Chocolate Crinkle Cookies (2024)

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These chocolate crinkle cookies are so good! With a rich, chocolatey interior and a beautiful snow-like exterior. If you’ve been craving a change from your usual cookie repertoire, let me introduce you to my go-to Chocolate Crinkle Cookies recipe! It’s like the best of two worlds – a fudgy brownie and a classic cookie all wrapped up in one. Plus, that generous dusting of powdered sugar really makes them pop on the plate.

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Table of Contents

  • Why you’ll love this Easy Chocolate Crinkle Cookie recipe
  • Ingredients to make Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
  • How to Make Chocolate crinkle cookies
  • How to make Chocolate crinkle cookie
  • Tips for making the best [secondary kw]
  • Frequently asked questions
  • More Cookie recipes:
  • Chocolate Crinkle Cookies Recipe

Now, you might think that baking Chocolate Crackle Cookies at home would be a tall order, but I promise you it’s not. This recipe is all about simplicity and ease. With these step-by-step instructions, you’ll have a batch of delicious, bakery-style crinkle cookies cooling on your counter in no time.

Why you’ll love this Easy Chocolate Crinkle Cookie recipe

  • They’re beginner-friendly: Even if you’re new to baking, this cookie recipe is totally doable. The steps are simple and straightforward, making it a great starting point for novice bakers.
  • Versatile for all occasions: Whether it’s a casual afternoon snack, a holiday treat, or a dessert for a party, these crackle-style cookies never feel out of place. Their eye-catching appearance makes them a hit at any event.
  • Perfect for sharing: The recipe yields a good number of cookies, making them ideal for gifting. Put them in a cute cookie box, and you’ve got a homemade present that everyone will appreciate.
  • Impressively good looks: Let’s be honest, these cookies look so good! The crackly tops dusted with powdered sugar are truly Instagram-worthy.
  • They’re just plain delicious: At the end of the day, the best part about these cookies is their taste. The rich, chocolatey flavor combined with a soft, chewy texture is simply unbeatable.

Ingredients to make Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

  • Unsalted Butter: The butter provides the fat needed for a tender, flavorful cookie. It’s the foundation of our dough, giving it a rich taste and smooth texture.
  • Semi-sweet Chocolate Chips: These bring in that deep, chocolatey flavor. Melting them into the butter creates a rich, fudgy base for the cookies.
  • Cocoa Powder: For that extra punch of chocolate flavor, cocoa powder is a must. It intensifies the chocolate taste without adding extra sugar.
  • Eggs: Eggs act as a binding agent, holding all our ingredients together. They also help to give the cookies a soft, chewy texture.
  • Light Brown Sugar & Granulated Sugar: A combination of the two sugars provides sweetness, of course, but also contributes to the texture. Brown sugar adds moisture and chewiness, while granulated sugar gives the crinkle cookie a lovely, slightly crisp edge.
  • Vanilla Extract: Vanilla enhances the flavors of the other ingredients. It’s a small but significant addition that rounds out the sweetness.
  • All-purpose Flour: The main dry ingredient that provides structure to our cookies. It absorbs the liquid ingredients, creating a dough that’s easy to handle and bakes up beautifully.
  • Baking Soda: This is our leavening agent. It helps the cookies rise and spread and contributes to that perfect crinkly top.
  • Salt: A touch of salt enhances the flavors and balances out the sweetness of the cookies.
  • Powdered Sugar: The finishing touch! Coating the crackle cookies in powdered sugar before baking gives them their signature snowy appearance and a delightful, slightly crisp crust.
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How to Make Chocolate crinkle cookies

These crackle cookies are so easy to make, and while the extra step of melting the chocolate for the crinkle cookies might seem a little, well, extra – but I promise you it’s so worth it!

