1. Prepare the Oven and Baking Sheets

Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Preparing the oven ahead of time ensures that the cookies bake evenly from the moment they enter the oven.

Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. This prevents sticking and promotes even browning on the bottoms of the cookies. Having your trays prepared before mixing the dough allows you to work quickly once the dough is ready.

At this stage, you can also measure and organize all of your ingredients. This simple preparation step makes the baking process much smoother and helps avoid mistakes later.

2. Melt the Chocolate

Place 1 cup of semisweet chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl and melt them until smooth.

Heat the chocolate in short intervals, stirring between each interval to prevent scorching. The chocolate should become glossy and completely smooth without any lumps.

Set the melted chocolate aside for a few minutes to cool slightly. You want it warm and fluid but not hot enough to cook the eggs when added to the mixture later.

This melted chocolate is one of the key components that gives these cookies their rich, intense chocolate flavor and contributes to their soft, fudgy texture.

3. Combine the Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together:

• All purpose flour
• Baking soda
• Salt
• Cocoa powder
• Cinnamon

Whisking the ingredients thoroughly helps distribute the leavening agent and cocoa powder evenly throughout the flour.

The small amount of cinnamon may seem subtle, but it adds warmth and depth to the chocolate flavor without making the cookies taste like cinnamon cookies.

Set the dry mixture aside while you prepare the wet ingredients.

4. Cream the Butter and Sugars

In a large mixing bowl, add the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar.

Using a mixer, beat the ingredients together until the mixture becomes light, creamy, and fluffy. This process incorporates air into the dough and helps create a softer cookie texture.

The brown sugar provides moisture and chewiness, while the granulated sugar contributes structure and slight crispness around the edges.

Take a few minutes with this step. Proper creaming helps produce cookies with excellent texture and flavor.

5. Add the Eggs and Vanilla

Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.

Incorporating the eggs gradually helps create a smooth, stable mixture. Each egg contributes moisture, richness, and structure to the dough.

Once all the eggs are mixed in, add the vanilla extract and continue mixing until fully combined.

The batter should appear smooth, creamy, and slightly glossy at this point.

6. Mix in the Melted Chocolate

Slowly pour the slightly cooled melted semisweet chocolate into the butter mixture.

Mix until the chocolate is fully incorporated and the batter develops a deep, rich chocolate color.

This step intensifies the chocolate flavor beyond what cocoa powder alone can provide. Combining cocoa powder and melted chocolate creates a more complex chocolate profile while also contributing to the cookies’ soft interior.

Make sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to ensure everything is evenly mixed.

7. Add the Dry Ingredients

Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients.

Mix on low speed just until the flour disappears. Avoid overmixing the dough because excessive mixing can develop too much gluten, resulting in tougher cookies.

The dough should be thick, rich, and chocolatey.

Once combined, stop mixing and move on to the next step.

8. Fold in the Chocolate Chips

Add the remaining 1 cup of semisweet chocolate chips to the dough.

Using a rubber spatula, gently fold the chocolate chips throughout the mixture until evenly distributed.

These chocolate chips create pockets of melted chocolate throughout every cookie, making each bite extra indulgent.

The dough should now be loaded with chocolate from three different sources: cocoa powder, melted chocolate, and chocolate chips.

9. Shape the Cookie Dough

Place the additional ⅔ cup granulated sugar into a shallow bowl.

Using a cookie scoop or spoon, portion out equal amounts of dough and roll them into balls.

Roll each dough ball in the granulated sugar until fully coated.

The sugar coating helps create a beautiful crackled exterior as the cookies bake. It also adds a subtle sweetness and texture contrast to the rich chocolate dough.

Arrange the dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, leaving enough space between each cookie for spreading.

10. Bake the Cookies

Place the baking sheets into the preheated oven.

Bake the cookies for approximately 10 to 12 minutes or until the edges are set but the centers still look slightly soft.

The cookies may appear underbaked in the middle, but this is exactly what you want. They will continue cooking from residual heat as they cool.

Avoid overbaking, as this can cause the cookies to lose their soft and chewy texture.

11. Cool Before Serving

Remove the baking sheets from the oven and allow the cookies to cool on the trays for several minutes.

This resting period helps the cookies set properly and makes them easier to transfer.

After a few minutes, move them to a cooling rack to cool completely.

As they cool, the centers remain soft while the exterior develops a delicate texture that makes these cookies irresistible.

12. Enjoy the Finished Cookies

Once cooled, the cookies are ready to enjoy.

The finished result is a deeply chocolatey cookie with a soft center, chewy texture, and plenty of melted chocolate throughout. The sugar coating creates a beautiful appearance while adding a slight crunch that contrasts perfectly with the fudgy interior.

Serve them with a glass of milk, a cup of coffee, or simply enjoy them on their own as a rich chocolate dessert.