1-Gathering and Prepping: First, preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) to get everything set for baking. Make sure you have all your ingredients measured out, as this keeps things smooth and fun. The dough for these cookies is soft, so don’t worry if it feels a bit sticky at first; that’s normal and leads to those pillowy centers.

2-Mixing the Dough: Next, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is fluffy and light. This step is key for the cookie’s texture, so take a moment to mix it well. Then, add the egg and vanilla extract, blending until everything is creamy and combined. In another bowl, mix the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt before gradually adding it to the wet ingredients.

3-Mixing the Dough: Stir until fully combined, and remember the dough will be soft no need to add extra flour. For a link to a similar baking technique, check out blossom cookies recipe for more tips on handling dough.

4-Shaping and Baking: Once your dough is ready, scoop or roll it into equal-sized balls and place them on a cookie sheet. This part is easy and lets you get creative with sizes, but keep them uniform for even baking. Pop them in the oven for 7 to 9 minutes, watching until they’re puffy and no longer glossy on top.

5-Shaping and Baking: Right after you take them out, gently press a chocolate candy into the center of each cookie. Let them cool completely on the pan before you move or store them this helps the candy set and keeps the shape. If you’re baking for a group, this recipe makes about 24 cookies, perfect for sharing with family or friends.

6-Tips for Success: To avoid spreading too much, chill the dough balls for 30 minutes before baking; it really helps. Unwrap your candies ahead of time so you can add them quickly. These steps ensure your cookies turn out with that sweet crunch you love, and they’re great for busy parents experimenting in the kitchen.

7-Tips for Success: Expanding on the process, if you’re new to baking, practice makes perfect try doubling the batch for more practice. For the health side, remember that cocoa offers antioxidants, as noted in benefits of chocolate. This recipe’s versatility means you can tweak it for dietary needs, like using substitutes, while keeping the soft centers intact.

8-Tips for Success: Bake in batches if you have a small oven.

9-Tips for Success: Use a cookie scoop for even balls.

10-Tips for Success: Adjust time based on your oven’s heat.