Christmas time: where the house smells of nutmeg, chocolate, gingerbread, and peppermint.
Singing Christmas songs while rolling cookie dough in your palms.
Dusting powdered sugar on the dough like you are creating a tiny snowstorm in your kitchen.
Baking Christmas cookies is an important part of the holiday season. For my family it’s a constant thing, after one batch goes in, we’re rolling up the next one. Then once the dough is baked, we are starting on a new recipe. We have picked up many new ones over the years through different cookie exchanges and holiday parties. With COVID-19 cases rising once again, this holiday season is likely to look different from what we’re used to. So what better time to try out new cookie recipes? This year is perfect for it.
My favorite cookies are chocolate crackle cookies. From elementary school forward I have always brought a batch with me to hand out to my classmates. Since I can’t do that this year, instead I am sharing it with you!
Ingredients:
2 cups flour
2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
1 ½ sticks butter (6 ounces), softened
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
12 ounces semisweet chocolate chips (2 cups)
½ cup powdered sugar
Instructions:
Step 1: In a separate bowl, stir together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt
Step 2: In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed until creamy
Step 3: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Form dough into 1-inch balls, roll in powdered sugar, and place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets
Step 4: Bake 12-15 minutes, until edges are set. Let stand for 2 minutes, then remove to cooling rack and let cool completely. Enjoy!
These cookies remind me deeply of my childhood, the memories of sitting around the fireplace with a plate of cookies in front of us. They are the perfect treat to enjoy this holiday season. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!