Double Dark Chocolate Chip Shortbread Cookies ~ they melt in your mouth with an explosion of deep rich chocolate that’ll make your eyelids flutter… to call it a cookie is to completely miss the point.
these ultra dark chocolate chip shortbread cookies are not your everyday cookies
There really is nothing else like these cookies ~ if you have not yet made this recipe then I can safely say you haven’t tasted anything like this before…it combines the buttery mouthfeel of shortbread with deep rich chocolate flavor…I used extra dark cocoa powder and dark chocolate chips, so this is about the richest chocolate you can bite into short of a truffle. Seriously.
the flavor of these super dark shortbread cookies is bittersweet
It’s a very different, more intense, more sophisticated chocolate experience, and if you’re not expecting it you might be thrown for a loop. The mouthfeel of the shortbread is different, too, it’s crumbly but not at all dry, and sticks to the roof of your mouth. Are you up for this? –– then proceed, if not, turn back now!
Dutch processed cocoa powder
Yes, the inside of that cookie is so dark it’s basically black. In fact the cookie is so dark that it makes my bittersweet chocolate chips look like milk chocolate in comparison. That’s because I used Hershey’s Special Dark cocoa powder. It’s a specially formulated Dutch processed cocoa which, among other things, has a richer color and smoother flavor compared to regular cocoa powder. It’s what gives Oreo cookies their deep color.
Because of all that Dutch process cocoa, I warn you making these cookies is messy ~ messy like making mud pies messy…
The double dark chocolate chip shortbread dough stains your hands and the cocoa powder flies everywhere. But it’s a small price to pay for transcendent chocolate cookies.
this dough can be rolled out or sliced and baked
You can form this dough into a log and slice and bake it, or roll it out and cut out your cookies, both ways work, but either way it needs to be chilled for several hours before slicing and baking since it’s a butter rich dough.
for dark chocolate lovers only…
The deep dark rich flavor of chocolate is a joy ~ be sure you experience some of my other ultra chocolatey recipes:
- Double Chocolate Muffins
- Dark Chocolate Truffle Tart
- Double Chocolate Banana Bread
- Dark Chocolate Mendiants
- The Ultimate Drinking Chocolate
variation suggestions
- You might add walnuts or pecans.
- Use regular cocoa powder for a less intense cookie.
- Any type of chocolate chip will work, including white!
Double Dark Chocolate Shortbread Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature (this is important)
- 1/2 cup confectioner's sugar, sifted
- 1/2 cup dark cocoa powder, sifted, (I use Hershey's Special Dark)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup dark chocolate chips
Instructions
- Cream the butter, cocoa powder and sugar together until completely combined and smooth. Add in the vanilla. if using a stand mixer, be sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl often.
- Mix in the flour, making sure to get it thoroughly blended.
- Fold in the chocolate chips and turn the dough out onto a board dusted with cocoa powder. The dough will be sticky.
- For roll and cut cookiesform into an 8 inch disk (like you would do for pie dough.) Wrap in plastic and refrigerate for at least 3 hours or until firm enough to roll out. You can also freeze the dough for later use.
- Preheat oven to 325F
- Roll the disk out to 1/3 inch thickness and cut cookies with a 2 1/2 inch round cookie cutter. Use cocoa powder liberally to prevent sticking to the surface and to your rolling pin. Place the cookies on a parchment lined baking sheet and bake for 12-15 minutes. The cookies will still be soft, but will firm up as they cool. Cool them on the baking sheet for 10 minutes, then carefully transfer them to a cooling rack.
- For slice and bake cookiesform a 10" log. Wrap in plastic wrap, smoothing the dough as you wrap it, and twist the ends to secure. Refrigerate for at least 3 hours until firm enough to slice. You can also freeze the dough for later use.
- Slice the log into 1/3″ slices with a sharp knife. If some of the chips fall out of place, or the dough crumbles as you slice, reform it with your hands. Place the cookies on a parchment lined baking sheet and bake for 12-15 minutes. The cookies will still be soft, but will firm up as they cool. Cool them on the baking sheet for 10 minutes, then carefully transfer them to a cooling rack.
- Note: Because of the chocolate chips these cookies will not be perfectly uniform or smooth.
Nutrition
So glad you revived these. I know they will revive me…especially after scrolling through all those comments! You go girl!
🙂
That is certainly dark chocolate, for sure. Indeed, I have had Dutch process chocolate shortbread before, but not with chips. I love the contrast in color that the chips provide! I’m curious to know how they affect the flavor. What gorgeous cookies! Nice work!
Wow – these are the right cookies for me! You can never have too much chocolate, especially in a gorgeous cookie like these. A double batch sounds about right! Sharing and pinning and wishing I had some now!
Ok…before I even started to comment, I HAD to hit the PRINT button. Wow….I LOVE shortbread, and hubby LOVES chocolate. I know these are going to be happening….soon!!
haha, i do that sometimes, too, and it usually concerns something chocolaty 🙂
Double dark chocolate sounds too good not to test. Pinned and making very soon.
You’re a wise woman, Milena 😉
These are making my eyes flutter, just thinking about them. Wow, they look/sound amazing!!
your cookie arsenal is amazing, have made several diffenrent ones over the years, love this dark chocolatey gooey one!
Thanks so much, that means a lot coming from you Cheri!!
I’ve been craving chocolate all week and I totally need to splurge and make these cookies! These will be a big hit for the upcoming holiday season where cookies are a staple in our house, yum!
It’s never too early to start thinking about holiday cookies 🙂
I love using special dark cocoa powder! These cookies look so delicious! I love all things dark chocolate. I also love that they are shortbread and I can’t wait to try them!
Me too, I can’t imagine settling for milk chocolate…
Isn’t the specialty dark cocoa something???? I reserve it for my most decadent desserts and it’s just like magic! Love how dark and sinister these cookies look! I bet they taste amazing!
I’m a total dark chocolate junkie, thank goodness it’s healthy (ish) 😉