Chocolate Crinkle Cookies Recipe

Magical Chocolate Crinkle Cookies Recipe: Soft Powdery Wonders

Chocolate lovers unite over these decadent chocolate crinkle cookies that promise pure bliss with every bite.

Dark, rich cocoa powder creates a luxurious base for these irresistible treats.

Powdered sugar coats each cookie, creating a beautiful crackled exterior that looks as stunning as it tastes.

The soft, fudgy centers melt in your mouth, delivering an intense chocolate experience.

Rolling the dough in granulated sugar before dusting with powdered sugar ensures a perfect crinkled finish.

These cookies transform an ordinary afternoon into a delightful chocolate celebration.

One taste will have you falling head over heels for this classic holiday favorite.

Classic Holiday Treats: Timeless Reasons to Love

  • Create Delightful Holiday Magic: These classic cookies transform ordinary baking into a festive celebration with their rich chocolate flavor and stunning powdered sugar coating.
  • Bake with Minimal Skill: Perfect for beginner bakers, this recipe requires simple mixing techniques and basic kitchen tools, making it accessible for everyone from kids to grandparents.
  • Embrace Make-Ahead Convenience: The dough can be prepared in advance and chilled, allowing you to spread out the baking process and reduce stress during busy holiday seasons.
  • Wow Guests with Irresistible Texture: Soft, crackly exterior with a rich chocolate interior creates a sensational treat that looks professional and tastes absolutely delicious.

What’s in Classic Holiday Treats

Core Ingredients:
  • Flour: A key dry ingredient that provides structure to the holiday cookies.
  • Cocoa: Delivers rich chocolate flavor and deep color to the treats.
  • Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a soft, tender texture.
  • Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and contribute to the cookie's richness.
  • Oil: Ensures moisture and helps create a soft, tender cookie.
Wet Ingredients:
  • Vanilla: Enhances the overall flavor profile of the cookies.
Leavening and Seasoning:
  • Baking Powder, Salt: Help the cookies rise and balance the sweet flavors.
Finishing Ingredient:
  • Powdered Sugar: Provides a sweet, snowy coating that makes these holiday cookies visually appealing and adds extra sweetness.

Baking Instructions for Holiday Treats

Baking Instructions for Holiday Treats

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

Turn your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with a silicone mat or parchment paper for easy cleanup.

Step 2: Prepare Dry Ingredients

Grab a small bowl and whisk together:
  • All-purpose flour
  • Baking powder
  • Salt

Step 3: Create Chocolate Base

In a medium bowl, blend:
  • Cocoa powder
  • White sugar
  • Brown sugar
  • Vegetable oil

Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla extract until smooth and glossy.

Step 4: Merge Ingredients

Gradually fold the dry ingredient mixture into the chocolate mixture.

Stir gently until everything is perfectly combined and no flour streaks remain.

Step 5: Chill the Dough

Cover the bowl and slide it into the refrigerator.

Let the dough rest and firm up for 30-45 minutes.

Step 6: Form Cookie Balls

Roll the chilled dough into small balls about the size of a golf ball.

Generously roll each ball in powdered sugar until completely coated.

Step 7: Bake Cookies

Place the sugar-coated dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them 2-2½ inches apart.

Bake for 10-11 minutes until edges are set.

Step 8: Cool and Serve

Allow cookies to rest on the baking sheet for 2 minutes, then transfer to a wire cooling rack.

The cookies will develop their signature crackled look as they cool.

Classic Treats – Expert Baking Tips

  • Chill the dough for at least 30 minutes to make it easier to handle and roll into balls without sticking to your hands.
  • Use extra powdered sugar for a beautiful crackled surface and sweet exterior that creates a stunning visual appeal.
  • Remove cookies from oven when edges look set but centers still appear slightly soft to ensure a perfectly chewy texture.
  • Swap regular flour with gluten-free flour blend and use plant-based oil for a vegan-friendly version of these classic holiday treats.
  • Store cooled cookies in airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days to maintain their soft, delicate texture.

Recipe Swaps for Holiday Treats

  • Gluten-Free Delight: Replace wheat flour with almond or gluten-free blend for celiac-friendly cookies.
  • Vegan Version: Swap eggs with flax eggs or applesauce and use coconut oil for plant-based treat.
  • Low-Sugar Option: Substitute white sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia for diabetic-friendly recipe.
  • Chocolate Mint Variation: Add peppermint extract and crushed candy canes for festive holiday flavor.

