Chocolate Crackle-tops

Total Time: 25 mins Preparation Time: 10 mins Cook Time: 15 mins

Ingredients

• 7 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
• 1/2 cup butter or 1/2 cup margarine
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 3 medium eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups flour
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar (approx)

Recipe

• 1 in a medium saucepan over low heat, melt the chocolate and butter until smooth, stirring frequently. remove from heat; stir in sugar and continue stirring 2-3 min or until sugar dissolves. add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition; stir in vanilla.
• 2 in a separate bowl sift together flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt. gradually stir into the chocolate mix in batches, until just blended. cover dough and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, until the dough is cold and holds its shape.
• 3 preheat oven to 325 deg. grease two or more large baking sheets. place powdered sugar in a small, deep bowl. using your hands scoop cold dough into small balls and roll into 1 ½ in balls. drop each ball into the powdered sugar and roll until heavily coated. remove with a slotted spoon and tap against the side of the bowl to remove excess sugar. place on the baking sheets 1 ½ in apart.
• 4 bake for 10-15 min or until tops feel slightly firm when touched. place baking sheet on wire rack for 2-3 min, then remove cookies and cool on rack completely.