If you love deep chocolate cookies and you like a little surprise, try Wienerstube cookies. These cookies look like dark chocolate rounds, but they include warm spices and a light peppery taste. The flavor feels familiar at first, then slowly turns bold and interesting as you chew.
This wienerstube cookies recipe is also simple and convenient. You roll the dough into logs, chill them, and slice the cookies when you are ready to bake. This method lets you enjoy fresh cookies anytime without extra effort.
Key Takeaways
- Rich Chocolate Flavor with Warm Spices: Each cookie brings together deep cocoa flavor with cinnamon, allspice, black pepper, and a very small hint of cayenne. The spices add warmth without making the cookies taste spicy.
- Chilling the Dough Makes Baking Easier: Chilling the dough helps it firm up, which makes slicing neat and easy. It also helps the cookies bake evenly and hold their shape in the oven.
- Slice Thickness Controls Texture: Thin slices bake into crisp cookies with a slight snap. Thicker slices stay softer in the center while keeping crisp edges.
- Freeze the Dough for Fresh Cookies Anytime: You can freeze the dough logs and slice them whenever you want fresh cookies. This makes the wienerstube cookies recipe perfect for baking small batches on busy days.
What Are Wienerstube Cookies?
Wienerstube cookies are chocolate spice cookies that you slice and bake. People often call them icebox cookies because the dough is chilled before baking. The dough is rolled into a log, placed in the fridge until firm, then sliced into rounds and baked. This makes baking simple and lets you bake only what you need.
The dough includes cocoa powder, warm spices, and a small amount of black pepper. The pepper adds gentle warmth without making the cookies spicy.
Classic Flavor and Texture of Wienerstube Cookies
These cookies taste rich and chocolatey at first. Cinnamon and allspice add warmth, followed by a light peppery finish. Thin slices bake into crisp cookies, while thicker slices stay soft in the center with crisp edges.
Why These Cookies Are Soft and Delicate
Butter helps keep these cookies soft and tender. Mixing butter and sugar traps air, which keeps the texture light. Gentle mixing and chilling the dough help the cookies hold their shape and stay soft when baked.
Wienerstube Cookies Recipe
Course: DesertCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy40
servings15
minutes10
minutes70
kcalMake this Wienerstube cookies recipe with cocoa, warm spices, and butter for soft, rich cookies with a smooth, delicate texture.
Ingredients and Quantities for Wienerstube Cookies Recipe
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
3/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
3/4 cup unsalted butter
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Coarse sugar
Step by Step Instructions for Wienerstube Cookies
- Cream the butter and sugar: Start by adding the butter to a large mixing bowl and beat it until it becomes smooth and creamy. Add the sugar and continue beating for 2 to 3 minutes, until the mixture looks pale, light, and fluffy.
- Add the egg and vanilla: Add the egg and vanilla extract to the bowl. Beat the mixture again until everything is fully combined and smooth, then scrape down the sides of the bowl if needed.
- Mix the dry ingredients: Take a separate bowl and add the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, allspice, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Whisk everything together until the dry ingredients are evenly mixed.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients: Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture in small portions. Mix on low speed each time and stop mixing as soon as the flour fully blends into the dough. Use a spatula to gently scrape the bowl and fold the dough once or twice.
- Shape the dough logs: Divide the dough into two equal portions. Shape each portion into a log that is about 10 to 12 inches long and about 2 inches thick. Roll each log in coarse sugar if you want the cookies to have a crunchy outer edge.
- Chill the dough: Wrap each dough log tightly in plastic wrap. Place them in the refrigerator for 30 minutes, then transfer them to the freezer for about 1 hour until the dough becomes firm enough to slice.
- Prepare the oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F or 190°C and line a baking sheet with parchment paper so the cookies do not stick.
- Slice the cookies: Slice the chilled dough into round cookies. Cut thinner slices if you want crisp cookies, and cut thicker slices if you want softer centers. Turn the dough log slightly after every few cuts to help keep the cookies round.
- Bake the cookies: Place the cookie slices on the prepared baking sheet with space between each one. Bake the cookies for 9 to 11 minutes, until the tops gently spring back when touched.
- Cool and serve: Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for about 3 minutes after baking. Transfer them to a wire rack and allow them to cool completely before serving.