Serving Classic Treats During the Holidays

  • Festive Powdered Sugar Plate: Arrange cookies on a decorative white platter dusted with extra powdered sugar for a stunning holiday presentation.
  • Chocolate Companions: Serve alongside rich hot cocoa or creamy vanilla ice cream to enhance the cookie's deep chocolate flavor profile.
  • Gift-Worthy Packaging: Stack cookies between wax paper in clear gift boxes tied with festive ribbons for a homemade edible present that looks professionally crafted.
  • Coffee Pairing Delight: Accompany these cookies with espresso or cappuccino to create a sophisticated dessert experience that highlights their rich chocolate essence.

Holiday Treats – How to Keep Them Fresh

  • Store cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days at room temperature, keeping them soft and fresh.
  • Transfer cooled cookies to a freezer-safe container or ziplock bag, separating layers with parchment paper. Freeze for up to 3 months for longer storage.
  • Remove frozen cookies from freezer and let sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving, ensuring they return to their original texture.
  • Keep cookies away from direct sunlight and humidity to prevent softening or staleness, preserving their delicate powdered sugar coating.

FAQs

  • Are these cookies difficult to make?

No, they’re super simple! With basic ingredients and straightforward steps, even beginner bakers can successfully create these delicious holiday treats.

  • Why do I need to chill the dough?

Chilling helps prevent spreading and makes the dough easier to handle, ensuring perfectly shaped cookies with a nice crackly exterior.

  • Can I use different types of sugar?

Stick to the recipe’s suggested sugars for best results. Brown and white sugar provide the right moisture and sweetness balance that makes these cookies special.

  • How do I know when the cookies are done?

Look for slightly cracked tops and set edges. They might seem soft, but they’ll firm up while cooling, creating that classic fudgy texture.

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Chocolate Crinkle Cookies Recipe

Chocolate Crinkle Cookies Recipe


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4.8 from 28 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 1 minute
  • Yield: 24 1x

Description

Delightful chocolate crinkle cookies dance with rich cocoa and powdered sugar elegance, promising a festive winter treat. Crisp exterior and fudgy interior make these classic cookies irresistible companions for holiday gatherings and cozy moments with loved ones.


Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients:

  • 2 1/4 cups (280 grams) all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup (100 grams) unsweetened Dutch-processed cocoa powder
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons (12.5 grams) baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon (3 grams) kosher salt

Sugars:

  • 1 1/4 cups (250 grams) granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup (100 grams) brown sugar
  • 2/3 cup (80 grams) powdered sugar (for rolling)

Wet Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) vegetable or canola oil
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare a baking sheet with a silicone mat or parchment paper.
  2. In a separate bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients, ensuring even distribution of flour, baking powder, and salt.
  3. Create a chocolate base by blending cocoa, sugars, and oil in a medium mixing bowl, then incorporate eggs individually, followed by vanilla extract.
  4. Gradually fold the dry ingredient mixture into the chocolate mixture, stirring until a uniform dough forms.
  5. Refrigerate the dough for 30-45 minutes to enhance flavor and improve texture.
  6. Form rounded dough balls approximately 1 1/4 inches in diameter, generously coating each with powdered sugar for a crackled exterior.
  7. Arrange cookie dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them 2-2 1/2 inches apart to allow proper spreading during baking.
  8. Bake for 10-11 minutes, maintaining the 350°F temperature until edges are set and centers appear slightly soft.
  9. Allow cookies to rest on the baking sheet for 2 minutes before transferring to cooling racks to complete the cooling process.

Notes

  • Chill dough thoroughly to prevent spreading and ensure thick, chewy cookies with crisp edges.
  • Generously coat dough balls in powdered sugar for a beautiful crackled exterior and sweet, delicate finish.
  • Use room temperature eggs for smoother batter integration and more consistent cookie texture.
  • Try alternative flours like almond or gluten-free blends for dietary restrictions without compromising rich chocolate flavor.
  • Prep Time: 50 minutes
  • Cook Time: 11 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 24
  • Calories: 210
  • Sugar: 11 g
  • Sodium: 50 mg
  • Fat: 10 g
  • Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 30 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 40 mg
Nathaniel Brooks

Nathaniel Brooks

Founder & Recipe Developer

Expertise

Farm-to-table cuisine, Seasonal recipe development, Culinary storytelling

Education

Ivy Tech Community College – Indianapolis, IN
Culinary Arts / Hospitality Administration & Events
Focused on hands-on training in classical and modern culinary techniques. ​


Nathaniel’s story starts in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, where farm stands, backyard gardens, and old family recipes shaped his love for real food. After graduating from Ivy Tech Community College in Indianapolis, he spent years working in farm-to-table kitchens, learning how to turn local, seasonal ingredients into something memorable.
Today, Nathaniel pours that same spirit into every single recipe on Aspiring Culinarian – recipes that feel real, comforting, and connected to the land. When he’s not in the kitchen, you’ll find him foraging wild herbs, chasing sunsets with his camera, or writing about the flavors that shaped his roots.

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