Not many things in life are better than a cookie that is crisp on the outside, chewy on the inside, and loaded with enough chocolate to satisfy that occasional craving.
There's no need to make the same old boring chocolate chip cookie when an equally delicious treat is an hour away. Chocolate Crinkle Cookies start with a sweet chocolate cookie dough that is chilled, rolled into balls, coated with powdered sugar and pressed flat before baking.
It is the powdered sugar that creates the unique cracks, or crinkles, in the finished cookie and adds an extra sweetness to each bite.
Secrets of Making the Perfect Cookie
As simple as most cookie recipes seem, often the results are less than satisfactory. It's not unusual for a cookie to turn out flat and dry. A few simple tips will help solve those problems.
First, and most important, is to measure the ingredients carefully and according to the directions. Unlike cooking a meal of meat and potatoes, baked goods call for precise amounts of ingredients. A bit too much salt, not enough sugar, and too much flour can make a world of difference to the end product.
Next, make sure the sugar is well creamed with the butter or shortening. Beat them together long enough for the color to change and the mixture to appear light and fluffy, usually three to five minutes. It may seem like a long time, but it's worth it in the end.
Next, make sure the eggs are room temperature if the recipe calls for that, and again, incorporate them well into the sugar and fat before adding the dry ingredients. If the recipe calls for the dough to be chilled before rolling or scooping, make sure to do so.
Finally, although a big cookie is fun to eat, the baking time will be necessarily longer and the cookie may be too well done on the outside while the inside is still raw. Sometimes bigger is not better.
Individualize a Basic Cookie Dough
The recipe for these cookies is a basic chocolate cookie dough that can be easily kicked up a notch for special occasions and holidays.
Chocolate is a good thing, so go ahead and add chocolate chunks or whole chips to the dough. If that's not enough, press a Hershey's Kiss in the center of the dough before baking.
It's a simple matter to throw in a cup of chopped pecans or walnuts, macadamias or almonds to add a bit of crunch. Caramel, peanut butter or butterscotch chips, peppermint chips, or dried cranberries will create a cookie that is individual and perfect for family and guests.
Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
Prep Time: 15 minutes Skill Level: Easy
Makes 18-24 cookies
Pre-heat oven to 365 degrees
Ingredients
- 5/8 cup brown sugar
- 5/8 cup white sugar
- 3/4 cup shortening (not margarine or butter)
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 3/4 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 cup melted semi-sweet chocolate (chips are okay)
- 2 cups flour
- 1 cup or more of powdered sugar
Preparation
- Melt 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate over double boiler, or very carefully in microwave. Let cool.
- Cream brown sugar, white sugar and shortening together until light and fluffy. This should take 3-4 minutes with a mixer.
- Add eggs, salt and baking soda, mixing well.
- Add cooled chocolate and mix.
- Add flour and mix well.
- Place dough in refrigerator and allow to chill at least half an hour.
- When chilled, roll dough with hands into tablespoon sized balls, then roll the balls generously in powdered sugar.
- Place sugared balls of dough on baking sheet, then flatten slightly with a flat surface, such as the bottom of a juice glass that has been dipped in powdered sugar.
- Bake at 365 degrees for about 12 minutes.
Special Notes:
Every oven heats differently, so watch the first batch carefully for timing. Cookies that are baked too long will turn out very crisp. If extra ingredients such as nuts or chocolate chunks are added, do so after the melted chocolate has been added and before chilling. It is recommended to bake these cookies on parchment paper.
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