When it comes to holiday baking, chocolate crinkle cookies are an all-time favorite. These fudgy, soft cookies are coated in powdered sugar, creating that signature crinkled appearance that’s both festive and irresistible. Perfect for Christmas, birthdays, or just because, this easy chocolate crinkle cookie recipe will quickly become a go-to for anyone with a sweet tooth.
Chocolate crinkle cookies are a delightful treat that blend the best of both worlds: rich, chocolatey goodness and a soft, chewy texture. What makes these cookies even more special is the beautiful cracked sugar coating that forms during baking, giving them their signature look. If you’re looking for a classic chocolate crinkle cookie recipe that’s easy to make and guarantees mouthwatering results every time, this is it!
Ingredients for the Best Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
To make these deliciously fudgy chocolate crinkle cookies, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar (packed)
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar (for rolling)
How to Make the Best Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
Step 1: Preheat the Oven and Prepare Your Baking Sheet
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to ensure that your cookies don’t stick.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. This helps to evenly distribute the dry ingredients and ensures your cookies have the perfect texture.
Step 3: Combine the Wet Ingredients
- In a large bowl, whisk together granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vegetable oil until smooth and creamy. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract for that extra burst of flavor.
Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined. The dough will be thick and slightly sticky—don’t worry, this is exactly how it should be!
Step 5: Chill the Dough
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes. Chilling the dough helps the cookies hold their shape while baking and ensures they bake evenly.
Step 6: Form the Cookies
- Once the dough is chilled, use a spoon or cookie scoop to form tablespoon-sized balls of dough. Roll each dough ball in powdered sugar until it’s fully coated. This will create that signature crinkle effect during baking.
Step 7: Bake the Cookies
- Place the powdered sugar-coated dough balls onto your prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading. Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the tops of the cookies have cracked and they look slightly firm around the edges.
Step 8: Let the Cookies Cool
- Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes. Then, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. As the cookies cool, they will firm up and develop their chewy texture.
Tips for Perfect Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
- Chill the dough: Don’t skip the chilling step! Chilled dough helps the cookies maintain their shape and ensures they bake evenly.
- Use high-quality cocoa powder: Since cocoa powder is a key ingredient, using a good quality one will give your cookies a rich, deep chocolate flavor.
- Store properly: These chocolate crinkle cookies stay fresh for up to one week when stored in an airtight container. You can also freeze the dough for up to three months to bake fresh cookies whenever the craving hits!
- Customize the coating: Try rolling your cookies in colored sugar or crushed candy canes for a fun, festive twist—perfect for the holiday season.
Why These Chocolate Crinkle Cookies Are the Best
These chocolate crinkle cookies are loved for their irresistible combination of textures. The outside is slightly crunchy, while the inside remains soft, gooey, and fudgy. The crinkled appearance, made by the powdered sugar coating, adds a charming, rustic touch that’s perfect for any occasion, from Christmas cookie exchanges to casual afternoon treats.