Chocolate Crackles (Day 1 of 12 Cookies of Christmas)

The parade is over, the turkey’s cooked, the leftovers are almost finished off, and the relatives have all gone home. That can only mean one thing. With Thanksgiving in the books, it’s officially time to turn our thoughts to the next big holiday! Time to put the tree up and hit the stores for the perfect gifts, and most importantly, it’s time to start a month long marathon of holiday baking! That’s right. It’s time once again for the 12 Days of Christmas! Or as it’ll be known this year, The 12 Cookies of Christmas! Yep. 12 delicious cookie recipes for you to bake and share all season long! Get ready, because this is going to be one yummy holiday!

Day 1: Chocolate Crackles

Chocolate cookies. Snowy powdered sugar. Completely unassuming, but pretty dang delicious. As Boyfriend said after his first bite, “They’re just a chocolate cookie.” Yeah, they are. But I dare you to eat just one. It’s almost impossible. Between the two of us, Boyfriend and I polished off the last 10 or so within minutes, just reaching for more before we’d even finished chewing the last one. They may not be quintessential holiday cookies, but no matter what time of year you make them, they’re great! They’re soft and incredibly moist, and the powdered sugar coating gives it the perfect amount of sweetness. Just be careful. That sugar will get all over you.

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Chocolate Crackles
Adapted from 17 and Baking
Makes about 4 dozen



1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 cups granulated sugar
½ cup vegetable oil
4 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups all purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup confectioners’ sugar

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside. In a separate medium bowl, stir together cocoa, white sugar, and vegetable oil. Beat in eggs, one at a time, then add vanilla, stirring to combine. Add in flour mixture and stir until combined. Cover with plastic wrap and chill in refrigerator for 4 hours, or up to overnight.
2. Preheat oven to 350F. Line cookie sheets with parchment or a silicone baking mat. Put confectioners’ sugar into a small bowl. Using a 1-inch cookie scoop or rounded tablespoons, roll dough into balls with your hands, then roll in confectioners’ sugar to coat. Place on prepared cookie sheets 2 inches apart. Bake 10 to 12 minutes. Let cool on cookie sheet for 2 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Looking for more cookie ideas? Keep checking back for more of the 12 Cookies of Christmas!