For chocolate lovers: Dark Chocolate Crackles
This recipe makes a good amount (5 dozen) so it was perfect to send off with the boys on a YMCA Indian Guide camping trip. If you’re not familiar with Indian Guides, it’s a father-son group that is designed to harbor close relationships between the two. They do a lot of boy-type activities together and head out on weekend camping trips once a month with the rest of their “tribe.” It’s great fun for them, and a quiet, relaxing weekend for me! It also gives me a chance to bake away… and send off goodies that are much-appreciated by the hungry group of men.
A recipe from Fine Cooking, these very chocolatey cookies are filled with three kinds of chocolate and a smidgen of orange zest to set them apart from the rest. You’ll need a tall glass of milk to wash it all down. If this doesn’t send the already energy-filled boys into a caffeine frenzy then I don’t know what will. I’m sure the dads will appreciate me for this one.
A little peek inside shows you that you will indeed get a chocolatey chunk or two inside each cookie. Chocolate lovers… you’ll like this one!
Dark Chocolate Crackles
Ingredients
- 2½ cups all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 2 cups firmly packed light brown sugar
- ⅔ cup unsweetened cocoa, sifted
- 2 teaspoons finely grated orange zest
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 large eggs
- 8 ounces bittersweet chocolate, melted and cooled until barely warm
- ¾ cup (4 ounces) chopped chocolate (white, bittersweet or semisweet)
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar, (more as needed)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line cookie sheets with parchment or nonstick baking liners.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda and salt.
- In a large mixing bowl, use a hand mixer to beat the butter, brown sugar, cocoa, orange zest, and vanilla on medium speed until well combined, about 4 minutes. Beat in the eggs one at a time. Add the cooled chocolate and mix until blended, about 1 minute. Add the dry ingredients and mix on low speed until almost completely blended, about 1 minute. Add the chopped chocolate and mix until blended, about 15 seconds.
- Shape the dough into 1¼ inch balls with a small ice-cream scoop or two tablespoons.
- Pour the granulated sugar into a shallow dish. Dip the top of each ball in the sugar and set the balls sugar side up about 1½ inches apart on the prepared cookie sheets. Bake one sheet at a time until the cookies are puffed and cracked on top, 11 to 12 minutes. Let the cookies cool on the sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a rack to cool completely.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I love these cookies and enjoyed following the recipe!