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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Claire says
These would be great for an afternoon tea!
And I am in complete agreement…..mini portions definitely means you can have more than one 😉
valentina says
I know, right!? 😀 Hope you try them and enjoy!
Sonal says
I could have never imagined using Cayenne pepper with chocolate in a cookie recipe. Loved it thoroughly!
valentina says
Thanks! Enjoy! 🙂
Claudia Lamascolo says
I think these would be seriously addicting I couldnt stop from over eating them! I love a little heat!
valentina says
Thanks! Hope you try them, despite the potential addiction. 😉
Chichi says
This is a yummy combo. Chocolate almond and spice. Yum.
Veena Azmanov says
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!
Jeanette says
Lovely cookies. Sounds like cookies that would be perfect for me 🙂
angiesrecipes says
These chocolate cookies look fantastic! Don’t think I have ever had a Mexican chocolate. Gotta get some to try!
valentina says
Oh you must try Mexican chocolate. It’s typically used for hot chocolate. Thanks for visiting! 🙂 ~Valentina
Kelly | Foodtasia says
Valentina, these look so addictive! I’m so intrigued by the Mexican chocolate and the spices. I have to try it!
valentina says
Thanks, Kelly. Hope you love them! 🙂 ~Valentina
David @ Spiced says
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!!
valentina says
Thanks, David. It’s so good, sometimes I just eat it — like any other candy bar. Enjoy!:-) ~Valentina
John / Kitchen Riffs says
Love chocolate with either black pepper or cayenne. Doesn’t sound as if it should work, but it totally does. Neat recipe — thanks.
valentina says
Thanks, John. Yes, sounds like a strange combo at first — but SO good! 🙂 ~Valentina
Liz says
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!
valentina says
Me neither! Thanks for checking out my site, Liz. 😀 ~Valentina
Ron says
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.
valentina says
Thanks, Ron. Hope these make more fond memories. 🙂 ~Valentina
Dawn - Girl Heart Food says
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 🙂
valentina says
Thank you, Dawn! I hope you have a great weekend, too. With lots of coffee and cookies. 😉 ~Valentina
sippitysup says
I have Mexican chocolate in the pantry right now! GREG
valentina says
Perfecto! 😀 Thanks, Greg!
Deb|EastofEastCooking.com says
What a fabulous gluten free cookie! My son now avoids gluten and would be very happy to have a chocolate cookie to enjoy.
valentina says
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
Rocky Mountain Woman says
I love using Mexican chocolate so I guess I’m going to have to give these a try. Lovely idea!
valentina says
Awesome.Thanks! I hope you love them! 🙂 ~Valentina
2pots2cook says
How did I miss this beauty ? Pinning !
valentina says
Why thank you! 😀 ~Valentina
Kathy @ Beyond the Chicken Coop says
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!
valentina says
Thanks, Kathy! You must try Mexican chocolate! I hope you love it! 🙂 ~Valentina
Nancy Buchanan says
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!!!
valentina says
Ha! I love that, “Cookie Monsters in residence.” Enjoy! 😀 ~Valentina
David Scott Allen says
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.
valentina says
Thanks, David. Love that you have the Mexican chocolate on hand. (I do too.) 🙂 ~Valentina