Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

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Chocolate Crinkle Cookies are a holiday staple! Rich, fudgy cookies are coated in powdered sugar and just melt in your mouth!

chocolate crinkle cookies on baking sheet

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I adore holiday baking, don’t you? Especially the classics like snickerdoodles, gingersnaps, peanut butter blossoms, and today’s recipe for chocolate crinkles.

These Chocolate Crinkle Cookies (also called crackle cookies) are like rich chocolate brownie-like cookies peeking out from a powdered sugar covered exterior. They are a Christmas cookie classic!

These cookies look amazing and fancy enough for gifting but are very easy to make. Just be sure to leave time for the dough to chill overnight as that’s not an optional step!

Why I love this recipe

the thick fudgy texture of the inside reminds me of a brownie
crisp edges
melt-in-your-mouth powdered sugar coating

Just like cream cheese cookies and snowball cookies, these are a must-make every year!

Ingredients

cocoa powder
vegetable oil
granulated white sugar
eggs
vanilla extract
all-purpose flour
baking powder
salt
powdered sugar

Step by step

Blend cocoa powder, vegetable oil, and sugar until it forms a black dough, then add eggs one at a time, continuing to mix between. Add vanilla and mix thoroughly.
Whisk together flour, salt, and baking powder in a separate bowl. Add flour mixture to dough on low speed until just blended. Do not over mix.
Cover dough with plastic wrap and chill overnight or at least four hours.
Roll chilled dough into balls.
Dunk cookie dough balls in powdered sugar.
Bake and enjoy!

My boys adored helping me roll the dough into balls…

…and then dunking them in the powdered sugar.

dusting chocolate crinkle cookies in powdered sugar

The fun thing about these is that they “grow” and crackle when you cook them…so you put them in like this:

…and they come out like this:

The cracks in the powdered coating make such a lovely contrast, don’t you think?

chocolate crinkle cookies on a white plate

Be sure to try at least one warm out of the oven, they are absolutely indulgent!

FAQs

Can I freeze these cookies?

These freeze well both before and after cooking.
To freeze the dough, chill it as above then roll it into balls. Chill the balls for at least one hour in the fridge before transferring them to a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before rolling in sugar and baking.
To freeze the crinkle cookies after baking, allow them to cool completely then freeze them in a single layer with parchment paper in between. Keep in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight on the counter.

How long do they last?

Keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.

Can I double the recipe?

This recipe doubles and triples well. I recommend dividing the dough during the chilling step to ensure it isn’t too thick to thoroughly chill.

Can I add…

These cookies are delicious with mini chocolate chips added in. You can also make a mint chocolate crinkle cookie by adding in peppermint extract.

Why are my crinkle cookies flat?

If you did not chill the dough thoroughly your cookies will spread and come out flat.

If you try this recipe, please comment and rate it below, I love hearing from you!