I make these every year at Christmas time, mainly because Trevor likes them so much. The recipe comes from my friend Lisa Burkitt, who sadly died of breast cancer many years ago. I think of her whenever I’m rolling these little balls in icing sugar and I send her a “Hug”. How lucky I am to have had the treatment I did. Perhaps if it had been available for her then, she would be here to bake these for her family today. Enjoy!
4 oz. unsweetened chocolate
3 eggs, beaten
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1/2 cup oil
2 tsp. baking powder
2 tsp. vanilla
2 cups flour
sifted icing sugar
48 milk chocolate Hershey’s Hugs (the striped ones, not the Kisses . . . that’s where the cookies get their name). One package will be exactly enough if you don’t sneak any.
Stir unsweetened chocolate in a small saucepan over low heat until melted. Cool.
Combine eggs, sugar, melted chocolate, oil, baking powder and vanilla in a large bowl. Gradually add flour to chocolate mixture, stirring until combined. Cover and chill for 1 to 2 hours.
Shape dough into 1 inch balls. Roll in icing sugar. Place 2″ apart on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes or until edges are set and tops cracked. While still warm, (but not immediately) press a Hug into the centre of each. If you press it in too soon, the Hug will melt and lose its shape. If you wait too long, the cookie will harden. Cool on wire rack. Makes about 48 cookies. These freeze beautifully.
