Soft & Chewy Spiced Chocolate Chip Cookies

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There’s something magical about the smell of warm spices and melting chocolate wafting through your kitchen on a crisp autumn day. That’s exactly what you get with soft & chewy spiced chocolate chip cookies. Packed with gooey dark chocolate chunks and infused with cozy spices like cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg, this cookie recipe is your next go-to for fall baking. Whether you’re making them for a holiday party or just for yourself with a hot cup of tea, these cookies deliver on flavor, texture, and nostalgia.

Looking for inspiration? Try our chewy pumpkin cookies recipe for another soft and spiced option.

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Why Spiced Chocolate Chip Cookies Are the Perfect Seasonal Twist

Warm spices meet classic chocolate chip

Adding spices to your traditional chocolate chip cookie brings an entirely new depth of flavor. Cinnamon and nutmeg bring warmth, while cloves and ginger add that signature autumn bite. Combined with rich chocolate, they create a balance between comforting and exciting—a match that’s hard to resist.

How fall flavors elevate everyday cookies

When you think of fall, cozy spices instantly come to mind. That’s what makes these cookies a seasonal favorite. The flavor profile of these cookies mirrors the beloved pumpkin spice latte or mulled cider—only in a soft, chewy dessert form. It’s comfort food at its finest.

Soft, chewy, and crave-worthy texture explained

What makes these cookies stand out isn’t just the flavor, but also the texture. A combination of vegan butter, brown sugar, and arrowroot helps create the iconic chewy center while keeping the edges slightly crisp. The result? Cookies that are melt-in-your-mouth soft with just the right bite.

Ingredients That Make These Cookies Irresistibly Soft & Chewy

The secret role of vegan butter and brown sugar

Vegan butter plays a key role in creating a tender crumb. It creams beautifully with brown sugar, which not only sweetens but also adds moisture due to its molasses content. The result? A richer flavor and that beloved chewiness in every bite.

Why arrowroot (or cornstarch) matters in chewiness

Instead of eggs, these cookies use a mix of arrowroot and water. This combo acts as a binder and contributes to that gooey center. If you don’t have arrowroot, cornstarch makes a great substitute, delivering the same chewy outcome.

The best chocolate to use for gooey, melty results

While chocolate chips are common, chopping up a bar of 70% dark chocolate yields superior texture and flavor. It creates irregular pockets of melted chocolate throughout the cookie—no rubbery chips, just pure indulgence. Don’t miss our wonderland chocolate chip Christmas cookies if you love gooey chocolate in every bite.

Must-have spices: cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves & allspice

The spice blend in these cookies is essentially pumpkin spice. Cinnamon is the base, followed by ginger for zing, cloves for boldness, and a touch of nutmeg and allspice. Together, they create that nostalgic autumn aroma that fills your home.

How to Make Soft & Chewy Spiced Chocolate Chip Cookies

Step-by-step baking method for perfect texture

Start by creaming together vegan butter and light brown sugar until pale and fluffy. Mix arrowroot and water, then add along with vanilla. Sift in flour, baking powder, and your spice mix. Fold everything together until a soft dough forms.

Chop your dark chocolate into chunks and stir them in. Divide the dough into 16 equal golf ball-sized portions. Place 8 cookies per baking sheet, pressing each down slightly.

Mixing and shaping: Tips for even baking

For uniform cookies, divide your dough evenly. Flatten them slightly before baking to help them spread properly. If your hands are warm, chill the dough for 10 minutes before shaping to avoid melting the vegan butter.

How long to bake (and why underbaking is key!)

Bake at 350°F for just 10–12 minutes. The cookies will look slightly underdone when you take them out, but that’s intentional. They’ll continue to bake as they cool, locking in that chewy texture. Overbaking dries them out—don’t be tempted!

Check out our chocolate chip pumpkin bread for another recipe that nails that balance of moist and spiced.

Baking Tips for Perfect Spiced Chocolate Chip Cookies Every Time

Chilling the dough: Yes or no?

This dough doesn’t require chilling, which is a major win for busy bakers. However, if your kitchen is particularly warm or your butter was very soft, a 10–15 minute chill in the fridge can help prevent excessive spreading. It also makes the dough easier to shape.

Troubleshooting flat, hard, or dry cookies

Flat cookies are often a sign of too-warm dough or overmixing. If your cookies spread too much, reduce your oven temperature slightly or add a tablespoon of flour. Dry, crumbly cookies may result from overbaking or too little fat—make sure to measure your ingredients precisely and don’t skip the full-fat vegan butter.

