Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
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Posted: 12/06/24
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Fudgy, chewy chocolate cookies that are rolled in powdered sugar make these Chocolate Crinkle Cookies irresistible. These easy Christmas cookies are thick, soft and delicious. They freeze great and are the perfect additional to your cookie tray for the holiday season.
Rich, chocolate crinkle cookies are one of my family’s favorite holiday recipes! There’s no reason you can’t make them all through the year, but for some reason, I usually make them in December for our cookie platters. I guess maybe because that’s what my mom did? These easy chocolate crinkles were always one of my favorites growing up.
Are you getting ready for holiday baking? I am, and you can bet these will be on the list! My favorite soft sugar cookies and red velvet cookies will be making appearances, too. But, first you’ll want to add these chocolate crinkles to your baking list!
What is a Chocolate Crinkle Cookie?
Chocolate crinkle cookies, also known as crackle cookies, get their name from the way they look. When they bake, the tops crack open, creating a crinkled look. The powdered sugar highlights all the crinkles and crackles, creating a pretty contrast with the dark brown color.
They’re rich and fudgy, with a similar texture and flavor to brownies. They are considered a classic Christmas cookie — I think because the powdered sugar coating looks like snow!
Why You’ll Love these Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
- This is a super easy recipe! You only need one bowl and a handful of ingredients to make it.
- I’ve made hundreds (probably thousands?!) of these over the years, and they always come out amazing. This is a well-tested recipe!
- Chocolate crinkle cookies have the best fudgy texture – perfect for all the chocolate lovers in your life! Make them for cookie exchanges or any time you want a delicious chocolate cookie.
Ingredients for Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
- Unsweetened cocoa powder – This recipe has your basic baking ingredients, and I love that you can use cocoa powder instead of melting chocolate. It’s so simple!
- Granulated sugar – Sweeten your cookies with granulated white sugar.
- Butter – You will need softened butter, so don’t forget to leave it out for 20 to 30 minutes before making them.
- Eggs – Allow your eggs to come to room temperature before using as well.
- Vanilla extract – This adds so much depth to these cookies, don’t leave it out!
- Salt – A little pinch of salt will balance the sweetness of these cookies just perfectly.
- Baking powder – Use baking powder as the rising agent to make your cookies the best texture.
- All-purpose flour – Just the plain ol’ all purpose flour in your pantry is all you need as the base for this cookie dough.
- Powdered sugar – And, of course, the key to the crinkle cookies look — powdered sugar.
Helpful Tools
How to Make Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
Beat together the cocoa powder, sugar, and butter together in a large bowl on medium speed. Lower the speed to medium, add the eggs, and mix until combined.
Add the vanilla, salt, baking powder, and flour and beat on low speed until just combined.
Cover the bowl and chill the dough for at least four hours.
After chilling, form the dough into 1-inch balls and roll each of them in powdered sugar. Place them two inches apart on a prepared baking sheet.
Bake these cookies for 10 minutes at 350°F. Cool them on the pan for a couple of minutes and then transfer the cookies to a baking rack to cool completely.
Can I make chocolate crinkle cookie dough ahead of time?
Yes, you can make the dough and keep in the refrigerator for two to three days before baking the cookies. Or, you can make the dough balls and freeze them for later.
To freeze them, roll the dough into balls and freeze them on a baking sheet. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer container, and they will keep for two months. When you are ready to bake them, let them thaw, roll them in powdered sugar, and pop them in the oven!
Should I use butter or shortening in crinkle cookies?
It’s really a toss up on this one. We tested it both ways and we had a hard time deciding, but liked the recipe using butter just a bit better!
Why are my chocolate crinkle cookies flat?
Did you chill the dough? This allows the butter to firm up, so that the cookies don’t spread too much while they bake, so make sure you chill the dough for at least four hours before baking the cookies.
Another reason they came out flat could be the baking powder. Double-check that it’s not expired. If the baking powder doesn’t activate, the cookies won’t puff up while baking.
How to Store Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
You can store leftover cookies at room temperature and even freeze them!
The first step is to ensure they are completely cooled before storing them. Once cooled, you will need an airtight container to store them in. For best results, I recommend placing them in layers with wax paper separating each layer. They will keep four to five days at room temperature!
FREEZER: I usually place them in a container separating each layer with wax paper. They will keep for up to a month. Just keep in mind that the powdered sugar may dissolve a bit when they thaw.
