Chocolate Earthquake Cookies
When you get a mad cookie craving, these rich, Fudgy Chocolate Earthquake Cookies will fulfill your deepest desire!
Rolled in powdered sugar, the dough balls bake up with dark chocolate cracks resembling earthquake faults. Besides the unique look, these chocolate crinkles are absolutely irresistible!
Chocolate Earthquake Cookies
I’ve made Martha Stewart’s Chocolate Crackle Cookies a number of times and even Chocolate Crinkles. My friend, Sharon, shared her mom’s recipe which was even fudgier than Martha’s. What’s not to love about extra fudgy? Sharon, who loves chocolate as much as my boys, and Gini, one of my biggest fans joined me in the kitchen to whip up these chocolate earthquake cookies.
How to Make Chocolate Earthquake Cookies
Like the above-mentioned chocolate crinkles and crackles, to make these chocolate earthquake cookies, a chocolate dough is rolled into balls, then into powdered sugar before baking. The cracks form naturally as the leaveners expand the dough when exposed to heat in the oven. Here are a few more tips for making these chocolate cookies.
- Since the butter is melted, it does not need to be brought to room temperature before mixing. Though bringing your eggs out of the refrigerator about an hour before mixing will bring them closer to room temperature. This enables better incorporation into the dough.
- PRO-Tip: Check the expiration on your baking powder as it’s used less often than baking soda and often expires without your knowledge.
- Do not over mix the cookie dough as that will encourage gluten formation and make less tender cookies.
- This dough should be chilled for at least 20 minutes before forming into dough balls.
- Use a medium-size cookie disher to scoop out consistent sized dough balls.
- Roll the dough between your palms to make nice spheres, then roll in powdered sugar.
- Bake as directed. I like using parchment-lined baking sheets for easy cleanup.
- Do not over bake as that will cause the cookies to be less fudgy.
More Chocolate Cookies You’ll Love:
- Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
- Hot Chocolate Cookies
- Caramel Filled Chocolate Cookies
- Flourless Chocolate Cookies
- Death by Chocolate Cookies
- Triple Chocolate Cookies
- Killer Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Layered Chocolate Chip Cookies
- More Chocolate Recipes
Add to Your Shopping List:
- Unsweetened Chocolate (I like Ghirardelli bars)
- Fresh Baking Powder
- Check your kitchen for these staples: butter, eggs, flour, sugar, salt, powdered sugar, and real vanilla extract
This recipe for Earthquake Cookies was first shared in August 2010. The text and photos were updated in 2019.
Chocolate Earthquake Cookies
Super rich and fudgy cookies coated in powdered sugar.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup butter (the original recipe called for "butter the size of an egg")
- 2 ounces unsweetened chocolate
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup flour
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
- Gently melt butter and chocolate in the microwave; stir till smooth.
- Add sugar gradually, then use a mixer to mix in eggs.
- Sift dry ingredients, and add to the chocolate mixture. Mix till just combined.
- Add vanilla and mix into the dough. Refrigerate 20 minutes or more.
- Preheat oven to 350º.
- Roll tablespoonfuls of dough into balls; then roll into powdered sugar. Bake 9-10 minutes. The centers should be fudgy if not overbaked.
Notes
Total time does not include chilling time.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
24Serving Size:
1 cookieAmount Per Serving: Calories: 90Total Fat: 4gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 21mgSodium: 53mgCarbohydrates: 13gFiber: 1gSugar: 8gProtein: 1g
My girlfriends were thrilled when I aimed the camera on
them.
17 Comments on “Chocolate Earthquake Cookies”
Thank you. I lost my grandmother’s recipe card for these cookies. And this is the recipe because her recipe called for “butter the size of an egg”. You’ve made me very happy.
Oh, I’m so glad, Andee! Hope it’s as good as your grandmother’s recipe!!
This is the kind of earthquake that I’d go for!
Crinkle cookies are my favorite! These look so rich and fudgy!
Cut twist on the name. 🙂 I’ve always been a fan of crinkle cookies. I love the look and texture — and oh my, with all of that chocolate, I love this recipe! ~Valentina
Your earthquake cookies look great Liz, especially love the contrast of the colors…I would love to have a couple of them now…thanks for the recipe. Have a wonderful weekend!
These were a sure hit with the kids!
Do you deliver??? These would be a huge hit at our house, would need to double the batch for sure.
When the kids and I make these, they disappear in a day!
These cookies were gone in a flash! So good!
These were so good and chocolaty! My girls loved helping make them!
First time I think I would look forward to an earthquake 😀 Especially a very fudgy one. Awesome cookies Liz!
They are a favourite! This just reminds me that I haven’t baked a batch in a long while.
They look great! I haven’t turned the oven on in a month… Will add these cookies to my fall baking list:@)
I love making these! I call them crinkles cookies, but they are oo so good, no matter what they are called
I love earthquake cookies! These look delicious.
Four girlfriends sampled these last night, Kim…and at least two wanted the recipe! Just watch the baking time 🙂