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How to make Chocolate crinkle cookie

Melt the chocolate for the cookie dough

  1. Place butter and chocolate chips in a small, heavy-bottomed saucepan. Heat and cook, stirring often, until everything is melted.
  2. Remove from heat and let cool slightly, then whisk in cocoa powder until smooth.
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Prepare the crinkle cookie dough

  1. Add the eggs, brown sugar, and granulated sugar to the bowl of a stand mixer and cream together until pale yellow and the mixture ribbons on itself slightly.
  2. Add vanilla and mix until combined.
  3. Carefully pour the butter and chocolate mixture into the bowl of the stand mixer on top of the egg and sugar mixture, and mix until the chocolate has been incorporated.
  4. Add the flour, baking soda, and salt.
  5. Mix just until only a few streaks of flour remain. Chill.
  6. Make balls, then coat each in powdered sugar.
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Bake Your Crackle cookies

  1. Bake until the cookies have spread significantly and have crackly tops.
  2. Let cool.
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Tips for making the best [secondary kw]

  1. Don’t skip the chill time: This dough will be too sticky to roll in powdered sugar without a chill, so be sure to let it cool for about 20 minutes before baking.
  2. Quality Ingredients: Use high-quality ingredients whenever possible. Good cocoa powder and chocolate chips can make a big difference in the final flavor of the cookies.
  3. Room Temperature Eggs: Be sure to use room-temperature eggs. They mix more evenly into the batter, giving you a smoother and more uniform texture in your cookies.
  4. Don’t Overmix the Dough: Once you add the flour, mix just until you can’t see it anymore. Overmixing can make your cookies tough
  5. Bake Just Until Set: The cookies should still be soft when they come out of the oven. They’ll firm up as they cool. Overbaking can lead to a dry cookie.

Popular substitutions & additions

  • Swap vanilla for peppermint. For a festive holiday cookie, swap the vanilla extract for ¼ teaspoon of peppermint extract instead.
  • Add-ins: Feel free to mix in some chopped nuts, like walnuts or pecans, for added texture. White chocolate chips or dried fruit like cranberries could also be a delicious addition.
  • Enhance the Chocolate: If you’re a true chocoholic, an easy trick to elevate the rich, chocolatey taste of these cookies is to add a tablespoon of instant coffee to the melted chocolate and butter mixture. Coffee has a magical ability to intensify and deepen the flavor of chocolate, giving your cookies an even more irresistible depth of flavor. Just remember, it should be instant coffee, not regular ground coffee.
  • Orange Zest: Incorporate the zest of an orange into your cookie dough. Chocolate and orange are a classic flavor pairing, and the citrus note can really make the chocolate flavor pop.
  • Experiment with Salt: Try using a flaky sea salt or a flavored salt (like espresso salt, if you can find it) to sprinkle on top of your cookies before baking. Salt enhances all flavors, and the contrast with the sweet cookie can really highlight the chocolate.
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How to Store Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

After your chocolate crinkle cookies have completely cooled, you’ll want to store them properly to maintain their fresh and chewy texture. Place them in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. You can then keep them at room temperature, away from direct sunlight.

How Long Will Chocolate Crinkle Cookies Last in the Fridge?

While it’s perfectly fine to store your chocolate crinkle cookies at room temperature, if you choose to refrigerate them, they can last a bit longer. In the fridge, kept in an airtight container, these cookies will stay fresh for up to 2 weeks. Remember to let them come back to room temperature before serving for the best taste and texture.

Can I Freeze Chocolate Crinkle Cookies?

Absolutely, chocolate crinkle cookies freeze really well! You can either freeze the unbaked dough balls or the baked cookies. For the dough, freeze the individual balls on a baking sheet before transferring them to a zip-top bag. When you’re ready to bake, just roll them in powdered sugar and add a minute or two to the baking time.

For baked cookies, let them cool completely before placing them in a freezer-safe container, separated by layers of parchment paper to prevent sticking. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. To serve, just let them thaw at room temperature. The powdered sugar topping might absorb a bit into the cookie during freezing, so for that freshly baked look, you might want to dust them with a bit more powdered sugar after they’ve thawed.

Frequently asked questions

Why are my chocolate crinkle cookies not crinkling?

The signature crinkle effect happens when the cookies spread and crack as they bake. If your cookies aren’t crinkling, it might be because the dough is too warm (try chilling it for longer before baking), or the oven temperature might be too low (ensure your oven is correctly preheated).

