Chocolate Crackle Cookies

Every week during the month of December, I'm planning on making a cookie recipe or two with Caroline and Charlie. First up, is a family favorite Chocolate Crackle Cookies from Martha Stewart. They are chocolatey, chewy and rolled in sugar. They also go perfectly with a glass of milk or hot chocolate. Stay tuned to see what we bake up next week.

Ingredients:

• 8 ounces bittersweet chocolate, coarsely chopped

• 1 1/4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour

• 1/2 cup unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder

• 2 teaspoons baking powder

• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened

• 1 1/2 cups packed light-brown sugar

• 2 large eggs

• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

• 1/3 cup whole milk

• 1 cup granulated sugar

• 1 cup confectioners' sugar

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Melt chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water, stirring. Set aside, and let cool. Sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl; set aside.

2. Mix butter and brown sugar on medium speed until pale and fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes. Mix in eggs and vanilla, and then the melted chocolate. Reduce speed to low; mix in flour mixture in 2 batches, alternating with the milk. Divide dough into 4 equal pieces. Wrap each in plastic; refrigerate until firm, about 2 hours.

3. Divide each piece into 16 (1-inch) balls. Roll in granulated sugar to coat, then in confectioners' sugar to coat. Space 2 inches apart on baking sheets lined with parchment paper.

4. Bake until surfaces crack, about 14 minutes. Let cool on sheets on wire racks. Cookies can be stored between layers of parchment in airtight containers up to 3 days.