Nutrition Facts
40 servings per container
- Amount Per ServingCalories70
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 5.8g 8%
- Saturated Fat 3.5g 18%
- Trans Fat 0.14g
- Cholesterol 0.019mg 1%
- Sodium 0.065mg 1%
- Total Carbohydrate 11.6g 5%
- Dietary Fiber 1.2g 5%
- Total Sugars 6.3g
- Protein 1.5g 3%
- Potassium 0.095mg 1%
* The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
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Chef Tips for Perfect Wienerstube Cookies
Use real butter for better flavor
Butter gives these cookies their rich taste and helps the cocoa and spices stand out. Use unsalted butter and let it sit at room temperature so it softens. Soft butter mixes more easily and creates a smoother dough.
Avoid overmixing the dough
Too much mixing after adding the flour can make the cookies hard. Always mix on low speed and stop as soon as the dough comes together. This approach helps keep the cookies tender.
Chill the dough before baking
Chilling the dough makes it easier to slice the cookies into neat rounds. It also helps the cookies keep their shape while baking. The extra chill time allows the spices to blend better, which improves the overall flavor. If possible, let the dough chill longer or overnight for the best results.
Variations for Wienerstube Cookies
Here are some flavorful variations for wienerstube cookies.
Lemon Glazed Wienerstube Cookies
Add a light lemon glaze to the cookies after they cool. Mix powdered sugar with a little lemon juice and drizzle it on top. The lemon flavor adds freshness and makes the chocolate and spices taste brighter.
Chocolate Dipped Wienerstube Cookies
Dip one side of each cooled cookie into melted dark chocolate. Place the cookies on parchment paper and let the chocolate set until it becomes firm. This adds extra richness and a smooth finish.
Nut Studded Wienerstube Cookies
Add chopped toasted almonds or hazelnuts to the dough before shaping it into logs. You can also press the nuts onto the outside of the dough logs before chilling. The nuts add a crunchy texture and a nutty flavor.
Storage and Make Ahead Tips for Wienerstube Cookies
Storing Cookies at Room Temperature
Place the cookies in an airtight container and keep them at room temperature for up to 7 days. The flavor often improves after the first day as the spices have more time to blend together.
Freezing Dough or Baked Cookies
Wrap the dough logs tightly and freeze them for up to 3 months. Slice the dough straight from the freezer and add about one extra minute to the baking time. Place baked cookies in a freezer safe container and freeze them for up to 2 months.
Best Way to Reheat Cookies Gently
Preheat the oven to 300°F. Warm the cookies for 3 to 4 minutes, then let them cool for about one minute before serving.
FAQs
What Are Wienerstube Cookies Made Of?
Wienerstube cookies are made with simple baking ingredients. The dough usually includes unsalted butter, powdered sugar, all purpose flour, cornstarch, almond extract, and a small amount of salt. These ingredients work together to create a soft, delicate cookie with a smooth texture and mild almond flavor.
Why Is Cornstarch Used in the Recipe?
Cornstarch helps make the cookies tender and light. It reduces the protein strength of the flour, which keeps the cookies from becoming dense or tough. This is one of the main reasons Wienerstube cookies feel soft and almost melt in the mouth.
Can I Use Other Extracts Besides Almonds?
Yes, other extracts can be used if almond flavor is not preferred. Vanilla extract works very well and keeps the flavor classic. Lemon or orange extract adds a light citrus note. Always use a small amount so the flavor does not overpower the cookies.
How Do I Know When the Cookies Are Done?
The cookies are done when the edges feel set and the bottoms turn a very light golden color. The tops usually stay pale. Overbaking can dry them out, so it is best to remove them as soon as they are just set.
Can I Make the Dough Ahead of Time?
Yes, the dough can be made ahead of time. It can be covered tightly and stored in the refrigerator for up to two days. Chilling the dough also helps the cookies hold their shape better during baking.
What If I Do Not Have Powdered Sugar?
If powdered sugar is not available, you can use granulated sugar, but the texture will change slightly. For a closer result, granulated sugar can be blended until fine before using. Powdered sugar is preferred because it creates a smoother and softer cookie texture.
I’m a sweet chef who loves creating irresistible cakes, pastries, and sweet treats. When I’m not baking, you’ll find me experimenting with new flavors, enjoying a good cup of coffee, and sharing my passion for desserts with the world.
