Ingredients
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup granulated sugar for rolling
2 large eggs, at room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
2 teaspoons cornstarch
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 cup all purpose flour, spooned and leveled
1 teaspoon instant espresso powder (optional)
1/2 cup powdered sugar for coating
Instructions
1-Mix the wet ingredients: Whisk vegetable oil, granulated sugar, eggs, vanilla, and salt until smooth and blended.
2-Sift in the cocoa: Sift cocoa powder and baking powder into the wet mix; stir until fully incorporated with no lumps.
3-Add the dry ingredients: Gently stir in flour and cornstarch just until combined, without overmixing.
4-Chill the dough: Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight to firm it up for crackly tops.
5-Scoop and roll in sugars: Scoop 1½ tablespoon dough balls, roll first in granulated sugar, then coat generously in powdered sugar.
6-Bake at 350°F: Place balls 2 inches apart on parchment-lined sheet; bake 10-12 minutes until puffed, cracked, and slightly soft in center.
7-Cool on sheet: Let rest on baking sheet for 5 minutes to set, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Last Step:
Please leave a rating and comment letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business to thrive and continue providing free, high-quality recipes for you.Notes
🥚 Use room temperature eggs so the oil emulsifies smoothly and the dough comes together without clumping.
🥄 Measure flour by spooning it into the cup and leveling it off — never scoop directly from the bag, which packs in too much flour and makes cookies dry.
🍬 Do not skip the double sugar roll — granulated sugar first helps the powdered sugar stick and creates those dramatic snowy cracks.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Chill Time: 2 hours
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Dairy Free
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 85mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 16mg