! I also like the peppermint oil suggestion.
    I'm actually working on a Mexican chocolate post---great minds cook alike 🙂

    Reply
  21. Daily Spud says

    February 05, 2009 at 3:41 pm

    Well, *somebody* has to experiment with baking, don't they? Otherwise we'd never find out about new and interesting combinations and textures 🙂 - and I love your description of the different textural stages of your cookies.

    I reckon I would like your spice combination. I put cayenne in the gingerbread I made before Christmas - it was a teeny little experiment for me, and I loved it. Of course I later discovered that people have been doing this for centuries (if the recipe for gingerbread from Mrs. Beeton's 1859 book is anything to go by)!

    Reply
  22. Shelby Ruttan says

    February 05, 2009 at 3:06 pm

    Great recipe! Love the added heat!

    Reply
  23. Nuria says

    February 05, 2009 at 2:38 pm

    That is Patience Marc! This is how you finally achieve perfection, isn't it? Trying and trying... I love the combo of chocolate and spices you made 😀
    I've never baked cookies... I'm keeping your recipe!

    Reply
  24. Jessie says

    February 05, 2009 at 2:24 pm

    great cookies! I've had peanut butter cookies with cayenne pepper in them. It was very different and interesting but I actually found myself enjoying it!

    Reply
  25. Gera says

    February 05, 2009 at 2:09 pm

    I'm big fan of choco cookies...really addicted...the new hot-spicy-cayenne dimension is gorgeous to eat!
    Marc a perfect and delicious inspiration 🙂

    Cheers!
    Gera

    Reply
  26. lisaiscooking says

    February 05, 2009 at 1:57 pm

    I think I'm in the thin and crunchy camp, but I'm fickle with cookie preferences! The cayenne addition sounds great.

    Reply
  27. Jessie says

    February 05, 2009 at 1:32 pm

    Oh, love, love, love the combination of chocolate with chili! Well done! 😀

    +Jessie
    a.k.a. The Hungry Mouse

    Reply
  28. Natasha aka 5 Star Foodie says

    February 05, 2009 at 12:25 pm

    Brilliant idea! Love the spicy. I will definitely have to make these for my husband.

    Reply
  29. Christie @ fig&cherry says

    February 05, 2009 at 12:00 pm

    Mmmm, love chilli and chocolate. Cayenne pepper would be just right with the dark choc chunks.

    Reply
  30. Daily Spud says

    February 05, 2009 at 11:41 am

    Well, *somebody* has to experiment with baking, don't they? Otherwise we'd never find out about new and interesting combinations and textures 🙂 - and I love your description of the different textural stages of your cookies.

    I reckon I would like your spice combination. I put cayenne in the gingerbread I made before Christmas - it was a teeny little experiment for me, and I loved it. Of course I later discovered that people have been doing this for centuries (if the recipe for gingerbread from Mrs. Beeton's 1859 book is anything to go by)!

    Reply
  31. Shelby Ruttan says

    February 05, 2009 at 11:06 am

    Great recipe! Love the added heat!

    Reply
  32. Nuria says

    February 05, 2009 at 10:38 am

    That is Patience Marc! This is how you finally achieve perfection, isn't it? Trying and trying... I love the combo of chocolate and spices you made 😀
    I've never baked cookies... I'm keeping your recipe!

    Reply
  33. Jessie says

    February 05, 2009 at 10:24 am

    great cookies! I've had peanut butter cookies with cayenne pepper in them. It was very different and interesting but I actually found myself enjoying it!

    Reply
  34. lisaiscooking says

    February 05, 2009 at 9:57 am

    I think I'm in the thin and crunchy camp, but I'm fickle with cookie preferences! The cayenne addition sounds great.

    Reply
  35. Jessie says

    February 05, 2009 at 9:32 am

    Oh, love, love, love the combination of chocolate with chili! Well done! 😀

    +Jessie
    a.k.a. The Hungry Mouse

    Reply
  36. pigpigscorner says

    February 05, 2009 at 9:13 am

    I love mine thick and chewy. I'm dying to try out choc and chili combo now...

    Reply
  37. Christie @ fig&cherry says

    February 05, 2009 at 8:00 am

    Mmmm, love chilli and chocolate. Cayenne pepper would be just right with the dark choc chunks.

    Reply
  38. Elra says

    February 05, 2009 at 6:13 am

    Wow, that's a lot of cayenne pepper Marc. But then I know that chocolate is actually taste good with chili. So I can imagine how good this cookies must be.
    Cheers,
    Elra

    Reply
  39. pigpigscorner says

    February 05, 2009 at 5:13 am

    I love mine thick and chewy. I'm dying to try out choc and chili combo now...

    Reply
  40. Peter says

    February 05, 2009 at 2:36 am

    The beauty of chocolate chip cookies is that there's always room for improvement. They are forgiving and no one ever chucked a batch unless burnt. I think the cayenne w/ chocolate with be a great sensation.

    Reply
  41. Selba says

    February 05, 2009 at 2:32 am

    I love chocolate chips cookies especially those chewy ones.

