Chocolate Almond Spice Cookies are rich with chocolate, subtly nutty and warmly spiced. They are a delicious, sweet treat that are perfect for a party, to have with your morning coffee or afternoon tea, and make for a lovely midnight snack!
These cookies are somewhat reminiscent of my Mexican Chocolate Spice Cookies, but with the addition of almond meal and Mexican chocolate instead of chocolate chips.
What do these spiced cookies taste like?
Imagine if you will, the most delicious chocolate cookie you’ve ever had. Now imagine it with a kick of spicy heat, nutty overtones, and chunks of melting chocolate. That’s exactly what these Chocolate Almond Spice Cookies taste like.
I use Mexican chocolate in this recipe and that’s part of what makes them unique — it adds more spice and a bit more crunch.
What exactly is Mexican chocolate?
- Mexican chocolate is made from ground and roasted cocao nibs, sugar, and cinnamon and usually ground almonds.
- The texture is slightly granular because the cacao nibs are coarsely ground.
- In addition to cinnamon, Mexican chocolate can include other spices like nutmeg or allspice. And often chilies are added for a bit of heat.
- Mexican chocolate is most commonly used in hot chocolate and mole.
How to make Chocolate Almond Spice Cookies
This is such a flavorful and interesting recipe — and it’s so simple to whip up . . .
- Mix all of the dry ingredients together.
- Mix the butter with the sugars, vanilla and egg.
- Mix the dry mixture with the wet mixture.
- Fold in the Mexican chocolate.
- Shape the dough.
- Bake and cool.
Make these cookies any size you like. I think mini-cookies are fun and perfect for dessert parties with a variety of things to choose from, or larger cookies, say, to enjoy with your morning coffee or afternoon tea?
When cookies are mini, I feel I’m permitted to eat many more of them, which is always a good thing. 😉
If these spiced cookies sound good, make a few more recipes with chocolate and spice:
- Spicy Mayan Chocolate Truffles
- Spicy Mayan Hot Chocolate
- Mexican Chocolate Spice Cookies for Cinco de Mayo
- Mexican Chocolate Bark from Sweet Peas and Saffron
Try these cookies! I hope you love them as much as my family and I do!
update May 2019: This recipe was originally published in 2011 and has been updated with new images.
These cookies are rich with chocolate, subtly nutty and warmly spiced. They are a delicious, sweet treat that are perfect for a party, to have with your morning coffee or afternoon tea, and make for a lovely midnight snack!
Makes 3 dozen small cookies / serving size: about 3 cookies
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup almond meal
- 3/4 cup cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 3/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 1/4 cups unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup packed golden brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla
- 1 large egg
- 2 cups Mexican chocolate, roughly chopped
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Preheat the oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
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In a medium bowl, combine the flour, almond meal, cocoa powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and cayenne pepper. Stir to blend and set aside.
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In another bowl, mix the butter with both sugars and the vanilla. Once it's blended, add the egg and mix until smooth. Now incorporate the dry ingredients, and mix only until combined. Then fold in the Mexican chocolate.
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Use a tablespoon or a 1 1/4 inch cookie scoop, shape the dough onto the parchment-lined baking sheets. Press each one down gently with the palm of your hand. The balls of dough should be at least 2 inches apart, about 12 per sheet. Bake just until they're spread and are solidified, about 10 minutes. The cookies will look done along the edges and might appear a bit raw in the center. This is okay, as they will cook a bit more out of the oven and be perfect! Let them cool for about 15 minutes on the baking sheet.
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These would be great for an afternoon tea!
And I am in complete agreement…..mini portions definitely means you can have more than one 😉
I know, right!? 😀 Hope you try them and enjoy!
I could have never imagined using Cayenne pepper with chocolate in a cookie recipe. Loved it thoroughly!
Thanks! Enjoy! 🙂
I think these would be seriously addicting I couldnt stop from over eating them! I love a little heat!
Thanks! Hope you try them, despite the potential addiction. 😉
This is a yummy combo. Chocolate almond and spice. Yum.
This cookie looks so cute! It’s a great idea to have a cup of tea or coffee. I definitely want to try this! Thanks for the great recipe!
Lovely cookies. Sounds like cookies that would be perfect for me 🙂
These chocolate cookies look fantastic! Don’t think I have ever had a Mexican chocolate. Gotta get some to try!
Oh you must try Mexican chocolate. It’s typically used for hot chocolate. Thanks for visiting! 🙂 ~Valentina
Valentina, these look so addictive! I’m so intrigued by the Mexican chocolate and the spices. I have to try it!
Thanks, Kelly. Hope you love them! 🙂 ~Valentina
Mexican chocolate can be a bit difficult to find around here. I’ve seen it, but it’s not common. Thank goodness for Amazon! These cookies sound amazing, and I totally need a batch. The chocolate + cayenne combo is such a fun one!!
Thanks, David. It’s so good, sometimes I just eat it — like any other candy bar. Enjoy!:-) ~Valentina
Love chocolate with either black pepper or cayenne. Doesn’t sound as if it should work, but it totally does. Neat recipe — thanks.
Thanks, John. Yes, sounds like a strange combo at first — but SO good! 🙂 ~Valentina
So glad to find your blog! I’d never say no to these flavor laden chocolate cookies! I’ll keep my eyes peeled for Mexican chocolate!
Me neither! Thanks for checking out my site, Liz. 😀 ~Valentina
Valentina, I have fond memories of eating a spicy chocolate cookie from a Mexican bakery that I once lived close to. I’ll be making up a batch soon and enjoy a good food memory.
Thanks, Ron. Hope these make more fond memories. 🙂 ~Valentina
LOL…what is it about mini things that you think you can eat more? Same here! Anywho, these cookies sound and look so so yummy Valentina! Wish I could grab that stack right now for dunking in my morning coffee! Pinned! Have a lovely weekend ahead 🙂
Thank you, Dawn! I hope you have a great weekend, too. With lots of coffee and cookies. 😉 ~Valentina
I have Mexican chocolate in the pantry right now! GREG
Perfecto! 😀 Thanks, Greg!
What a fabulous gluten free cookie! My son now avoids gluten and would be very happy to have a chocolate cookie to enjoy.
Hi Deb. I hate to say it but these are not GF. Here are a couple GF desserts your son might like (love!) . . .
GF Coconut Brownies
GF Peanut Butter Choc Chip Cookies
GF Chocolate Brownie Cake
I love using Mexican chocolate so I guess I’m going to have to give these a try. Lovely idea!
Awesome.Thanks! I hope you love them! 🙂 ~Valentina
How did I miss this beauty ? Pinning !
Why thank you! 😀 ~Valentina
I’m all about having a cookie with my morning coffee! 🙂 I’ve never tried Mexican chocolate before. I’m going to need to look for it in my grocery store and make these cookies. They look great!
Thanks, Kathy! You must try Mexican chocolate! I hope you love it! 🙂 ~Valentina
You know you are KILLING me with all these amazing cookies – right? Have bookmarked these for the summer when the “cookie monsters” will be in residence!!!
Ha! I love that, “Cookie Monsters in residence.” Enjoy! 😀 ~Valentina
I am with Davorka…, how did I miss this recipe? I can’t wait to try them. I have tons of Mexican chocolate, and this will be a perfect way to use some of it.
Thanks, David. Love that you have the Mexican chocolate on hand. (I do too.) 🙂 ~Valentina