Why are my chocolate crinkle cookies flat?

There could be a couple of reasons. Firstly, check your leavening agent – in this case, baking soda. If it’s old, it might not be working effectively. Secondly, you may have overmixed the dough after adding the flour, which can lead to a denser, flatter cookie.

Can I just use cocoa powder instead of melted chocolate?

The semi-sweet chocolate in this recipe contributes to the rich, fudgy texture of the cookies. While cocoa powder can add a chocolate flavor, it doesn’t have the fat content of actual chocolate, which can impact the cookie’s texture. If necessary, you could experiment with a combination of cocoa powder and additional butter, but the results may vary.

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It’s time to pull out your baking gear and get started on these Chocolate Crinkle Cookies. They’re a delightful mix of texture and taste that will quickly make them a household favorite. Whether it’s for a holiday, a special occasion, or just a mid-week treat, these cookies are sure to hit the spot. Remember to have fun with the process, maybe try some of the suggested variations, and most importantly, enjoy!

More Cookie recipes:

  • Chocolate Dipped Peanut Butter Cookies
  • Oatmeal Cookies with Chocolate Chips
  • Dark Chocolate Cookies
  • Oatmeal Apple Cookies
  • Trail Mix Cookies
  • Tahini Chocolate Chip Cookies
  • Cardamom Cookies
  • Pistachio Cookies
  • PB Jam Thumbprint Cookies

If you try this feel good Chocolate Crinkle Cookies recipe or any other recipe on Feel Good Foodie, then don’t forget torate the recipeand leave a comment below! It helps others who are thinking of making the recipe. We would love to hear about your experience making it. And if you snapped some shots, share it onInstagramso we can repost on Stories!

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Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

These deliciously rich and fudgy chocolate crinkle cookies have a fun crackled exterior and chewy, chocolate center – and they're easy to make!

5 from 8 votes

Author Yumna Jawad

Servings 24 cookies

Course Dessert

Calories 145

Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 5 minutes mins

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Place butter and chocolate chips in a small, heavy-bottomed saucepan. Set over low heat and cook, stirring often, until everything is melted. Remove from heat and let cool slightly, then whisk in cocoa powder until smooth.

  • Meanwhile, in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the eggs, brown sugar, and granulated sugar at medium speed until pale yellow and the mixture ribbons on itself slightly. Add vanilla and mix until combined.

  • Carefully pour the butter and chocolate mixture into the bowl of the stand mixer on top of the egg and sugar mixture, and mix at low speed until the chocolate has been incorporated.

  • Add the flour, baking soda and salt and mix at low speed just until only a few streaks of flour remain.

  • Using a rubber spatula to fold in any remaining flour, then chill for 20 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350˚F and line 2 rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper. Place the powdered sugar in a shallow bowl.

  • Once chilled, using a 1.5 tablespoon-size spring loaded cookie scoop, scoop 12 dough balls on each prepared baking sheet about 3 inches apart. Roll into even balls, then coat each in powdered sugar. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the cookies have spread significantly and have crackly tops.

  • Remove from the oven and let cool for about 1 minute on the baking trays before transferring to a rack to cool completely.

Nutrition

Calories: 145kcal, Carbohydrates: 22g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 6g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g, Monounsaturated Fat: 2g, Trans Fat: 0.2g, Cholesterol: 24mg, Sodium: 78mg, Potassium: 61mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 13g, Vitamin A: 140IU, Calcium: 13mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information provided is an estimate. It will vary based on cooking method and specific ingredients used.

Cuisine American

Course: Dessert

Chocolate Crinkle Cookies (2024)

FAQs

Why didn't my crinkle cookies crack? ›

Why didn't my chocolate crinkle cookies crack? The most common reason for cookies that don't crack is either that the oven was not hot enough or the baking powder was expired.

Why are my crinkle cookies not crinkling? ›

The signature crinkle effect happens when the cookies spread and crack as they bake. If your cookies aren't crinkling, it might be because the dough is too warm (try chilling it for longer before baking), or the oven temperature might be too low (ensure your oven is correctly preheated).

