Chocolate Crinkles Recipe

 

• 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 1/2 cups white sugar
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 4 eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup confectioners’ sugar

1. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (though you can do this with a wooden spoon, too) beat together the cocoa powder, white sugar, and vegetable oil until it comes together into a shiny, gritty, black dough of sorts.
2.  Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing for 30 seconds each. Add the vanilla and beat in thoroughly.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and espresso powder if using. Mix into the chocolate mixture on low speed until just combined. Do not over beat. Cover the dough with plastic wrap and chill the dough for four hours or overnight.
4. Preheat the oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Place the confectioner’s sugar in a wide bowl. Using a rounded teaspoon get clumps of the chilled dough and roll them into 1-inch (2.5 cm) sized balls using your hands. Roll the balls in the confectioner’s sugar and place on the cookie sheets (you should be able to get 12-16 on each sheet). Bake for 10-12 minutes. Allow to cool a minute or two on the sheets before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Yield: Makes approximately 50 cookies.

*This is the basic recipe but feel free to change up the flavors. Recently, I made these for work for our Thanksgiving Dinner and I mixed in 2 teaspoons of Peppermint Oil in the first bowl (wet ingredients) and once I was forming the balls for baking, I poked a finger in each one and put three White Chocolate morsels inside. They were a hit! Think of Thin Mints but not heavy as you might think. Next time, I’ll try putting in the same amount of Cinnamon Extract.

Happy Baking!