Preheat oven to 350.
Melt the 8 ounces of chocolate chips in the microwave until smooth.
With an electric mixer, beat the butter until smooth and creamy – about 1 minute.
Beat in the sugars.
Add eggs and vanilla.
Add the chocolate and beat until combined.
Add flour, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt.
Fold in the chocolate chips and candies.
Scoop about 2 Tbsp of dough and roll into a ball.
Bake for about 9-10 minutes, or until the cookies have just begun to set with the centers still appearing very soft. They will firm up as they cool.
Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for at least 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.