CHOCOLATE CHRISTMAS COOKIES RECIPES

Steps:

• Sift flours, baking soda, baking powder and salt into a bowl. Set aside.
• Using a mixer fitted with paddle attachment, cream butter and sugars together until very light, about 5 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla. Reduce speed to low, add dry ingredients and mix until just combined, 5 to 10 seconds. Drop chocolate pieces in and incorporate them without breaking them. Press plastic wrap against dough and refrigerate for 24 to 36 hours. Dough may be used in batches, and can be refrigerated for up to 72 hours.
• When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a nonstick baking mat. Set aside.
• Scoop 6 3 1/2-ounce mounds of dough (the size of generous golf balls) onto baking sheet, making sure to turn horizontally any chocolate pieces that are poking up; it will make for a more attractive cookie. Sprinkle lightly with sea salt and bake until golden brown but still soft, 18 to 20 minutes. Transfer sheet to a wire rack for 10 minutes, then slip cookies onto another rack to cool a bit more. Repeat with remaining dough, or reserve dough, refrigerated, for baking remaining batches the next day. Eat warm, with a big napkin.

Steps:

• Combine the butter and chopped chocolate in a heatproof bowl and set over a saucepan filled with a few inches of simmering water over low heat. Let melt, 3 to 4 minutes, then stir until smooth. Remove the bowl from the pan and let cool slightly. 
• Combine the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl and whisk to combine and get rid of any lumps.
• Combine the brown sugar, eggs, vanilla and ½ cup granulated sugar in a large bowl and beat with a mixer on medium-high speed until light and smooth, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the melted chocolate mixture and beat until combined. With the mixer on low speed, add the flour mixture and beat until just combined, 30 seconds to 1 minute. Cover the dough and refrigerate until firm, at least 2 hours and up to 4 hours.
• Preheat the oven to 350˚. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Spread the remaining 1 cup granulated sugar in a shallow bowl and the powdered sugar in a second shallow bowl. Scoop the dough into balls (about 1 tablespoon each). Roll first in the granulated sugar, then in the powdered sugar to coat completely. Place on the baking sheet, about 2 inches apart. Bake until the tops of the cookies are cracked and the edges are firm, 10 to 12 minutes. Let cool 5 minutes on the baking sheets, then remove to racks to cool completely.