Chocolate crinkle cookies are rich, fudgy cookies with a cracked, powdered sugar-coated exterior that are a delightful treat for chocolate lovers.
These decadent cookies are made with cocoa powder and rolled in powdered sugar, resulting in a beautiful crinkled appearance when baked, and a deliciously soft and chewy texture.
Chocolate crinkle cookies are a beloved classic in the world of baked treats. These delectable cookies are known for their rich, chocolatey flavor and distinctive cracked appearance. Made with cocoa powder, oil, sugar, eggs, and flour, chocolate crinkle cookies have a soft and chewy texture that is simply irresistible.
The process of making chocolate crinkle cookies is as enjoyable as the end result. The dough is mixed together and chilled to ensure it's easy to handle.
Once chilled, the dough is rolled into balls and coated generously with powdered sugar, which gives the cookies their characteristic cracked look when they bake. As the cookies bake the powdered sugar coating creates a beautiful contrast against the dark chocolate color of the cookie, making them not only delicious but beautiful too!
One of the best things about chocolate crinkle cookies is their versatility. They can be made in various sizes, from bite-sized treats to larger cookies for a more indulgent treat. They can also be customized by adding in extras like chopped nuts, chocolate chips, or even a hint of peppermint extract for a festive twist.
Whether enjoyed on their own with a glass of milk or shared as a thoughtful gift, chocolate crinkle cookies are a delightful treat that brings joy to any chocolate lover's taste buds.
Key ingredients
This section reviews the best ingredients and substitutions for this recipe. For an exact list of ingredients and quantities, check the recipe card below.
- Cocoa Powder - Use regular unsweetened cocoa powder. If very lumpy, you can sift it first
- Sugar - Both powdered sugar and granulated sugar are used in this recipe. The powdered sugar is used to roll the dough in just before being placed in the oven and the granulated sugar is added to the dough itself.
- Flour - Use regular all-purpose flour
Step-by-step directions
- Combine oil and granulated sugar in a bowl
- Add eggs and vanilla
- Mix flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt together
- Mix flour mixture into sugar mixture
- When fully mixed, cover and refrigerate the dough for at least 3 hours
- Form dough into balls and roll into powdered sugar
- Bake in a preheated 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes
Recipe tips
- Make certain the dough is fully chilled before rolling it into balls
- If rolling with your hands, dampen your hands slightly to help prevent the dough from sticking
- Allow cookies to fully cool before storing them in an airtight container
- Chocolate Cherry Cookies
- Hot Chocolate Cookies
- Chocolate Meringue Cookies
- Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Chocolate Peppermint Cookies
If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear about it! Leave a comment below and snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @beyondthechickencoop
Check out all my cookie recipes!
Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
Equipment
- Measuring Cups
- Cookie Sheet
Ingredients
- ¾ cup sugar
- ¼ cup oil (vegetable or canola)
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 ½ cups flour
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup powdered sugar
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine oil and sugar until well mixed¾ cup sugar, ¼ cup oil
- Add eggs and vanilla and combine2 eggs, 1 teaspoon vanilla
- In a separate bowl, combine flour, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt1 ½ cups flour, ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder, 1 teaspoon baking powder, ½ teaspoon salt
- Add dry ingredients into butter mixture. Mix until combined.
- Cover the cookie dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 3 hours or overnight
- When dough is chilled through and firm, remove from fridge and form into balls. Use a cookie scoop (#60 size scoop) to form evenly shaped balls.
- Place the balls into a bowl of powdered sugar. Roll each ball around until covered with powdered sugar. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or on an ungreased baking sheet.½ cup powdered sugar
- Bake in a preheated 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes.
- Let cookies cool for a few minutes on baking sheet. Remove and place on a cooling rack until completely cooled.
Notes
- Make certain the dough is fully chilled before rolling it into balls
- If rolling with your hands, dampen your hands slightly to help prevent the dough from sticking
- Allow cookies to fully cool before storing them in an airtight container
Nutritional Disclaimer:
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and should only be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. To obtain the most precise nutritional information in a provided recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the exact ingredients you are using when preparing the recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.
Nutrition
Jess @ Sweetest Menu says
Oooh I love chocolate cookies! These look fantastic Kathy! Perfect for Christmas - let the celebrations begin. Pinned!
Kathy says
Thanks, Jess! 🙂
David @ Spiced says
Chocolate crinkles are totally one of my favorite holiday cookies, too, Kathy! They look so fun once they're baked, and they add a nice twist to a holiday cookie platter. I'm definitely planning on whipping up a batch of these sometime this season! 🙂
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says
Crinkle cookies are such a classic and these look just perfect, Kathy! My husband will love these! Cheers!
Kathy says
I remember them for just about forever - that definitely makes them a classic!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food says
I didn't have crinkle cookies growing up , but love to make them now mainly because they are just so FUN! Love this chocolate version, Kathy! Perfect for gifting during the holidays 🙂
Kathy says
They are fun to make!
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says
I love the look of crinkle cookies Kathy! These are perfect for the holidays!
Kathy says
They are a fun cookie!
Nicoletta @sugarlovespices says
Crinkle cookies are so pretty! I love that cracked topping and these chocolate crinkle cookies are just perfection. They would be so pretty on any Christmas dessert tray.