Magical Christmas Crinkle Cookies Recipe for Holiday Joy

Festive holiday gatherings always sparkle with delightful christmas crinkle cookies that bring pure joy to the table.

Sweet powdered sugar coats these rich chocolate delights like freshly fallen snow.

Soft centers melt in your mouth while crispy edges provide a perfect textural contrast.

Every baker knows these treats create instant smiles among guests and loved ones.

Generations have cherished this classic recipe, passing down memories through each delectable bite.

Your kitchen will smell absolutely magical while these cookies bake to chocolatey perfection.

Dust them generously with confectioner’s sugar and watch everyone’s eyes light up with holiday cheer.

Discover the Joys of Baking Festive Cookies

• Whip Up Holiday Cheer: These festive cookies bring instant joy with their vibrant red and green colors, perfect for spreading Christmas spirit.
• Simplify Baking Brilliance: Using cake mix as a base slashes preparation time and complexity, making these cookies accessible for bakers of all skill levels.
• Create Family Memories: Mixing and coloring dough becomes a fun activity that brings family together, transforming cookie-making into a delightful seasonal tradition.
• Quick and Delicious Treat: With minimal ingredients and straightforward steps, these cookies deliver maximum flavor and festive appeal in under 30 minutes.

Festive Cookies Ingredient Rundown

• Cake Mix: A convenient base that provides the perfect texture and sweetness for festive cookies.
• Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and add richness to the cookie dough.
• Vegetable Oil: Ensures moisture and helps create a soft, tender cookie texture.

• Red Food Coloring: Adds a vibrant red hue to create a festive holiday appearance.
• Green Food Coloring: Provides a festive green color to complement the red cookies.

• Powdered Sugar: Creates a sweet, delicate coating and gives the cookies a beautiful finished look.
• Parchment Paper: Prevents cookies from sticking and makes cleanup easy.

Baking Festive Cookies from Start to Finish

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Fire up your oven to a toasty 375 degrees Fahrenheit.

This will create the perfect baking environment for your delightful treats.

Step 2: Prepare Your Baking Space

Cover your baking sheet with parchment paper to ensure easy cookie removal and minimal cleanup.

Step 3: Create Cookie Base

• Cake mix
• Eggs
• Vegetable oil

Stir everything together until you have a smooth, well-blended dough.

Step 4: Divide And Conquer

Split your cookie dough into two separate mixing bowls, preparing for a colorful transformation.

Step 5: Add Festive Colors

• Red coloring in one bowl
• Green coloring in the other bowl

Mix thoroughly until the colors are evenly distributed throughout the dough.

Step 6: Roll In Sweet Coating

Scoop out small dough portions and gently roll them in powdered sugar, creating a delightful snowy exterior.

Step 7: Arrange On Baking Sheet

Place your sugar-coated dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 1.5 inches apart to allow room for spreading.

Step 8: Bake To Perfection

Slide the baking sheet into the preheated oven and bake for 9-12 minutes until the edges are lightly golden.

Step 9: Cool And Enjoy

Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 2 minutes, then transfer them to a cooling rack to complete their transformation into delectable holiday treats.

Tips from the Kitchen for Festive Cookies

• Select a premium brand for better texture and flavor in your festive cookies.
• Wear disposable gloves when mixing food coloring to avoid staining hands and maintain clean color separation.
• Roll dough balls generously in powdered sugar for a beautiful crackled exterior and sweet finish.
• Let cookies cool slightly on baking sheet before transferring to prevent breaking delicate edges.
• Store cookies in an airtight container with parchment between layers to maintain softness and prevent sticking.

Festive Cookies Mix and Match Options

• Gluten-Free Holiday Cookies: Replace cake mix with gluten-free cake mix or almond flour blend for celiac or gluten-sensitive individuals.
• Vegan Festive Treats: Swap eggs with flax eggs or applesauce and use coconut oil instead of regular oil to create plant-based cookies.
• Chocolate Peppermint Version: Add crushed candy canes and cocoa powder to the dough for a rich, minty flavor profile.
• Low-Sugar Option: Use sugar-free cake mix and replace powdered sugar coating with crushed nuts or unsweetened coconut flakes for a healthier alternative.

