Years ago a friend gave me this recipe and it’s been a special Christmas cookie in our family ever since. Spicy Frostbite Cookies are like a classic chocolate chip cookie recipe but the addition of spices to the dough make it perfect for Christmas. The part that’s really great is the cinnamon and powdered sugar mix that the cookies are rolled in before baking. Another bonus is having a good recipe for make ahead cookies that can takes some of the pressure off holiday baking.

Make Ahead Cookies

Since the cookie dough needs to chill before you bake them, they are perfect for making ahead. You can make up the dough and chill overnight. Also you can make it several weeks in advance and freeze the dough. I portion the dough with my cookie scoop to make it even easier.

Spicy Frostbite Cookies shaped and ready to chill or freeze.

Then when I want to bake some or all of the cookies I just roll them in the spiced sugar and bake. You can’t get any easier than that!

Tips and tricks will follow the recipe.

Spicy Frostbite Cookies

  • 1 cup butter, room temperature
  • 1 1/2 cups brown sugar (scoop into your cup, there’s no need to pack the sugar down)
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon ginger
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 egg
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups chocolate chips
  • 1 cup chopped pecans, optional (Don’t tell my Dad! He’s a pecan farmer and they are never optional to him!)
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 2 cups powdered sugar

    In a large bowl cream the butter, brown sugar, 1 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, ginger, baking soda, and salt until smooth and fluffy. Beat in the egg and vanilla. Finally mix in the flour, chocolate chips, and pecans if using.

    Creaming butter, brown sugar, and spices for Spicy Frostbite Cookie dough.
    Adding the egg and vanilla to Spicy Frostbite Cookie dough.
    Mixing flour and chocolate chips into Spicy Frostbite Cookie dough.

    Scoop dough into heaping tablespoon portions or use a cookie scoop. It’s much easier to scoop the dough before chilling so that’s what I do. On a parchment lined sheet I scoop all the dough and put the whole thing in the fridge overnight or for a few hours. If I’m freezing them I freeze them solid on the sheet then store them in a labeled freezer bag.

    Roll and Bake

    Combine the 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon and powdered sugar in a bowl. Roll the chilled or frozen balls of dough in the sugar to coat. Now just bake at 350° on a parchment lined baking sheet for 12 to 15 minutes. If you froze the dough first you may need to bake a few minutes longer. Cool cookies on a wire rack before storing in an airtight container or a cookie tin.

    Chilled Spicy Frostbite Cookie dough ready to roll in spiced powdered sugar.
    Chilled Spicy Frostbite Cookie dough rolled in spiced powdered sugar.

    This recipe yields 3 dozen delicious cookies.

    Tips and Tricks

    • Use milk, semi-sweet, or dark chocolate chips.
    • Chop the chocolate chips for more texture.
    • Toast the pecans and cool before adding to the dough.
    • Use walnuts or hazelnuts instead of pecans.
    • Roll cookies then chill for a more perfect round cookie.