mocha frosted cookies

Name: Mocha Frosted Cookies
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Yield: 25 cookie(s)
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 1/2 cup(s) all-purpose flour; 1/2 teaspoon(s) baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon(s) baking soda; 1/4 teaspoon(s) salt; 1/2 cup(s) vegetable shortening; 2 ounce(s) unsweetened chocolate (2 squares); 1 cup(s) brown sugar, firmly packed; 1 large egg; 1 teaspoon(s) pure vanilla extract; 1/2 cup(s) buttermilk; 1/2 cup(s) chopped nuts, optional; 1 cup(s) mini chocolate chips, optional; ## MOCHA ICING; 2 cup(s) powdered sugar; 2 tablespoon(s) cocoa powder; 4 tablespoon(s) butter, room temperature; 2 tablespoon(s) instant coffee powder or espresso powder; 1 pinch(es) salt; 1 1/2 teaspoon(s) pure vanilla extract; - milk or cream to thin frosting, if needed

(2 RATINGS)

53 Pinches 16 Photos

Susan Bartley

Beaverton, OR

Updated on Apr 7, 2026

These are my son-in-law's favorite cookies. His mom gave me the recipe, and it has become a holiday fixture at our house. They are like M&M's... bet you can't eat just one!

Rate

Blue Ribbon Recipe

One bite, and we understood why these mocha frosted cookies are a holiday fixture. The cookies are tender, cake-like, and packed with chocolate flavor. Honestly, they're great on their own. The frosting has the mocha flavoring that pulls the chocolate and coffee flavors together. We opted to add mini chocolate chips for a punch of chocolate, but if you like nuts in your cookies, they'd be a delicious addition for crunch. Great for any occasion, this is a cookie recipe anyone can make.

— The Test Kitchen

prep time 15 Min

cook time 10 Min

method Bake

yield 25 cookie(s)

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup vegetable shortening
2 ounces unsweetened chocolate (2 squares)
1 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
1 large egg
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup chopped nuts, optional
1 cup mini chocolate chips, optional
MOCHA ICING
2 cups powdered sugar
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
4 tablespoons butter, room temperature
2 tablespoons instant coffee powder or espresso powder
1 pinch salt
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
milk or cream to thin frosting, if needed

How To Make mocha frosted cookies

Test Kitchen Tips

We added 2 Tbsp of milk to the frosting to achieve the proper consistency.

Step 1

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.

Step 2

Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt; set aside.
Step 3

Melt shortening and chocolate together either on the stove top or in the microwave. Let cool for 10 minutes.
Step 4

Stir in brown sugar, egg, vanilla, and buttermilk.
Step 5

Add the chocolate mixture to the mixing bowl.
Step 6

Add the flour mixture and mix well.
Step 7

If using nuts and chips, add them now.
Step 8

Drop by spoonful onto parchment-lined baking sheet. I personally use a medium-sized cookie scoop. Bake for about 10 minutes.
Step 9

Transfer to a cooling rack. This is a soft cookie. Buttermilk is what makes it so nice and soft. Frost with mocha frosting when cooled.
Step 10

For mocha icing, sift together the powdered sugar and cocoa powder.
Step 11

Combine all items in a mixing bowl and beat with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 7 minutes. Add milk or cream if needed to thin the icing.
Step 12

Frost each cookie and top with nuts or chocolate chips if desired.
Last Step: Don't forget to share! Post a picture of your finished recipe here and on your favorite social network. Don't forget to tag Just A Pinch and include #justapinchrecipes!

Nutrition Facts

(per serving*)

calories: 225kcal, carbohydrates: 31g, cholesterol: 14mg, fat: 11g, fiber: 1g, protein: 2g, saturated fat: 4g, sodium: 91mg, sugar: 23g, unsaturated fat: 6g

*Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Nutrition information is estimated.

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