M&M's Chocolate Crackle Cookies & Enter to win $250!

Two weeks ago, I had a cookie exchange and needed to come up with two separate cookie recipes.  I already had the jam-filled thumbprint cookie in mind, which I shared a couple weeks ago.  To contrast, I decided that a rich, fudgy chocolate crackle cookie would be completely different and delicious!  I looove baking with chocolate because the entire kitchen smells delicious.  To up the "chocolate factor" even more, I added crushed M&M's to the mix.  Yum!  It is such a crowd pleaser and even though I made it for the holidays, this will be my go-to chocolate cookie year round!

Not only do I have this amazing recipe to share today, you have the chance to win $250 in the "Baking Is Better With M" Pinterest Sweepstakes!  It is super simple to enter, so stay tuned for your chance to win after the recipe.  Sweet!

Back to the recipe, I used Plain M&M's to zhuzh up the humble the crackle cookie, which I already love.  Still, it is usually a bit boring looking on a plate, and sometimes I want a bit more texture to the crackle top.  The Plain M&M's are a perfect addition because it adds a dash of color, a bit of crunch, and a tinge more sweetness.  Score!

M&M's Chocolate Crackle Cookies
A Vintage Zest original  (loosely inspired by Food Network Kitchens)

Ingredients

• 1 cup Plain M&M's
• 4 oz. semisweet chocolate, coarsely chopped 
• 3 Tbsp. unsalted butter 
• 2 Tbsp. canola or other neutral tasting oil 
• 3/4 cup packed dark brown sugar 
• 1/4 cup white sugar 
• 2 tsp. pure vanilla extract 
• 1/2 tsp. fine salt 
• 2 large eggs, cold 
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder 
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour 
• 1/4 tsp. baking soda
• 1 cup powdered sugar

Note: I used the Plain M&M's, which I figured would be the easiest.  Still, when I hit the Walmart Chocolate Candy aisle, I thought that it would be fun to try out the different M&M's varieties.  I am definitely experimenting next time!

Directions

1.  Melt the chocolate and butter together in a microwave-safe bowl or double boiler.

2.  Transfer to the bowl of a stand mixer and add the oil.

3.  Mix in the brown sugar, white sugar, vanilla, and salt.

4.  Beat in the eggs until fully incorporated.

5.  Add the cocoa, flour, and baking soda until just incorporated.

6.  Place the M&M's in a plastic bag and crush.  I used the pestle from my mortar and pestle set, which was really effective!

7.  Mix into the batter.

8.  Refrigerate the dough until firm, up to one hour depending on the initial temperature of your ingredients.  I typically only need to wait 20 minutes.

9.  Scoop out each cookie and roll in the powdered sugar.

10.  Shake off the excess and place on a cookie sheet.  The cookies will spread slightly, so leave some room.

11.  Bake at 400F for 8 – 10 minutes.

And that's it!  I love how festive these cookies are and how seriously delicious these smell when they are baking.  Are you ready to find out how to win $250 to make your holiday a little bit sweeter?

Now, pin for a chance to win one of three $250 Walmart gift cards! It's as easy as submitting your email and pinning an image.  Simply complete the following steps:


1. Enter your email in the form below and click “Enter.”
2. Pin the contest image to any of your own Pinterest boards.
3. Visit the Baking with M Pinterest board (http://www.pinterest.com/cbsocially/baking-with-mms/) and Re-Pin your favorites to enter.


Details: Three (3) Winners will be selected at random - One (1) entry per person.  Contest runs 12/06/13 - 12/31/13.

Good luck!

I hope that you enjoy these cookies and enter to win the contest between mouthfuls of M&M's and chocolate.  :)

Bon appetit & good luck!