The Best Fudgy Chocolate Crinkle Cookies Recipe

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Chocolate crinkle cookies have fudgy centers, crisp edges, and beautiful crinkled tops make them a favorite on any holiday cookie tray. Perfect for satisfying your chocolate cravings or sharing the joy with others, these cookies are a treat you’ll come back to time and again.

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Chocolate crinkle cookies are a classic Christmas cookie treat that combines the indulgent flavors of brownies and cookies into one irresistible dessert. Each bite offers a burst of chocolatey goodness, making these cookies a must-try for any chocolate lover. They are basically a fudgy brownie in cookie form! With their signature crinkly tops dusted with powdered sugar, these cookies are as beautiful as they are delicious. Perfect for holiday cookie exchanges, gifting, or simply enjoying with a cup of milk, this recipe is a must-try for chocolate lovers.

This is truly the best chocolate crinkle cookie recipe! It’s easy to make, made in just one bowl, and no mixers or fancy equipment are required. With just a few staple ingredients and some straightforward steps, you’ll have a batch of these fudgy, crackly cookies ready in no time. For more chocolate cookies, be sure to check out our Buckeye Brownie Cookies and decadent Chocolate Hazelnut Brownie Cookies recipes.

Our Favorite

Christmas Cookies

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Intense Chocolate Flavor: Made with rich cocoa powder, these cookies are a chocolate lover’s dream.
Perfect Texture: Crisp powdered sugar crust on the outside with a soft, fudgy center.
Easy Recipe: Simple steps, common ingredients, and no complicated techniques.
Visually Appealing: Their unique crinkled appearance makes them stand out during the holiday cookie season.
Versatile: Perfect cookie for holiday parties, cookie swaps, or as a year-round treat.
Crowd Pleaser: Kids and adults go crazy over them (your house will be Santa’s favorite if you leave a couple out for him on Christmas Eve!).
Make-Ahead Convenience: The dough can be prepared in advance and baked when needed.
Dairy Free: These cookies are naturally dairy free, making them a great option for any dietery restrictions.

Ingredient Notes

Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: Gives the cookies their deep chocolate flavor.
Sugar: Sweetens the cookie and balances the cocoa’s bitterness.
Vegetable Oil: The key ingredient to a perfectly fudgy cookie.
Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and add richness.
Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor profile.
Flour: Forms the base structure of the cookie.
Baking Powder: Helps the cookies puff up and crackle.
Espresso Powder: Enhance the chocolate flavor without making the cookies taste like coffee.
Salt: Balances and intensifies the chocolate flavor.
Granulated Sugar & Powdered Sugar (also called confectioner’s sugar): For rolling the cookies and creating the signature crinkled look.

Be sure to check out the recipe card for the full ingredient list below

Step by Step Instructions

cocoa powder, flour, and sugar in a mixing bowl.

In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.

Add oil, eggs, and vanilla extract. Mix until well combined.

Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours.

Portion out the chilled dough into balls, roll in granulated sugar and then in powdered sugar. Place the cookie dough balls onto the prepared baking sheet.

Bake until the cookies are set but still soft in the center. If the cookies, are too soft, bake for an extra minute.

Let the cookies cool slightly before transferring to a wire rack.

Tip: For uniform and perfectly sized chocolate crinkle cookies, use a cookie scoop or weigh out the dough. A cookie scoop ensures that each cookie is the same size, which means they will bake evenly and look consistent on your cookie plates. This is especially useful when baking for events or cookie exchanges where presentation is key.

Alternatively, weighing out each portion of dough with a kitchen scale can provide the same level of consistency, especially if you’re aiming for precision in size. This method is particularly useful for achieving a professional look and ensuring that all your cookies bake uniformly.

Substitutions

Gluten-Free Flour: Use a gluten-free flour blend for a gluten-free version.
Brown Sugar: Substitute part of the white sugar with light or dark brown sugar for a deeper flavor.

Variations

Dark Cocoa Powder: For a deeper, richer chocolate flavor, substitute dark cocoa powder in place of regular cocoa. This will give the cookies an intense chocolate taste and a darker color, perfect for true chocolate aficionados.
Chocolate Chips: Add chocolate chips to the dough for an extra dose of chocolatey goodness. Mini chocolate chips distribute more evenly, ensuring every bite is filled with chocolate.
Spices: Experiment with adding spices like cinnamon or a pinch of chili powder to add a unique twist to the traditional flavor.

Equipment

How to Store

Proper storage is key to maintaining the delightful texture and texture of your chocolate crinkle cookies. Once the cookies have cooled completely on a wire rack, transfer them to an airtight container. This will keep the cookies moist and fudgy inside, with their characteristic crisp edges. If you’re stacking the cookies, place a sheet of parchment paper between each layer to prevent them from sticking together. Stored at room temperature, these delightful treats will stay fresh for up to a week, making them perfect for enjoying throughout the holiday season or at cookie swap events.