How to store them for long-lasting softness

Once cooled, store your cookies in an airtight container. Add a slice of bread to the container to keep them extra soft for up to 3 days. The bread prevents moisture loss by absorbing dryness without affecting the flavor.

Reheating tips to restore chewiness

After a day or two, cookies can lose their soft texture. A quick 10–20 second spin in the microwave brings them right back to life. The chocolate will melt slightly, and the chewy center returns—just like fresh-baked.

Don’t miss our maple pumpkin cookies recipe for another soft cookie that stores beautifully.

Ingredient Variations & Customizations

Gluten-free and refined sugar-free options

To make these gluten-free, simply substitute the flour for a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend. For a lower sugar version, swap light brown sugar with coconut sugar or a sugar alternative like date sugar. Keep in mind, this may slightly change texture but keeps things soft.

Chocolate swaps: dark, milk, white or mix

Dark chocolate adds intensity, but you can easily sub in vegan milk chocolate for a sweeter flavor. Vegan white chocolate chunks also work well—try combining two types of chocolate for a more complex flavor.

Spice blends: pumpkin pie spice vs individual spices

If you don’t have individual spices on hand, pumpkin pie spice is a great alternative. It typically contains cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, allspice, and cloves—exactly what this cookie needs. Just use 1.5–2 teaspoons for the full dough.

Add-ins: nuts, dried fruit, espresso powder

For texture and richness, try chopped walnuts or pecans. Craving more flavor? Add a pinch of espresso powder—it deepens the chocolate and adds a mocha twist. Dried cranberries or golden raisins can also bring a sweet-tart contrast to the warm spices.

Discover great ideas like our apple cinnamon oatmeal cookies to inspire your own cookie twists.

Serving Ideas & Pairings for Fall

Best hot drinks to pair with spiced cookies

Nothing pairs better with these cookies than a warm mug of pumpkin spice latte or chai tea. The bold spices in both enhance the cinnamon and ginger in the cookies. For a caffeine-free option, a steamy cup of almond milk with honey and a cinnamon stick works wonders.

How to turn them into holiday gift jars

Layer the dry ingredients (flour, spices, sugar, chopped chocolate) in a mason jar. Add a tag with baking instructions and a note suggesting vegan butter and arrowroot for the wet ingredients. It’s a heartfelt gift that’s personal and practical.

These cookies shine on an autumn-themed cookie board. Pair them with white chocolate-dipped chewy maple cookies and peppermint chocolate chip cookies for a blend of warm spice, sweet cream, and cool mint.

FAQs About Soft & Chewy Spiced Chocolate Chip Cookies

Why are my spiced cookies not spreading?

If your cookies don’t spread properly, it could be due to too much flour or dough that’s too cold. Be sure to spoon and level your flour rather than scooping it directly. Also, make sure your vegan butter is soft—not melted—for the right consistency.

Can I freeze the dough or baked cookies?

Yes, both the cookie dough and baked cookies freeze beautifully. Roll the dough into balls and freeze on a tray before transferring to a freezer bag. When ready to bake, pop them straight in the oven and add 1–2 extra minutes to the bake time. Baked cookies can be frozen for up to 2 months—just reheat for that fresh-out-of-the-oven feel.

How do I keep them soft after baking?

Store cookies in an airtight container with a slice of bread or apple. The moisture from the fruit or bread keeps the cookies from drying out. Avoid refrigeration, which tends to make cookies hard and brittle.

What’s the difference between chunks and chips?

Chocolate chunks melt more irregularly, giving you rich pockets of gooey chocolate. Chips are designed to hold their shape, which can result in firmer texture. For ultimate softness, go for hand-chopped chunks.

Can I use margarine instead of vegan butter?

You can, but choose a high-quality vegan margarine with at least 70% fat content. Avoid low-fat spreads, which contain too much water and may affect texture and spread.

Soft & chewy spiced chocolate chip cookies are more than just a seasonal dessert—they’re a cozy bite of fall comfort. Infused with warming spices and loaded with dark chocolate chunks, these cookies hit that sweet spot between indulgent and nostalgic. Whether you’re gifting a holiday cookie jar or baking a dozen to enjoy with a chai latte, this recipe delivers every single time.

Don’t miss our soft pumpkin cookies with cream cheese frosting for another autumn favorite worth baking.

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