Chocolate Earthquake Cookies AKA: Chocolate Crackles {recipe}

Last week was a blur for us between the start of Hanukkah and Thanksgiving all happening... we hosted Thanksgivakuh, which allowed us to enjoy a bit of both holidays through our favorite foods!  We fried two turkeys this year and I made more latkes than I have in the past to ensure we had enough to satisfy everyone at the table.

I really love that we live near some of our family so that we can celebrate holidays with them.  I live so far from My Family, that I feel very fortunate that the family I married into has always made me feel like I belong.  I know that is not always the case with in-laws, so I know I struck gold with mine.

I'm also fortunate that My Mom-in-Law likes to bake like I do.  She has shared a number of recipes with me over the years, and I am really going to plan to share more of them here.  One thing that we both have an appreciation for is chocolate... really any cookie or dessert that has chocolate in it and we are willing taste-testers!

My MIL's chocolate earthquake cookies



I still have the hand-written recipe card that she sent this recipe to me on... way back before I had a computer and she would send me letters in the mail before My Husband and I got married... and I was still living in Kansas City.  Receiving a cookie recipe in the mail was a treat because that gave me an excuse to bake!

Back in those days, if I baked cookies my co-workers had to be the taste-testers since I didn't need to keep several dozen cookies in my apartment... we all know where those cookies would have ended up!  Now, My Boys are the lucky ones to sample all of my baked goodies.  Let's just say, these got a big thumb's up!

I've made a list of cookies and treats that I'll be filling my gift baskets/tins with this year... and these cookies are definitely going to be included!  Since I like to fill my gift baskets with several types of treats, I like to include a couple that I can make ahead of time and store in the freezer until I'm ready to assemble my packages.  These cookies freeze beautifully!

I made one change to the original recipe based on something I read in a similar recipe for Chocolate Crackles... seems there are many variations on this type of cookie.  Rather than just rolling the cookies in the powdered sugar, it was suggested to first roll them in granulated sugar, then in the powdered sugar.  This helps the powdered sugar to adhere and keeps it white, rather than allowing it to "soak" into the cookie and fade away.

Yes, it is cookie season... I'll be sharing more treats in the next couple of weeks with a few other tidbits thrown in for fun!  Enjoy!




Chocolate Earthquake Cookies

Recipe by MomK

Yield: approximately 4 1/2 dozen cookies

Ingredients
  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 3 ounces unsweetened chocolate
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 3 large eggs
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 3/4 - 1 cup sifted powdered sugar
  • 3/4 - 1 cup granulated sugar
Cooking Directions
  1. Melt butter and chocolate in a double boiler over low heat.
  2. Combine sugar, flour and baking powder in a large bowl. Add melted chocolate mixture, eggs and vanilla to the sugar mixture. Mixing until very smooth - mixture will be very thin. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
  3. Preheat oven to 357 degrees.
  4. Roll dough into 1 inch balls; roll in granulated sugar, then in powdered sugar.
  5. Place each cookie on a parchment lined baking sheet two inches apart, flatten each cookie slightly.
  6. Bake for 10-12 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool.
  7. Note: These cookies freeze well.

 Please note that all photos and content belong to Patsy Kreitman, unless otherwise noted. If you want to use something please ask first.

Comments

Lisa Manzi said…
Love this post!!! I will be making mom k's chocolate crackles !!! You're so sweet
Patsyk said…
Lisa - you will love them! Don't skip the step of allowing them to chill for 2 hours... it really does make the difference when rolling them into balls (trust me, I tried to skip it once)!
Love these cookies. They are always a favorite around the holidays.
Love these cookies. They are always a favorite around the holidays.

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