Chocolate Crinkles

2 cups sugar
3/4 cup vegetable oil
3/4 cup cocoa powder
4 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 1/3 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
powdered sugar

1. Mix the vegetable oil and sugar in a large bowl. Add the cocoa powder. Beat in the eggs, one at a time. Add the vanilla extract.

2. Combine the flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the cocoa mixture. Mix well. Cover and refrigerate until dough is firm enough to handle, about 4 hours.

3. Preheat the oven to 350F. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Shape the dough into 1-inch balls, roll in powdered sugar, and place on the cookie sheet about 2 inches apart.

4. Bake for 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer the cookies on a wire rack to cool. (You have to let them cool completely before eating.) Makes about 6 dozen cookies.

So the story is that it’s been a tradition for me to send chocolate crinkles to my dear friend Rhea every Christmas. However, last week, she told me that her family was craving the crinkles and asked me if I can bake a batch for them this summer. No problem! So I purposefully baked about 6 or 8 dozens this morning so I can mail it out by the afternoon. Well, what do you know?! Our driveway got sealed this morning and my car is stuck in the garage. We’re not supposed to drive over the sealed driveway for 48 hours. I guess I’m not going to the post office today. At least my kids were happy that they have the crinkles all to themselves. =)