Chocolate Rye Cookies
Serving size: Makes 16 cookies
This week's Sunday Supper recipe is by Melanie Underwood, Founder of Nourish & Gather, a company dedicated to using food, conversation, and mindfulness to foster connection. Their mission says it all: "The table isn't just a place to eat. It's where we connect." We couldn't agree more. Chef Melanie is a longtime Cookies for Kids' Cancer supporter. Cookies for Kids' Cancer is a national nonprofit raising funds for new, improved and less toxic pediatric cancer treatments - cancer is the #1 disease killer of children in the U.S. FinaMill is also a proud supporter of Cookies for Kids' Cancer.
September is National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. To support this important cause, Melanie created these Chocolate Rye Cookies. But these aren't your typical chocolate cookies. Earthy rye flour provides a nutty flavor while warm cinnamon and smoky ancho chili create layers of complexity that unfold with each bite. Black pepper adds an unexpected pop that makes these cookies utterly memorable. Finished with a vanilla glaze and a dusting of freshly ground spices, these cookies strike the perfect balance between familiar comfort and sophistication.
Cookies for Kids’ Cancer simply asks that each of us “be a good cookie” and join the fight against childhood cancer. We hope you bake these delicious cookies and, if you can, support this important cause.
Ingredients:
For the cookies:
- 1/2 cup (113 g, 4 oz) unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup (138 g, 5 oz) packed light brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup (90 g, 3.2 oz) rye flour
- 1/3 cup (28 g, 1 oz) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 teaspoon (3 g, 0.1 oz) baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground cinnamon (Grate in a FinaMill Grater Pod)
- 1/4 teaspoon ground salt (Grind in a FinaMill Everyday Pod)
- 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground ancho chili (Grind in a FinaMill Dried Herbs+ Pod)
- 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper (Grind in a FinaMill Pepper Pod)
- 1 cup (170 g, 6 oz) dark chocolate chips or chopped chocolate pieces
For the glaze:
- 3/4 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons of milk or cream
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Ground cinnamon, chocolate, and ancho chili for garnish (using the FinaMill Pods)
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, cream together the softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add the egg and vanilla; mix until fully combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the rye flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and ancho chili.
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until a dough forms. Fold in the chocolate chips.
- Chill the dough for at least 2 hours or overnight.
- Scoop the dough into tablespoon-sized balls and place on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 10-11 minutes, or until the edges are firm and the centers are fully set. Let cool on the baking sheets.
- While the cookies cool, make the glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, 3-4 tablespoons of milk or cream, and vanilla until smooth.
- Once the cookies are completely cool, dip the tops into the glaze. Grind a small amount of cinnamon, chocolate, and/or ancho chili over the glaze using the Fina Mill pods.
About Melanie Underwood
Melanie Underwood is a culinary and mindfulness educator with over 29 years of experience teaching more than 50,000 students. As the founder of Nourish & Gather, she brings people together around food, presence, and self-trust. Her work blends hands-on cooking with mindfulness, creating grounded, joyful experiences that nourish far beyond the plate. Melanie is also an author and lifelong teacher, devoted to helping people connect through the simple, powerful act of gathering. To learn more, follow Melanie @chefmelanieunderwood and visit her website here.
About Cookies for Kids' Cancer
Cookies for Kids' Cancer, a national 501(c)3 non-profit, committed to raising funds for new, improved and less toxic pediatric cancer treatments - cancer is the #1 disease killer of children in the U.S. Cookies for Kids' Cancer supporters have hosted more than 18,000 grassroots fundraising events nationwide, and the organization has granted more than $23 million to leading pediatric cancer centers across the country. Cookies for Kids' Cancer simply asks that each of us "be a good cookie" and join the fight against childhood cancer. We're honored to do our part. To learn more, follow them @cookies4kids and visit their website here.
