2 cups flour
2 tsp baking powder
9 tbs (1 stick plus 1 tbs) unsalted butter
6 tbs unsweetened cocoa powder
1 3/4 cups sugar, PLUS 1/2 cup for rolling the cookies
2 eggs
1 1/2 tsp vanilla

in a medium bowl, whisk together the flour and baking powder. set aside.

put the butter in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave on HIGH for 45 seconds, or until melted. or melt the butter in a small saucepan. stir in the cocoa. cool.

pour the butter mixture ito a large bowl.add the 1 3/4 cups sugar, eggs, and vanilla and beat with an electric mixer until smooth. beat in the flour mixture. the dough will be soft.

gather the dough into a ball and wrap in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. refrigerate for 1 hour, or until firm enough to shape.

preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

pull off walnut-sized pieces of dough and shape them into balls. place the 1/2 cup sugar in a shallow bowl and roll the cookies in the sugar. place the cookies 2″ apart on ungreased cookie sheets.

bake in the center of the oven for 8-10 minutes,then remove to wire racks to cool completely.

makes 48 cookies