1/2 cup (113 g, 8 tablespoons) unsalted butter, just barely melted and cooled slightly
1/4 cup (56 g, 4 tablespoons) vegetable shortening, such as Crisco
2/3 cup (140 g) packed brown sugar
1/3 cup (87 g) dark molasses (I used Blackstrap molasses)
1 large egg
1-1/2 cups (225 g) all-purpose flour
1/2 cup (60 g) cocoa powder (I like Ghirardelli cocoa powder)
1 tsp baking soda
2 tsp ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1/2 tsp fine salt
3 ounces(85 g) coarsely chopped 60% dark chocolate (I used a Ghirardelli Bittersweet baking bar)
Sanding sugar, for rolling the cookies
In a stand mixer with paddle attachment, beat together the melted butter, shortening, brown sugar, and molasses in a large bowl. Add the egg and mix in.
In a separate bowl, sift the flour, cocoa, baking soda, cinnamon, ground ginger, and salt and add to the butter mixture all at once. Slowly mix in until evenly combined (the mixture will be quite soft). Blend in the chopped chocolate. Cover and chill the dough for at least 2 hours or overnight. I chilled mine overnight. This will insure the best looking crackle.
Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C) and line two baking trays with parchment or silicone baking sheets.
Scoop out 1 tablespoon portions of cookie dough. Roll each into a ball and then roll the balls in the sanding sugar to coat. Arrange the cookies on the baking sheets allowing 2 inches (5 cm) between each one. Leave the balls round, do not flatten! This also attains the best crackle and texture. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until they crackle and feel set at the edges. I baked mine for 11 minutes. You want the centers to remain moist.
Let the cookies cool on the trays on a cooling rack for 10 minutes and remove to a rack to cool completely. The cookies will keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days and freeze beautifully.
Note: The original recipe calls for 1-1/2 tablespoons of fresh grated ginger, and 1/2 teaspoon of ground nutmeg, which I omitted.
Recipe adapted from Baking Day with Anna Olson and also appears in the October Costco Connection magazine.