Crackled Top Chocolate Cookies

In this season of baking cookies and many more goodies, a cookie recipe without the complication of  decorating after baking is good for a change. This recipe is a classic. On the web there are many versions, the most popular one is  Martha Stewart's chocolate crackle recipe, that calls for eight ounces of melted chocolate in addition to the cocoa powder.

The version I share today does not use melted chocolate, and is equally moist and fudgy. If you find yourself without a bar of baker's chocolate, there is no reason not to make these chocolate crinkle cookies. If you have kids, then this will be a baking project they'll love to help you with. Do not forget to check out the Thumbprints and Snowball cookies recipes. I hope you are having a great and memorable family moments this December, have a divine time baking cookies!

Chocolate Crackle Cookies 

Ingredients: 
2 - 2½ cups all-purpose flour
½ cup cocoa
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon baking soda
½ cup butter, at room temperature
1¼ cups packed light brown sugar
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup powdered sugar, for coating


Preparations: 
1. Combine flour, cocoa, salt and baking soda; set aside. With an electric mixer, beat butter and brown sugar until well blended about (3 minutes). Add eggs on at a time, beating well after each addition, and vanilla.
2. Add flour mixture to the butter mixture and stir by hand or at low speed until just blended. Dough would be sticky, cover and chill for 1-3 hours to firm.
3. Preheat the oven to 350˚F. Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Roll in powdered sugar to coat and place an inch apart on lightly greased or parchment-lined cookie sheets.
4. Bake @ 350˚F for 10-15 minutes or until cookies are just set but still soft in the middle. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Yield: 4 dozens. 


Notes:
a) The recipe is done fine with 2 cups, but at times due to the high humidity of where I live I have to use ½ cup more of flour.
b) To vary, you can add a pinch of cinnamon to the flour mixture. Also  ½ cup of chocolate chips or ½ cup of walnuts can be added at the end of mixing the batter.
c) Cookies will firm up as they cool.

Esta receta en Español: AQUÍ


 “For I will turn their mourning to joy, Will comfort them, And make them rejoice rather than sorrow." ~ Jeremiah 31:13-15