I try my best to make sure there’s plenty of chocolate on this site, but as a confirmed vanilla person, I know I could do more.

It’s not that I don’t like chocolate–quite the contrary, actually. I just happen to like vanilla, fruit, and spice a tiny bit more. I don’t think you can blame me for loving Eggnog Puff Pancakes, Maple Spice Stars, and Cashew Butter Ginger Cookies 😋

But never mind my personal preferences.

Today’s post is for the true chocolate lovers. Those who eat the stuff everyday. The ones who keep a chocolate bar on their person at all times. The people who live for the fudgiest flourless chocolate cake. If you fall into any of these categories, well, consider these Mexican Hot Chocolate Crinkles a Christmas gift from me to you.

These cookies are a spin on one of the chocolatiest (it’s Friday and Christmas is in ten days–let’s pretend that’s a word) recipes on this little blog, my gluten-free Chocolate Crinkles. You see, beneath that crackly sugared exterior is so much chocolate, it’s sort of obscene. You’ll also find big hits of cinnamon and cayenne for a warm, spicy finish. If you love heat with your chocolate, it’s your lucky day.

Mexican Hot Chocolate Crinkles are made with three (three!) different kinds of chocolate. There’s a pound of melted dark chocolate in the dough, plus some cocoa powder and two cups of semisweet chocolate chips. In addition to all that, this dough is held together with four well-beaten eggs, light brown sugar, and granulated sugar.

For that classic Mexican Hot Chocolate flavor, you’ll need a tablespoon of cinnamon and a bit of cayenne. There’s some espresso too, just for some depth.

After a short chill, the dough will be very thick. Scoop it in two tablespoon increments, roll them into balls, and coat them in confectioner’s sugar. Slide them into the oven and just over ten minutes later…

Just look at those crinkly, crackly tops!

They’re the stuff of cookie tray dreams.

And that’s to say nothing of the chocolaty, melty, spicy interiors 😍

With all the chocolate, it’s no surprise that Mexican Hot Chocolate Crinkles are very rich. I can only eat one at a time, but true chocolate lovers may go for two.

Regardless of where you fall on the chocolate loving spectrum though, I defy you to resist a Mexican Hot Chocolate Crinkle and a hot cup of coffee. I’ll be the first to tell you: it can’t be done.

Mexican Hot Chocolate Crinkles {Gluten-Free}
makes about 30 cookies

7 tablespoons natural unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1/4-1/2 teaspoon ground cayenne 
1 1/2 teaspoons instant espresso granules
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon Kosher or sea salt
1 pound (16 ounces) good quality bittersweet chocolate, chopped (I like Trader Joe’s Pound Plus Dark Chocolate)
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into cubes
1 cup light brown sugar, packed
1/3 cup granulated sugar
4 large eggs, room temperature
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup confectioner’s sugar

In a small bowl, whisk together cocoa powder, cornstarch, cinnamon, cayenne, instant espresso, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.

In a double boiler or the microwave, melt the bittersweet chocolate and butter together, stirring frequently, until smooth. Set aside to cool a bit.

In a large mixing bowl, combine eggs, light brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Beat for five minutes, until frothy and pale. Add the melted chocolate mixture in two installments, followed by the dry ingredients and the chocolate chips. Dough will be very thick. Let the dough chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.

Position racks in the top and bottom thirds of the oven. Preheat oven to 350F. Line two sheet pans with parchment paper.

Scoop dough in 2 tablespoon increments and roll into balls. Roll dough balls in confectioner’s sugar and set at least two inches apart on prepared pans. Bake for 6 minutes, then rotate the pans top-to-bottom and back-to-front. Do not overbake. Let cool on the pans for ten minutes before removing to a rack to cool completely. Repeat with all remaining dough.

Cookies will keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.