Preheat oven to 350°.
In a large bowl, cream together the butter, sugar, vanilla, peppers, cinnamon, and salt.
Beat in the egg.
Add the cocoa, then the flour.
Stir to combine well, the dough will be very stiff.
Drop the dough by teaspoons full onto baking sheets lined with silicone mats or parchment paper.
Lightly flatten the cookies to ¼" thick with the bottom of a drinking glass dipped in sugar.
If desired, lightly press crystal sugar into the top of the cookies.
Bake at 350° for 10-11 minutes, but no longer. Remove from the oven and transfer to a wire rack.