How to Freeze

Baked Cookies: After your chocolate crinkle cookies have cooled, arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet and place the sheet in the freezer. Once the cookies are frozen solid, transfer them to a freezer bag or a freezer-safe container, separating layers with parchment paper. This method prevents the cookies from sticking together and maintains their shape and texture. Frozen baked cookies can be stored for up to 3 months. To enjoy, simply thaw them at room temperature or in the refrigerator, and they will be ready to serve, tasting as fresh as the day they were baked.
Unbaked Cookies: For freshly baked cookies anytime, you can also freeze the unbaked cookie dough. After chilling and shaping the dough into balls, place them on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Then transfer the frozen dough balls to a freezer bag or container, keeping them in a single layer or separated by parchment paper. This way, you can bake a fresh batch of cookies whenever the craving strikes, without starting from scratch. Store the unbaked cookie dough in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to bake, roll them in granulated sugar and confectioners’ sugar, and bake as directed.

How to Prepare Ahead of Time

Chocolate Crinkle Cookies are an ideal choice for preparing ahead of time, as the dough requires a minimum of 4 hours of refrigeration to achieve the perfect texture. This chilling process is essential for the dough to firm up, making it easier to handle and helping the cookies maintain their shape during baking. Conveniently, you can refrigerate the dough for up to 3 days before baking. This flexibility allows you to plan your baking around your schedule, making these cookies a stress-free option for holiday preparations, events, or simply when you want to spread out your baking activities.

expert Tips

Chill the Dough: Allow the cookie dough to chill for at least 4 hours (or over night for the best results!). The dough is very sticky and a lot easier to manage once it has been chilled. Chilling the dough allows the flavors develop, and prevents the cookies from spreading during the baking process.
Don’t Overbake: The cookies will be very soft when they come out of the oven but will harden as they cool. Make sure you don’t over bake them!
Coat Generously: Use plenty of powdered sugar for a pronounced crinkled effect.
Shape into Balls: Don’t press down on the cookies once you have shaped them into balls. They will spread on their own in the oven.
Room Temperature Ingredients: Bring eggs to room temperature for a smoother dough.
Space Out the Cookies: Allow enough space between dough balls for even baking.
Dark Cocoa Powder: For the intense dark chocolate flavor and color, I use King Arthur Flour Black Cocoa.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make these cookies smaller?

Yes, you can adjust the size of your chocolate crinkle cookies to your preference. For larger cookies, use about 2 tablespoons of dough per cookie and increase the baking time by a few minutes. For smaller cookies, use about 1-1.5 tablespoon of dough and decrease the baking time slightly.

How do I know when my chocolate crinkle cookies are perfectly baked?

Your cookies are done when you see the characteristic cracks on top and they have a set, yet slightly soft center. The bake time usually ranges from 14-18 minutes. If you prefer a fudgier center, lean towards the shorter baking time. Keep in mind, the cookies will continue to firm up as they cool on the baking sheet.

Can I use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour?

Yes, you can substitute whole wheat flour for a healthier option, but it may change the texture of the cookies. Whole wheat flour tends to make baked goods denser. For a lighter texture, consider using half whole wheat and half all-purpose flour.

My dough is too sticky to handle, what should I do?

Sticky dough is common in chocolate crinkle cookie recipes due to the high moisture content. Chilling the dough is crucial for easier handling.

How can I prevent my cookies from going flat?

Flat cookies often result from not chilling the dough long enough or using too little flour. Chilling the dough solidifies the fat, which helps the cookies maintain their shape and texture during baking. Ensure accurate flour measurement by spooning it into your measuring cup and leveling off the top, rather than scooping directly from the bag, which can lead to using less flour than required.

What’s the secret to the perfect sugar coating on crinkle cookies?

For that classic crinkly look, roll the dough balls first in granulated sugar, then in confectioners’ sugar. The granulated sugar creates a barrier that prevents the confectioners’ sugar from being absorbed into the dough. This results in a stark, beautiful contrast with the cookie’s dark chocolate color once baked. Additionally, ensure your oven is properly preheated, as the immediate heat helps create those signature cracks on the cookie surface.

Can I make these cookies for a holiday cookie exchange?

Chocolate crinkle cookies are a classic choice for holiday cookie exchanges. Their festive appearance, rich chocolate flavor, and fudgy texture make them a favorite among both children and adults. They pair wonderfully with other holiday favorites like Christmas sugar cookies or gingerbread men.

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