Pro Tips for the Best Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
- Use a cookie scoop when making the cookie dough balls to ensure that they are all the same size.
- Make sure you are baking the cookies in a preheated oven so that they bake evenly and all the way through!
- Don’t skimp on the powdered sugar! You can’t really put “too much” on the cookies. So load it up!
Whether you call them chocolate crackle cookies or chocolate crinkles, you are going to love this easy recipe! It’s a holiday classic and a must-make treat – your family and friends will love them!
More Holiday Cookie Recipes!
- Christmas Cake Mix Cookies are super easy, soft, and chewy. They start with two boxes of cake mix, and then you add a few simple ingredients most likely already in your pantry!
- Mexican Wedding Cookies are a classic for Christmas and so easy to make. You might know them as Russian Tea Cakes or Snowball Cookies – whatever you choose to call them, they’re amazing!
- Rolo Blossom Cookies are a quick and easy peanut butter cookie that we love to make every year.
- For a fun and easy recipe, make a batch of Nutter Butter Snowman Cookies. This is a fun project to make with the kids!
Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure tag me on Instagram at @julieseatsandtreats or #julieseatsandtreats so I can see your yummy treat!
Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
Soft, chewy chocolate cookies rolled in powdered sugar that make a delicious Christmas cookie and freeze great!
Video
Ingredients
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup butter room temperature
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup powdered sugar
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl combine cocoa, granulated sugar and butter. Beat on medium in a stand mixer or with hand held mixer until combined. Add eggs and beat on low until just combined.
- Add in vanilla, salt, baking powder and flour and beat on low until combined.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap, then place in the refrigerator to chill for 4 hours.
- When chill time is done, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Place powdered sugar in a small mixing bowl.
- Roll the dough into 1 inch balls then coat in powdered sugar.
- Place dough balls on the prepared baking sheet at least 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 10 minutes in preheated oven.
- Remove from the oven and allow the cookies to cool on a sheet pan for 2 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Tips
Can you make the dough ahead?
Yes, you can make the dough and keep in the refrigerator for two to three days before baking the cookies. Or, you can make the dough balls and freeze them for later.
To freeze them, roll the dough into balls and freeze them on a baking sheet. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer container, and they will keep for two months. When you are ready to bake them, let them thaw, roll them in powdered sugar, and pop them in the oven!
Butter or Shortening?
It’s really a toss up on this one. We tested it both ways and we had a hard time deciding, but liked the recipe using butter just a bit better!
Why are my chocolate crinkle cookies flat?
Did you chill the dough? This allows the butter to firm up, so the cookies don’t spread too much while they bake, so make sure you chill the dough for at least four hours before baking the cookies.
Another reason they came out flat could be the baking powder. Double-check that it’s not expired. If the baking powder doesn’t activate, the cookies won’t puff up while baking.
Can you freeze baked cookies?
Yes, you can freeze the cookies after they are fully cooled. I usually place them in a container separating each layer with wax paper. They will keep for up to a month. Just keep in mind that the powdered sugar may dissolve a bit when they thaw.
How do you keep them fresh?
The first step is to ensure they are completely cooled before storing them. Once cooled, you will need an airtight container to store them in.
For best results, I recommend placing them in layers with wax paper separating each layer. They will keep four to five days at room temperature!
Nutrition Information
Calories: 59kcal (3%), Carbohydrates: 11g (4%), Protein: 1g (2%), Fat: 2g (3%), Saturated Fat: 1g (6%), Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 0.5g, Trans Fat: 0.1g, Cholesterol: 12mg (4%), Sodium: 30mg (1%), Potassium: 37mg (1%), Fiber: 1g (4%), Sugar: 7g (8%), Vitamin A: 53IU (1%), Calcium: 9mg (1%), Iron: 0.4mg (2%)
Julia F says
These are just perfect and so pretty! I had hard time stopping my kids from eating them all now. I wanted to freeze some for Christmas! haha
Julie says
I’m so glad everyone loved them!
Kristyn says
We love these!! They are gone within minutes! Super soft & chocolatey, just they way we like them!
Julie says
I’m so glad you enjoyed them!
Natalie says
These totally remind me of Christmas time. That seems to be the time I make them, though they are one of our favorites, so I need to make them more! They are delicious!
Julie says
I’m so glad they are a favorite!