What is the crinkle effect on cookies? ›

The part that makes this a 'crinkle' cookie is the generous coating of powdered sugar that the cookie dough ball gets before going into the oven. As it bakes and spreads on the baking sheet, cracks develop and are exposed, giving the perfect crackle cookie.

Why are my crinkle cookies spreading? ›

Why are crinkle cookies not flat? Chilling the dough prevents the cookies from spreading too much while the cookies are baking, creating, thick, soft cookies.

How do I get my cookies to crack? ›

The means that as the cookie expands, it starts to crack the dry surface. For this to happen, you need to dry the surface of the cookie by coating them in sugar, use sufficient leavening for the cookie to rise, and bake in a hot oven.

What makes cookie dough crack? ›

There are many reasons why your cookie dough may be crumbly. The most obvious culprit: not enough liquid to keep the dough together. Double check all liquid ingredients.

Why are my chocolate chip cookies crunchy and not chewy? ›

The ingredients you use and how you shape your cookies both play an important role in whether your cookies turn out crispy or chewy. The type of flour and sugar you use, if your cookie dough contains eggs, and whether you use melted or softened butter all factor into the crispy-chewy equation, too.

Can you fix crunchy cookies? ›

Just wrap a cookie or two in a damp paper towel and then put them in the microwave for about 10 to 15 seconds. The moisture from the paper towel should soften the cookies right up. So if you wonder how to soften hard cookies quickly? Microwave is the way!

How do you make cookies soft instead of crunchy? ›

How To Make Cookies Chewy Without Cornstarch
  1. Go heavy on brown sugar. It has more moisture than its granulated counterpart, which means the cookie comes out less crispy. ...
  2. Choose margarine or shortening instead of butter. ...
  3. Use baking powder instead of baking soda. ...
  4. Rest your dough. ...
  5. Shorten baking time.
May 14, 2023

Why is my chocolate crinkles hard? ›

Don't overbake or they will be hard – they'll be soft like pudding when you take them out of the oven, but they'll firm up as they cool! If you overbake, they will be tough AND they will not sink back down to reveal their beautiful crinkle pattern.

Why is my crinkle cookie dough dry? ›

To avoid this, try using as little flour as possible while preparing to roll your dough. Dry – “Dry” or “Crumbly” dough is a product of over-mixing or using too much of any ingredient during the mixing process. This can be reversed by adding one to two tablespoons of liquid (water, milk or softened butter) to your mix.

What causes crinkles? ›

According to them, most cookies have smooth tops that are soft, but rolling them in sugar dries out the top surface so it finishes cooking before it fully spreads out. In the oven, the top hardens and breaks apart, creating those characteristic cracks.

Why do crinkle cookies crack? ›

Coating the cookies with either type of sugar draws out moisture from their surface, promoting cracks by drying out their tops before the interiors set. But granulated sugar does so more efficiently because of its coarse, crystalline structure.

How to know if crinkles are expired? ›

How do you tell if Crinkle Cookies is bad? If your crinkle cookies have gone bad, they will typically feel overly hard and dry, not soft as they should be. When bitten into, they will lack flavor and the texture will be off. If you see visible signs of mold growth, discard them immediately.

Why do my cookies go flat as soon as I take them out of the oven? ›

If your cookies come out of the oven looking flat, you may not have adequately chilled the dough before baking. Chilling times may vary depending on the cookie you're making, but you should typically chill cookie dough in the refrigerator for at least two hours before you pop it in the oven.

Why didn't my Snickerdoodles crack? ›

Cracking occurs from several chemical reactions during the baking process. If some of your cookies aren't cracking, it could be because those dough balls were less round than others, the dough became too warm, your oven isn't heating evenly, or (most likely) the cinnamon sugar coating wasn't applied as thoroughly.

Why are my cookies never crunchy? ›

Q: Why are my cookies not crisp enough? They are underbaked. Lower your oven temperature and bake longer but at a lower temperature. Using too much flour or the wrong kind of flour.

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