I'm baking the second batch of these this weekend -- the first one didn't last long enough to make it into Christmas gifts!

Double Chocolate Crinkles
6-8 dozen

2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup shortening
4 ounces unsweetened chocolate
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract OR orange extract
6 ounces (1 package) semisweet or bittersweet chocolate chips
confectioners' sugar

Mix flour, baking powder, and salt together in a medium bowl.

Melt shortening and chocolate together (I melt them in the microwave, directly in a large Pyrex mixing bowl).

Beat sugar into melted chocolate. Beat in eggs one at a time, then vanilla or orange extract. Mix in flour mixture until smooth. Stir in chocolate chips.

Chill dough 1 hour or longer.

Preheat oven to 350F.

Break off bits of dough and roll into 1" balls. Roll heavily in confectioners' sugar. Arrange 1" apart on ungreased cookie sheets.

Bake 10 minutes.

Let cool on wire racks. Cookies will be soft, but will firm up somewhat upon cooling.