Fudge Cookies
Fudge Cookies are the ultimate treat for chocolate lovers—rich, chewy, and perfectly satisfying. There’s something so comforting about biting into a homemade cookie that’s packed with flavor and made with love. These cookies strike the perfect balance between indulgent and easy to make, making them a go-to for any occasion.
I first made this recipe on a chilly afternoon, craving something warm and chocolatey but not overly complicated. The fudgy texture and the crunch of walnuts quickly made these cookies a family favorite. They’re the kind of treat you’ll want to bake again and again, whether for a holiday party, an afternoon snack or just because you deserve it.
These cookies come together effortlessly with a handful of simple ingredients and a little chill time in the fridge.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Rich and Fudgy Texture: These cookies have the perfect balance of chewiness and chocolatey goodness, similar to a brownie in cookie form.
- Simple Ingredients: You likely already have everything in your pantry and fridge. No fancy ingredients required!
- Easy to Make: This recipe requires only a few steps and minimal prep, making it approachable even for beginner bakers.
- Customizable: Not a fan of walnuts? Swap them for your favorite nuts, chocolate chips, or dried fruit.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: These cookies are always a hit, whether at a holiday cookie exchange, a bake sale, or an afternoon snack.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: The dough can be chilled ahead of time, making it convenient to bake fresh cookies when you’re ready.
Ingredients
The full printable recipe card with measurements and instructions is found at the bottom of the post.
- Unsalted butter: Adds richness and helps create a soft, tender texture for the cookies.
- Brown sugar: Sweetens the cookies while adding a subtle molasses flavor for extra depth.
- Eggs: Bind the ingredients and contribute to the chewy texture.
- Cocoa powder: Infuses the cookies with deep, chocolatey goodness.
- All-purpose flour: Provides the structure to hold the cookies together.
- Baking soda: Ensures the cookies rise slightly, giving them a light and tender texture.
- Salt: Enhances the chocolate flavor and balances the sweetness.
- Vanilla extract: Adds warmth and a hint of sweetness that complements the chocolate.
- Walnuts: Bring a delightful crunch and nutty flavor to each bite.
How to Make Fudge Cookies
Follow along to learn how to make fudge cookies!
- Step One: Grease two cookie sheets.
- Step Two: In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar on medium speed. Add eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition.
- Step Three: In another bowl, stir together flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt. Fold the mixture into the butter/sugar mixture. Add the vanilla and walnuts and stir together.
- Step Four: Chill for 1 hour in the fridge.
- Step Five: Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Step Six: Drop one teaspoon of cookie dough onto cookie sheets. Bake for 10 minutes. Remove and cool on a wire rack.
What to Serve with This Recipe
- A Glass of Milk: The classic pairing! A cold glass of milk is perfect for balancing the rich, chocolatey flavor of the cookies.
- Hot Coffee or Tea: Pair these cookies with your favorite warm beverage for an indulgent afternoon treat or after-dinner dessert.
- Ice Cream: Serve these cookies alongside a scoop of vanilla or chocolate ice cream to make them a special dessert.
Variations and Substitutions
- Nut-Free Option: Skip the walnuts or replace them with chocolate chips or dried fruit like cranberries or raisins.
- Extra Chocolatey: Stir in some chocolate chunks or chips for an extra dose of chocolate in every bite.
- Different Nuts: Swap walnuts for pecans, almonds, or hazelnuts for a twist on flavor and texture.
- Gluten-Free: Use a 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose flour substitute to make the recipe gluten-free.
- Spiced Up: Add a pinch of cinnamon or a dash of espresso powder to enhance the chocolate flavor even more.
Storage Instructions
- Room Temperature: Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Place a sheet of parchment paper between layers to prevent them from sticking together.
- Refrigerator: If you prefer a firmer texture, store the cookies in the fridge in an airtight container for up to a week. Let them come to room temperature before serving for the best flavor.
- Freezer: For longer storage, freeze the cookies in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 3 months. To prevent sticking, place a sheet of parchment paper between layers. When ready to enjoy, thaw at room temperature or warm them in the oven for a few minutes.
- Dough Freezing: You can also freeze the cookie dough before baking. Scoop the dough into balls, place them on a baking sheet, and freeze until firm. Then, transfer to a freezer bag and store for up to 3 months. Bake directly from frozen, adding an extra 1-2 minutes to the baking time.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
- Soften the Butter: Make sure your butter is softened to room temperature for easy creaming with the sugar. This helps create a smooth and fluffy dough.
- Chill the Dough: Don’t skip the chilling step! It helps firm up the dough, making it easier to handle and preventing the cookies from spreading too much while baking.
- Use Quality Cocoa Powder: Opt for a good-quality unsweetened cocoa powder for the best chocolate flavor.
- Don’t Overmix: When combining the wet and dry ingredients, mix until just incorporated. Overmixing can result in tougher cookies.
- Evenly Sized Cookies: Use a small cookie scoop or a teaspoon to ensure uniform cookie sizes, which helps them bake evenly.
- Keep an Eye on Baking Time: These cookies are best when slightly underbaked for that fudgy texture. They’ll continue to firm up as they cool.
Cookie Recipes
- Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
- Trail Mix Oatmeal Cookies
- Homemade Fig Newtons
- Cowboy Cookies
- Fiddle Diddles
- White Chocolate Chunk Cranberry Cookies
- Chocolate Peppermint Cookies
- No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies
- Hot Chocolate Cookies
- Death by Chocolate Cookies
- Rice Krispie Cookies
- Cream Cheese Cookies
- No-Bake Butterscotch Cookies
You’ll also like this Hot Fudge Sauce and Hot Fudge Pudding Cake.
Follow me on Instagram @simplystacieblog, Facebook at Simply Stacie, TikTok @simplystacierecipes or Pinterest at @simplystacie and let me know how you liked this recipe and my other recipes.
Fudge Cookies
Rich, chewy Fudge Cookies made with simple ingredients and a hint of crunch from walnuts. Perfect for chocolate lovers and easy to make!
Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 ¼ cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 4 tbsp cocoa powder
- 1 ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup walnuts chopped
Instructions
- Grease two cookie sheets.
- In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar on medium speed. Add eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition.
- In another bowl, stir together flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt. Fold mixture into butter/sugar mixture. Add vanilla and walnuts and stir together.
- Chill for 1 hour in the fridge.
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Drop 1 teaspoon cookie dough onto cookie sheets. Bake for 10 minutes. Remove and place on a wire rack to cool.
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Nutrition
Serving: 1cookie | Calories: 153kcal | Carbohydrates: 13.7g | Protein: 2.1g | Fat: 10.7g | Saturated Fat: 3.2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 25.7mg | Sodium: 59.4mg | Fiber: 1.2g | Sugar: 7.5g
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
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Your Fudge Cookies look amazing! Thanks so much for sharing with us at Full Plate Thursday and come back to see us soon!
Miz Helen
I always say, there is nothing that chocolate can’t fix! Lol! At least for the moment! Beautful cookies. Thank you for sharing at Celebrate It!
It’s like you are a mindreader! I’ve been craving nothing but chocolate, chocolate, chocolate and these cookies are going to fit the bill!
Now these are the perfect cookies! Fudge cookies with nuts, my family will go crazy for these. Thanks for the recipe.
Like your friend, I need a daily chocolate fix. These cookies look perfect! I would definitely want them with the nuts, I love the added crunch!
I will always say yes to a cookie, but it’s a double yes when it’s chocolatey and fudgy! These look so good!