    Reply
  42. Elra says

    February 05, 2009 at 2:13 am

    Wow, that's a lot of cayenne pepper Marc. But then I know that chocolate is actually taste good with chili. So I can imagine how good this cookies must be.
    Cheers,
    Elra

    Reply
  43. Hayley says

    February 05, 2009 at 1:40 am

    Adding cinnamon to chocolate chip cookie batter has always been one of my favorite tricks. It does amazing things to the flavor. I'll have to try the cayenne pepper, too. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  44. Jessica says

    February 05, 2009 at 12:21 am

    I am chewy all the way! Mexican chocolate in cookies sounds like a great idea. I am all for your experiments in baking - they seem to turn out perfectly!

    Reply
  45. Carolyn Jung says

    February 04, 2009 at 10:51 pm

    Oooh, cayenne, huh? That'll jump-start taste buds for sure. Thanks for such a useful -- and well conceived -- cookie recipe.

    Reply
  46. manggy says

    February 04, 2009 at 10:39 pm

    While I am firmly in the soft and chewy camp, if you knew me even a little bit you'd know that I'd devour everything anyway 😉 And now you know I can't refuse anything with cayenne pepper in it!

    Reply
  47. Peter says

    February 04, 2009 at 10:36 pm

    The beauty of chocolate chip cookies is that there's always room for improvement. They are forgiving and no one ever chucked a batch unless burnt. I think the cayenne w/ chocolate with be a great sensation.

    Reply
  48. Selba says

    February 04, 2009 at 10:32 pm

    I love chocolate chips cookies especially those chewy ones.

    Reply
  49. Peter G says

    February 04, 2009 at 10:14 pm

    Great idea adding the cayenne in Marc! I too enjoy different type of cookies for all the reasons you listed.

    Reply
  50. The Duo Dishes says

    February 04, 2009 at 10:07 pm

    When you get a perfect cookie, you want to sing it on a mountaintop! Please warm up your voice and proclaim these to be awesome.

    Reply
  51. Jenni Field says

    February 04, 2009 at 9:53 pm

    I love your spirit of adventure. Yes, there's a lot of chemistry in baking, but you're right--they're cookies. And a little healthy experimentation never hurt anyone 🙂 I love to add a pinch of cayenne and cinnamon to my hot chocolate. Same idea--a nod to the Mayan gods, I guess!

    Reply
  52. Nick says

    February 04, 2009 at 9:42 pm

    Man, just the description of the dough was getting me hungry. I'd love to play around with cookie recipes but I don't want to eat 400 cookies!

    Reply
  53. Hayley says

    February 04, 2009 at 9:40 pm

    Adding cinnamon to chocolate chip cookie batter has always been one of my favorite tricks. It does amazing things to the flavor. I'll have to try the cayenne pepper, too. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  54. helen says

    February 04, 2009 at 9:39 pm

    I think I'll be taking my cookies out of the oven at the 12 minute mark. I'm quite fond of underbaked pastries.

    Reply
  55. Jennifer says

    February 04, 2009 at 9:32 pm

    I never would have thought about putting those spices in, that sounds really cool!

    I have three kids and I bake cookies pretty much every week, but I have one that likes chewy, one crunchy and one in the middle. I never thought about taking them out at different times, now I can make everyone happy!

    Reply
  56. Jessica says

    February 04, 2009 at 8:21 pm

    I am chewy all the way! Mexican chocolate in cookies sounds like a great idea. I am all for your experiments in baking - they seem to turn out perfectly!

    Reply
  57. Carolyn Jung says

    February 04, 2009 at 6:51 pm

    Oooh, cayenne, huh? That'll jump-start taste buds for sure. Thanks for such a useful -- and well conceived -- cookie recipe.

    Reply
  58. manggy says

    February 04, 2009 at 6:39 pm

    While I am firmly in the soft and chewy camp, if you knew me even a little bit you'd know that I'd devour everything anyway 😉 And now you know I can't refuse anything with cayenne pepper in it!

    Reply
  59. Peter G says

    February 04, 2009 at 6:14 pm

    Great idea adding the cayenne in Marc! I too enjoy different type of cookies for all the reasons you listed.

    Reply
  60. The Duo Dishes says

    February 04, 2009 at 6:07 pm

    When you get a perfect cookie, you want to sing it on a mountaintop! Please warm up your voice and proclaim these to be awesome.

    Reply
  61. Jenni Field says

    February 04, 2009 at 5:53 pm

    I love your spirit of adventure. Yes, there's a lot of chemistry in baking, but you're right--they're cookies. And a little healthy experimentation never hurt anyone 🙂 I love to add a pinch of cayenne and cinnamon to my hot chocolate. Same idea--a nod to the Mayan gods, I guess!

    Reply
  62. Nick says

    February 04, 2009 at 5:42 pm

    Man, just the description of the dough was getting me hungry. I'd love to play around with cookie recipes but I don't want to eat 400 cookies!

    Reply
  63. helen says

    February 04, 2009 at 5:39 pm

    I think I'll be taking my cookies out of the oven at the 12 minute mark. I'm quite fond of underbaked pastries.

    Reply
  64. Jennifer says

    February 04, 2009 at 5:32 pm

    I never would have thought about putting those spices in, that sounds really cool!

    I have three kids and I bake cookies pretty much every week, but I have one that likes chewy, one crunchy and one in the middle. I never thought about taking them out at different times, now I can make everyone happy!

    Reply
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