Best Christmas Cookies

Everyone enjoys baking at Christmas, and even though baking is not usually my strong suit, I actually made some great cookies this year. My favorite were these little Cracked Chocolate Cookies. I found the recipe on allrecipes.com and I read the feedback and used their input to make these delicious treats. They tasted like little Devil's Food Cake Cookies. I adapted it a bit from the original recipe because I prefer butter over shortening. Be sure you don't overbake these or they get hard. 10 min means 10 min no more.

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 cups firmly packed light brown sugar
• 1 stick butter softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 2 cups All Purpose Flour
• 6 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 2/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (or mint chocolate chips!!)
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar

Directions

1. Beat brown sugar, shortening and vanilla in large bowl at medium speed of electric mixer until well blended. Add eggs; beat well.
2. Combine flour, cocoa, salt and baking soda. Add to shortening mixture; beat at low speed just until blended. Stir in chocolate chips. Cover and chill 3 hours.
3. Heat oven to 375 degrees F. Shape dough into 1 1/4-inch balls. Roll in granulated sugar, then in powdered sugar to coat completely. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet.
4. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until cookies are set. Cool 2 minutes on cookie sheet. Remove cookies to wire rack to cool completely.