INSTRUCTIONS
1. Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a microwave-safe bowl or small saucepan over low heat, melt the semisweet chocolate and butter together. Stir until smooth. Let cool slightly.
3. Add the granulated sugar to the chocolate and butter mixture, and mix well.
4. Add the egg and vanilla extract to the mixture and stir until well incorporated.
5. In another bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt. Add these dry ingredients to the wet mixture and stir until you have a smooth dough.
6. If you wish, you can add chocolate chips and chopped nuts to the dough and mix gently.
7. Using an ice cream scoop or two spoons, place mounds of dough on the baking sheet, leaving enough space between each cookie.
8. Bake in the preheated oven for about 10-12 minutes, or until the cookies are firm on the edges but still a little soft in the center.
9. Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the tray for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.