Do you like simple Italian cookie recipes? If you do, you will love these Italian Chocolate Spice Cookies. These drop cookies are super moist with a wonderful cake-like texture. They also have the perfect proportion of cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg.
By definition, a drop cookie is one where the dough is collected (by a spoon or ice cream scoop) and placed or “dropped” onto the cookie sheet. It truly is one of the easiest kinds of cookies to make.
An example of a classic North American drop cookie is, of course, the Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie; if you are of Italian origin, you might be familiar with another drop cookie, Italian Lemon Knot Cookies.
Although I consider this recipe to be in the category of drop cookies, I will add one simple step to this simple process. I’ll explain in a minute…
What do I need to make Italian Chocolate Spice Cookies:
- Flour. We will be using all-purpose flour.
- Cocoa.
- Baking Powder.
- Baking soda.
- Salt. Just a pinch!
- Cloves.
- Nutmeg.
- Cinnamon.
- Eggs. Room temperature.
- Sugar. Granulated…
- Milk.
- Oil.
- Vanilla Extract. Always pure, if at all possible.
- Orange zest. Organic, if possible.
- Icing sugar. Totally optional… but they do add a touch of extravagance to this humble drop cookie.
As far as accessories are concerned, it would help if you had a stand mixer (or a handheld one), a large mixing bowl, a whisk, a wooden spoon, and a medium-sized ice cream scoop.
Finally, a parchment-lined cookie sheet is necessary to bake these Italian chocolate cookies.
Instructions
The humble beginnings of this spice drop cookie recipe will have you sifting the flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spices together.
Set the dry ingredients aside and let’s whisk some eggs.
I will usually whisk the room temperature eggs on medium-high speed until they are frothy-looking. This takes about 3-4 minutes with the whisk attachment of the stand mixture.
S-l-o-w-l-y add the sugar. Continue to whisk until well combined and slightly thickened; another 3-4 minutes.
Add the milk, oil, vanilla extract, zest and combine well.
Remove the bowl from the stand mixer and add the sifted dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Mix with a wooden spoon until well combined. Since the dough is soft, I will usually refrigerate it for about 30 minutes or so.
Now for the drop cookie part of the cookie drop part, regardless of the medium-sized cookie scoop, portion and drop the dough on a lightly floured surface.
This is where I add an extra step; I roll each cookie drop between the palms of my hands before I roll them in icing sugar. You could, of course, frost these cookies, or you can also leave them plain.
It really is up to you!
My personnel preference with these orange chocolate cookies is the crinkle look hence the rolling in icing sugar.
The last thing to do is place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake. In just 8 minutes, this is what will come out of the oven…
Once again, these are really mildly spiced, not too sweet cookies. Now, if you are looking for a decadent, rich cookie, I would refer you to these Dark Chocolate Espresso Snowcap Cookies.
You can tell that these drop cookies truly have moist, cake-like qualities…
Tips
- The dough batter can be refrigerated overnight; the next day, roll into a ball and bake.
- Powder the palms of your hands with a little icing sugar if you find that the dough is too sticky.
- These chocolate cookies have a wonderful dome-shape; make sure to leave enough space in between the cookies on the parchment paper (1½-2 inches)
- Personal preference will dictate the total amount of time spent in the oven. The longer they stay in the oven, the more cake-like they become. Given the variation of oven temperatures, do a test run with one cookie to figure out the exact baking time in your oven.
Can I freeze these cookies?
These cookies can be kept in the freezer for up to 3 months if frozen properly. Place cookies in an airtight container in a single layer; separate each layer with a wax paper sheet; cover, label and freeze.
Italian cookie recipes we love
Recipe inspiration
If you like these “old style” Italian cookie recipes, I have the perfect cookbook for you -Sweet Maria’s Italian Cookie Tray! This is where I adapted this recipe from.
I was first introduced to this cookbook over a decade ago through the recommendation of a friend. It is a paperback cookbook with no pictures.
That’s right, no pictures. But the recipes more than make up for this.
I remember my mom making something similar to this cookie but unfortunately, I have no written recipe. So I made a couple of changes to Sweet Maria “Chocolate Clove Drops,” trying to get closer to what Mom used to make. I modified the proportions of spices and cocoa; I replaced the shortening with vegetable oil, and I added orange zest because I remember my mom’s cookies had orange zest in them.
There is another variation of this cookie that incorporates nuts and coffee… but that one will have to wait…
These Italian chocolate cookies can be enjoyed year-round with a cool, refreshing glass of milk.
THANKS SO MUCH for following and being part of the She Loves Biscotti community where you will find Simple & Tasty Family-Friendly Recipes with an Italian Twist.
Ciao for now,
Maria
★★★★★ If you have made these Italian Spice Cookies, I would love to hear about it in the comments below and be sure to rate the recipe!
Italian Chocolate Spice Cookies
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
- 1/3 cup cocoa
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- pinch salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 eggs room temperature
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- zest of 1 orange
for rolling cookies
- 2/3 cups icing sugar
Instructions
- In a medium mixing bowl, sift together flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, salt and the spices. Set aside.
- In a large bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whisk the eggs on medium-high speed until nice and frothy (about 3-4 minutes).
- Slowly add sugar. Continue to whisk until well combined and slightly thickened..
- Add the milk, oil, extract, and the zest. Combine well.
- Remove bowl from stand.
- Add the sifted dry ingredients and mix with wooden spoon until well combined, dough will be soft.
- Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 350℉. Position rack to middle.
- Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Scoop dough with medium sized cookie scoop and drop on a lightly floured surface.
- Roll each piece into a smooth ball and then roll in icing sugar.
- Place on baking sheet about 2 inches apart. Continue to roll until all of the dough is used.
- Bake for about 8-10 minutes or until firm to the touch.
- Transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
- Cookies can be stored in an airtight container for a few days. They also freeze wonderfully.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
This recipe was originally published on March 11, 2017 and updated on December 3, 2018 with updated content, photos and a video.
Cheryl Forino
Hello Maria,
I love your recipes. They’re very similar to my family’s recipes. I made your ricotta pie last Easter and it was delicious!!
I remember growing up with these cookies at my Noni’s house. I believe she made her with nuts. Can I add nuts to this recipe?
Maria
Thanks so much for your kind words Cheryl. Although I have not tried, I think the addition of nuts will make it a great cookie! Would love to hear about your results if you do decide to try it. Thanks so much for stopping by, appreciate it!
Caroline
Hello. I’m new to your site. My daughter made the chocolate biscotti with hazelnut and I fell lin love with them. Here is my question. I was looking at the recipe for the Itailian chocolate spice cookie. Years and years ago someone I knew her relative made a cookie that was like this but no orange and they had pepper in them. Her relative would not give her the recipe. Would you happen to know this cookie? Thank you so much in advance for helping me and I am subscribing to your site. Everything looks lovely.
Maria
Thanks so much for your lovely comment Caroline. There are many variations of these Italian Chocolate Cookies. This chocolate cookie recipe has pepper listed in the ingredients. Perhaps it ressembles the cookie you are looking for. Enjoy!