Sharing Festive Cookies with Friends and Family

• Festive Cookie Platter Party: Arrange cookies in a colorful circular pattern with alternating red and green cookies for a stunning holiday display.
• Holiday Gift Packaging: Stack cookies in clear cellophane bags tied with red and green ribbons, perfect for gifting to friends and family during Christmas season.
• Dessert Pairing Delight: Serve alongside warm hot chocolate or creamy eggnog to enhance the festive cookie experience and create a cozy winter treat moment.
• Cookie Decorating Station: Provide extra powdered sugar, sprinkles, and small icing tubes so guests can personalize their cookies with unique holiday designs.

Storing Festive Cookies After Baking

• Store cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
• Wrap unbaked cookie dough balls in plastic wrap, place in freezer bag, and store for up to 3 months. Bake directly from frozen, adding 1-2 minutes to baking time.
• Place completely cooled cookies in freezer-safe container, separating layers with wax paper. Freeze up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving.
• Warm cookies in microwave for 10-15 seconds or in oven at 300F for 3-5 minutes to restore soft texture and fresh-baked taste.

FAQs

• Can I use any type of cake mix for these cookies?

Yes, white or vanilla cake mix works best to show off the festive red and green colors. Yellow cake mix can also work, but might slightly alter the final look.

• Do I need special food coloring for this recipe?

Gel food coloring is recommended because it provides vibrant colors without changing the dough’s consistency. Standard liquid food coloring will work but might make the dough slightly wetter.

• How can I tell when these cookies are done baking?

Look for slightly golden edges and a set center. The cookies will still be soft when you remove them from the oven but will firm up as they cool.

• Why roll the cookies in powdered sugar before baking?

The powdered sugar creates a crackled, slightly crisp exterior and adds a sweet, delicate coating that makes the cookies look festive and professional.

Christmas Crinkle Cookies Recipe

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4.8 from 15 reviews

• Total Time: 32 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Festive Christmas crinkle cookies bring holiday cheer with powdered sugar-dusted chocolate delights. Chocolate lovers will savor these melt-in-your-mouth treats that sparkle with seasonal magic and warmth.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 box (13.25 ounces / 375 grams) white cake mix
• 2 eggs
• 1/3 cup (79 milliliters) olive oil

Decorative Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup (40 grams) powdered sugar
• Red food coloring
• Green food coloring

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F and prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cookie removal.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine cake mix, eggs, and oil until a smooth, uniform dough forms.
3. Divide the dough evenly into two separate mixing bowls to create festive color variations.
4. Add red food coloring to one bowl and green food coloring to the other, thoroughly mixing until the colors are consistent throughout.
5. Gently roll small portions of dough into 1.5 tablespoon-sized balls, coating each completely in powdered sugar for a delicate, sweet exterior.
6. Arrange the sugar-coated dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them approximately 1.5 inches apart to allow room for spreading during baking.
7. Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 9-12 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies are lightly golden and set.
8. Remove the cookies from the oven and let them rest on the baking sheet for 2 minutes to firm up slightly.
9. Carefully transfer the cookies to a cooling rack, allowing them to cool completely and develop a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture.

Notes

• Swap cake mix for gluten-free alternatives to accommodate dietary restrictions, ensuring everyone can enjoy these festive treats.
• Use natural food coloring from beet or spinach juice for a healthier, chemical-free color option that adds subtle nutrition.
• Chill dough for 30 minutes before rolling to prevent spreading and create perfectly round, uniform cookies with crisp edges.
• Try flavor extracts like peppermint or almond to transform these cookies into unique seasonal variations that surprise and delight.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 120 kcal
• Sugar: 7 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 5 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3.5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 25 mg