Family Recipe: Chocolate Crackle Top Cookies

I remember Mom making these cookies as a kid.  There are many variations to the Chocolate Crackle Top cookies but below is my Mom’s recipe.  I was hoping to make these during our Christmas Baking day to share with our neighbors, I am making them for another Holidays event with with family and friends.

Chocolate Crackle Top Cookies

• 7 ounces Bittersweet or Unsweetened Chocolate, chopped into small pieces
• 7 tablespoons Unsalted Butter
• 1/2 cup Sugar
• 3 Eggs
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
• 1 3/4 cups All-Purpose Flour
• 1/4 cup Cocoa Powder
• Pinch of Salt
• 1 1/2 cups Confectioners’ Sugar, for coating

1.  Grease a large baking sheets.  In a saucepan melt chocolate and butter over low heat until smooth, stirring frequently.  Remove from heat and stir in sugar until dissolved.  Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.  Stir in vanilla.

2.  Sift flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt into a bowl.  Gradually stir into the chocolate mixture in batches to make a soft dough.  Cover dough in the plastic wrap and chill for 1 hour, until the dough is firm enough to hold its shape.

3.  Preheat oven to 325°  F.  Place the confectioners’ sugar in a bowl.  Form the dough into a small balls.

4.  Drop the balls, one at a time into the confectioners’ sugar and roll until well coated.  Remove each ball with a slotted spoon and tap the spoon against the bowl to remove extra sugar.  Place the balls on the baking sheets about 1 1/2 apart.

5.  Bake the cookies for 10 to 12 minutes or until the top of  each feels slightly firm when touched.  Let set for 2 minutes.  Transfer to cooling racks and allow them to cool completely.

Makes about 20 cookies.  I am looking forward to making these for the Holidays.  Hope the girls enjoy them as much as I did when I was a kid.

Picture compliments of Allrecipes