Chocolate Snickerdoodles with Toddlers

Who out there likes snickerdoodles?!  I thought so.  Who likes chocolate?!  Okay.  So, why not put them together. 

D LOVES chocolate...I think he considers it a food group.  I like snickerdoodles...but there's no chocolate.  So, I went in search of a chocolate snickerdoodle recipe and found one here.  Before we took K so see Grammy and Granddaddy, I decided we should make these - Granddaddy likes chocolate, too. 

First we had to have a little cuddle time with Elmo.  Then we went in search of the mixer. 

K is a great little helper when it comes to pouring but she really wants to help with the eggs. My solution to this is to crack the egg into a measuring cup and let her pour it into the bowl. She lost interest after pouring the flour in....until it came time to put he dough on the pan.  This is where the....um....fun began!  I put the dough in the cinnamon sugar mix and covered it then let K put it on the pan.  Following dough ball number one, she licks her fingers.  "K, you can't lick your fingers, baby.  Wait."  Big eyes!  Dough ball number two, she licks her fingers.

 "No, K!  Don't lick your fingers."  Curious look. 

Dough ball number three...fingers begin to go to mouth...fingers intercepted!

"Don't lick your fingers.  Wait.  When we're done you can lick them."  She did really well after this but kept looking at her hands and saying "My hand sticky."

 Needless to say, I sped up the coating process after that!  Sweet relief and cookie dough!  :-) 

The cookies turned out great.  I still prefer a non-chocolate cookie but I loved the addition of the cinnamon flavor the cinnamon sugar coating added.  Try them out for yourself...but don't lick your fingers until you're done making the cookies!  :-)

Chocolate Snickerdoodles
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup sugar
 2 ounces unsweetened chocolate, melted and cooled
1 large egg
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 cup sugar


Preheat the oven to 400°F. In a bowl, beat the butter with 1 cup of the sugar until creamy using a mixer. Add the melted chocolate and the egg and beat until smooth. Beat in the dry ingredients until incorporated.
In a shallow bowl, mix the remaining 1/2 cup of sugar with the cinnamon and set aside.
Scoop out dough using a small ice cream scoop (or a soup spoon) and use your hands to form into a ball. Roll the balls in the cinnamon sugar mixture. Transfer to baking sheets. Flatten to 2-inch rounds if desired...I didn't do this. Bake for 12 to 14 minutes, until the cookies are puffed and cracked. Transfer to racks and let cool.  Enjoy!