Spicy Chili Cookies: Easy Recipes and Pro Tips

Ever wondered how a cookie can be both sweet and hot? Chili cookies give you that exact combo – a chewy bite with a gentle kick. You don’t need fancy equipment, just a few pantry items and a willingness to try something new.

First, pick the right chili. Fresh jalapeños work if you like a bright, fresh heat. Dried chili flakes or powder give a deeper, more uniform spice. If you’re unsure about the level of heat, start with a teaspoon of chili powder in a batch of 24 cookies and adjust next time.

Basic Chili Cookie Dough

Here’s a quick, reliable base you can customize:

• 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter, softened
• 3/4 cup (150 g) brown sugar
• 1/2 cup (100 g) white sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 cups (250 g) all‑purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp chili powder (or 1 fresh jalapeño, finely chopped)
• 1 cup (180 g) chocolate chips or chunks (optional)

Mix butter and both sugars until fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla, beat briefly. In another bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, salt, and chili. Combine wet and dry mixes, then fold in chocolate if you like. Chill the dough for 30 minutes – it makes shaping easier.

Baking & Tweaking the Heat

Pre‑heat the oven to 350 °F (180 °C). Scoop rounded tablespoons onto a parchment sheet, leaving space to spread. Bake 10‑12 minutes, until the edges turn golden but the centre still looks soft. Let them cool on the tray for a few minutes; they firm up as they rest.

Want more heat? Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or swap half the chocolate chips for dark chocolate with a higher cocoa percent. If the cookies turn out too spicy, drizzle a thin glaze of melted white chocolate after they cool – the sweetness tones down the sting.

Storing is simple: an airtight container keeps them fresh for a week. For longer life, freeze the baked cookies; they thaw quickly in the microwave or at room temperature.

Now you have a go‑to recipe that balances sweet, buttery dough with a subtle chili heat. Play with ingredients, adjust the spice level, and enjoy the surprise on every bite. Happy baking!