Mexican Chocolate Spice Cookies are little bites of melted chocolate, a subtle kick of heat, and a whole lot of sweetness. Delicious for Cinco de Mayo, or any day!
I have three points I want to discuss. First, the recipe, second, a Mexican restaurant I love, and third, the coffee mug in the pictures.
The timing for all of this is perfect since Cinco de Mayo is Saturday, and I’m heading to Mexico tomorrow!
First, the cookies . . .
I’ve had this recipe for Mexican Chocolate Spice Cookies in my mind for weeks, and can’t wait for you to try it!
What is Mexican Chocolate?
- Mexican chocolate is typically made with roasted, ground cacao nibs, sugar, and cinnamon.
- Allspice, nutmeg, chiles and/or nuts are sometimes added as well.
- Mexican chocolate is usually a bar shaped like a disc. It can be a bit granular in texture, but it melts beautifully.
- In Mexico, this type of chocolate is commonly used to make a hot chocolate.
Ibarra is my favorite Mexican chocolate, and my goal with the Mexican Chocolate Spice Cookies was to create a similar flavor profile, with a bit of heat to put them over the top.
I like to use my 1-inch cookie scoop to shape these cookies. I love them tiny because they’re the perfect bite of sugar and spice.
Second, my favorite local Mexican restaurant, KAYNDAVES . . .
I met Dave about 25 years ago when he started a small Mexican restaurant in Malibu, KAYNDAVES Mexican Cantina.
Dave’s a warm, super nice, incredibly hospitable guy. My family and I connected with him over our mutual interest in food right away. My parents quickly became regulars, going to the restaurant at least once a week from then on.
Photo credit: Dave Licht
Now Dave and his partner and wife, Jintana, own two KAYNDAVES Mexican Cantinas in the Los Angeles area — both are packed all the time. Jintana is equally as lovely as Dave, and together they are a powerful force of kindness.
Should you be so lucky as to find one or both of them at the restaurant, they’ll treat you like family. No matter how busy the restaurant was, Dave and Jintana always made my parents feel special and welcome. The last few years, when my mom wasn’t well, I couldn’t see Jintana without her asking how things were, and handing me a flan for her.
My husband and boys at KAYNDAVES, making a rare appearance here on COTW. 🙂
After losing my mom last year, we went to the restaurant on her birthday and I ordered the tortilla soup and flan — her two favorite things on the menu. A new tradition.
Dave and Jintana aren’t chefs. The kitchens are run by Alejo and his brothers, Ruben and Roberto. Referred to as “Nos Tres Hermanos,” they learned to cook traditional dishes, using farm fresh ingredients, when they were kids, from their great grandmother in Oaxaca.
Everything on the menu is consistently delicious. My husband and I absolutely love the Molcajete, which is steak, shrimp, chicken, relleno & guajillo chili sauce slow cooked in a sizzling molcajete. It’s served with rice, beans & tortillas. (We usually share one order, but if you’re famished, get your own!)
And finally third, the coffee mug . . .
I was at KAYNDAVES for breakfast one day, and I was served coffee in a beautiful new mug. When I told Jintana what a great choice they were, she insisted I take this one home.
Now, let’s make Mexican Chocolate Spice Cookies for Cinco de Mayo!
If you live in the LA area, you can find KAYNDAVES in Pacific Palisades and Culver City. Get more information here.
I was not compensated in any way for this post.
More recipes for Cinco de Mayo:
Mexican Chocolate Spice Cookies are little bites of melted chocolate, a subtle kick of heat, and a whole lot of sweetness.
*Makes about 4 1/2 dozen / serving size: about 3 cookies
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 cup plus 1 tablespoon semisweet chocolate chips
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Preheat the oven to 375°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
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In a large mixing bowl, combine the butter, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, salt and cayenne. Mix until smooth.
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Add the egg and mix until it’s fully incorporated.
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Now fold in the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and chocolate chips. Mix only until you no longer see dry spots.
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Use a 1-inch cookie scoop or about 3/4 of a tablespoon to shape the cookies, adding them to the parchment-lined baking sheets as you go. There should be a couple of inches between them, as they will spread a little.
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Bake in the 375°F preheated oven just until they’re solid, about 10 minutes.
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Let them cool on the baking sheets for about 10 minutes before serving.
Depending on the the space size between the dollops of cookie batter, you may not use all of it between the two baking sheets. Simply repeat once you remove the cookies from the baking sheets — you can reuse the parchment paper.
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Christina | Christina's Cucina says
Awww, what lovely restaurant owners! That’s so great to hear, Valentina. I will be sure to check them out when I’m nearby.
The cookies look fabulous, as always, but that mug is truly soooo cool! Perfect pairing with the cookies! Glad you had all three featured! Love the pic of your boys! 🙂
valentina says
Thanks so much, Christina, for all of the kind words! Much appreciated! We should have our next get together there! 😀
sippitysup says
I love Mexican chocolate anything. The mug is a generous gift and having recently lost my dad I know how these small gestures (without saying so much about why) can mean so much. GREG
valentina says
Thank you, Greg. You totally get it. xoxo
Terri Lyman says
Love it! I miss Mexican food so much! We can’t even get the ingredients.
valentina says
Thanks, Terri! I hope you feast on it when you’re in town! 😀
Kavita Favelle says
Was lovely to read about the inspiration for the recipe, and also your emotional connection to this restaurant, especially since the loss of your mum, and feeling connected by ordering her favourite menu items. Loving the sound of that Mexican spicing in the chocolate for these cookies.
valentina says
Thanks so much! I appreciate you taking the time to read about my connection to this restaurant. 🙂 Enjoy the cookies, if you make them!
Vicky says
Have a wonderful trip to Mexico! Maybe you can pack some of those yummy looking cookies for the flight. They look like they would travel well and get you more excited for your trip.
valentina says
If I hadn’t already given them to my brother and dad, I totally would have. Brilliant idea. 🙂
Beth says
I love your stories about the restaurant and the mug! Family owned restaurants are the best! Sorry about your Mom but it’s so nice you go there on special occasions and remember her fondly! These cookies look simply amazing! I have been looking for Mexican chocolate around me, when I find some I am definitely giving these babies a try!
valentina says
Thank you so much, Beth! I agree, family run restaurants are indeed the best! Hope you love the cookies if you try them. 🙂
Rae says
Mexican chocolate is so underrated. I’m fortunate to live close to so many quality Mexican markets where I can always find it. I especially love it in hot chocolate—I need to try these cookies as I am sure they’re the perfect treat!
valentina says
You’re so luck you can easily access Mexican Chocolate! Enjoy!
Cathy | ShePaused4Thought says
You always have the BEST cookie recipes! I would love to check out this restaurant as well. I love any restaurant that helps us commemorates our loved ones.
valentina says
Aww, thank you Cathy. I hope you have restaurants like this in your life. And thank you so much for loving my cookies. 🙂
David says
Love the recipe and the mug! I am with you – Ibarra is my favorite!
valentina says
Thanks, David. Next thing I have to do is make Mexican hot chocolate and drink it from this mug. 🙂
Barb says
These cookies are very good but only make two dozen. The ingredients are 1/2 the size of a “normal” batch of chocolate chips so obviously would make 1/2 the amount. Other than that delish.
valentina says
Hi Barb, Thanks so much for writing in. The dough should make 4 1/2 dozen of the size indicated in the recipe. I make these particular cookies small because of the spice. A two-bite cookie seems to be just right. 🙂 Of course, they can be made into any size cookie you like. I’m so happy you like them, and happy new year! Thanks for visiting my site and checking out my recipes, too! 🙂 ~Valentina